[Botany • 2018] Astragalus ihsancalisii (Fabaceae) • A New Species of Astragalus Sect. Incani from Erzurum Province, E Turkey

Astragalus ihsancalisii Dönmez & Uğurlu, 

in Dönmez et Uğurlu Aydin, 2018. 

 DOI: 10.3372/wi.48.48309

Abstract

Astragalus ihsancalisii Dönmez & Uğurlu (Fabaceae) is described as a new species from Erzurum province in E Turkey. The new species belongs to A. sect. Incani DC. and is similar and possibly related to A. glaucophyllus Bunge and A. guzelsuensis F. Ghahrem. & al. from Turkey and A. siahcheshmehensis Maassoumi & Podlech from Iran. Astragalus ihsancalisii is clearly distinguished from those three species by flower number per raceme, bract size, pedicel length, standard length and legume beak length, among other characters. Diagnostic characters are given and their taxonomic importance is discussed. Photographs of A. ihsancalisii in the field are presented. In addition, SEM micrographs of leaf and legume surfaces of the new species and A. glaucophyllus and A. guzelsuensis are provided for comparison. The conservation status of A.ihsancalisii is also assessed according to field observations.

KEYWORDS: Astragalus, biodiversity, conservation status, endemic, FABACEAE, Leguminosae, micromorphology, new species, taxonomy, Turkey

Astragalus ihsancalisii Dönmez & Uğurlu

Alı A. Dönmez and Zübeyde Uğurlu Aydin. 2018. Astragalus ihsancalisii (Fabaceae), A New Species from Erzurum Province, E Turkey. Willdenowia. 48(3); 399-404.  DOI: 10.3372/wi.48.48309

 

[Botany • 2024] Allium dinaricum (Amaryllidaceae) • A New Species of Allium sect. Codonoprasum from the Balkan Peninsula based on morphology and karyology

Allium dinaricum  Bogdanović, Anačkov, Ćato, Borovečki-Voska, Salmeri & Brullo, 

in Bogdanović, Anačkov, Ćato, Borovečki-Voska, Salmeri et Brullo, 2024. 

  DOI: doi.org/10.3372/wi.54.54302

 Abstract  

Allium dinaricum (Amaryllidaceae), a new species of A. sect. Codonoprasum from the NW Balkan Peninsula is described and illustrated. It is a late summer flowering geophyte occurring in several localities of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, where it usually grows in rupestrian calcareous stands from the coastal to mountain belts. The morphological traits, karyology (2n = 2x = 16), leaf anatomy, seed micromorphology and ecology of the new species are provided. Possible taxonomic relationships with other species occurring mainly in the E Mediterranean are also examined.

KEYWORDS: Allium, Allium dinaricum, Allium sect. Codonoprasum, Amaryllidaceae, Balkan Peninsula, Balkans, karyology, morphology, new species, taxonomy

Allium dinaricum – A: rupestrian growth habitat; B, D: inflorescences; C: habit.

 A–D: Krk Island, Surbova, 9 Sep 2023, photographs by S. Bogdanović.

Allium dinaricum Bogdanović, Anačkov, Ćato, Borovečki-Voska, Salmeri & Brullo, sp. nov. 

Holotype: Croatia, Mt Velebit, above Velike Brisnice, in calcareous rocky crevices along mountain path, ..., c. 800 m, 13 Sep 2023, S. Bogdanović & V. Lopac s.n. 

(ZAGR 78944!; isotypes: B!, BUNS!, CAT!, ZA!, ZAGR!).

– Allium fuscum var. gracile Anačkov, Takson. Horol. Roda Allium Srbiji: 132. 2009, nom. inval., not effectively published (Turland & al. 2018: Art. 30.9 and 32.1(a)).

Diagnosis — Allium dinaricum is similar to A. fuscum but differs from the latter in having outer bulb tunics slightly fibrous (vs coriaceous), stems often geminate (vs single), leaf cross-section semi-circular (vs flat), leaf blade narrower, with 2 prominent ribs, spathe valves usually shorter and erect (vs longer and divaricate or reflexed), inflorescence few-flowered (vs many-flowered), tepals smaller, outer stamen filaments shorter, annulus shorter, anther apex apiculate (vs rounded), and ovary smaller.

Etymology — The specific epithet refers to the Dinaric Alps, where the new species is distributed.

Sandro Bogdanović, Goran Anačkov, Sebastian Ćato, Ljiljana Borovečki-Voska, Cristina Salmeri, Salvatore Brullo. 2024. Allium dinaricum (Amaryllidaceae), A New Species of A. sect. Codonoprasum from the Balkan Peninsula based on morphology and karyology. Willdenowia. 54(2-3), 183-196. DOI: doi.org/10.3372/wi.54.54302 (30 October 2024)  

 

[Botany • 2024] Kaempferia calcicola • Cytotaxonomy of Kaempferia subgenus Protanthium (Zingiberaceae) supports A New limestone Species endemic to Thailand

   Kaempferia calcicola Noppornch.

in Nopporncharoenkul, Sukseansri, Nopun, Meewasana, Jenjittikul, Chuenboonngarm, Viboonjun et Umpunjun, 2024. 

