 |
| Pulsatilla hezijianensis H.Y. Wu & L. Xie, in Wu, Qin, Li, Xiao, Liu, He et Xie, 2026. |
Abstract
Pulsatilla hezijianensis H.Y. Wu & L. Xie, a new species of Ranunculaceae from Hezijian Village (Beijing, China), is described. It resembles P. sukaczevii and P. tenuiloba in its finely dissected pinnate leaves but is distinguished by its smaller stature, shorter scapes, smaller fruit heads, and sepals with white inner surfaces and pale blue outer surfaces. In molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear (nrITS) and plastid markers (rbcL, accD-psaI, trnL intron), the Hezijian population of P. hezijianensis forms a distinct clade, sister to P. sukaczevii and P. tenuiloba, but with significant genetic divergence. Based on the restricted distribution and small population size, under IUCN criteria the conservation status of P. hezijianensis is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR).
 |
| A–D: Pulsatilla hezijianensis (A–C photographed by L. Xie on 26 April 2023 at the type locality; D photographed by J. M. Xiao on 7 June 2025 at the type locality). A: Early flowering before leaf emergence. — B: Leaves expanded by late flowering stage. — C: Fruit stage. — D: Habitat. E–G: P. sukaczevii (photographed by L. Xie on 27 May 2024 in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia). E: Flowering. — F–G: Dense clumps in late flowering stage in its arid, rocky habitat. |
 |
| Pulsatilla hezijianensis — A: Whole plant. — B: Sepals (left: adaxial view, right: abaxial view). — C: Floral dissection. — D: Mature fruit. — E: Pistil. — F: Stamen. — G: Leaf. — H: Bract. |
Pulsatilla hezijianensis H.Y. Wu & L. Xie, sp. nova
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the type locality, Hezijian Village, Changping District, Beijing.
Vernacular name. The proposed mandarin Chinese name is “Hé Zĭ Jiàn Bái Tóu Wēng” (禾子涧白头翁).
Diagnosis. Morphologically allied to P. tenuiloba and P. sukaczevii but can be distinguished by its smaller and slender individuals (3–15 cm tall) especially in the late flowering and fruiting stages, shorter scapes, smaller fruit heads, and sepals that are adaxially white and abaxially pale blue.
Huan-Yu Wu, Shuang Qin, Wen-He Li, Jia-Min Xiao, Bo-Wen Liu, Jian He and Lei Xie. 2026. Pulsatilla hezijianensis (Ranunculaceae), A New Species from Beijing, China. Annales Botanici Fennici. 63(1); 165-175. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0123 (18 June 2026)
