[Botany • 2025] Polygala spatulata (Polygalaceae, sect. Pseudosemeiocardium) • A New Species from Guangxi, China

 

Polygala spatulata Y. Nong & Run Hua Jiang,

in Nong, Jiang, Hu, Qu, Gui, Wei et Lei, 2025. 

勺萼小扁豆  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.251.139955  

 

Abstract

Polygala spatulata Y. Nong & Run Hua Jiang (sect. Pseudosemeiocardium, Polygalaceae), a new species from a karst cave in west Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. This new species resembles Polygala isocarpa Chodat in its annual habit, terminal racemes, lamellate appendage, yellow flowers and glabrous seeds, but it can be easily distinguished by its sparsely white-pilose stem and leaf blades, spoon-shaped inner sepals, ovate outer sepals (ca. 1.5 mm) which is glandular and all persistent after anthesis, as well as its elliptic, reticulate seeds. Photographs, an illustration, a distribution map and a comparative table with the most similar species are also provided.

Key words: Karst cave, new species, Polygala, taxonomy

Polygala spatulata Y. Nong & Run Hua Jiang
A, B habitat C racemes D flower E inner sepal F appendage G fruiting branch H capsule and outer sepal I capsule J seed

 (Photographed and edited by You Nong).

 Polygala spatulata Y.Nong & Run Hua Jiang, sp. nov.

  Chinese name: “sháo è xiǎo biǎn dòu”(勺萼小扁豆)

Diagnosis: Polygala spatulata is most similar to P. isocarpa Chodat, but it can be easily distinguished by its stems sparsely white pilose (vs. glabrous), leaf blade oval or obovate, membranous, abaxially and adaxially sparsely white pilose, apex round or obtuse (vs. ovate or ovate-triangular, papery, both surfaces glabrous or only abaxially sparsely setose, apex acuminate), its inner sepals spoon-shaped (vs. oblong or ovate) and its outer sepals 3, ovate, ca. 1.5 mm, glandular, all persistent after anthesis (vs. outer sepals 3, broadly ovate, ca. 1 mm, glabrous, one persistent after anthesis).

You Nong, Run-Hua Jiang, Qi-Min Hu, Xin-Cheng Qu, Xu-Chuan Gui, Gui-Yuan Wei, Li-Qun Lei. 2025. Polygala spatulata (sect. Pseudosemeiocardium, Polygalaceae), A New Species from Guangxi, China. PhytoKeys. 251: 13-21. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.251.139955  

[Botany • 2024] Polygala qii (Polygalaceae) • A New Species from Limestone Landform in Southern Hunan, China

Polygala qii   X.L.Yu, J.J.Zhou & A.Liu, 

in Liu, Zhou, Li, Yu et Wu, 2024. 

石山远志  ||  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.244.121759

 

Abstract

Polygala qii, a new species, is described and illustrated from limestone landform in southern Hunan, China. The new species resembles P. fallax and P. arillata in flower structure of the plants, but readily differs from the latter two in having erect and shorter inflorescences (0.2–1cm VS 10–15cm VS 7–10cm), and fewer flowers (1–5 flowers VS 10–30 flowers VS 10–20 flowers), and the latter two have a later flowering period (late March to mid-April VS May to August VS May to October). And it is an extremely unique new species that will hibernate in the hot summer of July and August. Following the IUCN Red List Criteria, P. qii is assessed as ‘Data Deficient (DD)’.

Key words: Hunan province, limestone landform, new species, Polygala, taxonomy

Polygala qii sp. nov. 
A branches with flowers B top view of flower C side view of flower D anatomical structure of flower, sepals, petals and pistil E longitudinal section of flower F infructescence G capsule H seed.

Drawn by Jing Tian.

Polygala qii sp. nov. 
A habit B plant C plant D branch with flowers E inflorescence F front view of flowers G infructescence H capsules and Seeds.

Photographed by Ang Liu.

 Polygala qii X.L.Yu, J.J.Zhou & A.Liu, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: This new species is similar to P. fallax Hemsl. and P. arillata Buch.-Ham. & D. Don, but it differs from the latter two in having erect and shorter inflorescences (0.2–1cm VS 10–15cm VS 7–10cm) and fewer flowers (1–5 flowers VS 10–30 flowers VS 10–20 flowers). Its caruncle is foam, and the latter two are helmeted in shape. Please refer to Fig. 3 and Table 1.

Etymology: The new species is named after Professor Cheng-jing QI (CSUFT&CSFI), who has made great contributions to the study of Hunan flora (Qi & Yu, 2002).

Vernacular name: The Chinese name of the new species is ‘石山远志’,and the pronunciation of the Chinese Pinyin is ‘shí shān yuǎn zhì’.