ดอกดินเขาหินปูน  ||   DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54201

Abstract

Thailand is the biodiversity hotspot of genus Kaempferia (Zingiberaceae) and harbours 14 species belonging to K. subgenus Protanthium. To better understand the taxonomic circumscription and verify the taxonomic status, the present characterization of cytogenetic characters included all recognized and one undescribed species of K. subg. Protanthium from Thailand. Overall, 88 accessions of plant materials were analysed cytogenetically: 84 and 42 accessions were subjected to flow cytometry and karyology, respectively. Based on genome size and mitotic chromosome numbers, 74 accessions from all species investigated were putative diploid, whereas the others were putative polyploid: triploid (three accessions) and tetraploid (11 accessions). The cytogenetic evidence indicates that 2n = 2x = 22 is the diploid number and x = 11 is the base chromosome number for K. subg. Protanthium. The genome sizes among the diploid accessions ranged from 3.687 to 6.412 pg while high intraspecific variation in genome size was observed with up to 19.4%. Two species included accessions with different ploidy levels: K. rotunda L. (diploid, triploid and tetraploid) and K. takensis Boonma & Seansouk (diploid and tetraploid). The increase in genome size of tetraploid K. rotunda is nearly in correlation to the increase in ploidy level, whereas the triploid plants represent genome expansion with an approximately 11% larger than expected genome. Interestingly, tetraploid K. takensis displays genome downsizing of 15.3% compared to their diploids. The cytogenetic characteristics, together with morphology, unequivocally clarify the taxonomic status of a new species, named Kaempferia calcicola Noppornch. A revised identification key to species of K. subg. Protanthium is provided.

KEYWORDS: chromosome number, cytogenetics, Cytotaxonomy, genome size, Kaempferia, Kaempferia subg. Protanthium, Khon Kaen province, new species, polyploidy, species circumscription, taxonomy, Thailand, Zingiberaceae

Kaempferia calcicola.
  A: habitat with plants in flowering period; B: plant habit in flowering period; C: inflorescences and flowers in top view; D: habitat with plants in rainy season; E. plant habit in rainy season.

– All photographs taken at type locality: Thailand, Khon Kaen Province, Phu Pha Man District, A: 27 Apr 2023; B, C: 6 Apr 2024; D, E: 29 Aug 2023, by N. Nopporncharoenkul.

Kaempferia calcicola Noppornch., sp. nov.  

Diagnosis — Kaempferia calcicola Noppornch. is similar to K. takensis Boonma & Seansouk in overall habit, inflorescence and floral plane, but differs by anther crest obreniform, broadly ovate, obovate to obdeltoid (vs anther crest oblong to ovate in K. takensis) with irregular undulate to crenate apex (vs bilobed to irregularly tridentate apex, usually with 2–3 small teeth between lobes in K. takensis) and labellum with an incision c. 3/5 of its length (vs labellum with an incision more than 2/3 of its length in K. takensis). It is also similar to K. lopburiensis Picheans. in inflorescence, floral plane and flower colour, but differs by prominent pseudostem upright above ground (vs pseudostem short and completely embedded in soil in K. lopburiensis), leaf blades elliptic, elliptic-oblong to lanceolate-oblong and longer petiole 3–18(–30) cm long (vs leaf blades suborbicular to ovate, adpressed on ground and subsessile petiole in K. lopburiensis).

Floral morphology of Kaempferia subg. Protanthium in Thailand
 A: K. albiflora (NNSB-546); B: K. aurora (NNSB-713); C: K. caespitosa (NNSB-733); D: K. calcicola (NNSB-903);
E: K. graminifolia (NNSB-686); F: K. grandifolia (NNSB-519); G: K. jenjittikuliae (NNSB-760); H: K. lopburiensis (NNSB-541);
I: K. noctiflora var. noctiflora (NNSB-554); J: K. noctiflora var. thepthepae (NNSB-928); K: K. rotunda (NNSB-534); L: K. simaoensis (NNSB-676);
M: K. sipraiana (NNSB-656); N: K. subglobosa (NNSB-749); O: K. takensis (NNSB-697); P: K. udonensis (NNSB-508).

 All photographs by N. Nopporncharoenkul.

Nattapon Nopporncharoenkul, Wiphada Sukseansri, Possathorn Nopun, Jiraporn Meewasana, Thaya Jenjittikul, Ngarmnij Chuenboonngarm, Unchera Viboonjun and Puangpaka Umpunjun. 2024. Cytotaxonomy of Kaempferia subg. Protanthium (Zingiberaceae) supports A New limestone Species endemic to Thailand. Willdenowia. 54(2); 149-121. DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54201

 www.nsm.or.th/nsm/th/node/55025

  facebook.com/iSIRBOOM/posts/8412298848799833

[Botany • 2024] Giuliettia minima • A tiny rediscovery in the Land of Giants: A New Combination in Giuliettia (Poales: Eriocaulaceae) and other implications of finding Paepalanthus minimus again

 Giuliettia minima (Silveira) Andrino, L. H. Rocha & Gonella,

in Andrino, Rocha et Gonella, 2024. 

DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54104

Abstract

Serra do Padre Ângelo, a quartzitic massif in eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil, was nicknamed “Land of Giants” due to the gigantism observed in some plant species found in its campos rupestres. During fieldwork for the floristic inventory of this Serra, a small Eriocaulaceae species was collected. Initially it was believed to be a new species, but a thorough revision of names and type specimens revealed that it was conspecific with Paepalanthus minimus. This taxon was known only from the type specimen collected over 100 years ago and more than 200 km distant from the new collections. It had been overlooked in previous studies dealing with the family in Brazil, which could be explained by its diminutive size and the poor conditions of the type specimen. Here we present the implications of this rediscovery, including the combination of P. minimus in Giuliettia, a genus recently proposed based on general habit, inflorescence and seed morphology. We also present information on distribution and ecology and briefly discuss the biogeographical pattern that could explain this rediscovery far away from the previous record. Considering its likely local extinction at the type locality and threats to the quality of its remaining habitat, the species is preliminarily assessed as Critically Endangered. This highlights the urgent need for conservation actions to protect Serra do Padre Ângelo and its unique biodiversity.

KEYWORDS: Campos rupestres, conservation, Eriocaulaceae, Giuliettia, monocots, Paepalanthus, Poales

 Giuliettia minima. – A: habitat on shaded rock crevices, with some capitula presenting apparent vivipary; B: habitat under rocks in shade with mosses; C: close-up of plants in habitat; D: plants in a humid rock crevice with organic matter in more exposed site; E: collected specimen, P. M. Gonella 3474; F, G: capitula; F: posterior view, showing involucral bracts; G: front view.

– Photographs: A: Serra da Palha Branca, March 2023, by Júlio César Ribeiro; B, C: Serra da Palha Branca, June 2020, by Gabriele A. da Silva; D–G: Pico da Bela Adormecida, May 2022, by Paulo Minatel Gonella.

Giuliettia minima (Silveira) Andrino, L. H. Rocha & Gonella, comb. nov. 

≡ Paepalanthus minimus Silveira, 

Floral. Mont. 1: 107, t. 66. 1928. 

 

Habitat of Giuliettia minima and conservation threats.
 A: Pico da Bela Adormecida, one of the highest peaks of Serra do Padre Ângelo and habitat of G. minima, May 2022; B: Serra da Palha Branca, part of Serra do Padre Ângelo, August 2022; C: habitat of Pico da Bela Adormecida population in June 2020, before the fire; D: same area as C in October 2020, immediately after the fire; E: invasion of molasses grass, Melinis minutiflora, in Pico da Bela Adormecida, with individuals of Vellozia gigantea in background, July 2017; F: area of Serra da Palha Branca invaded by bracken fern, Pteridium aquilinum, February 2021; G: pastures and degraded areas surrounding Pico da Bela Adormecida, April 2023.

 – All photographs by Paulo Minatel Gonella.

Proposed vernacular name — “sempre-viva-mínima” (Portuguese). Following the suggestion of Marinho & Scatigna (2022), we propose a vernacular name for this species as a way to promote knowledge about it to the local communities and to address the urgency of promoting conservation actions to protect the species and its habitat. The proposed name considers the common name of many Eriocaulaceae species in Brazil (“sempre-viva” – Portuguese for “everlasting”) plus the specific epithet, which is easily relatable in Portuguese, meaning “minimal” or “very small”.

Caroline Oliveira Andrino, Luiz Henrique Rocha and Paulo Minatel Gonella. 2024. A tiny rediscovery in the Land of Giants: A New Combination in Giuliettia (Eriocaulaceae, Poales) and other implications of finding Paepalanthus minimus again. Willdenowia. 54(1):81-93. DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54104

A Serra do Padre Ângelo, um maciço quartzítico no leste de Minas Gerais, Brasil, foi apelidada de “Terra de Gigantes” devido ao gigantismo observado em algumas espécies de plantas encontradas em seus campos rupestres. Durante o trabalho de campo para o inventário florístico desta Serra, uma pequena espécie de Eriocaulaceae foi coletada. Inicialmente, acreditava-se ser uma nova espécie, mas uma revisão minuciosa dos nomes e espécimes tipo revelou que ela era na verdade conspecífica com Paepalanthus minimus. Esse táxon era conhecido apenas pelo espécime tipo, coletado há mais de 100 anos e a mais de 200 km das novas coletas, tendo passado despercebido em estudos anteriores sobre a família no Brasil, o que pode ser explicado pelo seu tamanho diminuto e pelas condições precárias do espécime tipo. Aqui, apresentamos as implicações dessa redescoberta, incluindo a combinação de P. minimus em Giuliettia, um gênero recentemente proposto, com base em seu hábito geral, morfologia da inflorescência e da semente. Também fornecemos informações sobre a distribuição e ecologia, e discutimos brevemente o padrão biogeográfico que poderia explicar essa redescoberta tão distante do registro anterior. Considerando sua provável extinção local na localidade tipo e as ameaças à qualidade de seu habitat remanescente, a espécie é preliminarmente avaliada como Criticamente em Perigo. Isso destaca a necessidade urgente de ações de conservação para proteger a Serra do Padre Ângelo e sua biodiversidade única.

