Friday, January 31, 2020

[Botany • 2020] Blumea htamanthii (Asteraceae) • A New Species from northwestern Myanmar


Blumea htamanthii Y.L. Peng, C.X. Yang & Y. Luo

in Peng, Yang & Luo, 2020. 

Abstract
A new species, Blumea htamanthii Y.L. Peng, C.X. Yang & Y. Luo from Myanmar is described. The new species is distinguished from B. bifoliata by its leaves with short petioles, abaxially purple, leaf blade with papillary hair and sparse multicellular villous, capitula with 1–4 heads, glabrous florets and usually unbranched stems. A key to Blumea species in Myanmar is provided.

Keywords: Asteraceae, Blumea htamanthii, Myanmar, new species

Figure 1. Blumea htamanthii Y.L.Peng, C.X.Yang & Y.Luo, sp. nov.
A habit B the inner phyllary C the outer phyllary D bisexual floret E female floret F style of bisexual floret G magnified part of upper surface of the leaf.
 Drawings: Jian Gu based on the holotype.

Figure 2. Blumea htamanthii Y.L.Peng, C.X.Yang & Y.Luo, sp. nov.
 in the field and magnified leaves and receptacle A the whole plant B inflorescences C the abaxial surface of the leaf D receptacle E the upper surface of the leaf F magnified part of upper surface of the leaf G basal leaves.
Photos: Y.L. Peng.

Blumea htamanthii Y.L.Peng, C.X.Yang & Y.Luo, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: This new species is the most similar to Blumea bifolia (Linn.) DC. in its obovate-oblong leaves, reflexed linear phyllaries, flat, alveolate, glabrous receptacles. However, it is distinguished by its leaf blades with papillary hairs and sparse multicellular villous, abaxial purple, 1–4 capitula at the ends of the peduncles and its unribbed achenes.

Etymology: The new specific epithet “htamanthii” refers to the name of the town along the Chindwin River, Hkamti District of Sagaing, Myanmar, where the novel species was discovered.

Distribution and habitat: Myanmar. Sagaing, Htamanthi; Blumea htamanthii is only known from the type collection along the branch river of Chindwin River, growing on the steep rocks near the forest from 66–366 m altitude above mean sea level, ... in the Htamanthii Nature Reserve.


Yulan Peng, Chenxuan Yang and Yan Luo. 2020. Blumea htamanthii (Asteraceae), A New Species from Myanmar. In: Jin X-H, Xia N-H, Tan Y-H (Eds) Plant Diversity of Southeast Asia-II. PhytoKeys. 138;  225-232. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.138.38815