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| Spiradiclis detianensis L.Wu, Y.F.Huang & Z.J.Wen, in Wen, Huang, ... et Wu, 2021. |
Abstract
A new species of Rubiaceae, Spiradiclis detianensis is described from a limestone karst area of southwestern China. This new species is morphologically similar to S. cordata and S. spathulata. All of them have rosetted habit and long peduncles, but it differs from the former by the cuneate leaf bases (vs. basally cordate) and much longer corolla tubes (1.8–2.2 cm long vs. ca. 5 mm long), and from the latter mainly by its tubular-funnel shaped corolla (vs. slenderly salver shaped), 4.5–6.8 (vs. 1.5–2) mm in diam, inside throat and corolla densely puberulent (vs. glabrous except a ring of long hairs at the middle). It also resembles to S. tubiflora, but differs clearly by its subrosulate habit (vs. procumbent to creeping), longer leaf blades (7.0–10.5 cm vs. 0.5–2.5 cm) and longer corolla tubes (18–22 mm vs. 14–16 mm). At same time, color photos, illustrations, detailed descriptions and conservation status of the new species are provided.
Keywords: China, Guangxi, limestone, Rubiaceae, taxonomy
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| Figure 2. Spiradiclis detianensis A habit B inflorescence C leaves D, E stipule F, G short- and long-styled flower, front view H opened long- and short-styled flower, showing style and stamens I ovary, side view J infructescence, side view. S. tubiflora K habit L inflorescence. Scale bars: 1 cm (B, C, H, J, L); 2 mm (D, E, F, G, I). Photos by Z.J. Wen and L. Wu. |
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| Spiradiclis detianensis L.Wu, Y.F.Huang & Z.J.Wen A habit B stipule C inflorescence, side view D opened long-style flower E opened short-style flower F capsule, side view G capsule under matured, face view. Scale bar: 1 cm (A, C, D, E); 2 mm (B, F, G). Drawn from the holotype by X.Y. Zeng. |
Spiradiclis detianensis L.Wu, Y.F.Huang & Z.J.Wen, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: The new species is similar to Spiradiclis cordata and S. tubiflora, but it differs from the former mainly by the cuneate leaf base (vs. cordate) and much longer corolla tubes (1.8–2.2 cm long vs. ca. 5 mm long), and from the latter by its subrosulate habit (vs. procumbent to creeping), longer and wider leaf blades (7.0–10.5 × 2.0–3.5 cm vs. 0.5–2.5 × 0.4–1.5 cm), more secondary veins (7–10 pairs vs. 3–5 pairs) and longer corolla tubes (18–22 mm vs. 14–16 mm).
Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the type locality, where a famous attraction, Detian Waterfall, is situated.
Chinese name: 德天螺序草 (de-tian-luo-xu-cao in Mandarin).
Distribution and habitat: Until now, only two populations of the new species have been found. They are both known from limestone hills of southern Guangxi. Plants of the new species prefer to grow at humid places at elevation range of 500‒800 m, under evergreen broad-leaved forests with tree species of Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Tiliaceae, Theaceae, Myrsinaceae, Magnoliaceae and Sapindaceae.
Zhao-Jie Wen, Yun-Fen Huang, Yan-Hua Hu, Khang Sinh Nguyen and Lei Wu. 2021. Spiradiclis detianensis (Rubiaceae, Ophiorrhizeae), A New Species from southwestern Guangxi, China. PhytoKeys. 184: 103-110. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.184.69886