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Research Article
Aletris guangxiensis (Nartheciaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China
expand article infoYou Nong‡, Ke-Dao Lai‡, Yun-Rui Qin§, Gui-Yuan Wei‡, Ke-Jian Yan‡, Chuan-Gui Xu‡, Zi-Yi Zhao‡, Ren-Chuan Hu‡, Yun-Feng Huang‡
‡ Guangxi institute of Chinese Medicine & Pharmaceutical science, Nanning, China
§ Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, China

Corresponding author: You Nong ( imnongyou@163.com )

Corresponding author: Yun-Feng Huang ( huangyunfeng2000@126.com )

Academic editor: Michal Hroneš
© 2024 You Nong, Ke-Dao Lai, Yun-Rui Qin, Gui-Yuan Wei, Ke-Jian Yan, Chuan-Gui Xu, Zi-Yi Zhao, Ren-Chuan Hu, Yun-Feng Huang.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Nong Y, Lai K-D, Qin Y-R, Wei G-Y, Yan K-J, Xu C-G, Zhao Z-Y, Hu R-C, Huang Y-F (2024) Aletris guangxiensis (Nartheciaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China. PhytoKeys 237: 79-89. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.237.115037
Open Access

Abstract

Aletris guangxiensis Y. Nong & Y. F. Huang (Nartheciaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is most similar to A. scopulorum, but it can be easily distinguished by its sparsely glandular, 5–18 cm long scape, glandular inflorescence axis, distinctly pedicellate flowers, sparsely glandular, 5–10 mm long pedicel, bract borne at base of pedicel, glabrous perianth divided to the base, strongly recurved or revolute perianth lobes and turbinate, obovoid to oblong-obovoid capsule. An identification key for 24 species and 1 hybrid of Aletris is also provided.

Key words

Conservation, flora of China, limestone, Nartheciaceae, taxonomy

Introduction

The family Nartheciaceae Fr. ex Bjurzon comprises five genera (Caddick et al. 2002). All species in this family are perennial herbs with short tuberculate or creeping rhizomes, erect stems and terminal spikes or racemes. Various researchers have continuously enhanced its classification (Li and Zhang 2011, Fuse et al. 2012; Tobe et al. 2018). In this family, Aletris L. is the largest genus, which contains approximately 21 species distributed in East Asia and North America (Zhao et al. 2012). However, a total of 23 species and 1 hybrid have been accepted according to the Plants of the World Online (POWO 2023).

The genus Aletris is characterised by perennial herbs with leaves in basal rosettes, lanceolate to linear blades, racemose to spicate inflorescences, scape simple, erect, usually with a few small, bractlike leaves, flowers bisexual, perianth white, yellow, or golden orange, cylindrical, campanulate or obovoid, with rough abaxial surfaces, six basally connate tepals, six stamens with basifixed anthers, obscurely 3-lobed stigma and fruits capsular, 3-locular, beaked.

During our field surveys in Guangxi in 2020, we found an unusual Aletris population that was morphologically similar to the species A. scopulorum Dunn. However, this special population is distinctly different from A. scopulorum, based on sparsely glandular, 5–18 cm long scape, glandular inflorescence axis, distinctly pedicellate flowers with sparsely glandular, 5–10 mm long pedicel, glabrous perianth divided to the base, strongly recurved or revolute perianth lobes and turbinate, obovoid to oblong-obovoid capsule (Table 1). Therefore, we proposed that this special population may represent a new species. In order to test this hypothesis, we conducted a literature search (Noltie 1994; Yang 1997; Liang and Turland 2000) and examined many specimens of Aletris from the Herbaria PE, IBK, GXMI and KUN. Finally, we continued to carry out multiple rounds of field surveys to confirm that this special population represents a new species.

Table 1.
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Main morphological differences amongst Aletris guangxiensis, A. scopulorum, A. gracilis and A. cinerascens.

