Calyx Lobes Research Articles

Four new Indigofera (Fabaceae: Indigofereae) species from the Greater Cape Floristic Region

Four new Indigofera species are described from the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR). Indigofera barkeri is a new annual from the Richtersveld, with small flowers, 3.5–4.0 mm long, pinnately trifoliolate leaves and laterally flattened seeds. Indigofera dodii is endemic to the area around Cape Town, growing on granite and shaly slopes. It has apically congested racemes, flowers 6.0–6.5 mm long, digitately trifoliolate leaves, fruit with a hispid indumentum and tuberculate seed testas. Indigofera gariepensis, endemic to dry riverbeds in the eastern Richtersveld, is recognized by its alternate, silky-velutinous leaflets and calyx lobes ± equal in length to its 5.5–6.5 mm long magenta flowers. Indigofera tanquana is known from only two collections and is endemic to the western Tanqua Karoo. It is easily recognized by its broad old grey stems, spinescent branches, simple grey-canescent leaves that aggregate on woody brachyblasts and reddish-magenta flowers. Detailed morphological descriptions are presented with composite photographic plates for each species. Notes on ecology, detailed diagnoses comparing with closely related species, a distribution map and an IUCN red list conservation assessment for each species is also provided.

Effects of Seed Biological Characteristics and Environmental Factors on Seed Germination of the Critically Endangered Species Hopea chinensis (Merr.) Hand.-Mazz. in China

Hopea chinensis (Merr.) Hand.-Mazz. is a Class II national key protected plant and Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations in China. In order to further analyze why H. chinensis is endangered and optimize conservation techniques, we carried out a study on the effects of seed biological characteristics and environmental factors on the seed germination and seedling growth of H. chinensis. The results show that there were no significant differences in seed morphology between four populations in southern China, but there were significant differences in calyx lobe morphology and seed germination. The removal or retention of the calyx lobes or the seed coat had no significant effect on seed germination. The weight of individual H. chinensis seeds was mainly >1.0 g, with small seeds (<0.5 g) not germinating, whereas seeds >2.0 g had the highest germination rate and fastest seedling growth. H. chinensis produces typical recalcitrant seeds, being sensitive to natural dehydration, with dehydration for 8 d reducing seed viability by 50%, whereas dehydration for 16 d resulted in seeds with zero viability. H. chinensis seeds are light-neutral and capable of germination at a temperature of 30 °C and on a substrate with good water retention and aeration. The seeds are not tolerant of drought, salinity, or flooding. In conclusion, the unique biological characteristics of H. chinensis seeds and the specific habitat which they inhabit contribute to a significant loss of viable seeds, which negatively affects the population’s ability to regenerate and achieve maintenance.

Ophiorrhiza pseudonapoensis (Rubiaceae), a new species from Yunnan, southwestern China

Ophiorrhiza pseudonapoensis, a new species of Rubiaceae is described and illustrated from China. It was previously confused with O. napoensis but differs from the latter in having 5–10 (vs ca. 1) mm long and persistent (vs caducous) stipules, oblanceolate bracts (vs lanceolate-linear), monostylous (vs heterostylous) flowers, and ensiform (vs narrowly triangular) calyx lobes. Ophiorrhiza pseudonapoensis is also morphologically similar to O. macrocarpa, but can be distinguished from the latter by its 5–10 (vs less than 1) mm long stipules, oblanceolate (vs subulate or linear subulate) and 7–20 (vs less than 5) mm long bracts, and (1.2–)1.5–2(–2.5) (vs 0.4–0.6) mm long calyx lobes. The conservation status was assessed as Least Concern (LC) according to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

Oreocharis chenzhouensis, a new species of Gesneriaceae from southern Hunan, China

Oreocharis chenzhouensis, a new species, is described and illustrated from southern Hunan, China. The new species resembles O. burtii and O. sinohenryi in leaf blade shape and indumentum of the plants, but readily differs from the latter two in its leaf blade with a cuneate and usually asymmetric base, abaxially glabrous corolla tube, narrowly triangular calyx lobes, and one or no staminode. Following the IUCN Red List Criteria, O. chenzhouensis is assessed as “Vulnerable”.

