DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.279.181697

Authors: Yong-Chao Zhang, Sa Xiao, Xin-Yun Ma, Ji-Gui Chen, Yan Qin, Yong Liu, Zhi-Ying Guo, Yu-Qing Zhou, Dian-Zhi Zhao, Qing-Sheng Shan, Hai-Zhang Lu, Xiao-Xing Wei

Abstract: Elymus chaobotryus Y.C. Zhang, sp. nov. (Poaceae, Triticeae) from the north–eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (Tongren City, southeastern Qinghai, China) is described and illustrated based on detailed morphological comparisons and complete plastome data. The new species is readily distinguished from morphologically similar taxa by its pendulous compound spike 16–19 cm long, bearing 10–15 short lateral branches (2–4 cm) produced from nearly all nodes of the main rachis; the branches become progressively longer toward the base, giving the inflorescence a characteristic grape-like appearance. It further differs in having lanceolate glumes 3–4 mm long with mucros (< 0.9 mm), lanceolate lemmas 5–7 mm long with awns (3–4 mm), and conspicuously narrow leaf blades (2–5 mm wide). Flow-cytometric analysis estimated a genome size of 11.43 Gb, while chromosome and cytogenetic analyses confirmed a hexaploid chromosome complement (2n = 6x = 42) and were consistent with an StHY genomic constitution. In plastome-based phylogenetic analyses, E. chaobotryus is placed within the broader Elymus complex and is recovered as sister to E. dahuricus.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.269.177341

Authors: Yi-Hua Tong, Xue-He Ye, Jing-Bo Ni, Bing-Mou Wang, Xi-Rong Zheng

Abstract: A new species of Ericaceae, Agapetes lichengii, from Xizang Autonomous Region, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically most similar to A. pentastigma, but differs by having leaf blade with an obtuse or slightly auriculate leaf base, corolla with a constricted basal part and V-shaped stripes, spurless anthers and stigma without obvious gap between crenae. Detailed description, colour plates, and taxonomic notes on the new species are provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.266.147400

Authors: Chen-Long Fu, Jia-Ning Zhou, Wei-Hua Liao, Tong Zhang, Bo Xu, Meng Li

Abstract: Balanophora xinfeniae C.L.Fu, M.Li & B.Xu, a new species discovered in Xizang, China, is described and illustrated here. Molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons strongly support B. xinfeniae as a new species within the genus Balanophora. The most distinctive characteristic of the new species is its dioecious sexual system, with male flowers having a 3-lobed perianth, opposite leaves with serrated tips, and yellow scapes. Although it shares morphological similarities with B. henryi, B. xinfeniae can be distinguished by its flat spheroid tubers without stellate lenticels, yellow scape, prominently serrated apical leaf margins, and nearly spherical or ovoid-ellipsoid female inflorescences.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.259.155606

Authors: Xinyu Chen, Zhixi Fu

Abstract: Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have demonstrated extensive paraphyly of Aster ser. Albescentes Y.Ling. This woody-based shrubby group is both morphologically and molecularly distinct from the genus Aster L. The series is characterized by its shrubby habit with multiple branches, cauline leaves with revolute or flat margins, radiate capitula, keeled phyllaries, and multinerved achenes. We redefine a more natural circumscription of this series by reinstating Homostylium Nees with nomenclatural priority. A taxonomic synopsis of this series is presented herein. Homostylium is recognized and described as a distinct genus (Astereae, Asteraceae) to accommodate 7 shrubby species (6 endemic to China) formerly placed in Aster ser. Albescentes. A total of 19 new combinations are proposed, e.g., Homostylium albescens (DC.) Z.X.Fu, comb. nov. (incl. 10 varieties), Homostylium argyropholium (Hand.-Mazz.) Z.X.Fu, comb. nov. (incl. 2 varieties), Homostylium fulgidulum (Grierson) Z.X.Fu, comb. nov., Homostylium hypoleucum (Hand.-Mazz.) Z.X.Fu, comb. nov., Homostylium lavandulifolium (Hand.-Mazz.) Z.X.Fu, comb. nov., Homostylium motuoense (Y.L.Chen) Z.X.Fu, comb. nov., and Homostylium polium (C.K.Schneid.) Z.X.Fu, comb. nov. Formal typifications, synonyms, illustrations, distribution maps, and an identification key to the species of Homostylium are also provided herein.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.153925