Campos rupestres, conservação, Eriocaulaceae, Giuliettia, Paepalanthus, Poales, monocotiledôneas, espécie ameaçada

[Botany • 2022] Benna alternifolia (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New herbaceous Genus and Species from Guinea, West Africa

Benna alternifolia  Burgt & Ver.-Lib.,

in van der Burgt, Haba, Magassouba et Veranso-Libalah, 2022. 

 DOI: 10.3372/wi.52.52102

Abstract

Benna is a new monospecific genus in the Melastomataceae, from the Benna Plateau in Forécariah Prefecture in Guinea, West Africa. Molecular sequence data show the genus Benna is nested within the tribe Sonerileae but clearly unrelated to the other African Sonerileae genera. The genus is weakly supported as sister to the South American Sonerileae genus Phainantha. Similarities and differences with African and American Sonerileae genera are listed. The new species Benna alternifolia is a perennial evergreen herb, half-spherical in shape, up to 1.2 m in diameter. A plant may have up to 60 alternate leaves, with petioles up to 45 cm long and blades up to 31 × 28 cm. The flowers are actinomorphic, with 4 sepals and 4 pink petals, 8 dimorphic stamens, and an inferior 4-locular ovary. The fruit is a capsule. The seeds are obovoid or nearly so, with a smooth testa. Benna alternifolia occurs in deep shade in canyons, on vertical or overhanging sandstone rocks out of reach of falling rain drops, and only where water is seeping all year round, including during the 6-month dry season. About 680 plants were found. Benna alternifolia is assessed to the IUCN category Near Threatened.

KEYWORDS: Africa, alternate leaves, Benna, Guinea, Melastomataceae, near threatened, new genus, Sonerileae  

Benna alternifolia – A: the largest population was found in a deep canyon, of which the upper part is visible at the centre of the photograph, on a 1040 m-high hill on the Benna Plateau; B: plants in their habitat, on vertical rock in deep shade, under overhanging rocks, out of reach of falling rain drops, but within reach of permanently seeping water; C: group of four plants; D: single plant.

 – Origin: A, C from Burgt & al. 2274 (type gathering); B from Burgt & al. 2323; D from Burgt & Haba 2333. – All photographs by Xander van der Burgt.

Benna alternifolia – A: leaf upper surface; B: leaf lower surface; C: inflorescence with flower buds; D: roots. – Origin: A, D from Burgt & Haba 2333; B, C from Burgt & al. 2274 (type gathering).

– All photographs by Xander van der Burgt.

Taxonomy

Benna Burgt & Ver.-Lib., gen. nov.

Type: Benna alternifolia Burgt & Ver.-Lib.

Diagnosis — The genus Benna differs from all other African Melastomataceae genera by the following combination of characters: Herbs. Leaves alternate, venation acrodromous, margin dentate. Inflorescence cymose, paniculate, axillary, branching alternate. Flowers actinomorphic, epigynous, 4-merous, 8 dimorphic stamens. Fruit a capsule, apically dehiscent, containing many seeds. Seeds obovoid or nearly so, glossy, testa smooth. The genus Benna is placed in the tribe Sonerileae. A morphological comparison between Benna and the seven currently accepted African Sonerileae genera is presented in Table 1. A morphological comparison between Benna and the six currently accepted American Sonerileae genera is presented in Table 2.

Benna alternifolia Burgt & Ver.-Lib., sp. nov.

Benna alternifolia – A: branch showing alternate leaf arrangement, with two inflorescences and seven leaves: five mature leaves of which three removed, a young leaf, and a very young leaf; B: flower bud; C: petal inner surface; D: flower bud in longitudinal section with petals partly removed; E: large stamen back and front, small stamen back and front; F: ovary of flower bud in transverse section; G: ovary of flower bud seen from above; H: old infructescence with fruits partly decomposed; J: fruit; K: seeds.

– Origin: A from Burgt & al. 2274 (type gathering) and Burgt & al. 2323; B–G from Burgt & al. 2274; H–K from Burgt & Haba 2333.

 – Drawing by Xander van der Burgt.

