[Botany • 2025] Viola xinchengensis (Violaceae) • A New Species from central Guangxi, China

 

Viola xinchengensis Y.Nong & G.Y.Wei, 

in Wei, Xu, Li, Feng, Hu, Yang, Qu et Nong, 2025. 

忻城堇菜  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.253.128972

Abstract

Viola xinchengensis (Violaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is established on the basis of morphological and molecular evidence. This new species resembles V. lucens, but differs from the latter by its stipules margin long fimbriate-dentate (vs. fimbriate-dentate), stolon absent (vs. stolon slender, often producing a new plant at the top) and sepals 4–6 mm, glabrous (vs. 2.5–3 mm, villous). Viola xinchengensis is similar to V. fargesii, but it can be easily distinguished by its pedicels sparsely white villous (vs. densely spreading white puberulous), stolon absent (vs. stolon longer, elongated, puberulous, sometimes stem-like) and sepals 4–6 mm, glabrous (vs. 7–9 mm, puberulous). Our morphology analysis confirms that the new species belongs to V. sect. Plagiostigma subsect. Diffusae. Photographs, an illustration, a distribution map and comparisons with the most similar species are also provided.

Key words: Morphology, new species, sinkhole, taxonomy, Viola

Line drawing of Viola xinchengensis Y.Nong & G.Y.Wei
A flowering plant B flower C anterior petal D upper petal E lateral petal F ovary and style G stamens and pistil H stipule.

Drawn by Xin-cheng Qu.

Viola xinchengensis Y.Nong & G.Y.Wei
A plant (top view) B plant (flowering) C flowers (lateral view) D flower (front view) E petals F lateral petal G–I ovary and style J stamens K–M capsule N seeds O leaf (adaxial surface) P leaf (abaxial surface) Q stipules R bract S habitat

 (Photographed and edited by You Nong).

 

 Viola xinchengensis Y.Nong & G.Y.Wei, sp. nov.

 Chinese name. xīn chéng jǐn cài (忻城堇菜).

Diagnosis. Viola xinchengensis is most similar to V. lucens, but differs from the latter by its stipules margin long fimbriate-dentate (vs. fimbriate-dentate), stolon absent (vs. stolon slender, often producing a new plant at the top) and sepals 4–6 mm, glabrous (vs. 2.5–3 mm, villous). Viola xinchengensis is similar to V. fargesii, but it can be easily distinguished by its pedicels sparsely white villous (vs. densely spreading white puberulous) and sepals 4–6 mm, glabrous (vs. 7–9 mm, puberulous). More detailed morphological differences amongst the three similar species are shown in Table 2.

...

Etymology. The specific epithet “xinchengensis” refers to the type locality, Xincheng County (忻城县), which is situated in central Guangxi, southwest China.

 Gui-Yuan Wei, Chuan-Gui Xu, Ying-Jing Li, Bin Feng, Qi-Min Hu, Chao Yang, Xin-Cheng Qu and You Nong. 2025. Viola xinchengensis (Violaceae), A New Species from central Guangxi, China. PhytoKeys. 253: 143-154. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.253.128972

[Botany • 2024] Viola fuscopurpurea (Violaceae) • A New Species from Chongqing, China

Viola fuscopurpurea S.R.Yi & Yan S.Huang, 

Dai, Yi, Huang, Zhang et Fan, 2024.  

DOI: 10.1111/njb.04364

 

Abstract

Viola fuscopurpurea (Violaceae), a new species from Karst landform of Chongqing in China, is described and illustrated. The new species is most similar to V. fukienensis, but can be distinguished by nearly glabrous, shiny, adaxially purple blades (vs pubescent, adaxially green blades), brown seeds with conspicuous tubercles (versus yellow seeds with smooth surface), and hook-like nectaries (versus triangular nectaries), as well as by general habit. Our phylogenetic analysis, based on ITS sequences, confirms that the new species belongs to V. subsect. Rostratae, and is most closely related to V. fukienensis in the phylogeny.

Keywords: morphology, phylogeny, sect. Viola, subsect. Rostratae

Viola fuscopurpurea.
 (A) flower, (B) seeds, (C) leaf blades, (D) stamens, (E) capsule, (F) style, (G) plant, (H) Stipules.

Viola fuscopurpurea.
 (A) habitat, (B) chasmogamous flower, (C) side view of the chasmogamous flower, (D) stamens of the chasmogamous flower , (E) capsule, (F) adaxial surface of leaf blade, (G) abaxial surface of leaf blade, (H)stipules, (I) seeds, (J) side view of the cleistogamous flower, (K) stamens of the cleistogamous flower.

