Tuesday, September 12, 2023

[Botany • 2023] Stauranthera floribunda (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Yunnan, China


Stauranthera floribunda F.Su, C.Y.Hao & K.Tan,

in Su, Qin, Wang, Wang, Hao et Tan, 2023. 
 Photographs by Fan Su.

Abstract
Stauranthera floribunda F.Su, C.Y.Hao & K.Tan, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. It is morphologically similar to S. grandifolia Benth. in the shape of corolla, stigma, leaves and the number of stamens. However, it can be readily distinguished from the compared species by its dense cymes, leaf indumentum, lack of a corolla spur, calyx colour and stamen shape. The description of the new species, photographs, detailed descriptions, notes on etymology, distribution and habitat, as well as comparisons with morphologically similar species, are provided.

Key words: China, Flora of Yunan, Gesneriaceae, new taxon, Stauranthera

Line drawing of Stauranthera floribunda F.Su, C.Y.Hao & K.Tan,
 A adaxial view of the whole plant B front view of flower C back view of flower D detail of degenerated leaves E pistil F hair of abaxial leaf blade G frontal view of stamens H dorsal side of stamen. Drawn by Di Hu.

Stauranthera floribunda F.Su, C.Y.Hao & K.Tan, sp. nov.
A habit B cymes C, D adaxial and abaxial views of the whole plant E degenerated leaves F front view of flower G back view of flower H detail of abaxial leaf blade I detail of stamens J detail of pistil K ovary and its cross-section view.
 Photographs by Fan Su.

 Stauranthera floribunda F.Su, C.Y.Hao & K.Tan, sp. nov.
 
Diagnosis: The new species resembles Stauranthera grandifolia in leaf blade shape and corolla, but can be easily distinguished from the latter in the flower number of cymes 2–4 bushes (vs. cymes 1–2 bushes), calyx colour white to slightly purple (vs. green), and bract 1, bracteole 1 auriculate connate (vs. bracts 2, linear opposite) and ovary 1–loculed (vs. 2–loculed) (Table 1).

Etymology: The specific epithet floribunda, which means “many-flowered”, refers the large numbers of the flowers per cyme and the whole plant of the new species. It is noticeably different from the flower numbers of all other known Stauranthera species.

Vernacular name: Chinese: 多花十字苣苔 (duō huā shí zì jù taí). The name ‘duó huá’ means it has more flowers than other species in this genus and ‘shí zì jù taí’ is the Chinese name of Stauranthera.


Fan Su, Xiao-Wei Qin, Yun-Lei Wang, Ren-Fen Wang, Chao-Yun Hao and Ke Tan. 2023. Stauranthera floribunda, A New Species of Gesneriaceae from Yunnan, China.  PhytoKeys. 232: 59-66. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.232.108996