Thursday, February 17, 2022

[Botany • 2022] Silene vanchingshanensis (Caryophyllaceae) • A New Species from Guizhou, southwest China


 Silene vanchingshanensis C.Y.Wu ex Huan C. Wang & Feng Yang, 

in Yang, Liu, Li et Wang, 2022. 

Abstract
Silene vanchingshanensis (Caryophyllaceae), a new species from Fanjingshan Mountain in Guizhou (southwest China) is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to S. morrisonmontana and S. hupehensis, from which it can be easily distinguished by having pubescent stems usually 10–15 cm long, linear-oblanceolate leaves 3–6 cm × 3–6 mm, often 2–5-flowered cymes, pink or violet petals and narrowly ovoid capsules.

Keywords: Endemism, Guizhou, Silene, Silene morrisonmontana, Silene hupehensis

 Silene vanchingshanensis C.Y.Wu ex Huan C. Wang & Feng Yang, 
A habit B petal C pistil D calyx.
(Drawn from the holotype by Jing-Li Liu) 

 Silene vanchingshanensis C.Y.Wu ex Huan C. Wang & Feng Yang, 
A habit B flower (front view) C basal leaves D cauline leaves and bracts E basal leaves F flower (side view, showing the calyx and pedicel) G dissected flower (showing the androgynophore and claws) H petal (showing the claw, auricles and coronal scales) I pistil and androgynophore J stamens, pistil and androgynophore K calyx after anthesis L immature capsule.


 Silene vanchingshanensis C.Y.Wu ex Huan C. Wang & Feng Yang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Silene vanchingshanensis is similar to S. morrisonmontana, from which it differs by its shape and size of leaves (linear-oblanceolate, 3–6 cm × 3–6 mm vs. linear, 2–7 cm × 2–3 mm), cymes (often 2–5-flowered vs. usually solitary) and colour of petals (pink or violet vs. white).

Etymology: The specific epithet vanchingshanensis is derived from the type locality “Vanchingshan”, a variant name for Fanjingshan Mountain.

Distribution and habitat: Silene vanchingshanensis is currently known only from locus classicus (Fanjingshan Mountain), a famous scenic resort in Guizhou, southwest China. The species grows on cliffs or rock crevices of the mountain summit at elevations of 2,100–2,500 m.


 Feng Yang, Jin-Li Liu, Ping-Ping Li and Huan-Chong Wang. 2022. Silene vanchingshanensis (Caryophyllaceae) A New Species from Southwest China. PhytoKeys. 189: 155-162. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.189.79631