Viola fuscopurpurea S.R.Yi & Yan S.Huang sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: A species similar to V. fukienensis W. Becker, but differs in glabrous, shiny, adaxially brownish purple blades (versus pubescens, adaxial green blades), brown seeds with conspicuous tubercles (versus yellow seeds with smooth surface), and hook-like nectaries (versus triangular nectaries).

Etymology: The epithet refers to the adaxially brownish purple blades of this species.

 

Jingmin Dai, Si-Rong Yi, Yanshuang Huang, Hong-Jing Zhang and Qiang Fan. 2024. Viola fuscopurpurea (Violaceae), A New Species from Chongqing, China. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04364

[Botany • 2023] Viola austroyunnanensis (Violaceae) • A New Species from Yunnan, China

 

Viola austroyunnanensis Y.S. Chen, 

in Liao, Liao, He, Wu et Chen, 2023.

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.613.2.4

  Researchgate.net/publication/373896533 

Abstract

Viola austroyunnanensis is described and illustrated as a new species from southeastern Yunnan province of China. According to morphological studies, it belongs to Viola sect. Diffusae, and is related to V. fargesii, from which it differs by its stolons, petioles, stipules, abaxial leaf surface and sepals being all glabrous (vs. white puberulous), later petals glabrous (vs. beard), flower color usually blue-purple (vs. white); corolla throat nearly white (vs. yellow). But molecular phylogenetic results based on ITS dataset show that V. austroyunnanensis belongs to Viola sect. Adnatae. The systematic relationship of V. austroyunnanensis needs further research.

Keywords: Eudicots, violet, Viola sect. Diffusae, Viola sect. Adnatae, taxonomy

Viola austroyunnanensis Y.S. Chen, sp. nov.

 

Shu-Yuan Liao, Jun-Jie Liao, De-Ming He, Jian-Yong Wu and You-sheng CHEN. 2023. Viola austroyunanensis (Violaceae), A New Species from Yunnan province of China. Phytotaxa. 613(2); 153-161. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.613.2.4

  Researchgate.net/publication/373896533_Viola_austroyunanensis_a_new_species_from_Yunnan_province_of_China

[Botany • 2022] Viola ornata & V. longibracteolata (Violaceae, Subgen. Neoandinium) • Two Rare, New Rosulate Species from southern Peru

Viola ornata & Viola longibracteolata 

    

in Gonzáles, Montesinos-Tubée, Watson, Cano, Trinidad, Navarro, Jans, Sheader, Ballard & Flores, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.571.1.4

 facebook.com/MHNUNMSM 

Abstract

Two high Andean taxa from South Peru, Viola ornata and Viola longibracteolata, are described and illustrated. During a series of ecotourism and botanical expeditions in the Moquegua and Arequipa regions, four populations of V. ornata and one population of V. longibracteolata were discovered. Both species are compared with morphologically similar species of subg. Neoandinium. Their resemblances and differences are discussed, including by means of a key. We have determined the potential IUCN status of both new species as Critically Endangered (CR).

Keywords: Andes, chorology, dispersal, mine development, narrow endemic, rare, Viola, vulnerable, Eudicots

Viola ornata 

Viola longibracteolata

Paúl Gonzáles, Daniel B. Montesinos-Tubée, John M. Watson, Asunción Cano, Huber Trinidad, Eduardo Navarro, Harry Jans, Martin Sheader, Harvey E. Ballard and Ana R. Flores. 2022. Viola ornata and Viola longibracteolata (Violaceae, subgen. Neoandinium), Two Rare, New Rosulate Species from southern Peru. Phytotaxa. 571(1); 52-64. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.571.1.4

 facebook.com/MHNUNMSM/posts/508643817965748

[Botany • 2022] Viola shiweii (Violaceae) • A New Species from Karst Forest in Guizhou, China

 Viola shiweii Xiao C. Li & Z. W. Wang,

in Li, Wang, Wang, Ge, ... et Zhong, 2022. 

世纬堇菜  ||  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.196.83176

Abstract

Viola shiweii Xiao C. Li & Z. W. Wang (Violaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China, is described, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species is morphologically most similar to V. kwangtungensis Melchior in its glabrous lateral petals and stoloniferous habit, but can be distinguished by its obtuse teeth along the leaf margin, its abaxially greyish-green leaf blade and its broader and entire sepals with a distinct basal appendage.

Keywords: Morphology, phylogeny, sect. Plagiostigma, subg. Viola

 Viola shiweii sp. nov.
 A flower side view B flower front view C habit D stipule E capsule F stamens and pistil.