Habitat and ecology — Benna alternifolia occurs on vertical sandstone rock, in deep shade in canyons 10–100 m deep (Fig. 3), and on vertical sandstone rock in deep shade of trees, at 300–800 m altitude. Plants occur only under overhanging rocks (Fig 3B), out of reach of falling rain drops, and only on vertical rock where water is seeping all year round, within reach of the several-meter-long roots. In this habitat, the perennial, evergreen, herbaceous plants, which do not have a rootstock, can continue to grow during the six-month dry season.

Benna alternifolia is often found together with Cincinnobotrys felicis (A. Chev.) Jacq.-Fél. (Melastomataceae), Impatiens bennae (Balsaminaceae) and Mesanthemum bennae (Eriocaulaceae). On the same vertical rocks, but higher up and in sunny, seasonally dry habitat, two plant species endemic to Guinea occur abundantly: Cailliella praerupticola (Melastomataceae) and Pitcairnia feliciana (Bromeliaceae), the only member of the family that is native outside America.

Etymology — The genus is named for the Benna Plateau or Benna Gadyah in the Susu language. The Benna Plateau holds the only known locations for the species. The specific epithet refers to the alternate leaf arrangement.

Vernacular name — In the Susu language, the name of Benna alternifolia is Labalaba Khamè or Labalaba Hamey, which means “male soft leaf”. The name Labalaba is given to Piper umbellatum L. (Burkill 1997, vol 4: p. 441), a herb with leaves similar in size and appearance. On the Benna Plateau, Piper umbellatum is named Labalaba Guinè, which means “female soft leaf”.

 

 

Xander M. van der Burgt, Pepe M. Haba, Sékou Magassouba and Marie Claire Veranso-Libalah. 2022. Benna alternifolia (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae), A New herbaceous Genus and Species from Guinea, West Africa. Willdenowia. 52(1); 25-37. DOI: 10.3372/wi.52.52102

[Botany • 2024] Limonium artelariae (Plumbaginaceae) • A New endemic Species and further Taxonomic and Floristic Notes on the Genus in the Island of Crete

 

Limonium artelariae Koutr.,

in Koutroumpa. 2024. 

  DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54103

  photographs taken by K. Koutroumpa.

 Abstract 

Some amendments of our knowledge of the taxonomically complex genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) in Crete, Greece are presented, based on field work and morphological study of herbarium specimens, including types. The circumscriptions of the closely related Cretan endemics L. cornarianum and L. hierapetrae are clarified. The former species is actually restricted to the type population in Moni Kapsa (SE Crete) and a newly found population in Pacheia Ammos (NE Crete). The latter species comprises populations in SE Crete that extend from Moni Kapsa to Dermatos, and also includes the populations previously assigned to L. chrisianum and L. minoicum that are found to be conspecific. Limonium artelariae from SE Crete, similar and related to L. cornarianum and L. hierapetrae, is described as a new species. It is rather unique among Greek Limonium species for its height (up to 110 cm tall) and its large, broadly spathulate leaves. Limonium cythereum previously known from the islands of Kythira and Antikythira is newly recorded for Crete, represented by two populations in NW Crete. The report of L. fragile from Crete is found to be erroneous, based on misidentified material of L. virgatum. All accepted taxa are described, and their types, chromosome number or ploidy level, distribution and ecology are also indicated. Photographs, distribution maps and an identification key are added to facilitate further identification.

KEYWORDS: Aegean, Crete, Greece, Limonium, Limonium artelariae, Limonium cornarianum, Limonium cythereum, Limonium hierapetrae, Mediterranean endemics, new species, PLUMBAGINACEAE, species circumscriptions, taxonomy

Limonium artelariae growing on fine marls of coastal cliffs (A), habit (B) and inflorescence (C).

 All photographs taken by and © Konstantina Koutroumpa.

Limonium artelariae Koutr., sp. nov. 

Diagnosis — Limonium artelariae is distinguished from its closely related species in SE Crete, L. cornarianum and L. hierapetrae, by its broadly spathulate, rounded leaves and broadly obovate and wider inner spikelet bracts. Limonium artelariae is rather unique among all other Aegean Limonium endemics for its predominantly tall habit combined with longer and wider, spathulate leaves.

Eponymy — The specific epithet “artelariae” honours Dr. Rea Artelari, a former Associate Professor of the University of Patras, Greece, for her invaluable contributions to the systematics of Limonium in Greece and Cyprus throughout her academic career.

Konstantina Koutroumpa. 2024. Limonium artelariae (Plumbaginaceae), A New endemic Species and further Taxonomic and Floristic Notes on the Genus in the Island of Crete. Willdenowia. 54 (1), 65-79. DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54103

[Botany • 2020] Sinoseris gen. nov. (Asteraceae: Cichorieae: Crepidinae) • A New Genus of Three Species endemic to China, one of them new to science

  Sinoseris changii  Ze H. Wang, N. Kilian & H. Peng,
Sinoseris N. Kilian, Ze H. Wang & H. Peng, gen. nov.

in Wang, Kilian, Chen et Peng, 2020. 

