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| Impatiens wuyiensis J.S.Wang, Y.F.Lu & X.F.Jin. in Wang, Lu, ... et Jin, 2020. |
Abstract
Background:
Southeast Asia, together with tropical Africa, Madagascar, South India and Sri Lanka, and the eastern Himalayas, are the five primary hotspots of species diversity of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae). China is also rich in Impatiens species, especially in the limestone karsts or ‘Danxia’ landforms. With zygomorphic flowers and diverse corolla morphology and color, the species in Impatiens are well-known for their ornamental use, but they are also notorious in taxonomy. During the preparation of revision of Impatiens in Zhejiang and adjacent regions, an unknown species was collected from Mt. Wuyi in Fujian Province, Southeast China.
Results:
Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS, chloroplast atpB-rbcL and trnL-F sequences, together with micromorphology of pollen grains and seed coats, strongly supported the close relationship of the new species with Impatiens platysepala Y.L.Chen and I. chloroxantha Y.L.Chen. In turn, both molecular data and morphological characters also were sufficient to distinguish the new species from the other two counterparts.
Conclusions:
Our detailed morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analyses support the recognition of Impatiens wuyiensis as a species new to science.
Keywords: Danxia landform, Flora of Southeast China, Impatiens wuyiensis, Sect. Impatiens, Taxonomy
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| Fig. 4: Impatiens wuyiensis J.S.Wang, Y.F.Lu & X.F.Jin. a habit (showing lower part and roots); b habit (showing upper part); c bract; d lateral sepal; e lower sepal; f upper petal; g lateral petals; h stamens; i ovary; j seed (Drawn by X.F. Jin from the holotype) |
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| Fig. 5: Impatiens wuyiensis J.S.Wang, Y.F.Lu & X.F.Jin. a, b habitat; c adaxial surface of leaf; d abaxial surface of leaf; e, f inflorescence; g lateral view of flower; h frontal view of flower; i pedicel and bract; j upper petal and lateral united petals; k flower structure; l capsule |
Impatiens wuyiensis J.S.Wang, Y.F.Lu & X.F.Jin, sp. nov.:
武夷凤仙花
Diagnosis: Haec species in characteribus floralibus est affinis Impatienti platysepalae Y.L. Chen et I. chloroxanthae Y.L. Chen, a qua floribus luteis, sepalis lateralibus dense purpureo-rubro-maculatis, costas vexilli dorso in medio breviter clavatis vel cornutis, bracteis herbaceis linearis vel anguste ovato-lanceolatis, 3–4 mm longis, ca. 0.5 mm latis differt.
Distribution, habitat and ecology: Impatiens wuyiensis seems to be restricted to Mt. Wuyi. It is widely distributed along several scenic spots, such as Dawangfeng, Tianyoufeng, Shuiliandong and Lianhuafeng views. It grows in moist places by roadside or in grasslands, on rock face, under forest or at forest margins, at an elevation between 220 and 430 m (Fig. 5: a, b).
Etymology: The specific epithet ‘wuyiensis’ is derived from the type locality, Mt. Wuyi, northern Fujian Province.
Jian-Sheng Wang, Yi-Fei Lu, Yue-Liang Xu, Shui-Hu Jin and Xiao-Feng Jin. 2020. Impatiens wuyiensis (Balsaminaceae), A New Species from Fujian of Southeast China, based on Morphological and Molecular Evidences. Botanical Studies. 61: 29. DOI: 10.1186/s40529-020-00306-1