[Botany • 2026] Oreocharis fulvovillosa (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from western Yunnan, China

Oreocharis fulvovillosa  M.Q.Han, H.Jiang & Y.Wang,

in Wang, Jiang, Xu et Han, 2026. 

德宏直瓣苣苔  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.276.182136

Abstract

Oreocharis fulvovillosa, a new species of Gesneriaceae, is described and illustrated. This new species has only been discovered on the rock walls of an isolated karst hill at its type locality in Mang City, western Yunnan, China.

Key words: Flora of Yunnan, karst, yellow flowers

 

Oreocharis fulvovillosa sp. nov.
A. Habitat; B. Plant habit in natural habitat; C. Adaxial (left) and abaxial (right) leaf surfaces; D. Petiole with long fulvous indumentum; E. Rhizomatous stem; F. Flower in adaxial view; G. Flower in abaxial view; H. Flower in side view; I. Flower longitudinally cut, male stage with immature pistil; J. Flower transversely cut, male stage with immature pistil; K. Immature pistil and stamens with dehisced anthers cohering in pairs; L. Flower in front view; M. Capsules at different developmental stages: two immature capsules (left) and two dehisced capsules from the previous year (right); N. Pistils at different developmental stages: left, at flower opening with immature stigma; middle and right, at stigma maturity; O. Transverse sections of ovaries, all arranged with the dorsal calyx lobe positioned upwards: upper image, ovary at stigma maturity; lower images, ovary with immature stigma, showing transverse sections of the upper part of the ovary (left) and the lower part of the ovary (right).

Oreocharis fulvovillosa M.Q.Han, H.Jiang & Y.Wang, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. The new species is most similar to Oreocharis bullata, sharing yellow corollas and bullate leaf blades, but differs in having crenulate leaf margins (vs. double dentate), a slender corolla tube ca. 1 cm long (vs. tubular, ca. 2.7 cm long), and shorter capsules 1–1.9 cm long (vs. 3.0–4.2 cm long). It is also similar to Oreocharis fulva in corolla shape and colour but differs in having bullate leaf blades (vs. not bullate) and crenulate margins (vs. serrate to crenate).

Etymology. The epithet refers to the fulvous (yellowish) colour of the long, soft hairs on the petioles.

Vernacular name. Chinese Mandarin: dé hóng zhí bàn jù tái, (德宏直瓣苣苔).

Yang Wang, Hong Jiang, Bo Xu and Meng-Qi Han. 2026. Oreocharis fulvovillosa (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from western Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys. 276: 17-23.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.276.182136 [08-06-2026]