New Taxa and Nomenclatural Changes in Aralia (Araliaceae)

Abstract

Based on work toward a revision of Aralia (Araliaceae), three new taxa are described: Aralia chinensis L. var. longibractea, A. elata (Miquel) Seemann var. ryukyuensis, and A. gintungensis C. Y. Wu var. multinervis. The following nomenclatural changes are made: A. debilis J. Wen, nom. nov., A. dasyphylloides (Handel-Mazzetti) J. Wen, comb. et stat. nov., A. elata (Miquel) Seemann var. inermis (Yanagita) J. Wen, comb. nov., A. elata (Miquel) Seemann var. mandshurica (Ruprecht & Maximowicz) J. Wen, comb. et stat. nov., and A. bipinnata Blanco var. apoensis (Elmer) J. Wen, comb. et stat. nov. A taxonomic key to the varieties of A. elata is provided. Aralia L. (Araliaceae), as it was recently defined (Wen, 1993), consists of 51 species, distributed primarily in China and southeastern Asia (about 40 species). It also occurs in the Americas, from Canada to Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. Two sections (sects. Aralia and Dimorphanthus Miquel) have a classical eastern Asian and North American disjunct distributional pattern. In-depth phylogenetic and biogeographic studies of Aralia are in progress, using both morphological characters and DNA sequencing data. Toward a comprehensive treatment of Aralia, three new varieties are recognized and a few nomenclatural changes are made. Aralia debilis J. Wen, nom. nov. Replaced name: Aralia elegans C. N. Ho, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 1: 77. t. 6. 1952; not Aralia elegans Linden ex Decaisne & Planchon, Rev. Hort. 3: 108. 1854. TYPE: China. Guangxi: Yao Shan, Kuchen, July 1931, S. S. Sin 21672 (holotype, IBSC). Distribution. A rare species in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces of China; scattered in mountain valleys and thickets; 850 m. Additional specimens examined. CHINA. Guangdong: Lechang Xian, Chen 213 (IBSC); Liannan Xian, Baimang Xiang, Bandong, 850 m, Tan 58970 (IBSC); Qingyuan Xian, Wang 30706 (IBSC); Bingjiang, Tian Tang Shan, Wen 493 (OS). Guangxi: Da Yao Shan Xian, on the way from Hengcong village to Wulingchang, NOVON 4: 400-403. 1994. Li 400344 (IBSC); Yao Shan, Sin 853 (IBSC); Yao Shan, Tseungyuen, Wang 39596 (A, IBSC). Aralia dasyphylloides (Handel-Mazzetti) J. Wen, comb. et stat. nov. Basionym: Aralia chinensis L. var. dasyphylloides Handel-Mazzetti, Symb. Sin. 7: 704. 1933. TYPE: China. Guangdong: Mandse-schan, near the border with Hunan toward Guiyang, 1915, Mell 556 (holotype, WU). This species has been widely misidentified as Aralia dasyphylla Miquel (e.g., Li, 1942; Ling, 1977; Hoo & Tseng, 1978; Shang, 1985). Aralia dasyphylla was described by Miquel in 1856 based on material from Java. Aralia dasyphylloides differs from A. dasyphylla in its oblong (vs. ovate) leaflets with acute (vs. acuminate) apices, pale grayish to yellowish green and tomentose (vs. green and appressed pubescent) abaxial leaflet surface, densely tomentose (vs. appressed pubescent) inflorescence, smaller, triangular and less pubescent bracts and bracteoles (vs. larger, narrowly triangular or lanceolate and densely pubescent), pink to purple (vs. greenish brown) infructescence, and globose to subglobose (vs. ovoid-globose) fruits. Geographically, A. dasyphylloides is distributed in southern, eastern, and central China, whereas A. dasyphylla occurs in Java, Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsula. Distribution. In Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, and Zhejiang provinces of China; it may also occur in Vietnam; on rocky slopes, mountain slopes, hillsides, roadside, along streams and ravines, in thickets and secondary forests; mostly on dry sandy soil and in sunny habitats; a pioneer species; 2001,300 m. Representative specimens. CHINA. Anhui: Huangshan, Chen 1135 (NF). Fujian: Saowu Hsien, Huilin, Zhou 6135 (IBSC). Guangdong: Canton, Wat Shui Shan, Chun 7392 (E); Tsing Wan Shan, Wong Chuk I and vicinity, Wung Yuen District, Lau 2323 (GH); Yang-chi, Yao-shan, 600 ft., Sin 9944 (A), 11517 (A, NY); Paak Tuen Shek, Taai Tsan, Ying Tak, Tsang & Wong 2320 (A); Tin Tong Kin, Chong Uen Shan near Kau Fung, Loh Ch'ang District, Tsang 20811 (A, L, MO, NY, UC, W); Tung Koo Shan, Tapu District, Tsang 21777 (A, G, NY); This content downloaded from 157.55.39.108 on Fri, 17 Jun 2016 06:20:29 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms