Cornus eydeana (Cornaceae), A New Cornelian Cherry from China—Notes on Systematics and Evolution

Abstract

Cornus eydeana Q. Y. Xiang & Y. M. Shui, a new species of cornelian cherry Cornus subg. Cornus, is described from southeastern Yunnan, China. The new species resembles other cornelian cherries in having umbellate inflorescences subtended by two pairs of scale-like bracts and fruit with cavity-filled stones. However, it differs from them by the following combination of characters: evergreen habit, leathery leaves with three or four secondary veins, and densely flowered, long pedunculate inflorescences with perfect flowers. Morphologically, the species appears most similar to the African species C. volkensii Harms, but pollen morphology and geographic distributions suggest a closer affinity with the Eurasian species. The discovery of this species has significant implications for our understanding of the systematics and evolution of the cornelian cherry group.