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| Ainsliaea erectifolia X.X.Su & S.P.Chen, in Zhou, Su, Wei, Ma et Chen, 2025. |
ABSTRACT
Two new species of Ainsliaea (Asteraceae: Pertyoideae), Ainsliaea erectifolia X.X.Su and S.P.Chen and Ainsliaea laxiflora X.X.Su and S.P.Chen, both from Fujian, Southeast China, are described and illustrated here. Morphologically, A. erectifolia is similar to A. simplicissima, but can be distinguished by both surfaces of leaves being glabrous and the capitulum bearing 3 flowers. A. laxiflora is similar to A. polystachya, but differs by its rosette leaves aggregating near the middle part of the stem, the capitulum bearing 3 flowers, the terminal inflorescence rachilla shorter than lateral rachillae, anthers lower than corolla lobes, and style equal to or slightly higher than corolla lobes. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the two new species were closely related to each other and belong to section Aggregatae. These two species have currently been assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) according to the IUCN guidelines. Furthermore, the complete plastid genomes of these two new species are reported. This study not only introduces two new Ainsliaea species but also provides their plastid genome data, offering valuable genetic resources for understanding the evolutionary history of the genus Ainsliaea.
Keywords: Asteraceae, morphology, new species, phylogeny, plastid genome, taxonomy
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| Habitat and morphology of Ainsliaea erectifolia. (A, B) Habitat. (C) Inflorescence. (D) Holotype. (E) Leaves (adaxial and abaxial surface). (F) Capitulum (front view and side view). (G) Flower. (H) Style and stigma with synantherous stamens. (I) Fruit. |
Ainsliaea erectifolia X.X.Su and S.P.Chen sp. nov.
Diagnosis: This species is morphologically similar to Ainsliaea simplicissima M. J. Zhang & H. Q. Li, from which it differs by the leaves both surfaces being glabrous and the capitulum bearing 3 flowers.
Etymology: The species epithet refers to the first leaf of the plant being initially erect when it emerges.
Vernacular Name: Simplified Chinese: 竖叶兔耳风;
Chinese pinyin: shù-yè-tù-ěr-fēng.
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| Habitat and morphology of Ainsliaea laxiflora. (A, B) Habitat. (C) Holotype. (D) Inflorescence. (E) Leaves (adaxial and abaxial surface). (F) Capitulum (front view and side view). (G) Flower. (H) Style and stigma with synantherous stamen. (I) Juvenile fruit. (J) Fruit. |
Ainsliaea laxiflora X.X.Su and S.P.Chen sp. nov.
Diagnosis: This species is similar to Ainsliaea polystachya X. X. Su & M. J. Zhang, but can be distinguished by its rosette leaves aggregated near the middle part of the stem, capitulum bearing three flowers, terminal inflorescence rachilla shorter than lateral rachillae, anthers lower than corolla lobes, and style equal to or slightly higher than corolla lobes.
Etymology: The species epithet refers to its inflorescence, which is lax, with loose-flowered.
Vernacular Name: Simplified Chinese: 疏花兔耳风;
Chinese pinyin: shū-huā-tù-ěr-fēng.
Cheng-Yuan Zhou, Xiangxiu Su, Chunyi Wei, Liang Ma and Shi-Pin Chen. 2025. Two New Ainsliaea Species (Asteraceae: Pertyoideae) from Southeast China: Based on Morphological Characters and Phylogenetic Evidence. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71088 [06 March 2025]
