Thladiantha longipedicellata (Cucurbitaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China

Abstract

Thladiantha longipedicellata, a new species of Cucurbitaceae, is described and illustrated from a gorge in southwestern Guangxi, China. It is similar to T. cordifolia and T. grandisepala in its imbricate bracts in the male inflorescence, but it can be chiefly distinguished from both species by having vestigial leaves, longer peduncles and pedicels in the male inflorescence, the shape of male inflorescence, the texture of fruit and female styles split to the base. A character table to distinguish the new species from morphologically similar species as well as color plates for comparison are provided.