Authors: Xinyu Chen, Tianmeng Qu, Xinyi Zheng, Yanru Zhang, Hui Chen, Bo Li, Liang Dou, Zhixi Fu

Abstract: Four floral microcharacters were examined within 40 species of core Aster and its related groups in the genus Aster L. (Asteraceae, Astereae). These microcharacters included corolla lobe, style base, endothecium cell wall thickening, and the relative length of the stigmatic line to sterile tip appendage of style branch. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using internal transcribed spacers (ITS), followed by ancestral traits reconstruction based on four microcharacters. The phylogenetic results supported the inclusion of Gymnaster, Heteropappus, Heteroplexis, Kalimeris, and Rhynchospermum within core Aster, as well as the possible segregation of groups B–D into multiple new genera within Astereae. Groups A (9 species) and C (4 species) displayed both equally and unequally lobed corollas. Group D (5 species) exclusively exhibited equally lobed corollas. Groups A (26 species), B (1 species), and D (5 species) included both types of swollen and unswollen style bases. Group C (3 species) displayed only unswollen style bases. Additionally, the endothecium cell wall thickenings and relative length of the stigmatic line to the sterile appendage were both highly variable among groups A–D. Given the complex variation of these floral microcharacters, the results of floral micromorphology and ancestral trait reconstruction indicated that the taxonomic significance of floral micromorphology within core Aster and its related groups is limited. However, specific micromorphological traits (e.g., unequally lobed corolla, radial thickening, and longer relative length) may be still useful for diagnosing particular species or groups. Therefore, floral micromorphology should be integrated with other types of evidence for more accurate infrageneric classification of Aster.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.151771

Authors: Yu-Wei Tian, Xie-Yong Zhang, Ping Yan, Wen-Li Chen

Abstract: Arundinella mainlingensis (Poaceae), a new species from Xizang, China is described and illustrated. This new species forms a sister group relationship with A. yunnanensis on the molecular phylogenetic tree, sharing common morphological characteristics such as ligule extremely short, glumes glabrous and 4−5 mm long and lemma with an apical awn. Arundinella mainlingensis differs from A. yunnanensis in having stems with 3 or 4 nodes, clustered basal leaves, densely covered with tubercle-based hairs on the margins and the adaxial surface, less cauline leaves and lower florets that are male or neuter with short anthers about 1.2 mm long. Arundinella mainlingensis is primarily found in south-eastern Xizang, including Nyingchi, Mainling and Bomê, whereas A. yunnanensis is only observed in Gongshan, Yunnan. These differences further reinforce the classification of the two as distinct species.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.249.127632

Authors: Yong-Chao Zhang, Xiao-Xing Wei, Yan Qin, Yong Liu, Shu-Zhen Zhang, Zhi-Feng Jia, Wen-Hui Liu

Abstract: A new species from China, Elymus multiramosus Y.C. Zhang, sp. nov. is described and illustrated herein, based on morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analysis. The taxonomic descriptions of E. multiramosus and the comparison with related species are presented. The taxonomic distinctiveness of this new species was inferred by Maximum Likelihood (ML) analysis and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, based on the complete chloroplast genome sequence. It is assigned to the Elymus section and bears similarity to Elymus nutans Griseb. However, it can be easily distinguished from other species by its compound spike, in contrast to the simple spike inflorescence typical of those species. The compound spike is characterised by rhachillas that are extended at the base of the main axis, giving rise to 3–6 mini-spike-like branches. Notably, these branches significantly increase in length from the top towards the bottom of the compound spike. In the molecular phylogeny, Elymus multiramosus from Qinghai, north-western China, is phylogenetically positioned as a distinct lineage. The lineage comprising Elymus sinosubmuticus from Sichuan, east of the Tibetan Plateau and Elymus nutans from the Himalayas forms a sister group to Elymus multiramosus, suggesting that these three species share a common ancestor that is distinct from the lineage leading to Elymus atratus from Gansu, north of the Tibetan Plateau.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.249.133820

