Clarification of the identity of Quercus patkoiensis and Q. semiserratoides (Fagaceae) using leaf epidermal features

Abstract

Leaf epidermal features offer excellent diagnostic characteristics for genera of Fagaceae. The survey of leaf epidermal and acorn features of Quercus patkoiensis A. Camus, Quercus semiserratoides (Y.C. Hsu & H.W. Jen) C.C. Huang & Y.T. Chang, Q. semiserrata Roxb. and Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hance) Chun revealed that the type material of Q. patkoiensis belongs to two different taxa: the foliage branch—L. litseifolius; the acorns—Q. blakei Skan. The lectotype of Q. patkoiensis is designated here and the taxonomic treatment of the species is presented. Q. semiserratoides, usually regarded as a synonym of Q. semiserrata, is actually a distinct species, because significant differences in the leaf epidermal cells, trichome and trichome base, stomata, the epicuticular wax and cupule features were found between the two species. Leaf epidermal features are useful not only to distinguish genera in Fagaceae, but can also assist in species identification.