[Botany • 2025] Sedum shunhuangense (Crassulaceae) • A New Species from Hunan, China

 

Sedum shunhuangense L.Wu & Z.L.Feng, 

in Feng, Liao, Deng, Tang, Meng et Wu, 2025. 

舜皇景天  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.262.159097 

Abstract

We describe and illustrate Sedum shunhuangense, a new species from Hunan, China. The species is morphologically similar to S. alfredii and S. yangjifengensis but differs in having subequal sepals, papillate seeds, and alternate leaves with caducous lower leaves during flowering. Phylogenetic reconstruction strongly supports two accessions of S. shunhuangense as monophyletic and sister to S. lipingense and S. wilsonii. The species has an estimated wild population of 200 individuals and is assessed as Endangered (EN) under IUCN criteria.

Key words: Hunan Province, molecular phylogenetics, morphology, new species, Sedum

Morphology of Sedum shunhuangense L.Wu & Z.L.Feng, sp. nov.
A. Habitat; B. Whole plant; C. Habitat; D. Front view of infructescence; E. Leaf transition; F. Lateral view of infructescence; G. Sepals; H. Seed; I. Flowers; J. Oppositipetalous stamen; K. Nectar scale.

Scale bars: 1 cm (B, D, E); 0.5 cm (F, I, J); 1 mm (G); 0.3 mm (H); 0.1 mm (K). A, C, D, I. Photographed by Xiao Wen Liao (Pangutang area, voucher SHS0908); B, E, F, G, H, J, K. Photographed by Zi Lin Feng (Niulongqi area, voucher SHS2154).

 Sedum shunhuangense L.Wu & Z.L.Feng, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Phylogenetic analyses (Fig. 2) reveal that S. shunhuangense forms a sister group with S. lipingense and S. wilsonii. However, this species can be obviously distinguished from its allied species by the upper leaves aggregated at the flowering stem apex to form inflorescence bracts. Notably, S. shunhuangense shows distant phylogenetic relationships with S. alfredii and S. yangjifengensis; convergent evolution is observed in their phenotypic traits, particularly in inflorescence architecture and leaf morphology. However, it can be unequivocally distinguished by the following combination of characters (Table 1): (1) subequal sepals (vs. markedly unequal in both S. alfredii and S. yangjifengensis); (2) papillate seed coat (vs. smooth in S. alfredii); and (3) alternate leaves with caducous basal leaves during anthesis (vs. opposite leaves with persistent lower leaves in S. yangjifengensis).

Etymology. Sedum shunhuangense L.Wu & Z.L.Feng, with the epithet derived from its type locality, Shunhuang Mountain. The nomenclature follows the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (Turland et al. 2018), with holotype and paratype specimens permanently deposited.

Chinese name (assigned here). shùn huáng jǐng tiān (舜皇景天).

 Zi-Lin Feng, Xiao-Wen Liao, Du Deng, Long-Ping Tang, Shi-Yong Meng and Lei Wu. 2025. Sedum shunhuangense (Crassulaceae), A New Species from Hunan, China. PhytoKeys. 262: 305-320. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.262.159097