Wednesday, May 8, 2024

[Botany • 2024] Impatiens beipanjiangensis (Balsaminaceae) • A New Species from Guizhou, China

 

Impatiens beipanjiangensis Jian Xu & H.F. Hu, 

in Hu, Xu, An, Guo et Yang, 2024.

Abstract
Impatiens beipanjiangensis Jian Xu & H. F. Hu (Balsaminaceae), a new species of Impatiens subg. Clavicarpa discovered in Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated in this study along with its molecular phylogenetic analysis. I. beipanjiangensis is similar to I. liboensis, I. chishuiensis and I. clavigera in morphology, but I. tubulosa has the closest relationship to it. However, there are various ways in which the new species can be easily distinguished from these four species: Inferior nodes swollen rhizoid, pale green and with hooked outer sepals, longer lateral united petals, subovate auricle, deeper lower sepal and shorter spur that is reflexed towards the lower sepal. Furthermore, I. beipanjiangensis is distinguished from other Impatiens species, based on morphological, micromorphological and palynological evidence and molecular data (PP 0.967).

Key words: Balsaminaceae, Flora of China, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy

Impatiens beipanjiangensis Jian Xu & H.F. Hu, sp. nov.
A whole plant B root C margin of leafD flower in side viewE flower in front view F spur G lateral sepals H dorsal petal I inner lateral sepal J lateral united petals K inner lateral sepal L outer lateral sepal M fruit N fruit anatomy O seeds
(Drawn by Gan-Yang Yu from Guizhou University).

Impatiens beipanjiangensis Jian Xu & H.F. Hu, sp. nov.
 A habitat B whole plant and root C adaxial surface of leaf blade and margin of leaf (inset) D abaxial surface of leaf blade E flower in front view F flower in side view and spur (inset) G flower anatomy and auricle (inset) (a) dorsal petal (b) outer lateral sepals (c) inner lateral sepals (d) lateral united petals (e) lower sepal (f) filaments and anthers H lateral sepals I fruit J fruit anatomy and seeds
 (Photographed by Jian Xu).

 Impatiens beipanjiangensis Jian Xu & H.F. Hu, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: This species is similar in morphology to I. liboensis, I. chishuiensis and I. clavigera and is close in phylogeny to I. tubulosa. Their leaf margin with crenate and fimbriae, raceme, stamens 5, ovary clavate, capsule hammer-shaped. However, it is different in the following aspects: inferior nodes swollen rhizoid, pale green and with hooked outer sepals, longer lateral united petals, subovate auricle, deeper lower sepal and shorter spur that is reflexed towards the lower sepal.

Etymology: The specific epithet “beipanjiangensis” refers to the river basin of the type specimen, Panzhou City (Beipanjiang River Basin), Guizhou, China.

Vernacular name: The Chinese name is “Bēi Pán Jiāng Fèng Xiān Huā” (北盘江凤仙花).

  

Hong-Fen Hu, Jian Xu, Ming-Tai An, Ying Guo and Jia-Wen Yang. 2024. Impatiens beipanjiangensis (Balsaminaceae), A New Species from Guizhou, China. PhytoKeys. 241: 201-213. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.241.113700