 |
| Spiradiclis scorpiura Y.Nong & L.Wu, in Nong, Lei, Wu, Hu, Li, Qu, Xu et Wei. 2025. 蝎尾螺序草 || DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.252.139783 |
Abstract
Spiradiclis scorpiura (Rubiaceae), a new calcareous species found in Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is similar to S. coccinea, S. scabrida, and S. purpureocaerulea in having pubescent stems and subglobose capsules, but it is easily distinguished by its cincinnous inflorescence and its triangular, 1–2 mm long, pubescent bracteoles. According to the IUCN criteria, it is considered Data Deficient (DD) until more information becomes available. Photographs, an illustration, a distribution map, and a comparative table with the most similar species are provided.
Key words: Daxin County, limestone, new species, sinkhole, taxonomy
 |
| Line drawing of Spiradiclis scorpiura Y.Nong & L.Wu A flowering plant B stipule C flower D long-styled flower, frontal view, showing corolla lobes and stigma E longitudinally opened long-styled flower, showing the position of the stamens and the style and stigma F longitudinally opened short-styled flower, showing the position of the stamens and the style and stigma G seed (Drawn by Xin-cheng Qu). |
 |
| Spiradiclis scorpiura Y.Nong & L.Wu A habit B detail of fruiting plant C inflorescence D stipule E longitudinally opened, long-styled flower F longitudinally opened, short-styled flower G flowering plant (photographed and edited by You Nong). |
Spiradiclis scorpiura Y.Nong & L.Wu, sp. nov.
Chinese name: xiē wěi luó xù cǎo (蝎尾螺序草).
Diagnosis: Spiradiclis scorpiura is most similar to S. coccinea but is different in its densely pubescent young stems that become glabrous when older (vs. glabrous or subglabrous), its cincinnous inflorescences (vs. cymose), its triangular, 1–2 mm long, pubescent bracteoles (vs. subulate, 3–4 mm long, glabrous), its calyx puberulent outside (vs. glabrescent outside), and its capsule 3–4 mm in diam. (vs. 4.5–5.5 mm in diam.).
Etymology. The specific epithet “scorpiura” refers to the terminal, cincinnous inflorescences of the new species.
You Nong, Li-Qun Lei, Lei Wu, Qi-Min Hu, Ying-Jing Li, Xin-Cheng Qu, Chuan-Gui Xu and Gui-Yuan Wei. 2025. Spiradiclis scorpiura (Rubiaceae), A New Species from Guangxi, China. PhytoKeys. 252: 41-49. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.252.139783