DOI: 10.3372/wi.50.50109

Photographs by Chen Yaping and Wang Zehuan.

Abstract

Studies to elucidate the systematic position of two Chinese species described originally as Lactuca hirsuta and L. scandens, of which only historical specimens from the late 19th and early 20th centuries were known, revealed the occurrence of three different species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of these species based on sequences of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) region and three plastid DNA markers (trnL-F, psbA-trnH, matK) uncovered a hitherto unknown lineage in a first comprehensive phylogenetic backbone of the subtribe Crepidinae (Asteraceae, tribe Cichorieae). Substantiated by comparative morphological studies, this lineage is described as a new genus, named Sinoseris, endemic to the Chinese provinces Sichuan and Yunnan. One of its three species is new to science, while another is conspecific with both L. hirsuta and L. scandens. The third was meanwhile described by other authors as Nabalus muliensis and is now transferred to Sinoseris.

KEYWORDS: Asteraceae, China, Cichorieae, Compositae, Crepidinae, Molecular phylogenetics, Nabalus

 Sinoseris scandens 
 A: habit; B: flowering capitula; C: fruiting capitula with mature achenes; D: basal leaf; E: sequence of stem leaves (upward, right to left).

– Photographs by Wang Zehuan from Sichuan, near Gesala Village on 14 Oct 2017 (A, B, D, E) and 12 Nov 2018 (C); population voucher: Wang Zehuan & Chen Yaping WZH20171019 (KUN).

Taxonomy

Sinoseris N. Kilian, Ze H. Wang & H. Peng, gen. nov.

Type: Sinoseris scandens (C. C. Chang) Ze H. Wang, N. Kilian & H. Peng

Diagnostic features — Annual (or monocarpic biennial) herbs; stems, leaves and involucres with conspicuous indumentum of stiff hairs; basal leaves distinctly petiolate; synflorescence of secund, subspiciform to paniculiform paracladia; capitula with 3–12 florets; involucre with inconspicuous outer phyllaries; achenes beaked; achene corpus with 5 main ribs alternating with (2 or)3 or 4 secondary ribs; pappus dirty white to pale brown, of moderately coarse, scabrid bristles.

Etymology — The generic name Sinoseris is a compound of the Latin “Sina” for China and “seris” (σέρις), the classical Greek name for salad (more precisely of Cichorium species).

Sinoseris scandens (C. C. Chang) Ze H. Wang, N. Kilian & H. Peng, comb. nov. 

Sinoseris muliensis (Y. S. Chen, L. S. Xu & R. Ke) Ze H. Wang, N. Kilian & H. Peng, comb. nov.

  Sinoseris muliensis
 A: habit; B: flowering capitula; C: stem leaf; D: mature achene.

– Photographs from Sichuan, near Xiamaidi Village by Chen Yaping on 11 Oct 2018 (A–C) and by Wang Zehuan on 13 Nov 2018 (D); population voucher: Chen Yaping, Jiang Lei & Zheng Hailei EM652 (KUN).

  Sinoseris changii
 A: habit; B, C: flowering capitula; D, E: leaf indumentum; F: achene.

– Photographs by Chen Yaping (A) and Wang Zehuan (B–F) from Yunnan, near Tanhua Temple on 12 Oct 2017; population voucher: Wang Zehuan & Chen Yaping WZH20171001 (KUN).

Sinoseris changii Ze H. Wang, N. Kilian & H. Peng, sp. nov.

Habitat and ecology — The species is confined to open, rocky habitats at altitudes between c. 1900 and 2750 m. Fl. and fr. Sep–Oct.

Threat status — The occurrence of Sinoseris changii is less scattered and rare compared to the other two species. Between Tanhua and Wanbi, for example, the species is present with high frequency on sunny, rocky slopes, although the individual populations usually do not exceed a few hundred mature individuals. Considering its localized distribution in C Yunnan, its status should nevertheless be of concern and addressed by further investigations.

Etymology — We dedicate this species to the memory of Chao Chien Chang (1900–1972), one of the early modern Chinese botanists. He worked at the Kunming Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and studied Chinese Asteraceae, in particular of Yunnan.

 

Ze-Huan Wang, Norbert Kilian, Ya-Ping Chen and Hua Peng. 2020. Sinoseris (Crepidinae, Cichorieae, Asteraceae), A New Genus of Three Species endemic to China, one of them new to science. Willdenowia. 50(1); 91-110. DOI: 10.3372/wi.50.50109

[Botany • 2024] Thismia malipoensis (Thismiaceae) • A New Species of Thismia sect. Glaziocharis from Yunnan, China

Thismia malipoensis J. D. Ya & W. B. Yu,  

in Ya, Chen, Zhang, Zhu, Cai et Yu, 2024. 

