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| Primulina nanlingensis J.C.Luo & H.F.Chen, in Luo, Y.-Q. Li, Y.-L. Li, She, Zeng, Wang et Chen, 2025. 南岭报春苣苔 || DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.254.145138 |
Abstract
Primulina nanlingensis, a new species of Gesneriaceae from the Karst of Guangdong, China, is described and illustrated. This species is morphologically similar to P. versicolor, but can be distinguished by its larger crenate-margined leaves, fewer flowers per cyme and overall cyme number, ovate-lanceolate bracts with shallow serrations, calyx lobes with 1–3 teeth per side, stamens densely glandular at base and tip and pistil densely glandular-puberulent. It also resembles P. pengii, but has significant differences in its longer corolla, pale yellow corolla colour and ovate-lanceolate bracts. Phylogenetic analyses with ITS and trnL-F sequences revealed that P. nanlingensis is sister to P. versicolor and P. pengii, but isolated from its morphological relatives. The phylogenetic and morphological relationships with similar species are discussed, including detailed descriptions, photographs and distribution information. According to the IUCN Red List Criteria, the new species is assessed as Near Threatened [NT].
Key words: Gesneriaceae, limestone flora, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy
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| Primulina nanlingensis J.C.Luo & H.F.Chen A habit B side view of corolla C frontal view of corolla D opened corolla E stamens F pistil with calyx lobes G outside surface of calyx lobes H outside surface of bracts I capsule. Drawn by Mrs. Yunxiao Liu based on J.C. Luo & H.F. Chen LJC00501. |
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| Primulina nanlingensis J.C.Luo & H.F.Chen A plants in natural habitat B habit in flowering C cyme and frontal view of corolla D the adaxial and abaxial surface of leaf blades E outside surface of bracts F frontal view of corolla G side view of corolla H opened corolla showing stamens, staminodes and colour I stamens J stigma K outside and inside surface of calyx lobes L pistil with calyx lobes and pistil without calyx lobes M infructescence. |
Primulina nanlingensis J.C.Luo & H.F.Chen, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: The new species is similar to Primulina versicolor F.Wen, B.Pan & B.M.Wang in terms of flower shape and corolla colour, but easily distinguished from the larger leaf blades (10–21 × 7–19 cm vs. 8–18 × 6.5–16.5 cm) with a crenate margin (vs. entire); notably lower number of flowers (3–4 cymes, 4–8 flowered vs. 4–8 cymes, 4–24 flowered or more); bracts ovate-lanceolate (vs. broadly oval or suborbicular), with shallowly serrate margins above the middle (vs. entire margins); calyx lobes densely glandular on both surfaces (vs. outside glandular-pubescent inside nearly glabrous) and with 1–3 inconspicuous teeth each side (vs. 3–5-serrate); longer pistil (3.2–3.5 cm vs. 2.5–2.8 cm) and glandular-puberulent (vs. puberulent); filaments white (vs. pale yellow) with densely glandular at base and tip, sparser mid-section (vs. only upper half sparsely glandular-puberulent). Additionally, while the leaf morphology of this new species resembles that of P. pengii W.B.Xu & K.F.Chung, it differs in having a longer corolla length (4.2–5.2 cm vs. 2.8–3.6 cm), pale yellow corollas (vs. white) and ovate-lanceolate bracts with slightly serrate edges above the middle (vs. cordate bracts with entire margins).
Etymology. The species epithet refers to the type locality, the Nanling Mountains.
Vernacular name. 南岭报春苣苔 (Chinese name);
Nán Lǐng Bào Chūn Jù Tái (Chinese pronunciation).
Jin-Chu Luo, Yuan-Qiu Li, Ya-Li Li, Ming-Zhao She, Yang-Jin Zeng, Fa-Guo Wang and Hong-Feng Chen. 2025. Primulina nanlingensis (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from the Limestone Karst of Guangdong, China. PhytoKeys. 254: 99-111. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.254.145138
