Research Article |
Corresponding author: Xiu Hu ( xiuhu0938@gmail.com ) Academic editor: Yasen Mutafchiev
© 2018 Xiu Hu, Jia-qi Huang, Jia-chuan Tan, Yong-qing Wu, Juan Chen.
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:
Hu X, Huang J-Q, Tan J-C, Wu Y-Q, Chen J (2018) Hedychium viridibracteatum X.Hu, a new species from Guangxi Autonomous Region, South China. PhytoKeys 110: 69-79. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.110.28710
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Hedychium viridibracteatum X.Hu, a new species from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, South China, is described and illustrated. Hedychium viridibracteatum X.Hu is included in the short-anther group of Hedychium and is most similar to Hedychium villosum var. tenuiflorum Voigt ex Baker, H. villosum var. villosum Wall., and H. chingmeianum N. Odyuo & D. K. Roy.
Hedychium, Zingiberaceae, new species, Guangxi Autonomous Region
Hedychium J. Koenig, 1783 (Zingiberaceae, Zingibereae) is a genus with about 50–80 species mainly distributed in tropical Asia (
Twelve species of Hedychium have been reported in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, South China (
In the autumn of 2008 we received a flowering plant of Hedychium from a local person in Napo, Guangxi Autonomous Region, South China. The plant resembled H. villosum var. tenuiflorum (Wall. ex Voigt) Wall. ex Baker (
In October 2011 we carried out a field survey and found the new plant in the wild in the vicinity of the Nongyi village, Napo County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The new plant grows on steep rocks under the forest canopy, at about 600 m a.s.l. Before that field trip, we had collected Hedychium villosum Wall. in the field from different part of China between 2006 and 2010. Based on those field surveys and collections, the affinities between the new species and its relatives, H. villosum Wall., were compared to living plants and specimens. Guided by the collection site of several suspected specimens, we made further field investigations after 2012 to gain a better understanding of the distribution range of the new plant. By combining the geographical distribution data collected from field investigations, specimens (GH, GXMI, HITBC, IBK, IBSC, KUN, PE) and references (
Flow cytometric analysis of nuclear DNA content of the new species and its relatives was performed according to
Hedychium viridibracteatum X.Hu, sp. nov. is morphologically similar to H. villosum var. tenuiflorum Voigt ex Baker by having sagittate anther, long filament, relatively thick and small leaves, more than two flower per-bract, but can be easily distinguished from it by its green (vs. brown) shorter bracts (1.3–1.5 × 0.4–0.5 cm vs. 2.7–2.9 × 1.1–1.2 cm) and bracteoles (1.0–1.1 × 0.3–0.4 cm vs. 2.1–2.2 × 0.7–0.75 cm), pure white flowers (vs. white with red stamen), dentate (vs. acute) tips to the lateral staminodes, and the apex of the labellum incised to the middle (vs. deeply divided).
China, Zhuang Autonomous Region, Napo county, Nongyi village, on rocks, 22°57.727'N, 106°00.265'E, alt. 696 m, 6 October 2011, Xiu Hu 267 (holotype: IBSC; isotype: MO).
Epilithic, evergreen perennial rhizomatous herbs. Rhizome purplish brown outside, sheathed, creamy white inside, 2–4 cm in diameter. Leaf stems slender, 60–100 × 0.5–0.7 cm, glabrous, 7–10 leaves. Ligule oblong-ovate, green or purple, glabrous, 1.8–2.3 cm × 1.2–1.5 cm, membranous. Leaf blades elliptic,15–25 × 5–8 cm, base attenuate into a short petiole, 0.5 cm long, apex caudate, glabrous on both sides and dark green above, purple beneath, especially the leaves in the lower part of the stem. Inflorescence a terminal spike, erect, 10–15 cm long, lax flowered; peduncle 1.5–2.0 cm long, green; rachis green, pubescent. Bracts oblong-ovate, apex acute, green, 1.3–1.5 × 0.4–0.5 cm, coriaceous, pubescent outside, glabrous inside, 2–4 flowered. Bracteoles tubular, apex acute, green, coriaceous1.0–1.1 × 0.3–0.4 cm, pubescent outside, glabrous inside. Flowers pure white, 10–11 cm long, lightly fragrant. Calyx tubular, green, 2.5–2.8 × 0.12–0.15 cm, apex obtusely 3-toothed, pubescent. Floral tube pure white, 4.0–5.0 cm long, slender; lobes glabrous, pure white, reflexed, linear, dorsal lobe 3.1–3.3 × 0.12 cm, lateral lobes 2.9–3.1 × 0.12 cm. Lateral staminodes linear-ridged, pure white, 3.0–3.3 cm long, dentate at apex. Labellum ovate, pure white, 2.8–3.0 × 1.2–1.4 cm, base attenuate into a claw, 0.8–1.0 × 0.2 cm, apex incised to the middle, white. Filament 6.0–6.8 cm long, white; anther dorsifixed, sagittate, 3.5–4 mm long, glabrous, light yellow. Ovary 0.4–0.5 × 0.2–0.4 cm, densely silky hairy, trilocular, placentation axile; epigynous glands 2, slender, ca. 0.2 cm long, yellow. Stigma green, ciliate. Tetraploid.