Catostemma lanceolatum (Malvaceae/Bombacoideae/Adansonieae), a new species from the Brazilian Amazon

We describe Catostemma lanceolatum, a new species endemic to the Brazilian Amazon, which at present is known only in the state of Amazonas. This new taxon is similar to C. altsonii, mainly by the length of its pedicels, but can be distinguished by the shape of its leaflets, the shape and size of the bracteoles, size of its hypanthium, number of calyx lobes, and the number and length of its filaments. We present a morphological description, taxonomic comments, an illustration, a distribution map, an assessment of its conservation status, and a comparative analysis of the new species and C. altsonii, the most morphologically similar species.

Linaria sagrensis (Plantaginaceae), a new high mountain species from the SE Iberian Peninsula

Linaria sagrensis, from the south‐eastern Iberian Peninsula, is here newly described, illustrated, and compared with its morphologically closest relatives from L. sect. Supinae: L. pruinosa, L. nevadensis, L. glacialis and L. alpina subsp. alpina. The species is characterized by being perennial, entirely glandular‐hairy, with inflorescence dense and corymbiform, and calyx lobes unequal; corolla small, pinkish‐violet, with conspicuous dark veins and yellow to orangish palate, and spur shorter than the rest of the corolla; capsule globose, glandular‐hairy at apex; seeds large, black to dark greyish, with apparently smooth disc, though with very few and scattered small tubercles, and light‐grey wing. Linaria sagrensis is endemic to Sierra de la Sagra (N Granada province, Spain), growing in calcareous screes of the Mediterranean high mountain. Additionally, L. aeruginea subsp. pruinosa is here raised to species rank, L. pruinosa, and therefore a new combination is proposed. The value of seed characters in Linaria taxonomy is discussed based on newly discovered infraspecific variability in several taxa.

Pedicularis rostratospicata subsp. marsica (P. Sect. Rostratae, Orobanchaceae), a New Subspecies from the Central Apennines (Italy).

The new subspecies Pedicularis rostratospicata subsp. marsica is here described based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new taxon is endemic to few localities of the Central Apennines within the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (Central Italy). Pedicularis rostratospicata subsp. marsica can be distinguished from the other two currently accepted subspecies (subsp. rostratospicata and subsp. helvetica) by their taller stems, shorter petioles of basal and middle leaves, narrower blades of basal leaves, longer inflorescences with longer internodes and more flowers, and longer calyx lobes. Molecular analysis confirmed the autonomy of the new taxon. Furthermore, the conservation status assessment of the new subspecies according to IUCN categories and criteria is proposed and discussed, and an analytical key to the three subspecies of P. rostratospicata is presented.

Asystasia venui (Justicieae: Acanthaceae): A new species from West Bengal, India

Asystasia venui (Justicieae: Acanthaceae), a new species is described and illustrated from West Bengal, India. Morphologically, it resembles A. atroviridis and A. neesiana, but differs from these two species in having smaller corolla tube and calyx lobes, papillose ovary, glandular hairy capsules, and papillose ovary, lax racemes with glandular pubescent rachis respectively. A detailed morphological description of Asystasia venui, together with photographs, comparative illustrations and a key to the species of Asystasia occurring in India is provided for identification.

Clermontiahanaulaensis (Campanulaceae, Lobelioideae), a new, critically endangered species from Maui, Hawaiian Islands.

Clermontiahanaulaensis H.Oppenheimer, Lorence & W.L.Wagner, sp. nov., a newly discovered, narrowly distributed endemic species, is herein described based on its morphological characteristics and illustrated with field photos and a line drawing. It is currently known only from the slopes of Hana'ula, in Pōhākea Gulch, Mauna Kahālāwai, west Maui, Hawaiian Islands. It differs from all other species of Clermontia Gaudich. by the combination of its (2)3-4(-5) flowered inflorescence, violet colored perianth often suffused with creamy white streaks or sometimes creamy white with violet-purple irregular veins, (30)35-45(-50) mm long, perianth tube 15-25(-27) mm long, 9-10 mm wide, the lobes 20-26 mm long, (2-)3-3.5 mm wide, with petaloid calyx lobes 1/2-4/5 as long as the petals. A key to the Clermontia species and subspecies occurring on Maui is provided. Its habitat is described. Its conservation status is proposed as critically endangered (CR), and conservation efforts are discussed.

