Wednesday, May 8, 2024

[Botany • 2024] Indigofera jintongpenensis (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae: Indigofereae) • A New Species from Yunnan, southwest China

 

 Indigofera jintongpenensis Huan C.Wang, L.Yao & X.L.Zhao,

in Yao, Yang, Zhao, Q.-P. Wang et H.-C. Wang. 2024. 

Abstract
Indigofera jintongpenensis, a new species of the subfamily Papilionoideae of Fabaceae, is described and illustrated from Yunnan, southwest China. The new species is characterised by having a prostrate habit, flexible stems and branches, as well as spreading, sub-basifixed, asymmetrically 2-branched trichomes covering the entire plant, discoid calyx, and racemose inflorescences 6–8-flowered, short, 1–2 (–3.5) cm in length, apparently shorter than the leaf. A distribution map and comparison of morphological diagnostic characters with its morphologically similar species are provided. Additionally, a preliminary conservation assessment of I. jintongpenensis is proposed following IUCN criteria.

Key words: Endemism, Indigofereae, Jintongpen Mountain, mat-forming, short inflorescence, taxonomy

Indigofera jintongpenensis sp. nov.
 A habit B a portion of branchlet showing adaxial surface of leaflets C leaves (abaxial) D branchlet E stipules F leaves and inflorescence G inflorescence H legume.

 Indigofera jintongpenensis Huan C.Wang, L.Yao & X.L.Zhao, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Indigofera jintongpenensis is most morphologically similar to I. balfouriana Craib, but it clearly differs from the latter by its habit being prostrate (vs. erect), much-branched stems and branches flexible, leaves usually 7–13-foliolate (vs. 5–9-foliolate), stipules usually 5–7 mm (vs. 3–6 mm) long, inflorescences racemose, 1–2 (–3.5) cm (vs. 2–6 cm) long, 6–8-flowered, legumes 1.5–2.5 cm (vs. 2.5–4.0 cm) long, endocarp not blotched (vs. blotched).


 Lan Yao, Yan Yang, Xue-Li Zhao, Qiu-Ping Wang and Huan-Chong Wang. 2024. Indigofera jintongpenensis (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae, Indigofereae), A New Species from Yunnan, southwest China. PhytoKeys. 241: 91-101. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.241.120230