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| Rhododendron luohanbaense Y.L.Zhao & D.T.Liu, in Zhao, Gu, Liao, Zhang, Li, Xie, Wang, Ma, Mao et Liu, 2026. |
Abstract
Rhododendron luohanbaense, a new species of Ericaceae, is described from Zhaotong City in northeastern Yunnan Province, China. Morphologically, it is most similar to both R. pachytrichum and R. maculiferum and can be classified into the subgen. Hymenanthes sect. Pontica subsect. Maculifera. However, it can be easily distinguished by markedly smaller and narrower leaves with acuminate apex, abaxial midribs densely covered with woolly indumentum, yellowish-green corollas speckled with green or purple dots, inflorescences bearing up to 7 flowers, flowers with ovary densely pilose, capsule densely brown setose. Phylogenomic evidence, based on a coalescent-based species tree reconstructed from 5358 single-copy nuclear orthologous genes, also supports recognition of the new taxon.
Key words: Ericaceae, new taxon, nuclear orthologous genes, phylogeny
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| Rhododendron luohanbaense Y.L.Zhao & D.T.Liu, sp. nov. A. Leaf; B. Leaf, abaxial midrib; C. Flowering branch; D. Dissection of flower; E. Ovary; F. Opened capsule; G. Habitat; H. Stem. |
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| Rhododendron luohanbaense (A, D, G, J), R. pachytrichum (B, E, H, K) and R. maculiferum (C, F, I, L). A–C. Leafy branches; D–F. Abaxial midrib of leaves; G–I. Flowering branch; J–L. Capsule. |
Rhododendron luohanbaense Y.L.Zhao & D.T.Liu, sp. nov.
Etymology. The specific epithet derives from the Luohanba, the subzone of the Yunnan Wumengshan National Nature Reserve where the holotype was collected; Chinese mandarin: luó hàn bà dù juān (罗汉坝杜鹃).
Yong-Li Zhao, Chao-Shan Gu, Zheng-Hang Liao, Jing-Li Zhang, Wei Li, Zhu-Fang Xie, Fei Wang, Yong-Peng Ma, Xing-Xing Mao and De-Tuan Liu. 2026. Rhododendron luohanbaense (Ericaceae), A New Species from northeast Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys 273: 299-308. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.273.182747 [23 Apr 2026]
