[Botany • 2025] Paraphlomis anisochila (Lamiaceae) • A New Species from Hunan, China

 

Paraphlomis anisochila  Y.P.Chen, A.Liu & F.Zhang, 

in Liu, H.-B. Chen, Zhang et Y.P. Chen. 2025.

 DOI:  doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.259.153345

 

Abstract

Paraphlomis anisochila, a new species from the subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests of Hunan Province, southern China, is described and illustrated. Morphological comparisons indicate that P. anisochila is most similar to P. seticalyx, whereas molecular phylogenetic analyses based on a comprehensive sampling and two nuclear ribosomal DNA regions (ITS and ETS) place it as the sister species of P. yingdeensis. Paraphlomis anisochila is characterized by its unequal corolla lips, distinguishing it from all other Paraphlomis species. Additionally, it differs from P. seticalyx in lamina shape, petiole and calyx length, and from P. yingdeensis in plant indumentum, calyx tooth apex, and corolla color.

Key words: Evergreen broad-leaved forests, Lamioideae, Paraphlomideae

Paraphlomis anisochila from the type locality.
A. Habitat; B. Habit; C. Stolons; D. Inflorescence; E. Lateral view of flowers; F. Frontal view of flower; G. Frontal view of calyces (Photographed by A. Liu).

Foliar and floral morphology of Paraphlomis anisochila.
 A. Leaves; B. Flower and corolla; C. Calyx; D. Dissected calyces; E. Dissected corolla; F. Style; G. Ovary (Photographed by Y.P. Chen).

 Paraphlomis anisochila Y.P.Chen, A.Liu & F.Zhang, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Paraphlomis anisochila is morphologically similar to P. seticalyx and P. yingdeensis, but differs from the former in having an obovate to subcircular (vs. broadly ovate) lamina, 0.5–2.5 cm (vs. 3.5–9 cm) long petioles, unequal (vs. subequal) corolla lips, and subcircular (vs. oblong) lateral lobes of the lower corolla lip, from the latter in having an abaxially sparsely strigose (vs. densely villous) lamina, an acuminate (vs. bristle-like-acuminate) apex of calyx tooth, and a white (vs. yellow) corolla with unequal (vs. subequal) lips.

Etymology. The specific epithet “anisochila” refers to the distinct corolla morphology of the new species, characterized by significantly unequal upper and lower lips, which differentiates it from other Paraphlomis species that typically possess subequal/equal corolla lips.

Ang Liu, Hai-Bo Chen, Fan Zhang and Ya-Ping Chen. 2025. Paraphlomis anisochila (Lamiaceae), A New Species from Hunan, China. PhytoKeys. 259: 249-262. DOI:  doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.259.153345