Morphological traits A. guangxiensis A. scopulorum A. gracilis A. cinerascens
Plant sparsely glandular inflorescence axis pubescent glabrous throughout glabrous throughout
Leaves in lax basal rosette, narrowly linear to lanceolate, 4–9 cm × 2–5 mm in lax basal rosette, linear, 3–15 cm × 2–4.5 mm. in lax basal rosette, linear, 2–20 cm × 2–7(–9) mm densely tufted, linear–lanceolate, 4–13 cm × 3–12.5 mm
Scape 5–18 cm 10–35 cm 7–40 cm 8–30 cm
Pedicel 5–8 mm 0.5–3.5 mm 1–10 mm 1–10 mm
Bract and bracteole bract borne at base of pedicel, bracteole borne on proximal 1/3 of pedicel bract and bracteole borne on proximal 1/2 of pedicel bract borne at or near base of pedicel, bracteole borne on proximal 1/2 of pedicel bract borne at or near base of pedicel, bracteole borne on proximal 1/2 of pedicel
Perianth White White yellowish, whitish or pinkish yellowish
Perianth lobes strongly recurved or revolute, linear, 4–7 × 0.2–0.5 mm erect or slightly recurved, narrowly oblong–lanceolate to linear, 1.5–2.5 × 0.3–0.7 mm strongly recurved or revolute, narrowly oblong or oblong, 2–3 × 1 mm strongly recurved or revolute, narrowly lanceolate, 3–4.5 × 1–1.5 mm
Capsule turbinate, obovoid or oblong–obovoid, distinctly angular, 2–4 × 2–3 mm subglobose, 3–3.5 × 2.5–3 mm narrowly ovoid, 4.5–7 × 2.5–3.5 mm oblong–ovoid or ± ellipsoid, 5–7 × 3–3.5 mm

Materials and methods

The new species were described based on field observations that were conducted in March to May and examination of herbarium specimens at GXMI. Other related Aletris species were examined based on online images from Kew Herbarium Catalogue (http://apps.kew.org/herbcat/gotoHomePage.do) and JSTOR Global Plants (http://plants.jstor.org/) and Chinese Virtual Herbarium (https://www.cvh.ac.cn/). Morphological characters that distinguish it from all other species in the genus of Aletris are used. We also observed living plants of the new species at flowering and fruiting time (March to May). We observed characters of stems, leaves, pedicels, flowers, receptacles, petals, stamens, gynoecium, carpels, size of flowers, size and shape of petals, number of stamens and the shape of gynoecium and fruit.

Descriptions were written from herbarium specimens. Measurements were made with a tape measure and calipers. The structure of the indumentum and its distribution were observed and described under a dissecting microscope at magnifications of more than 20×. Additional information on locality, habitat, ecology, plant form and fruits were collected in the field and taken from herbarium labels. Conservation threat assessment followed IUCN Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2022).

Results and discussion

Taxonomy

Aletris guangxiensis Y.Nong & Y.F.Huang, sp. nov.

urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77334668-1
Figs 1, 2, 3, 4 Chinese name: guǎng xī fèi jīn cǎo (广西肺筋草)

Diagnosis

Aletris guangxiensis is most similar to A. scopulorum, but it differs by inflorescence axis sparsely glandular (vs. pubescent), pedicel 5–8 mm (vs. 0.5–3.5 mm), bract borne at base of pedicel (vs. bract borne on the proximal 1/2 of the pedicel), lobes strongly recurved or revolute, linear, 4–7 × 0.2–0.5 mm (vs. erect or slightly recurved, narrowly oblong–lanceolate to linear, 1.5–2.5 × 0.3–0.7 mm). At first glance, it also looks similar to A. gracilis Rendle and A. cinerascens Wang & Tang, but differs by its inflorescence axis sparsely glandular (vs. glabrous), pedicel 5–8 mm (vs. 1–10 mm), perianth white (vs. yellowish, whitish or pinkish/yellowish). More detailed morphological differences amongst the four species are provided in Table 1.

Figure 1. 

Habitat of Aletris guangxiensis on the moist cliffs next to streams. [Photographed by You Nong and Ke–Jian Yan].

Holotype

China. Guangxi: Cenxi, 22°44'5"N, 110°51'59"E, alt. 320 m, on the cliff next to the stream, 23 April 2020 Y Nong NY2020042301 (holotype GXMI! isotypes IBK!).

Figure 2. 

Line drawing of Aletris guangxiensis A flowering branch B flowers C Ovary and stigma D Filaments of stamens and perianth [Drawn by Xin–cheng Qu from Y Nong NY2020042301 (GXMI)].