 Viola shiweii sp. nov.
A petals, sepals, stamens and pistils B, G flower in front view and detail of a longitudinal section in side C, H basal leaf adaxially and abaxially D cleistogamous flowers E capsule and seeds F margin teeth I stipule J leaves on stolons.

 Viola shiweii Xiao C. Li & Z. W. Wang, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: The new species is morphologically most similar to V. kwangtungensis Melchior in its glabrous lateral petals and stoloniferous habit, but can be distinguished by its obtuse teeth along the leaf margin, its abaxially pale green leaf blade and its broader and entire sepals with a distinct basal appendage.

 

Distribution and habitat: The species was observed to grow on dry and partially shaded limestone, around the karst forest edge, at 700–900 m elevation.

Etymology: The specific name epithet “shiweii” was proposed in memory of Deng Shi-wei (191?-1936), who dedicated his life to the exploration of the flora of Guizhou. The Chinese name is given as “世纬堇菜”.

 Xiao-Chen Li, Zheng-Wei Wang, Qi Wang, Bin-Jie Ge, Bin Chen, Ping Yu and Xin Zhong. 2022. Viola shiweii, A New Species of Viola (Violaceae) from Karst Forest in Guizhou, China. PhytoKeys. 196: 63-89. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.196.83176

[Botany • 2022] Paypayrola panamensis (Violaceae) • A New Species from Panama, with Notes About the Species Complexes for the Genus

Paypayrola panamensis  H. E. Ballard, 

in Ballard, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.542.3.4

Abstract

A new species of Paypayrola is described from multiple exsiccatae from west-central and east-central Panama. Paypayrola panamensis sp. nov. is represented by dozens of herbarium specimens from 26 putatively distinct populations located at lower elevations on the northern slope, in wet evergreen tropical forest on slopes and ridgetops, as well as along streams and rivers. By in its moderately short-petiolate leaves and yellow corollas, the new species resembles northern South American P. guianensis and P. hulkiana. It differs from P. guianensis in its proportionally longer leaf blades, subsessile to short-pedunculate, short inflorescences, and puberulent sepals longer than broad. It differs from P. hulkiana in its proportionally broader leaf blades, and proportionally broader elliptical to suborbicular sepals, commonly with two (rarely four) distinct lateral nerves besides the medial nerve, and a broadly rounded to frequently truncate or retuse apex. The new species also differs from both in its larger leaf blades with more lateral nerves, tapering to a narrowly rounded or weakly subattenuate apex, and a more densely flowered inflorescence. A key differentiating it from other species of Paypayrola is provided. In discussing the genus, three species complexes are well separated based on corolla color and inflorescence features.

Keywords: Eudicots, Violaceae, Paypayrola, Panama

Features in life of flowering Paypayrola panamensis.
A. Branch with leaves and inflorescences. B. Closeup of flowers.

Photos by Barry Hammel.

Paypayrola panamensis H. E. Ballard, sp. nov.  

Paypayrola panamensis differs most obviously from P. guianensis in its proportionally longer leaf blades, subsessile to short-pedunculate, short inflorescences, and puberulent sepals that are commonly slightly to distinctly longer than broad; from P. hulkiana in its proportionally broader leaf blades, proportionally broader elliptical to suborbicular sepals commonly with two (rarely four) distinct lateral nerves in addition to the medial nerve and a frequently truncate or retuse apex; and from both in its larger leaf blades with more lateral nerves, blade apex weakly subattenuate to narrowly rounded, and a densely flowered inflorescence.

Etymology:—Being the sole Paypayrola in Mesoamerica and well represented by many collections in a bimodal distribution of west-central and east-central Panama, the species is named for the country of Panama to which it is endemic.

Distribution and habitat:—Paypayrola panamensis is presently confirmed from 48 herbarium specimens representing 26 separate localities inferred as distinct populations in central Panama (Fig. 3). The species grows in moist to wet evergreen forest on low slopes and low local ridgetops often near or along streams and rivers but rarely in riparian forest, on the Atlantic slope, to the west and east of the Canal Zone but not near it, at 30–500 m in elevation

Harvey E. (Jr.) Ballard. 2022. A New Paypayrola (Violaceae) from Panama, with Notes About the Species Complexes for the Genus. Phytotaxa. 542(3); 283–292. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.542.3.4

   

[Botany • 2020] Viola umphangensis (Violaceae) • A New Species from Thailand

Viola umphangensis S. Nansai, Srisanga & Suwanph.

in Nansai, Srisanga, Hodkinson & Suwanphakdee, 2020. 

