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| Primulina alba R.F. Li & B.Pan, in Li & Pan, 2023. |
Abstract
Primulina alba R.F.Li & B.Pan, a new species of Gesneriaceae from the limestone area of Guangxi, Southwest China, is described and illustrated. This new species is morphologically similar to P. cerina F.Wen, Yi Huang & Chou. It can be easily distinguished from the latter by several characteristics, such as the size of leaf blades, the indumentum, size of the corolla, the position of stamens, etc. The conservation status of P. alba can be considered Vulnerable [VU D1] according to the Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN, 2022).
Keyword: Flora of Guangxi, Limestone, Primulina cerina, Primulina cordifolia, Primulina jiangyongensis, Primulina mollifolia
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| Photographs of Primulina alba R.F. Li & B.Pan A, B: Habitat. C: Habit. D: Plant. E, F: Cymes. G, H: Infructescences. I: Adaxial surface of the leaf blades. J: Abaxial surface of the leaf blades. (All leaves are from the same adult plant) K: Bracts, abaxially. L: Bracts adaxially. M: Calyx and pistil. N: Front view of the corolla. O: Top view of the corolla. P: Lateral view of the corolla. Q, R: Opened corolla showing stamens. S: Stigma. |
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| Primulina alba R.F. Li & B.Pan A: Habit. B: Front view of the corolla. C: Top view of the corolla. D: Opened corolla. E: The outside surface of bract. F: Pistil and calyx. G: Stigma and style. Drawn by Rui-Feng Li. |
Primulina alba R.F.Li & B.Pan, sp. nov.
小白花報春苣苔
Diagnosis: Primulina alba is morphologically similar to P. cerina (Fig. S1), but it differs from the latter in its Leaf Blade herbaceous (vs. fleshy), broadly ovate, nearly rounded to rounded (vs. nearly rounded to cordate rounded), 4–10 × 4–12 cm (vs. 3–5.5 × 3.5–5.5 cm). Corolla outside sparsely puberulent, inside puberulent (vs. outside sparsely extremely short puberulent, inside nearly glabrous). Stamens adnate to ca. 2 mm above corolla tube base (vs. adnate to ca. 3 mm above corolla tube base). Filament ca. 5 mm long (vs. ca. 6 mm long in P. cerina). Pistil 8.5–9 mm long (vs. 10.5–11 mm long); Ovary narrowly cylindrical (vs. ovoid), ca. 4mm × 0.7mm (vs. ca. 2.5 × 1 mm), densely erect puberulent vs. densely eglandularpuberulent).
Etymology: The specific epithet, ‘alba’, is derived from the white color of the small flowers of the new species.
Distribution and habitat: Primulina alba is hitherto only known from one population on the moist rock face in a Karst cave in Tiandeng County, southwestern Guangxi, China, at altitudes from alt. 300–350 m. Lysionotus denticulosus W.T.Wang accompanies the new species, along with Begonia edulis Lévl., Lysimachia saxicola Chun & F.Chun ex Chen & C.M.Hu, Spiradiclis longibracteata S.Y.Liu & S.J.Wei, Aristolochia versicolor S.M. Hwang, Ficus tinctoria Forst. F., and other plants
Rui-Feng Li and Bo Pan. 2023. Primulina alba, A New Cave-dwelling Species of Gesneriaceae from A Limestone Area in Tiandeng County, Guangxi, China. Taiwania. 68(1); 79-84. taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1909
