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| Fordiophyton tereticaule S.Jin Zeng & N.H.Xia, in Zeng, Tong & Xia, 2022. 圆茎异药花 || DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.197.82670 |
Abstract
A new species, Fordiophyton tereticaule, from China, is described and illustrated here based on morphological and molecular evidence. It is morphologically similar to F. faberi in having erect stems, slightly oblique and membranous leaf blades, broadly ovate to suborbicular bracts, and oblong petals, but differs by the terete stems, densely puberulous petioles, and elliptic leaf blades. Our phylogenetic analyses based on plastid genome and nrITS data indicate that this new species is clustered with four Fordiophyton species of Yunnan but placed far apart from F. faberi. An updated key to the genus is also provided.
Keywords: phylogeny, Sonerileae, taxonomy, Yunnan
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| Fordiophyton tereticaule S.Jin Zeng & N.H.Xia A flowering plants B part of stem with a pair of petioles C a pair of leaves D cymose inflorescence with flower buds E cymose inflorescence, oblique view F an opening flower, front view G an opening flower, side view H infructescence, side view I young fruits, top view. |
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| Fordiophyton tereticaule S.Jin Zeng & N.H.Xia A fruiting branch B part of stem with one petiole C part of leaf blade, adaxial view D cymose inflorescence with opening flowers E calyx lobe F petal G longer stamen, front view (left) and side view (right) H shorter stamen, front view (left) and back view (right). Drawn by Ding-Han Cui. |
Fordiophyton tereticaule S.Jin Zeng & N.H.Xia, sp. nov.
Verbatim name: 圆茎异药花
Diagnosis: Similar to F. faberi in having erect stems, membranous leaf blades, and oblong petals, but differs by the terete (vs. quadrangular) stems, densely puberulous (vs. green and glabrous or shortly setose near leaf blade base) petioles, and elliptic (vs. broadly lanceolate, oblong, ovate, or rarely lanceolate) leaf blades.
Distribution and habitat: Fordiophyton tereticaule is only known from Malipo County, Yunnan, China. It grows in broad-leaved evergreen forests at elevations of 1260–1540 m.
Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the terete stem.
Si-Jin Zeng, Yi-Hua Tong and Nian-He Xia. 2022. Fordiophyton tereticaule (Melastomataceae), A New Species from China. PhytoKeys. 197: 59-69. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.197.82670
