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| Impatiens bijieensis X.X. Bai & L.Y. Ren, in Ren, Chen, Yuan, ... et Bai, 2022. |
Abstract
Impatiens bijieensis X.X. Bai & L.Y. Ren, sp. nov. from northwest Guizhou Province, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is distributed discontinuously in Jiulongshan, Dafang County and Dajiucaiping, Hezhang County, both of which are in the Wumeng Mountain area, a karst plateau landform. The new species is morphologically similar to I. pterosepala Hook.f., I. lasiophyton Hook.f. and I. leptocaulon Hook.f. in height and flower shape and it especially resembles I. lasiophyton in pilosity. However, it differs in its deep purplish-red flower, 2-lobed lower sepal apex and cylindrical capsule. A detailed description, colour photographs and a provisional IUCN Red List assessment are provided along with discussions of its geographical distribution, ecology and morphological relationships with other similar species.
Keywords: Balsaminaceae, China, Impatiens, morphology, new species
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| Impatiens bijieensis X.X. Bai & L.Y. Ren A habit B dorsal petal C lateral sepal D lateral united petal E lower sepal F anther G fruit H flower in face view I flower in lateral view. Drawings by Yi Chen, based on holotype specimen. |
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Impatiens bijieensis X.X. Bai & L.Y. Ren A habit B plant C flower in face view D flower in lateral view E leaf adaxial surface (left) and abaxial surface (right) F inflorescence G flower dissected H fruit I ovary J anther K seeds L root. Photos by Xin-Xiang Bai. |
Impatiens bijieensis X.X. Bai & L.Y. Ren, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Impatiens bijieensis X.X. Bai & L.Y. Ren, sp. nov. is similar to I. pterosepala, I. lasiophyton and I. leptocaulon in plant height, leaf blade shape and flower shape, especially resembling I. lasiophyton in its pilosity and obtuse anther apices, but distinguished by its deep purplish-red flower, linear-lanceolate bract, apex 2-lobed lower sepal and cylindrical capsule.
Etymology: The specific epithet ‘bijieensis’ refers to the type locality where the new species was found, located in Bijie City, northwest Guizhou Province, China. The Chinese name is given as “毕节凤仙花”.
Distribution: Impatiens bijieensis has been observed in Bijie City, Guizhou Province with subpopulations in Hezhang County and Dafang County. We found at Dajiucaiping, Hezhang that the plants grow along the creek on the slopes of gentle hilltops or on the side slope of the ridge, while some were found below the cliffs where water was dripping from streams. At Jiulongshan, Dafang, the population was distributed in evergreen broad-leaved forest margins.
Ecology Impatiens bijieensis was collected at elevations of 1915–2800 m. Species of Rubus coreanus Miq. (Rosaceae), Elatostema involucratum Franch. et Sav. (Urticaceae) and Allium wallichii Kunth (Liliaceae) were found to grow in the vicinity of this species.
Liu-Yi Ren, Yi Chen, Tao-Hua Yuan, Rong-Xin Huang, Mei-Jun Li and Xin-Xiang Bai. 2022. Impatiens bijieensis (Balsaminaceae), A New Species from Karst Plateau in Guizhou, China. PhytoKeys. 192: 1-10. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.192.77517
