&lt;i&gt;Primulina lechangensis&lt;/i&gt; (Gesneriaceae), A new species from a limestone cave of northern Guangdong, China

Fang Wen,Shou-Biao Zhou,Wen Ma,Xin Hong

doi:10.3329/bjpt.v21i2.21359

Abstract

Primulina lechangensis (Gesneriaceae), a new species from northern Guangdong province in southern China is described and illustrated. Its morphology suggests affinities to P. longicalyx, but can be distinguished from similar taxon by several distinct characters including: smaller leaf blade (2.0-3.5 × 1.0-1.2 cm), base cuneate-attenuate; smaller bracts (1.0-1.5 × c. 0.15 cm); shorter calyx lobes (0.8-0.9 cm long) tuberculate inside; smaller corolla tube (c. 2 cm long), inflated in the middle and contracted near the mouth; shorter glabrous filaments (0.3-0.4 cm long), inserted 1.3-1.5 cm from base of corolla; stamens and staminodes glabrous; pistil 1.4-1.5 cm long, and capsule c. 1.5 cm long. This species is further exemplified by photographs, and a distribution map is presented.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v21i2.21359Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 21(2): 187-191, 2014 (December)

Highlights

The expanded Primulina Hance (1883) (Gesneriaceae) comprises more than 150 species, of which the distribution and differentiation center is located from Southwest China to North Vietnam (Wei et al, 2010)
After consulting the local Flora and relevant literature (Wang et al, 1990,1998; Li and Wang, 2004; Wei et al, 2010; Hong et al, 2012; Chung et al, 2013; Liang et al, 2013; Lu et al, 2013; Ning et al, 2013; Wen et al, 2013; Xu et al, 2013; Zhao et al, 2013; Li et al, 2014; Wen and Wei, 2014; Zheng and Deng, 2014; Zhou et al, 2014) and herbarium specimens deposited at ANU, BJFU, CDBI, CTC, GH, HN, IBK, IBSC, KUN, NU, PH, PE, US and VMN, we identified the collected specimens as a new species, Primulina lechangensis
Diagnosis: Primulina lechangensis resembles P. longicalyx but differs from the latter by having leaf blades with cuneate to attenuate bases, smaller inflorescence bracts, the corolla tube inflated in the middle and contracted near the mouth, and glabrous filaments

Summary

Introduction

The expanded Primulina Hance (1883) (Gesneriaceae) comprises more than 150 species, of which the distribution and differentiation center is located from Southwest China to North Vietnam (Wei et al, 2010). In late autumn of 2011, we collected some Primulina specimens in fruits from crevices of a carbonate sedimentary rocky hill along a roadside near Lechang, Shaoguang, Guangdong of Southern China. The shape of the corolla tube (inflated in the middle, contracted near the mouth) is unusual in this genus, which can be readily distinguished from other species in Northern and Northwestern Guangdong. Diagnosis: Primulina lechangensis resembles P. longicalyx but differs from the latter by having leaf blades with cuneate to attenuate bases, smaller inflorescence bracts, the corolla tube inflated in the middle and contracted near the mouth, and glabrous filaments.

Results

Conclusion