Microlicia delicata and Microlicia pumila (Melastomataceae), two new species from unprotected mountains with campo rupestre vegetation in eastern Brazil

Two new species of Microlicia are described from the Cadeia do Espinhaço, eastern Brazil. Microlicia pumila is morphologically similar to M. karinae and apparently endemic to Serra da Formosa in northern Minas Gerais. It differs by the delicate branches that are conspicuously verrucose, smaller leaves that are more attenuated along the lower half, smaller hypanthia, calyx lobes, petals and stamens, and by the 3-locular capsules that do not surpass the hypanthial torus at maturity. Microlicia delicata, probably restricted to Três Morros in central Chapada Diamantina, is compared to M. plumosa. It can be recognized by the delicate branches with visible uppermost internodes, shorter leaves that are decussate but not cruciate when branches are seen from above, blades that are straight to somewhat recurved distally and free from each other, shorter calyx lobes and somewhat shorter petals. Morphometric analyses were performed to compare new species to related taxa.

1064. Agapetes grandiflora Hook.f.: Ericaceae

SummaryA specimen of Agapetes from Myanmar is described and illustrated as Agapetes grandiflora Hook.f., as a result of comparison with A. burmanica W.E.Evans, A. macrantha (Hook.) Hook.f. and A. variegata (Roxb.) D.Don ex G.Don. This species has extrafloral nectaries on the margins of young leaves and at the apex of calyx lobes.

VACCINIUM COARCTATUM (ERICACEAE), AN ULTRAMAFIC-OBLIGATE NEW SPECIES FROM THE DWARF FOREST OF MOUNT REDONDO, DINAGAT ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

A new species of blueberry, Vaccinium coarctatum M.N.Tamayo & Fernando, from the dwarf forest on ultramafic soil of Dinagat Island, Philippines, is described. It closely resembles Vaccinium hamiguitanense P.W.Fritsch but is distinct from that species in having a longer inflorescence, shorter pedicels, longer and persistent bracteoles, white-hirsutulous calyx lobes, and shorter anther spurs. This discovery brings the number of Vaccinium species known from the Philippines to 41. A key to the small-leaved Vaccinium in the Philippines is provided.

A New Species of Matelea (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) from the Península de Nicoya, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

We describe and illustrate a new species of Matelea Aubl. from Península de Nicoya, Costa Rica. Matelea nicoyana J. E. Jiménez, M. Méndez & J. A. Obregón is morphologically similar to M. pseudobarbata (Pittier) Woodson but is distinguished by its stems with dispersed, pilose trichomes, leaf blades without pilose trichomes and with 12 to 15 colleters, calyx lobes deltate, inflexed, and corolla with reflexed and contorted lobes covered by white-translucent, flexuous trichomes adaxially. Data on its distribution and habitat, phenology, conservation status, and morphologically related species are given and photographs are presented. A dichotomous key is presented for species from Costa Rica sharing similar indument. The species proposed here increases the number of Matelea species in Costa Rica to 17, nine of which are endemic.

Lomatogonium madhmaheshwariansis, a new species of Gentianaceae from Himalaya, India

Lomatogonium madhmaheshwariansis (Gentianaceae), a new species from Himalaya, Uttarakhand state, India is described and illustrated. This species is similar to L. carinthiacum, but differs mainly in having a robust habit, quadrangular stems, cordate leaves, bracts absent, erect pedicel, calyx lobe with entire margin, corolla light purple with no striations, few fimbriae appendages and a biangular stigma. It is growing in specific environments of temperate to sub‐alpine regions. A population mapping and threat assessment for L. madhmaheshwariansis has been undertaken and using IUCN criteria it is classified as endangered (EN) in Himalaya. A key to all Indian species of Lomatogonium is provided for easy identification.

Petrocodonwui (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China.

Petrocodonwui F.Wen & R.B.Zhang (Gesneriaceae), a typically lithophyte occurring in the Danxia areas of north-western Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated as new to science. The new species shows overall similarity with P.chishuiensis Z.B.Xin, F.Wen & S.B.Zhou, which is also its sister species, based on molecular evidence. The new species can be distinguished from P.chishuiensis by the elongated rhizome, the relatively long indumentum on the peduncle, the shape, size and indumentum of calyx lobes, the location of the stamens in the corolla tube and the shape, size and indumentum of the stigma. We provide a diagnosis, detailed description, photographic images and a table with taxonomic notes to distinguish several other morphologically similar Petrocodon species.