September–October.
Unknown.
The new species is named after its green bracts and pure white flowers which are highly diagnostic.
This species is currently found on limestone rocks in Guangxi Autonomous Region (Napo, Longzhou and Jingxi Counties) mainly growing under forest at altitudes of 600–800 m.
The results (Fig.
In addition to the type location, the new species is found in the adjacent area, Longzhou and Jingxi Counties (Fig.
Hedychium villosum var. tenuiflorum Voigt ex Baker
CHINA. Guangxi: Baise County: Daleng, 800 m, 26 Mar 1975, D. Fang 36943 (GXMI); Longguang, 900 m, 14 Jan 1956, Baise Group 1914 (IBK); Longlin County: Dee, Yanyu, 933 m, 9 Sep 1977, J.F. Wei & D. Fang 3–1145 (GXMI); Longlin County: Zhelang, Hanshan, 1000 m, 24 Mar 1975, D. Fang 25610 (GXMI); Longzhou County: Binqiao, Anzhen village, 273 m, 29 Apr 1956, Y.K. Li 212 (IBK); Napo County: Pingmeng, Mengda, back Mountain, 600 m, 16 Apr 1976, D. Fang 22291 (GXMI); Pingmeng, Nonghua to Sheng village, 700 m, 12 May 1989, South China team 702 (IBSC); Pingmeng, Nongyi, Stone Mountain, 646 m, 1 Mar 2006, M. Liu 3 (HITBC); Nanning County: Maoqiao, Medicinal Garden, 80 m, 3 Mar 1975, D. Fang & X.X. Chen 78882 (GXMI); Shangsi County: Fenghuang, Longshan Mid-range, 811 m, 4 Mar 1944, S.Q. Chen & S.H. Chun 4628 (IBSC); Fulongai, back valley, 607 m, 23 May 1966, T.J. Wang 5393 (GXMI); Tiandeng County: Fuxin, Miao village, 502 m, 18 Sep 1977, Tiandeng County Investigation Team 2–233 (GXMI); Hainan: Changjiang County: Bawang Mountain, Dongsi Forest Farm, 1400 m, 20 Apr 1988, Z.X. Li & F.W. Xing 3526 (IBSC); Bawang Mountain, Dongwu Forest Farm, 1015 m, 27 Mar 1983, G.Y. Fu 3418 (IBSC); Baoting County: Diaoluo Mountain, Xin’an village, 84 m, 24 Dec 1954, Diaoluo Mountain Team 3280 (IBSC); Qizhi Mountain, 185 m, 9 Jan 1934, Z. Huang & C. Wang 36223 (IBSC); Jianfeng Mountain, 830 m, 15 Apr 1982, Q. Huang 820154 (IBSC); Xizang: Motuo County: Damu to Gedang, 850 m, 25 Mar 1993, H. Sun & Z.K. Zhou & H.Y. Yu 5043 (KUN); Yunnan: Fugong County: Pihe, east coast of Nu River, 1100 m, 30 May 1978, Bijiang Investigation Team 0257 (KUN); along Nu River, Stone Mountain, 1262 m, 9 Apr 2008, F. Yu 19 (HITBC); Diao Ga Guo Zhai, 25 Apr 2004, D. Heng 49837 (GH); Funing County: Banlun, 728 m, 10 Apr 1940, Q.W. Wang 88283 (KUN); Gengma County: 1670 m, 1 Apr 1936, Q.W. Wang 72918 (IBSC); along the Gengma River, 1280 m, 7 Mar 2008, F. Yu 20 (HITBC); Gongshan County: Dulongjiang, Longyuan, 1772 m, 12 Apr 1994, Dulongjiang Investigation Team 5582 (KUN); Hekou County: Dawei Mountain, Laozhai, 1338 m, 6 Mar 1940, X. Wang & X.P. Gao & X.Q. Liu 100235 (IBSC); Qiaotou, 958 m, 1 Apr 2008, F. Yu 21 (HITBC); Jingdong County: Dongchuan River, 1097 m, 26 Mar 1940, M.G. Li 1900 (KUN); Wuliang Mountain, 1500 m, 19 Mar 2008, F. Yu 22 (HITBC); Jinghong County: Damenglong Mengsong Mountain, 1800 m, 29 Nov 2006, S.S Zhou 3409 (HITBC); Liuku County: Nu River, along the road, 1241 m, 8 Apr 2008, F. Yu 