Abstract
Swertia hongquanii Jia X. Li, a new species of Gentianaceae, is described and illustrated from Mt. Wuling, southern China. It grows on the tops of steep limestone mountains surrounded by cliffs above an altitude of ca. 1400 m. This species resembles Swertia bimaculata, but differs from the latter by the stem leaf blades 2.0–4.5 × 1.0–2.5 cm, ovate to ovate-cordate, base cordate and subamplexicaul, the seeds irregularly polyhedral and the seed coats minutely thorny and reticulate. Based on morphological traits, i.e. the inflorescence structure and the number and structure of the nectaries, the new species may be a member of series Maculatae. A key to the species of series of section MaculataeOphelia is provided.
Highlights
Swertia hongquanii resembles S. bimaculata in possessing two naked gland patches in the middle of each corolla lobe, whereas it is clearly distinguished by stem leaf and seed characteristics (Table 1)
From its overall vegetative appearance, Swertia hongquanii resembles S. cordata, with both species having slender and subquadrangular stems with wings on the angles, ovate to ovate-cordate stem leaves with cordate to subamplexicaul bases
Swertia hongquanii is clearly distinguished from S. cordata, by the two nectaries in the middle of the corolla lobes; S. cordata, in contrast, has a single nectary on the base of the corolla lobe (Table 1) (Ho and Liu 2015)
Summary
Peng et al 2007; Li and Yu 2014; Zhang et al 2015; Liu et al 2016) We propose another new species of Swertia L. The new species from Mt. Wuling first came to our attention in September 2007 during our plant investigation in Tianmenshan National Forest Park. Wuling first came to our attention in September 2007 during our plant investigation in Tianmenshan National Forest Park It was initially misidentified as Swertia bimaculata (Siebold & Zucc.) Hook.f. The specimens from Tianmenshan National Forest Park are confirmed to be an undescribed species of Swertia, probably belonging to series Maculatae T.N.Ho & S.W.Liu in section Ophelia (Griseb.) Gilg in subgenus Ophelia (Griseb.) C.B.Clarke
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