Description

Herbs. Roots usually fibrous. Leaves in basal rosette, narrowly linear to lanceolate, 4–9 cm × 2–5 mm. Scape 5–18 cm, sparsely glandular, bract–like leaves 3–10 mm long in the middle and lower part. Raceme 2.5–9 cm, laxly 2–10(or more)–flowered; axis glandular. Flowers distinctly pedicellate; pedicel 5–8 mm, sparsely glandular, subtended by a bract borne at base of pedicel and bracteole borne on proximal 1/3 of pedicel above bract; bract and bracteole lanceolate, 2–4 mm, shorter than flower, apex subacute. Perianth white, glabrous, divided to the base; lobes strongly recurved or revolute, linear, 4–7 × 0.2–0.5 mm, apex obtuse. Filaments of stamens adnate to perianth, 3–4 mm. Style 0.2–0.5 mm; stigma conspicuously thickened, capitate. Fruits capsular, 3–locular; capsule turbinate, obovoid or oblong–obovoid, distinctly angular, 2–4 × 2–3 mm.

Figure 3. 

Aletris guangxiensis A flower (front view) B, C flower (lateral view) D ovary and stigma E young fruit F inflorescence node with flower-subtending bract and flower bud, pedicel with bracteole in its proximal part G inflorescence H flowers I plant [Photographed by Ke–Jian Yan from G.Y. Wei WGY2023033001 (GXMI), edited by Yuan Fang].

Phenology

Flowering and fruiting in March to April.

Etymology

Guangxi is located in the southwest of China and is a biodiversity hotspot where many new species or new species records have been found (Hu et al. 2019; Luo et al. 2020; Feng et al. 2021; Xin et al. 2021; Huang et al. 2022; Nong et al. 2023). The new species, A. guangxiensis, is found in this region and is named after the geographic location.

Figure 4. 

Digital images of type specimens A Aletris guangxiensis [Y Nong NY2020042301 (GXMI!)] B A. scopulorum [Dunn 3556 (K!)] C A. gracilis [Younghusband s.n. (K!)] D A. cinerascens [Guangxi Investigation Team 4248 (PE!)].

Distribution and habit

Known only from the southeast of Guangxi, China (Fig. 5). The new species mainly occurs at elevations of 320 m. It has been mainly found on moist cliffs next to streams.

Figure 5. 

The distribution of Aletris guangxiensis (red circle) in Guangxi, China.

IUCN Red List Category

Data available for the new species are still insufficient to assess its conservation status. According to the IUCN Criteria (IUCN 2022), it is considered Data Deficient (DD) until more information becomes available. Although the population of A. guangxiensis is currently in relatively good conditions, further collection and monitoring are necessary to allow more conclusive estimations about the rarity and vulnerability of the species. Therefore, special attention should be given to the conservation of the new species of Aletris.

Additional specimen

Cenxi. Southeast Guangxi: limestone hills, fl. 30 March 2023, G.Y. Wei WGY2023033001 (GXMI!).