 วาสุกรีอุ้มผาง  || DOI: 10.1111/njb.02668 

  facebook.com/BOTANYKU

Abstract

Viola umphangensis S. Nansai, Srisanga & Suwanph., a new species from Thailand, is described and illustrated. Morphological, anatomical and palynological characters of V. umphangensis are compared with a similar species, V. betonicifolia Sm. An amended key to the Viola species in the Flora of Thailand account is provided.

Keywords: anatomical characters, new species, palynological characters, taxonomy, Umphang wildlife sanctuary

Viola umphangensis S. Nansai, Srisanga & Suwanph.

 วาสุกรีอุ้มผาง

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to Umphang district, Tak province, the type locality of the new species.

Sulisa Nansai, Prachaya Srisanga, Trevor R. Hodkinson and Chalermpol Suwanphakdee. 2020. Viola umphangensis (Violaceae), A New Species from Thailand. Nordic Journal of Botany. 38(4)  DOI: 10.1111/njb.02668  

 facebook.com/BOTANYKU/photos/3101852846524770

     

[Botany • 2020] Viola guaxarensis (Violaceae) • A New Viola from Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Viola guaxarensis M. Marrero, Docoito Díaz & Martín Esquivel

in Gómez, Esquivel, Díaz & Izquierdo, 2020. 

DOI: 10.3372/wi.50.50102 

 Abstract 

Viola guaxarensis M. Marrero, Docoito Díaz & Martín Esquivel, sp. nov., belonging to V. sect. Melanium Ging. (Violaceae), is described and illustrated. It is a small chamaephyte currently known in only two localities within the high-mountain zone of Tenerife, Canary Islands. Data on aspects of its morphology, ecology, rarity and conservation status are provided, as well as the differences between this new taxon and the other two species from the Canary Island high-mountain habitats, V. cheiranthifolia Humb. & Bonpl. and V. palmensis Webb & Berthel., which are presumed to be the closest relatives.

KEYWORDS: Canary Islands, endemic, high mountain, new species, Teide National Park, Tenerife, Viola cheiranthifolia, Viola guaxarensis, Viola palmensis, Viola sect. Melanium, Violaceae

Fig. 2. Viola guaxarensis. – A: general aspect; B: upper leaf with stipules; C: ovary, style and stigma; D: anther; E: lower leaf; F: sepal; G: peduncle bracteoles; H: flower, lateral view; I: flower, frontal view; J: seed. – Drawn from TFC 53319 by M. V. Marrero Gómez.

Fig. 4. Morphological characteristics of Viola guaxarensis. – A: flower; B: stipules; C: peduncle bracteole; D: upper leaves; E: lower leaf.

Viola guaxarensis M. Marrero, Docoito Díaz & Martín Esquivel, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis — The new species differs from Viola cheiranthifolia Humb. & Bonpl. mainly by its larger size, longer and wider leaves, 2- or 3-sect outer stipules with main lobe up to ¼ the length of the leaves, longer peduncles, violet and slightly hastate peduncle bracteoles, sinuatecrenate sepal appendices with purple tones, and glabrous spur. It differs from V. palmensis Webb & Berthel. by its shorter, wider and non-falcate leaves with petiole never reaching the lamina length, shorter stipules, slightly hastate peduncle bracteoles, and shorter, wider, glabrous spur (Table 1, Fig. 3, 4).

Fig. 5. Habitat of Viola guaxarensis (the blue-flowered plants).
 A: Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Montaña Guajara, Jun 2019, photograph by M. Suárez Izquierdo.

Fig. 5. Habitat of Viola guaxarensis (the blue-flowered plants).
B: same locality, May 2019, photograph by J. R. Docoito Díaz.

Distribution and ecology — Endemic to the high-mountain zone of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, where it is known from only two localities (Fig. 1). Locally common near the summit of Montaña Guajara (..., 2600 m a.s.l.) with nearly 3000 individuals, but scarce (with only a few dozen individuals) at the second locality, Topo de la Grieta 3 km to the northeast (..., 2300 m a.s.l.). In general, the habitat is characterized by low or moderate slopes, with acid and rocky substrates sometimes mixed with pumice. These environments are subject to relatively strong winds (Wildpret & Martín 2005) and frequent winter frosts. Vegetation at the sites is dominated by a low mixed cushion-shrub community (Fig. 5) with Adenocarpus viscosus (Willd.) Webb & Berthel. subsp. viscosus (Fabaceae) one of the more common species. Other Canary Island endemics present are Erysimum scoparium (Brouss. ex Willd.) Wettst. (Brassicaceae), Nepeta teydea Webb & Berthel. (Lamiaceae), Sparto-cytisus supranubius (L. f.) Christ ex G. Kunkel (Fabaceae), and Tolpis webbii Sch. Bip. ex Webb & Berthel. (Asteraceae).

