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| Selaginella magna H.J.Wei, in Fu, Wei, Guo, Zheng, S.-P. Chen et B. Chen, 2026. |
Abstract
Selaginella magna (Selaginellaceae), a new species in S. subg. Stachygynandrum from Guangxi, Fujian and Hunan, China, is here described and illustrated. It is the largest erect Selaginella species in China, characterized by acropetally shortening branches acropetally. Selaginella magna is most similar to S. willdenowii, but can be differentiated by its erect main stem, rhizophores restricted to rhizomes and stolons, and the absence of auricles at the base of both ventral and axillary leaves. Its triangular frond-like leafy stem with an acuminate apex confers a high degree of distinguishability in its natural habitat.
Key words: Deciduous plant, erect habit, IUCN Red List, Selaginella subg. Stachygynandrum, suborbicular sporophyll
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| Selaginella magna. A. Habitat; B. Habit (arrows indicating portion of plant shown in line drawing); C. Abaxial view of portion of plant; D. Adaxial view of portion of plant; E. Megaspores; F. Lower portion of main stem with stolons; G. Microspore; H. Abaxial view of strobile; I. Adaxial view of strobile; J. Adaxial view of ventral leaf with portion of stem; K. Axillary leaf; L. Abaxial view of ventral leaf with portion of stem; M. Dorsal trophophyll. |
Selaginella magna H.J.Wei, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Selaginella magna is closely related to S. willdenowii, but differs by its rhizophores being glabrous (compared to spine-like protuberances at base in the latter), confined to creeping rhizomes and the base of the stem (vs. often extending to the upper part of the main stem in the latter), branches that progressively shorten toward the apex (vs. nearly equal in length except young branches at the apex), ventral and axillary leaves without auricles (vs. with rounded auricles) at the base, and sporophylls that are not white-margined (vs. obviously white-margined).
Etymology. The epithet of the new species is derived from the Latin “magna”, meaning great or large.
Chinese name. 硕大卷柏 (shuò dà juăn băi).
Hou-Hua Fu, Hong-Jin Wei, Yong-Jun Guo, Shuang-Quan Zheng, Shi-Pin Chen and Bin Chen. 2026. Selaginella magna (Selaginellaceae), A New Species from China. PhytoKeys. 273: 127-136. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.273.170753 [16 Apr 2026]