Key to species of Aletris

1 Flowers usually solitary, rarely densely 2–or 3–flowered forming a raceme 1. A. simpliciflora
– Flowers usually densely 4–14–flowered forming a raceme 2
2 Perianth abaxial surfaces rough 3
– Perianth glabrous or pubescent 8
3 Perianth usually wholly yellow to golden yellow, rarely white 4
– Perianth white to creamy–white, lobes sometimes tipped with orange or pinkish–orange 6
4 Perianth campanulate, 6–7 mm, 2 times or less as long as broad 2. A. aurea
– Perianth cylindrical, 9–12 mm, more than 2.5 times as long as broad 5
5 Lobes spreading 3. A. lutea
– Lobes erect 4. A. × tottenii (A. lutea ×A. obovata)
6 Perianth campanulate or obovoid, lobes turned slightly inwards 5. A. obovata
– Perianth cylindrical, lobes spreading 7
7 Leaves dull greyish–green, 0.6–1 cm wide; beaks of fruits gradually tapering from body to tip 6. A. bracteata
– Leaves bright yellowish–green, 0.5–2.6 cm wide; beaks of fruits abruptly narrowed distally 7. A. farinosa
8 Perianth pubescent, sometimes sparsely or minutely so 9
– Perianth glabrous, rarely papillose 15
9 Leaves 1–1.5 cm wide; perianth 7–10 mm 8. A. megalantha
– Leaves less than 1 cm wide; perianth less than 7 mm 10
10 Bracts 2–5 × flower length 9. A. glandulifera
– Bracts shorter than or subequalling flower length, sometimes a few bracts near base of raceme to 2 × flower length 11
11 Flowers usually subsessile, pedicels absent to 1(–2) mm, bract and bracteole borne on distal 1/2 of pedicel (often near apex); perianth lobes linear–lanceolate or narrowly oblong–lanceolate to linear; capsule turbinate, oblong–obovoid, obovoid or ovoid 12
– Flowers distinctly pedicellate, pedicels 0.5–3.5 mm, bract and bracteole borne on proximal 1/2 of pedicel (often near base); perianth lobes ovate to lanceolate; capsule subglobose 13
12 Capsule turbinate, oblong–obovoid or obovoid, distinctly angular, 3–5 × 2–3 mm, abruptly contracted distally when dehisced; leaves 2–4(–5) mm wide 10. A. spicata
– Capsule ovoid, not angular, 4–6 × 3–4.5 mm, not or only slightly contracted distally when dehisced; leaves (2–)3–5(–8) mm wide 11. A. stenoloba
13 Leaves 1–5, laxly tufted; rhizome cormlike, 3–7 mm in diam 12. A. scopulorum
– Leaves numerous, densely tufted; rhizome not corm–like 14
14 Perianth lobes oblong–lanceolate, 2–3 mm 13. A. pedicellata
– Perianth lobes ovate, ca. 1 mm 14. A. yaanica
15 Raceme axis and pedicels glabrous 16
– Raceme axis and pedicels pubescent or puberulent 20
16 Raceme covered with viscid secretion;perianth tube urceolate, strongly constricted at apex, lobes erect 17
– Raceme not covered with viscid secretion; perianth tube broadly funnelform, lobes strongly recurved or revolute 18
17 Pedicel 0.5–3(–4.5) mm; bract 2–16 mm, perianth yellowish–green or cream 3–6 mm 15. A. glabra
– Pedicels 1 mm; bracts 5–15 mm long, yellow green corollas 6–7 mm long 16. A. foliata
18 Rhizome surrounded by mass of fibres from disintegrated leaf bases; capsule with persistent stigma conspicuously thickened and capitate 17. A. gracilis
– Rhizome not surrounded by mass of fibres, but sometimes by persistent, dead leaves; capsule with persistent stigma not or only slightly thickened 19
19 Capsule oblong–ovoid or ± ellipsoid, 5–7 × 3–3.5 mm 18. A. cinerascens
– Capsule ellipsoid or ovoid, to 7 mm long 19. A. foliolosa
20 Bracteole borne on proximal 1/2 of pedicel (often near base) 20. A. guangxiensis
– Bracteole usually borne on distal 1/2 of pedicel (often near apex) 21
21 Rhizome often surrounded by mass of fibres from disintegrated leaf bases; roots thickened, fleshy; leaves usually rather few (5–10) and laxly tufted; capsule ovoid ellipsoid or ovoid–conical 21. A. pauciflora
– Rhizome not surrounded by mass of fibres; roots fibrous; leaves numerous and densely tufted; capsule narrowly ovoid to subglobose 22
22 Raceme densely capitate or oblong–capitate; bract and bracteole borne on proximal 1/2 of pedicel (often near base) 22. A. capitata
– Raceme elongate and lax to short and dense, but not capitate; bract and bracteole usually borne at or near apex of pedicel 23
23 Perianth 4–7.5 mm, lobes 2–5.5 mm, erect, spreading, recurved or revolute, 1–5× tube length 23. A. laxiflora
– Perianth 3–4.5 mm, lobes 1–2 mm, erect or recurved, 0.3–1× tube length 24
24 Scape very slender, wiry, often somewhat flexuous, 7–20 cm; bract shorter than perianth; perianth often densely papillose, lobes recurved 24. A. alpestris
– Scape relatively stout, not wiry, straight and erect, 1.5–10 cm; bract equalling or longer than perianth; perianth not or scarcely papillose, lobes erect or slightly recurved 25. A. nana

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Lan Xiangchun for fieldwork assistance and Qu Xincheng for the line drawing (Guangxi Institute of Traditional Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanning).

Additional information

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Ethical statement

No ethical statement was reported.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32000264), the Survey and Collection of Germplasm Resources of Woody & Herbaceous Plants in Guangxi, China (GXFS–2021–34).

Author contributions

Data curation: YN, RCH. Funding acquisition: YN, RCH, and YRQ. Investigation: YN, GYW, CGX, KJY. Methodology: YN, KJY, ZYZ. Project administration: YN, KDL. Supervision: KDL, KJY. Visualization: YN, YF, YFH. Writing – original draft: YN. Writing – review and editing: YN.

Author ORCIDs

You Nong https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7004-0946

Yun-Rui Qin https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2692-9048

Gui-Yuan Wei https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0652-1213

Ke-Jian Yan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4927-4665

Chuan-Gui Xu https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6263-3821

Zi-Yi Zhao https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2513-0728

Ren-Chuan Hu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0941-7203

Data availability

All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.

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