麻栗坡水玉杯  ||  DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54102

  

Abstract

Thismia Griff. (Thismiaceae) is a holo-mycoheterotrophic genus with more than 100 species. In this study, phylogenetic analyses supported that T. malipoensis from Yunnan is a new species in T. sect. Glaziocharis. Morphologically, this new species can be distinguished from its phylogenetic sister species T. abei by having the annulus of the flower expanded and modified into a cucullate (hood-like) structure with zygomorphic symmetry with one opening on one side. Biogeographical inference showed that SW China to Indo-Burma and the Sunda Shelf region was suggested as the ancestral distribution region of Thismia s.s., then eastward to SE China and Japan, and southward to New Guinea to Australia, respectively. The Chinese species should have originated from at least two different ancestral sources, and geographical isolation caused the divergence between T. malipoensis and T. abei at 17.47 Mya.

KEYWORDS: biogeography, China, conservation, new species, phylogeny, taxonomy, Thismia, Thismiaceae

Thismia malipoensis, different views of flower – A, D: bottom view; B: lateral view; C: top view; E, F: front view.

– Source of material: J.-D. Ya & W. Zhang 19CS18569. 

– Photographed by J.-D. Ya.

Thismia malipoensis – A: plant; B, C: plants in habitat.

– Source of material: J.-D. Ya & W. Zhang 19CS18569. – Photographed by J.-D. Ya.

Thismia malipoensis J. D. Ya & W. B. Yu, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis — Thismia malipoensis belongs to T. sect. Glaziocharis and can be distinguished from its phylogenetic sister species T. abei by having the annulus of the flower expanded and modified into a cucullate (hood-like) structure with zygomorphic symmetry with one opening on one side. Moreover, T. malipoensis can be distinguished from the morphologically similar T. belumensis, in that the outer and inner tepal appendages are spreading (vs erect) and equal in length by less than 2 cm (vs outer tepal appendage 1.5–2.5 cm and inner tepal appendage c. 3 cm), the inner tepal base is fimbriate at the margin (vs entire) and the inner tepal tip is subulate (vs clavate).

Etymology — The specific epithet “malipoensis” refers to the county name Malipo of Wenshan Prefecture, the type locality of the new species.

Chinese name — 麻栗坡水玉杯 (má lì pō shuǐ yù bēi).

Ji-Dong Ya, Hai-Yao Chen, Wei Zhang, Ren-Bin Zhu, Jie Cai and Wen-Bin Yu. 2024. Phylogenetic and Biogeographical Analyses of Thismia (Thismiaceae) support T. malipoensis as the eighth species in China. Willdenowia. 54(1); 47-63. DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54102

 twitter.com/thismiaguy/status/1763168009990922458

 

[Botany • 2023] Ruta museocanariensis • Can Material of A putatively Extinct New Species of Ruta (Rutaceae), preserved with Mummies, provide New Knowledge About Evolution in the Canary Islands Flora?

 

Ruta museocanariensis Marrero Rodr., Vidal Matutano, Delgado Darias & Jaén Molina,   

in Marrero-Rodríguez, Vidal-Matutano, Delgado-Darias, Jaén-Molina, Morales-Mateos, Alberto-Barroso & Velasco-Vázquez, 2023. 

 DOI: 10.3372/wi.53.53101 

Abstract 

Based on analyses carried out with plant material found in mummy shrouds preserved in the archaeological museum El Museo Canario, a putatively extinct new species of Ruta (Rutaceae) was identified and is described here as Ruta museocanariensis. The mummies were found in the funerary sites of Acusa and the Barranco de Guayadeque on Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. This article discusses taxonomic relationships with other species of the genus, aspects of colonization and evolutionary processes on islands. The archaeological plant material consists of vegetative and reproductive branches with leaves, remains of flowers and capsules. Several morphological traits, especially the type of fruits, establish a clear difference between Ruta species from Gran Canaria and the mainland (dehiscent) and species from the W Canary Islands (indehiscent). The discovery of R. museocanariensis, with dehiscent fruits, suggests that indehiscence is a post-colonization evolutionary process in the Canary Islands. It also supports a stepping-stone model of inter-island colonization with Gran Canaria as its starting point, in agreement with the age of the islands and to some extent with their distance from the mainland.

KEYWORDS: archaeobotany, Canary Islands, El Museo Canario, evolutionary process, extinct new species, mummy shrouds, Ruta, Rutaceae

Ruta museocanariensis 
 A: habit, terminal branch; B: pinna on one side of rachis, adaxial view; C: pedicel, calyx and ovary; D: terminal infructescence twig with open, star-shaped fruit, persistent calyces, bracteoles and immature fruit still closed; E: mature capsules showing dehiscence of valves, basal (left) and apical (right) views. – Image reconstructed from various twigs and fruits in different maturation stages extracted from infant mummy EMC no. 49991 (holotype and isotype) and branches and leaves extracted from adult mummy EMC no. 10 (paratypes).

– Drawn by Á. Marrero.