Authors: Yi-Hua Tong, Xiang-Long Guo, Bing-Mou Wang, Zi Wang, Yong-Jie Guo

Abstract: Two new varieties from Xizang, China, i.e. Agapetes interdicta var. flaviflora and A. forrestii var. parvifolia, are described and illustrated. Agapetes interdicta var. flaviflora differs from the nominate variety in having yellow and smaller corollas with shorter lobes and anthers with shorter appendages at the base. Agapetes forrestii var. parvifolia is distinguished from the nominate variety in the smaller leaves with an acute apex, nearly transverse secondary veins and puberulent peduncle. Taxonomic notes on these taxa are also provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.226.101164

Authors: Xing Li, Jing-Bo Ni, Zhuo-Yu Cai, Yi-Hua Tong, Nian-He Xia

Abstract: The results of phylogenetic analysis, based on the whole chloroplast genome and morphological study support the transfer of a long ignored bamboo species, Sasa gracilis, to the recently established genus, Sinosasa, in this study. Morphologically, this species differs from all the other known Sinosasa species by having very short (2–3 mm) foliage leaf inner ligules, which is unusual in this genus. A revised description of its morphology and colour photos are also provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.226.101221

Authors: Xing Li, Jing-Bo Ni, Nian-He Xia

Abstract: Sasa oblongula was described in 1987 based on a cultivated plant at the bamboo garden of Sun Yat-sen University. This species has two or three branches at the upper nodes, which differ from the rest of Sasa species that have a single branch per node. During the field trip to Baishi Town, Yunfu City, Guangdong Province in July 2021, one bamboo species with oblong foliage leaves was collected and matches the isotype. Then, our question was to test the identity of S. oblongula concerning other Sasa species based on morphology and molecular data. To do that, we sequenced the whole chloroplast genome of S. oblongula and did a phylogenetic analysis. Our morphological results indicate that the new collection is S. oblongula. The phylogenetic tree showed that S. oblongula is close to Pseudosasa, instead of Sasa species. Therefore, we transferred it to the genus Pseudosasa, and a revised description of P. oblongula is provided here.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.170.58780

Authors: Xia-Ying Ye, Yu-Xiao Zhang, De-Zhu Li

Abstract: Two new species of Fargesia, one from Xizang (Tibet) and one from Yunnan, China, are described and illustrated. Fargesia viridis D.Z. Li & X.Y. Ye is characterized by its densely white powder, nearly solid internodes, yellow setose sheath scar and culm sheaths, and 4–6 leaves of large size. Fargesia purpurea D.Z. Li & X.Y. Ye has thinner culms (0.5–1.4 cm in diameter), a ring of 4–5 mm tall brown setae below nodes, fewer branches, glabrous sheath scar and culm sheaths, differentiated from the related species.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.130.34153

Authors: Ji-Dong Ya, Yong-Jie Guo, Cheng Liu, Jie Cai, Gui-Jun Dong, Hong Jiang, De-Zhu Li

Abstract: Bulbophyllum reflexipetalum, a new species from Motuo County, Southeast Xizang, China, is described and illustrated here. This new species belongs to Bulbophyllum sect. Umbellata Bentham & J. D. Hooker, and it is morphologically similar to B. umbellatum Lindley, B. guttulatum (J. D. Hooker) N. P. Balakrishnan and B. salweenensis X.H. Jin, but is distinguished from them by having reflexed petals, base of dorsal sepal with 1 dentate on each side, lip with significantly revolute margin, adaxially with dark brown spots or patches and one longitudinal groove.

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