 |
| Agapetes lichengii Y.H.Tong & B.M.Wang, in Tong, Ye, Ni, Wang et Zheng. 2026. |
Abstract
A new species of Ericaceae, Agapetes lichengii, from Xizang Autonomous Region, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically most similar to A. pentastigma, but differs by having leaf blade with an obtuse or slightly auriculate leaf base, corolla with a constricted basal part and V-shaped stripes, spurless anthers and stigma without obvious gap between crenae. Detailed description, colour plates, and taxonomic notes on the new species are provided.
Key words: Agapetes, Mêdog, morphology, stigma ornamentation, taxonomy
 |
| Agapetes lichengii Y.H.Tong & B.M.Wang, A. Habit, the arrow shows a plant of this species epiphytic on a big tree trunk; B. Infructescence; C. Flowering branch and leaf branch; D. Leaves; E. Lateral view of flowers, showing the V-shaped transverse bands on corolla tube; F. Front view of flowers. Photos (A, B) by Cheng Li, (C–F) by Y.H. Tong. (A. Unvouchered; B. based on J.B. Ni et al. TYH-2813; C–F. based on B.M. Wang s.n.). |
 |
| Agapetes lichengii. A. Inflorescence; B. Ovary, transection view; C. Bract and bracteoles; D. Calyx lobes, adaxial view; E. Pedicel; F. Corolla; G. Style and androecium; H. Style; I. Stamens, adaxial (left), lateral (middle) and abaxial (right) view; J. Lower part of stamens, showing pubescent filaments and echinate thecae, adaxial (left), lateral (middle) and abaxial (right) view; K. Front view of flower, showing the 5-crenated capitate stigma and corolla lobes; L. Front view of young fruits, showing the rounded ring of 10 distinct filament scars. Scale bars: 3 cm (A, E, F, G, H, I); 5 mm (B, D, J, L); 2 mm (C); 1 cm (K). |
Agapetes lichengii Y.H.Tong & B.M.Wang, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Agapetes lichengii is morphologically similar to A. pentastigma in having pseudo-whorled leaves, corymbose inflorescences, greenish yellow corolla with crimson transverse bands and capitate stigmas, but can be distinguished from it by the elliptic to oblanceolate (vs. oblong-lanceolate) leaf blades with an obtuse or slightly auriculate (vs. attenuate) base, corolla with a constricted(vs. not constricted) basal part, V-shaped (vs. ladder-like) stripes and triangular and spreading or slightly reflexed (vs. triangular-lanceolate and reflexed) lobes, anthers without dorsal spurs (vs. with two small dorsal spurs), stigma without gap between crenae (vs. with obvious gap between crenae), and filament scars forming a rounded ring (vs. a pentagonal ring) on fruit top (Fig. 3; Table 1).
Etymology. The species is named in honor of Mr. Li Cheng, who devoted lots of time and energy to the biodiversity conservation of Mêdog County, and is also one of the discoverers of this new species. The Chinese name is given as 李成树萝卜 (pinyin: lĬ chéng shù luó bo).
Yi-Hua Tong, Xue-He Ye, Jing-Bo Ni, Bing-Mou Wang and Xi-Rong Zheng. 2026. Agapetes lichengii (Ericaceae), A New Species from Xizang, China. PhytoKeys. 269: 183-191. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.269.177341