Habitat — The leaves and flowers of both Viola cheiranthifolia and V. guaxarensis are smaller than V. palmensis, possibly as an adaptation to a more xeric environment; the habitat of the two Tenerife taxa is much more arid (rainfall <500 mm/year) than that of the La Palma V. palmensis (rainfall c. 800 mm/year; Martín Osorio & al. 2007). The habitats of the Tenerife taxa also differ in temperature and precipitation, with V. cheiranthifolia occupying colder sites (annual average temperature 3.5–8.8°C) than V. guaxarensis (11.1°C). The pronounced reduction in some morphological structures in V. cheiranthifolia or even the disappearance of some of them (e.g. stipules) may indicate adaptations to a colder and harsher environment.

Etymology — The specific epithet refers to Montaña Guajara, the main location of the new species.

Manuel V. Marrero Gómez, José L. Martín Esquivel, José R. Docoito Díaz and Manuel Suárez Izquierdo. 2020. Viola guaxarensis (Violaceae): A New Viola from Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Willdenowia. 50(1); 13-21. DOI: 10.3372/wi.50.50102

   

[Botany • 2018] Viola pachysoma (Violaceae) • A New Name for A Rosulate Species Endemic to the Andes of Argentinian Patagonia

Viola pachysoma

in Watson, Flores, Sheader & Sheader, 2018. 

DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.382.1.6 

Abstract

The species herein, Viola pachysoma, has a long history of confused identity. When recognised as a distinct taxonomic entity it was published as Viola copahuensis. It also acquired a later replacement name, Viola caviahuensis. Each of these in turn has been formally declared nom. illeg. et nom superfl. Consequently, a third epithet for the taxon, V. pachysoma, is coined and presented here. The original protologue lacked a formal diagnosis, so we have added a supplementary version. We also chronicle the species since known to science, including its status as one of the parents of the first recorded hybrid in its section. A discussion and two multi-character tables serve to compare and separate species comprising the poorly understood geographical alliance which incorporates V. pachysoma. 

Keywords: ICN Code, misidentification, natural hybrid, nomen illegitimum, nomen superfluum, section Andinium, sempervivoid, volcanic, Eudicots

John M. Watson, Ana R. Flores, Martin Sheader and Anna-Liisa Sheader. 2018. Viola pachysoma (Violaceae), A New Name for A Rosulate Species Endemic to the Andes of Argentinian Patagonia. Phytotaxa. 382(1); 113–124.  DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.382.1.6

[Botany • 2018] Viola pluviae (Violaceae) • A Member of Subsect. Stolonosae in the Pacific Northwest Region of North America

Viola pluviae Marcussen, H.E. Ballard & Blaxland

in Blaxland, Ballard & Marcussen, 2018. 

 DOI:  10.1111/njb.01931

 chasmogamous flower. Washington: Issaquah, May 1996. 

Photos by Kim Blaxland, botanikim.com.

Abstract

As hirtherto circumscribed, the allo‐octoploid Viola palustris L. exists in three distinct races in North America. The race occurring in the Pacific Northwest of North America has previously been shown to have originated by polyploidy from a different set of ancestral tetraploids than the nominal, Amphi‐Atlantic race. These two races differ also in a number of morphological characters, which has been a historical source of confusion. We here propose a new name for the western plants, Viola pluviae Marcussen, H.E. Ballard & Blaxland, and typify it with a specimen collected near Mt Rainier (USA, Washington) with known chromosome number. Distribution, phylogenetic history and taxonomy are discussed and an updated morphological key to the Pacific Northwestern species of Viola is presented.

Key words: Viola palustris, bog violet, Plagiostigma, allopolyploid, Pleistocene

Viola pluviae Marcussen, H.E. Ballard & Blaxland sp. nov.

Etymology: Viola pluviae literally translates to ‘rain’s violet’ in reference to the rainy, coastal climate where it occurs. The pun on the name of the type locality, Mt Rainier, is of course entirely unintended.

Distribution: Viola pluviae is widespread along the Pacific coast from northern California to southern Alaska, the Cascades, and parts of the Rocky Mountains (Montana, Idaho). 

 

Kim Blaxland, Harvey E. Ballard and Thomas Marcussen. 2018. Viola pluviae sp. nov. (Violaceae), A Member of Subsect. Stolonosae in the Pacific Northwest Region of North America. Nordic Journal of Botany.  36(9) e01931 DOI:  10.1111/njb.01931

 facebook.com/NordicJBotany/photos/1868965806552325