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| Impatiens liupanshuiensis X.X.Bai & T.H.Yuan, in Yuan, Chen, Yu, ... et Bai, 2022. Photographs by X. X. Bai. |
Abstract
Impatiens liupanshuiensis (Balsamianceae), belonging to I. subgen. Impatiens, is recognised as a new species from Guizhou, China and it is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to I. xanthocephala W.W. Sm. in its yellow flowers, extremely small basal lobes on lateral united petals, broadly-dolabriform distal lobes and funnelform lower sepal. However, it is distinctive in the number of lateral sepals, teeth on the margin of lateral sepals, the recurvature of the dorsal petal, the number of lateral veins, the shape and size of the lamina and the type of lamina margin. A detailed description of the new species and colour photographs are provided. Its geographical distribution and morphology are also compared to similar species.
Keywords: China, Flora of Guizhou, Impatiens, morphology, taxonomy
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| Impatiens liupanshuiensis X.X.Bai & T.H.Yuan, A plant B flower in face view C flower in lateral view D lateral sepals E bract F dorsal sepal G lateral united petal H lower sepal I capsule J stamens and pistils. (Drawn by Y. Chen from holotype and corresponding colour photographs). |
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| Impatiens liupanshuiensis X.X.Bai & T.H.Yuan, A habit B population C, D flower in face view E, F flower in lateral view G flower in dorsal view H flower dissected I lateral sepals (remotely denticulate on one or both sides) J leaves K stamens and pistils L different phases of the recurvature of the dorsal sepal M capsules N seeds. Photographs by X. X. Bai. |
Impatiens liupanshuiensis X.X.Bai & T.H.Yuan, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: This species is similar to Impatiens xanthocephala W.W. Sm. in its yellow flowers, funnelform lower sepal, broadly-dolabriform distal lobes of lateral united petals and extremely small basal lobes, but it can be distinguished by having 2 (vs. 4) lateral sepals with ciliate (vs. entire) margin, dorsal petal recurved (vs. patent), lateral veins 8–10 pairs [vs. 2–3(4) pairs], apex of the distal lobes of the united petals retuse (vs. rounded), margin serrulate (vs. remotely crenate or shallowly undulate), lamina ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate (vs. ovate or ovate-oblong), 5–10.5 × 1.7–2.8 cm (vs. 1–2 × 0.8–1 cm) and lamina margin serrulate (vs. remotely crenate or shallowly undulate).
Distribution: This species is currently known from only one population in Xiaojiucaiping Mountain, Zhongshan District, Liupanshui City, Guizhou, China. The population is large, with about 3000–3500 individuals.
Ecology: This species was collected growing in Fargesia spathacea shrubs on the side of the plank road at an elevation of 2730–2887 m in Xiaojiucaiping Mountain, which is the highest mountain in Guizhou. The main associated species were F. spathacea, Impatiens lecomtei, Sorbaria arborea C.K. Schneid. (Rosaceae), Pteridium revolutum (Blume) Nakai (Dennstaedtiaceae), Hypericum patulum Thunb. (Hypericaceae), Eupatorium lindleyanum DC. (Asteraceae) and Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don (Asteraceae).
Etymology: The specific epithet ‘liupanshuiensis’ refers to the type locality, Liupanshui City, Guizhou, China. The Chinese name is given as “六盘水凤仙花”.
Tao-Hua Yuan, Yi Chen, Shuang Yu, Liu-Yi Ren, Rong-Xin Huang, Mei-Jun Li and Xin-Xiang Bai. 2022. Impatiens liupanshuiensis (Balsaminaceae), A New Species from Guizhou, China. PhytoKeys. 192: 37-44. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.192.77269
