Friday, January 6, 2023

[Botany • 2021] Impatiens wutaishanensis (Balsaminaceae) • A New Species from Southeast Yunnan, China


Impatiens wutaishanensis R.L. Liao & Lei Cai, 

in Liao, Cai, Yu, Wang & Sun, 2021. 
五台山凤仙花  ||  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.176.58825

Abstract
Impatiens wutaishanensis R.L. Liao & Lei Cai, a new species from Southeast Yunnan, China, is here described and illustrated. This new species is most similar to Impatiens parvisepala S.X. Yu & Y.T. Hou in its racemose inflorescences, its four lateral sepals, the leaf arrangement, and in having yellow flowers. However, it differs in the height of the plants, the length of the petiole, the size and shape of the leaf blade, the shape of the spur, and the number of flowers in each inflorescence. A detailed description, color photographs, and a provisional IUCN red list assessment are provided, and its geographical distribution, ecology, and morphological relationship with relevant similar species are discussed.

Keywords: China, Flora of Yunnan, Impatiens parvisepala, Impatiens wutaishanensis, morphology

Impatiens wutaishanensis R.L. Liao & Lei Cai 
 A habit B root C inner lateral sepal D outer lateral sepal E dorsal petal F lateral united petals (F1: upper petal F2: lower petal) G lower sepal H ovary and stamens I flower in front view J flower in lateral view K partial view of leaf margin.
(drawn by R.M. Zhang)

   


Impatiens wutaishanensis R.L. Liao & Lei Cai 
 A habit B whole plant C inflorescence D capsule E flower in front view F flower in lateral view G different parts of the flower.

Impatiens wutaishanensis R.L. Liao & Lei Cai, sp. nov.
  
Diagnosis: This species is similar to Impatiens parvisepala S.X. Yu & Y.T. Hou (2011: 57) (Hou et al. 2011) in its racemose inflorescences, its alternate and aggregated or subverticillate at stem apex arrangement leaf, and its yellow flowers, but it can be distinguished by its conspicuous 0.5–2.4 cm long petiole (vs. sub-sessile or sessile), its shorter 10–35 cm high plants (vs. 35–60 cm high), its 3.5–12 × 1.5–4 cm elliptic to lanceolate-oblong leaf blades with cuneate bases (vs. 12–20 × 3.5–6 cm obovate or obovate-lanceolate blade with attenuate bases), its slightly incurved or narrowing to incurved spur (vs. nearly straight spur), and its racemose inflorescences with up to 22 flowers (vs. 6–8 flowers per inflorescence).

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘wutaishanensis’ refers to the type locality where the new species was found, located in the Wutaishan area of Jinping Fenshuiling National Nature Reserve, Jinping County, Southeast Yunnan, China. The Chinese name is given as “五台山凤仙花”.


Rong-Li Liao, Lei Cai, Zhi-Yong Yu, Yue-Hua Wang and Wei-Bang Sun. 2021. Impatiens wutaishanensis (Balsaminaceae), A New Species from Southeast Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys. 176: 43-53. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.176.58825
Researchgate.net/publication/350927563_Impatiens_wutaishanensis_a_new_species_from_Southeast_Yunnan_China