18 (HITBC); Mang County: Mengjiu, 1601 m, 28 Jul 1984, Q.G. Wu 96 (IBSC); Lvchun County: Huanglianshan national Nature Reserve area, 1500 m, 28 Apr 1984, S.Q. Dong & A.M. Li 24905 (HITBC); Malipo County: Huangjinyin, 1455 m, 13 Jan 1940, Q.W. Wang 83189 (KUN); Nanwen River, Laojun Mountain, 1600 m, 1 Jun 1983, S.Q Dong 32927 (HITBC); Menghai County: Mengsong, Manjin, 1221 m, 27 Mar 1957, Zhongsu Team 5469 (IBSC); Mengla County: Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden, 564 m, 25 Jan 2007, L.Q. He 119 (HITBC); Xiangming, 900 m, 26 Mar 1984, S.Q. Dong & A.M. Li 24897 (HITBC); Pingbian County: 1677 m, 9 Mar 1934, Y. Qian 13443 (IBSC); Yanshan County: Shuitouzhai, 1200 m, 19 Oct 1939, Q.W. Wang 84527 (KUN); Yingjiang County: Tongbiguan, 1400 m, 9 Apr 1985, Examination Team 85–200 (KUN); Zhenkang County: Bainiu village, 1593 m, Mar 1936, Q.W. Wang 72237 (KUN).
Hedychium villosum var. villosum Wall
CHINA. Yunnan: Fugong County: Maji Township, 1337 m, 4 Nov 1990, Dulong River Investigation Team 140 (KUN); Gongshan County: Dulong River to Meilin River, 1400–1420 m, 11 Jul 1979, Q. Lin & X.F. Deng 2731 (KUN); Dulong River East Coast, 2200–2400 m, 20 Sep 1940, G.M. Feng 2168 (KUN); Dulong River West Coast, 1300 m, 20 Nov 1990, Dulong River Investigation Team 637 (KUN); Dulong River West Coast, Four village, 1300 m, 25 Nov 1959, G.M. Feng 24396 (KUN); Mengla County: Menglun, 800 m, 6 Dec 1972, Y.H. Li 8466 (HITBC); Menglun, 26 Jan 1979, J.Y. Cui 14683 (HITBC); Menglun, Silver Factory, limestone mountains, 860 m, 6 Jan 1960, Y.H. Li 2731 (HITBC); Menglun, limestone mountains, 1200 m, 23 Nov 2005, S.S. Zhou 3320 (HITBC); Mengyuan, Nov 1982, Expedition team 34279 (HITBC); Shangyong, 900 m, 18 Oct 1974, Z.H Yang 10983 (HITBC); Yiwu Dt.: Manpi, 1000 m, 8 Sep 1959, S.J. Pei 9993 (HITBC); Menglian County: 957 m, 2 Oct 2006, X. Hu 001 (IBSC).
Hedychium viridibracteatum X.Hu is included in the short-anther group of Hedychium. It is similar to H. villosum in having visible rachis, non-imbricate bracts, more than one flower per bract, long filament and short, dorsifixed anther. It differs from H. villosum var. tenuiflorum in having short green ligules (vs. long and pale pink), elliptic glabrous leaf blade (vs. elliptic-lanceolate, midrib pubescent), short green (vs. brown) bracts and bracteole, flowers without much fragrance (vs. mildly fragrant), green calyx (vs. pink tinged towards tip), pure white short floral tube and filament (vs. creamy-white floral tube and red filament), pure white corolla lobes (vs. greenish-white lobe), pure white lateral staminodes with dentate tip (vs. a yellow tinge at base, tip acute lateral staminodes), pure white ovate labellum, apex incised to the middle (vs. white with a yellow tinge at base oblanceolate labellum, apex deeply divided) blooming in September to October (vs. in March–April) (see Table
A morphological comparison of Hedychium viridibracteatum with related species.
