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| Oreocharis scutifolia Z. Xie & H. H. Kong, in Xie, Peng, Zhang, Ding, Wen et Kong. 2024. |
ABSTRACT
A peltate-leaved new species, Oreocharis scutifolia Z. Xie & H. H. Kong, endemic to the Dry–Hot Valley of the Jinsha River Basin, Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. It is similar to O. cordatula (Craib) Pellegr. and O. aurantiaca Baill. in floral characters but differs in its peltate leaf blades, which are unique in the genus (and only occur in one population of O. henryana Oliv., but its flowers are smaller, campanulate, and deep purple). Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on transcriptome data confirmed its systematic position to be sister group with O. henryana, O. cordatula, O. minor Pellegr., and O. aurantiaca Baill. (LPP = 1), and well apart from the remaining members of the genus. The new species O. scutifolia is assessed as “Critically Endangered” following the IUCN categories and criteria, due to its small and single population, thus making it face serious threats from human disturbance, invasive plants, shrinking habitat, and decreasing habitat quality.
Keywords: new taxon, Oreocharis scutifolia, peltate leaves, taxonomy, dry–hot valley of Yunnan
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| Oreocharis scutifolia Z. Xie & H. H. Kong sp. nov. (A) habitat, the Quercus franchetii Forests; (B) population, invaded by Ageratina adenophora; (C) habit; (D) mature leaves: Adaxially blade (left) and abaxially blade (right); (E) immature leaves; (F) Cyme; (G) left side view of the flowers; (H) Calyx; (I) front view of flower; (J) opening corolla, showing stamens and staminode; (K) pistil and disk; (L) Dehiscent capsules. Photographs by Zhi Xie. |
Oreocharis scutifolia Z. Xie & H. H. Kong sp. nov.
Zhi Xie, Na-Na Peng, Miao Zhang, Guo-En Ding, Fang Wen and Hang-Hui Kong. 2024. Oreocharis scutifolia (Gesneriaceae), a Peltate-Leaved New Species From the Dry–Hot Valley of the Jinsha River Basin, Yunnan, China. Ecology and Evolution. 14(10); e70442. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70442 [24 October 2024]