Dianthus × belkinii (Caryophyllaceae), a new hybrid taxon from Altai

Dianthus × belkinii is an intersectional hybrid newly described from the Republic of Altai (Talduair massif). This taxon was also noted in Mongolia (Bayan-Ulegei aimag). The article describes the morphological features of the new taxon and discusses its relationship with parental species. The described hybrid has intermediate morphological features between the parental species, most notable are the fringed corollas. The stems are sparsely branched, relatively tall and similar to those of D. superbus. The calyx lobes and bracts are transitional between D. superbus and D. versicolor. The limb of the corolla is cut for ⅓–¼ of its length into a few lobes. Cytometry data showed an identical ploidy level of the new taxon and its putative parent species. The average value of the relative DNA content is almost intermediate, however, somewhat closer to D. versicolor. The ITS sequences of D. × belkinii show characteristic double peaks, which may point to a hybridogeneous origin of the plants. Identical chloroplast DNA sequences with D. versicolor but differences to D. superbus suggests that D. versicolor may be the maternal parent of this hybrid. Based on these polymorphisms, it is possible to state that the ITS sequence and D. versicolor × superbus itself are of a hybrid nature, where D. versicolor and D. superbus are the parent forms.

Symplocos sisparensis (Symplocaceae), a new species from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

Symplocos sisparensis, a new species of Symplocaceae has been collected from Mukurthi National Park in Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR). The new species is morphologically similar to Symplocos foliosa Wight, however it is differing from by its habit, branchlets, leaves, calyx lobes, style and fruit characters. Therefore, the new species is described with detailed description, phenology, distribution (including map) along with photographic plates and illustration to facilitate easy identification of this species in the field.

Hedyotiskonhanungensis (Rubiaceae): A new species from the central highlands of Vietnam.

A new species of Hedyotis L. (Rubiaceae), Hedyotiskonhanungensis B.H. Quang, T.A. Le, K.S. Nguyen & Neupane, is described and illustrated from the central highlands of Vietnam based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The new species belongs to the morphologically diverse tribe Spermacoceae (ca. 1000 species) of the family Rubiaceae, which is represented by 70-80 species in Vietnam. The phylogenetic analysis, based on four DNA regions (ITS, ETS, petD, rps 16), confirms the new species' placement within the genus Hedyotis - one of the largest genera in the tribe, comprising ca. 180 species across Asia and the Pacific. Hedyotiskonhanungensis is morphologically distinct from all southeastern Asian Hedyotis L. in its set of traits such as leaf type (shape and thickness), growth habit, and floral parts (color of inflorescence axis and the shape of calyx lobes). The new species shows similarities with Hedyotisshenzhenensis, H.shiuyingiae, and H.yangchunensis from China in its herbaceous habit, fleshy ovate leaf blades, and dark purple floral parts, but it is phylogenetically distinct and can be distinguished from them by the following combination of morphological traits: habit with slightly smaller stature (<25 cm), broadly ovate or deltoid stipules with cuspidate apex and entire margin, and ovate or nearly ovate calyx lobes.

A revision of Geostachys (Zingiberaceae: Alpinioideae) in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, including a new species, G. aristata

A revision of the ginger genus Geostachys (Zingiberaceae: Alpinioideae: Alpinieae) in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam is presented. Three species are formally recognised, all endemic to the area of study, including one new species from central Vietnam. Lectotypes are designated for G. annamensis and G. pierreana. The uncertainty about the type locality of G. pierreana is highlighted; the absence of this species in Thailand and Vietnam is demonstrated. The presence of Geostachys in Laos is discussed. The key to the species of the genus is provided. For each species, description, notes on etymology/eponymy, distribution, IUCN preliminary assessment, habitat and phenology, and taxonomy are given. The newly described species, G. aristata, is compared to the morphologically closest congener, G. annamensis, from which it differs by green leaf sheaths and ligules, greenish bracts and bracteoles with prominently aristate apices, prominently mucronate calyx lobes and labellum with crimson spots extending to the margins.

A new species of Eugenia sect. Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from Atlantic Forest in São Paulo, Brazil

Eugenia aeterna, a new species of Eugenia sect. Eugenia is described and illustrated. It has been recorded in the Ombrophilous Forest of the Atlantic Forest Domain in the municipalities of Caraguatatuba and Ubatuba, São Paulo state, Brazil. The new species is apparently related to Eugenia ligustrina and E. longipedunculata being distinct from both by: cataphylls persistent until mature twigs, even in the vegetative phase of the plant (versus cataphylls deciduous); puberulent or pilose hypanthium (vs. glabrous hypanthium) and calyx lobes reflexed and appressed to the fruit (vs. calyx lobes erect in the fruit). Following IUCN red list criteria, Eugenia aeterna is classified Least Concern. Additionally, a distribution map is provided.