Ang Liu, Jian-jun Zhou, Xiong Li, Xun-lin Yu, Lei Wu. 2024. Polygala qii, A New Species of Polygalaceae from Limestone Landform in Southern Hunan, China. PhytoKeys. 244: 77-87. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.244.121759

[Botany • 2021] Polygala guilanica (Polygalaceae) • A New Species from Guilan Province, north Iran

Polygala guilanica Sarvi & Faghir 

in Sarvi, Faghir & Shavvon, 2021. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.513.2.5 

 Researchgate.net/publication/353679811 

Photos: A. Sarvi. 

Abstract

A new species, Polygala guilanica (Polygalaceae), is described from Kooh-Roubar, Gasht-Roodkhan protected area in W Guilan province, N Iran. The new species is distinguished based on its prostrate stem; small, lanceolate, ovate and rhombic, sessile leaves; tiny pink-white flowers in lax terminal racemes; 6 or 8 stamens with sessile anthers, a filiform style and brownish seed with 3-lobed caruncle. Detailed morphological description of the new species, photographs and distribution map are provided. Polygala guilanica is compared with the morphologically closest species: P. kurdica, P. hohenackeriana and P. anatolica. An updated identification key is provided for the Iranian species.

Keywords: endemic, Guilan, Iran, Polygala, taxonomy

Polygala guilanica Sarvi & Faghir in natural habitat (Kooh-Roubar, Guilan province, N Iran).

(from locus classicus: Kooh-Roubar 3 July 2020. A. Sarvi 9001) 

Photos by A. Sarvi. 

Polygala guilanica Sarvi & Faghir, sp. nov.

(Polygala L. subgen. Polygala)  

Diagnosis:—Polygala guilanica is similar to P. anatolica Boissier & Heldreich (1853: 57), but it differs by its prostrate and shorter stem, smaller flowers, smaller leaves, lax inflorescence, ciliated outer sepals and 3-lobed caruncle; it also differs from P. kurdica Townsend (1980: 184) by its anastomosing nerves of inner sepals, united filaments throughout their length, symmetrical capsule wings and its stipitate capsule. Moreover, it differs from P. hohenackeriana Fischer & Meyer in Fischer et al. (1838: 42) by its corolla and inner sepals color, outer sepals shape, inner sepals nerves pattern and seed shape. 

Etymology:— Polygala guilanica refers to Guilan province in N Iran. 

Distribution  and  ecology:— Hyrcanian region boasts  substantial  plant  biodiversity.  Considerable  moisture from N Atlantic ocean, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea to this region has caused a conspicuous area covered with miscellaneous endemics (Akhani et al. 2010). Polygala guilanica is a tiny prostrate, semi-alpine Hyrcanian element from the type locality in west of Guilan province, N Iran. Growing on limestone, dry stony mountain slopes and dry meadows at 1700-1800 m elev. 

Ali Sarvi, Marzieh Beygom Faghir and Robabeh Shahi Shavvon. 2021. Polygala guilanica (Polygalaceae), A New Species from Guilan Province, N Iran. Phytotaxa. 513(2); 141-151.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.513.2.5

  Researchgate.net/publication/353679811_Polygala_guilanica_a_new_species_from_Guilan_Province_N_Iran

   

[Botany • 2018] Polygala veadeiroensis (Polygalaceae) • A New Species of Polygala endemic to Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil

Polygala veadeiroensis  J. F. B. Pastore

in Pastore, 2018. 

DOI: 10.1007/s12225-018-9759-0 

Summary

 A new species, Polygala veadeiroensis (Polygalaceae) subgenus Polygala section Timutua DC. series Timoutoideae, is described from Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás State, Brazil. The infrageneric placement and its conservation status are assessed and its habitat and phenology are included. The new species is compared with its morphologically allied species, P. carphoides and P. cuspidata. Illustrations, photos of floral parts under magnification, and a distribution map are also provided.

Key Words: endemic species, subgenus Polygala, taxonomy 

Fig. 1. Polygala veadeiroensis. A habit; B raceme; C bract; D bracteole; E two upper outer sepals; F lower outer sepal; G androecium and lateral petals; H gynoecium; J fruit with persistent calyx; K, L seed.

From Pastore & Suganuma 417 (the type). 

Drawn by Carla Texeira de Lima.

Polygala veadeiroensis J. F. B. Pastore sp. nov. 