A: infant mummy EMC no. 49991, from which holotype and isotype specimens of Ruta museocanariensis were extracted;
B: adult mummy EMC no. 10, from the shroud (wrapped in layers of leather) of which the two paratype specimens were extracted;
C: branch bundle EMC no. 46558.

– Photographs by T. Delgado, El Museo Canario.

Ruta museocanariensis Marrero Rodr., Vidal Matutano, Delgado Darias & Jaén Molina, sp. nov. 

Etymology — The specific epithet refers to the scientific entity of El Museo Canario, the institution where the mummies, branch bundle and type specimens are deposited.

Águedo Marrero-Rodríguez, Paloma Vidal-Matutano, Teresa Delgado-Darias, Ruth Jaén-Molina, Jacob Morales-Mateos, Verónica Alberto-Barroso and Javier Velasco-Vázquez. 2023. Can Material of A putatively Extinct New Species of Ruta (Rutaceae), preserved with Mummies, provide New Knowledge About Evolution in the Canary Islands Flora? Willdenowia. 53 (1); 5-23. DOI: 10.3372/wi.53.53101 

[Botany • 2022] Mammillaria morentiniana (Cactaceae) • A New Endemic Species from San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Mammillaria morentiniana  Gonz.-Zam., D. Aquino, J. Mohl & Dan. Sánchez,

in González-Zamora, Aquino, Mohl & Sánchez, 2022.

DOI: 10.3372/wi.52.52305 

Abstract  

We describe a new endemic densely spined Mammillaria from San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The new species, named M. morentiniana, is distinctive by the presence of a globose to shortly cylindric stem with several glabrous, reddish central spines, radial spines that protrude from the plant like white needle-bristles, and small flowers with pale yellow, lanceolate tepals. We compare it with similar and sympatric species of M. ser. Stylothelae. We include data about habitat and the preliminary status of conservation of the new taxon.

KEYWORDS: Cactaceae, Cacteae, Mammillaria, Mammillaria ser. Stylothelae, Mexico, morphology, multivariate statistics, new species, species delimitation

Morphology of Mammillaria morentiniana during dry and rainy seasons.
– A: plant flowering in habitat; B: stem and roots; C: stems during dry season covered by radial spines resembling white needle-bristles; D: stems during rainy season showing hydrated and expanded tubercles; E: close-up of tubercle and areole bearing six central spines; F: plant bearing red and claviform fruits; G: flower in longitudinal section, outside and inside views; H: seeds.

 – Scale bars: A = primary graduations of 1 cm, secondary graduations of 1 mm; B = 10 mm; E = graduations of 0.5 mm; G = 10 mm; H = 1 mm.

Mammillaria morentiniana Gonz.-Zam., D. Aquino, J. Mohl & Dan. Sánchez, sp. nov.  

Holotype: Mexico, San Luis Potosí, Santa María del Río, 2056 m, 28 Aug 2019, P. González-Zamora 11 (IBUG 215375; isotype: SLPM).

Diagnosis — Mammillaria morentiniana is distinguishable from M. bocasana, M. crinita and M. nana by the presence of more than 4 central spines (mean = 5), and differs from M. schwarzii, which presents, on average, 7 thinner central spines (Supplemental content online; Fig. 2). Mammillaria morentiniana bears fewer than 32 straight radial spines (mean = 24.49), whereas M. schwarzii bears more than 32 straight radial spines (mean = 38.98). Mammillaria morentiniana has completely red central spines and black, non-arillate seeds, whereas M. bocasana has red central spines with a yellow base and reddish brown, arillate seeds. Mammillaria morentiniana has glabrous spines and straight radial spines, whereas M. crinita has pubescent spines and tortuous or straight radial spines. Mammillaria morentiniana differs from the sympatric M. nana because the latter has tuberous roots and 0 or 1 pubescent central spines.

 

Etymology — The specific epithet is dedicated to the Morentín family from Colima, Mexico. Don Marco and Doña Laura spent their lives preserving the flora in W Mexico. They inspired the first author to observe and admire the local and xerophytic flora.

Comparison of the stem (left), areole, central and radial spines (right) in the populations of Mammillaria ser. Stylothelae included in the analysis.
– A: Mammillaria sp.; B: M. bocasana (bocasana_SLP); C: M. bocasana (bocasana_SLP2);
D: M. crinita (c_crinita_QRO); E: M. crinita (c_crinita_QRO2); F: M. crinita (c_crinita_GTO); G: M. crinita subsp. leucantha (c_leucantha); H: M. crinita subsp. wildii (c_wildii);
I: M. nana (nana); J: M. schwarzii (schwarzii).

– Scale bars: A–E, G, I, J = graduations of 1 mm; F, H = 10 mm.

Pedro González-Zamora, David Aquino, Jonathan Mohl and Daniel Sánchez. 2022. A New Endemic Species of Mammillaria (Cactaceae) from San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Willdenowia. 52 (3); 359-372. DOI: 10.3372/wi.52.52305