Characters | H. viridibracteatum | H. villosum var. villosum | H. villosum var. tenuiflorum |
---|---|---|---|
Ligule | Oblong-ovate, green or purple, 1.8–2.3 × 1.2–1.5 cm, glabrous | Oblong, pale pink, 1.8–2.1 × 0.7–0.8 cm, pubescent externally | Oblong, pale pink, 2.9–3.4 × 1.3–1.6 cm, densely pubescent externally |
Leaf blades | Elliptic, purple beneath, 15–25 × 5–8 cm, glabrous on both sides. | Elliptic-lanceolate, pale green below, 14–20 × 3.7–4.5 cm, midrib pubescent below | Elliptic-lanceolate, pale green below, 34–40 × 8–9 cm, midrib pubescent below |
Bract | Oblong-ovate, green, 1.3–1.5 × 0.4–0.5 cm, pubescent outside, 2–4 flowered | Elliptic, brown, 1.2–1.4 × 0.4–0.5 cm, densely hairy externally; 2–3–flowered | Lanceolate, brown, 2.7–2.9 × 1.1–1.2 cm, densely hairy externally; 3–4 flowered |
Bracteole | Green, 1.0–1.1 × 0.3–0.4 cm, pubescent outside | Brown, 1–1.3 × 0.25 cm, densely hairy externally | Brown, 2.1–2.2 × 0.7–0.75 cm, densely hairy externally |
Flowers | White, 10.0–11.0 cm long, lightly fragrant. | Pale yellow, 4.7–5.2 cm, highly fragrant | White with red stamen, 11.8–12.2 cm long, mildly fragrant |
Calyx | Pale green, 2.5–2.8 × 0.12–0.15 cm, pubescent outside | Pale green, 1.6–1.8 × 0.15 cm, densely pubescent externally, hairs brown | Pale green, pink tinged towards tip, 3.3–3.7 × 0.2–0.3 cm, densely pubescent externally |
Floral tube | Pure white 4.0–5.0 cm long, | Pale yellow, 1.9–2.1 cm long | Creamy-white, 5–5.2 cm long |
Corolla lobes | Linear, pure white dorsal lobe 3.1–3.3 × 0.15 cm; lateral lobes 2.9–3.1 × 0.15cm | Oblong, pale yellow; dorsal lobe 1.6–1.7 × 0.15–0.2 cm; lateral lobes 1.5–1.6 × 0.15 cm | Oblong, greenish-white, dorsal lobe 4.3–4.4 cm long; lateral lobes 4–4.1 cm long |
Lateral staminodes | Linear-ridged, pure white 3.0–3.3 × 0.2–0.4 cm, tip dentate | Linear, 1.3–1.5 × 0.15 cm; tip acute | Linear, white with a yellow tinge at base, tip acute, rarely forked 3.3–3.5 × 0.1–0.15 cm |
Labellum | Ovate, pure white, 2.8–3.0 × 1.2–1.4 cm, base attenuate into 8–10×2 mm claw, apex incised to the middle | Elliptic, pale yellow, 1.3–1.4 × 0.5 cm, apex deeply divided (sinus 0.8–0.9 cm deep); claw 1 mm wide | Oblanceolate, white with a yellow tinge at base, 3.1–3.5 × 1.2–1.5 cm, apex deeply divided (sinus 1.9–2.2 cm deep; claw 4–4.5 mm wide |
Filament | Pure white, 6.0–6.8 cm long | Scarlet, 2.4–2.6 cm long | Red, light red towards tip, 5.3–6.3 cm long |
Anther | Light-yellow, 3.5–4 mm long | Brown, 1.5 × 1.5 mm long | Brown, 3.5 × 2.5–3 mm long |
Flowering time | Sept–Oct | Sep–Dec | Mar–Apr |
Ploidy | Tetraploid | Diploid | Tetraploid |
Although Hedychium viridibracteatum and H. villosum var. tenuiflorum have the same ploidy level the two species differ in their flowering time which ensures that they are reproductively isolated. Hedychium viridibracteatum shares the same flowering time with H. villosum var. villosum, but they can be distinguished by their different flower form, flower size (Table
We are grateful to the reviewers for their advice and linguistic improvements. We are in debt to Mrs. Yun Xiao Liu for her illustration. The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant no. 31170185, no. 31200161), Education Department of Guangdong Province, China (Grant no. 2016GCZX001), and Guangzhou Key Technology Research and Development Program (Grant no. 20183020027).