Type: Brazil, Goiás, Chapada dos Veadeiros, Cavalcante, estrada [Rodovia GO-118], entre Cavalcante e Santa Teresina de Goiás, 14°03'27"S 47º30'16"W, 6 March 2003, Pastore & Suganuma 417 (holotype CTBS!; isotype CEN!).

recognition: The crested keel places Polygala veadeiroensis within Polygala subgenus Polygala, in addition the spiciform raceme, yellowish spots on floral parts, sepals with acuminate apex, winged stems, and verticillate leaves at proximal nodes are all associated with species belonging to Polygala section Timutua series Timoutoideae Chodat. Polygala veadeiroensis is morphologically most similar to P. carphoides Chodat, from which it is readily separable by its leaves 2.5 – 4 × 1.1 – 1.9 cm, racemes 2 – 3 × 0.8 cm, and linear bracts 2.3 – 2.5 mm long (vs leaves 0.4 – 0.9 × 0.1 – 0.3 cm, racemes 0.5 – 1.5 × 0.35 – 0.5 cm, and lanceolate bracts 0.7 – 1.5 mm long in P. carphoides). On the other hand P. veadeiroensis can be easily recognised by the short bracts when compared with P. cuspidata (2.3 – 2.5 cm vs 4.8 – 9 cm in P. cuspidata).

Fig. 2. Polygala veadeiroensis. A bract; B bracteoles; C flower; D two upper outer sepals; E lower outer sepal; F one of the two inner sepals (wings); G keel; H androecium and lateral petals; J gynoecium; K style; L fruit with persistent calyx; M capsule; N seed; P appendage.

All from Pastore & Suganuma 417. photos: J. Floriano B. Pastore.

Fig. 3 Polygala veadeiroensis and its habitat.
A and D habit; B raceme; C flower in a young raceme; E habitat.

All from Pastore & Mota 5308 (CTBS). photos: J. Floriano B. Pastore.

Distribution: Most of the analysed specimens of Polygala veadeiroensis (except Pastore & Suganuma 648 and Cardoso et al. 2531) are likely to be derived from the same stretch of c. 20 km along the GO-118 road between Alto Paraíso de Goiás and Teresina de Goiás, on the borders of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (CVNP). However, other populations are likely to occur inside the CVNP (Map 1).

Habitat: Polygala veadeiroensis occurs in rocky field areas, called campo limpo rupestre, in sandy soil; altitudes between c. 1,200 – 1,500 m. Fig. 3E.

Conservation status: Although Polygala veadeiroensis is likely to have a wider occurrence inside the area of CVNP (beyond the area estimated here), using the available data to determine the conservation status suggests the criterion VU (2B: a, b3) of IUCN (2012). The known area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 2,000 km2 (c. 228 km2) and because the only known habitat is quite near the interstate roads GO-118 and GO-239, a continued decline of habitat quality and quantity is anticipated.

Etymology: Polygala veadeiroensis refers to the Chapada Veadeiros region in the northeast of the Goiás State in Brazil.

J. F. B. Pastore. 2018. Polygala veadeiroensis (Polygalaceae), A New Species of Polygala endemic to Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil. Kew Bulletin. 73:37.  DOI: 10.1007/s12225-018-9759-0

 facebook.com/KewBulletin/photos/2217363245163694

[Botany • 2017] A Synopsis of Epirixanthes (Polygalaceae) in Brunei Darussalam and Notes on Species Elsewhere [Novitates Bruneienses, 9]

A. Epirixanthes cylindrica Blume. B. E. elongata Blume. C. E. kinabaluensis T.Wendt. D. E. papuana J.J.Sm. E. E. pallida T.Wendt.

Dančák, Hroneš, Sukri, et al., 2017. Novitates Bruneienses, 9. 

 Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. 69(2) 

ABSTRACT

 The genus Epirixanthes Blume is revised for Brunei Darussalam. Four species are recognised for the country: Epirixanthes cylindrica Blume, E. elongata Blume, E. kinabaluensis T.Wendt and E. papuana J.J.Sm., with the two latter species being newly recorded for the Brunei flora. A single collection from Brunei that was formerly identified as Epirixanthes pallida T.Wendt is now confirmed as E. papuana. A revised key for the genus is included. 

Keywords. Distribution, herbs, Malesia, mycoheterotrophic plants, north-western Borneo, taxonomy, understorey

Fig. 2. Epirixanthes species of Brunei Darussalam.

A. Epirixanthes cylindrica Blume. B. E. elongata Blume. C. E. kinabaluensis T.Wendt. D. E. papuana J.J.Sm. E. E. pallida T.Wendt.

 A–D, all from Kuala Belalong, Brunei Darussalam; E from Kelabit Highlands, Sarawak. (Photos: A: Ondřej Popelka, B, C: Michal Hroneš, D, E: Michal Sochor)

M. Dančák, M. Hroneš, R.S. Sukri, F. Metali and A.A. Joffre. 2017. Novitates Bruneienses, 9. A Synopsis of Epirixanthes (Polygalaceae) in Brunei Darussalam and Notes on Species Elsewhere. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. 69(2);   179 - 187.

 sbg.org.sg/images/4_4_Research_Gardens_Bulletin/4_4_69_2_pdf_Vol_69_Part_2_2017/69_2_179_y2017_V69P2_GBS_pg179.pdf