Friday, February 17, 2023

[Botany • 2023] Astragalus bashanensis (Leguminosae) • A New Species from Central China


Astragalus bashanensis  Q.L.Gan, X.W.Li & S.Z.Xu,

in Xu, Gan & Li, 2023. 

Abstract
A new species Astragalus bashanensis, from western Hubei Province, Central China is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Astragalus sinicus and A. wulingensis, but differs from both by its spreading pubescent indumentum on stems and petioles, longer petioles, white bracts, whitish or yellow corolla, longer claw of the keel-petal, hairy pods and smaller seeds.

Keywords: Astragalus bashanensis, Central China, new species, taxonomy

Astragalus bashanensis sp. nov.
A population B branches C root D, E, F leaves.

Astragalus bashanensis sp. nov.
A adventitious roots B petioles C stipules D flowering plant E, F umbellate racemes G bracts H calyx I opened calyx J, K corolla K1 standard K2 keel-petal K3 ovary and stamens K4 wings L pedicels M young fruits N mature fruits O seeds.

 Astragalus bashanensis Q.L.Gan, X.W.Li & S.Z.Xu, sp. nov.
 
Diagnosis: Astragalus bashanensis Q.L.Gan, X.W.Li & S.Z.Xu is similar to Astragalus sinicus L. and A. wulingensis J.X. Li & X.L. Yu, but the new species can be easily distinguished from both by its spreading pubescent indumentum on stems and petioles, petioles longer than the leaf rachis, white bracts, whitish or yellow corolla, longer claw of the keel-petal, persistent pubescence on both sides of pods and smaller seeds.

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the type locality of the new species. Bashan is an abbreviation for Dabashan or Daba Mountains.

Vernacular name: Ba Shan Huang Qi (Chinese).


Song-Zhi Xu, Qi-Liang Gan and Xin-Wei Li. 2023. Astragalus bashanensis (Leguminosae), A New Species from Central China. PhytoKeys. 219: 49-55. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.219.96916