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| Camellia zijinica M.Lin, Q.L.Ye & Q.Fan, in Lin, Ye, Zhang, Liao et Fan, 2024. Photographed by Zhi-Ming Zhong, Qiang Fan and Min Lin. |
Abstract
A new species of the genus Camellia (Theaceae), Camellia zijinica, discovered in the Danxia landscape from Guangdong Province, China, is characterized and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis based on chloroplast genomes suggested its affinity with C. drupifera, C. oleifera and C. fluviatilis, however, it morphologically differs from all of the latter by leaf shape and size. Phonologically, it most closely resembles C. microphylla, but can be distinguished from the latter by its young branchlets glabrous (vs. densely pubescent), fewer bracteoles and sepals, diverse leaf shape, midvein raised slightly with sparsely pubescent or glabrous (vs. prominently with densely pubescent) and leaf adaxially matt (vs. vernicose) when dried. By morphological and molecular analyses, Camellia zijinica represented a distinct new species of C. sect. Paracamellia.
Key words: Camellia, Danxia landscape, morphology, new species, phylogeny
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| Camellia zijinica sp. nov. A habit B, C flowering branch D leaf shape E flower in front view F flower in back view G pistil and ovary H flowering branch, showing the stamens I flowering branch, showing the bracteoles and sepals J fruits, showing young to ripe (a-c) K bracteoles, sepals and petals. Photographed by Zhi-Ming Zhong, Qiang Fan and Min Lin. |
Camellia zijinica M.Lin, Q.L.Ye & Q.Fan, sp. nov.
Chinese name: 紫金短柱茶
Etymology: The specific epithet refers to Zijin County of Guangdong Province, the type locality of the new species.
Min Lin, Qin-Liang Ye, Zhi-Jian Zhang, Wen-Bo Liao and Qiang Fan. 2024. Camellia zijinica (Theaceae), A New Species endemic to Danxia Landscape from Guangdong Province, China. PhytoKeys. 237: 245-255. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.237.114768