Phlomoides cuonaensis (Lamiaceae), a new species from Xizang (China), and lectotypification of the name Notochaete hamosa

Abstract

Phlomoides is the second largest genus within Lamiaceae subfamily Lamioideae, and China is one of three diversity centers of the genus. In this study, we described and illustrated a new species, Phlomoides cuonaensis, from Cuona City, Xizang Autonomous Region, China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that P. cuonaensis and two morphologically similar species, P. hamosa and P. longiaristata, form a distinct clade within Phlomoides. Synapomorphies of this small clade are hooked floral bracts and calyx spines. The new species differs from the other two in trichome density and size on the calyx, floral bract, and nutlet, and in the length of the calyx and bract. Micro-morphological features of nutlets of these three species were examined using scanning electron microscopy. In addition, a lectotype for the name Notochaete hamosa (≡ Phlomoides hamosa) was designated.