Calyx Lobes Research Articles

Donysia avia (Primulaceae), a new species from Zagros Mountains, Iran

Dionysia avia, a new species from Esfahan province of Iran, is described, illustrated and compared with similar and related species. The new species is similar to D. bachtiarica and D. lamingtonii, but differs from the former mainly in showing isophylly and having abaxially pubescent leaves, pubescent calyx lobes and corollas, and capsules with 5–6 seeds, and can be distinguished from the latter mainly by its looser habit, softer and larger leaves, and calyx split to the base. A distribution map and a key to D. avia and similar species is provided.

Henckelia khasiana, a new species of Gesneriaceae from India

A new species of Henckelia (Gesneriaceae) is here described and illustrated. It is morphologically most similar to H. oblongifolia but differs in having lanceolate calyx lobes, two prominent longitudinal flaps on the inner surface of the corolla tube, bilobed stigma and tomentose capsules. A detailed description of the new species with colour photographs, affinities and a comparison with related species is given. Based on the present data, the new species is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

A LIKELY INTERSECTIONAL HYBRID IN VACCINIUM (ERICACEAE) ON SAN BRUNO MOUNTAIN, SAN MATEO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

A population of Vaccinium from San Bruno Mountain in San Mateo County, California has been confused with V. cespitosum Michx. (V. sect. Myrtillus), a species documented from the mountain, since its initial collection in 1961. These plants resemble V. cespitosum and other species in V. sect. Myrtillus in several characters, but differ most notably in their evergreen habit and well developed calyx lobes. The latter characters are shared by V. ovatum Pursh (V. sect. Pyxothamnus), the only other species of Vaccinium known from San Bruno Mountain, suggesting that the population is a hybrid between V. cespitosum and V. ovatum. We used data from gross morphology, leaf anatomy, and DNA sequences from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and plastid matK and ndhF regions to test the hybrid status of this population. Hybrid status is supported by: 1) a plastid sequence profile identical to that of V. cespitosum from San Bruno Mountain and different from the profiles of all other Vaccinium samples in the study, 2) an ITS profile that differs from V. cespitosum from the mountain by only two polymorphic sites, and 3) the possession of gross morphological and anatomical characters that are either shared with one putative parent or the other, or are intermediate between them. Although ITS variation was non-additive and closely matched one of the putative parents, uniparental inheritance has been observed in other hybrids. Two novel gross morphological characters were also observed in the hybrid. The study documents a case of likely intersectional hybridization within Vaccinium, only rarely observed under natural conditions. Vaccinium cespitosum may have been outcompeted by the hybrid to the point of its extirpation from San Bruno Mountain. The population is here newly described as the nothospecies Vaccinium ×brunoense P.W.Fritsch, occurring in an area of only ca. 200 m2 with the number of individuals remaining uncertain because of clonal growth.

Utricularia lihengiae (Lentibulariaceae), a new species from Northwest Yunnan, China.

Utricularia lihengiae, a new species from the Dulongjiang region of northwest Yunnan, China, is here described and illustrated. The new species belongs to the section Oligocista and is similar to U. bifida L. and U. scandens Benj., from which it can be easily distinguished by the dark purple stripe on the corolla. The new species also differs in its shorter inflorescence and the shape of the calyx lobes.

Rhododendron kuomeianum (Ericaceae), a new species from northeastern Yunnan (China), based on morphological and genomic data

Rhododendron kuomeianum Y.H. Chang, J. Nielsen & Y.P. Ma, a new species of Rhododendron (Ericaceae) within subsect. Maddenia in sect. Rhododendron from Yiliang County, NE Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to R. valentinianum, but it can be easily distinguished by its sparse scales on the abaxial surface of the leaf blade, fewer flowers per inflorescence and white corolla with pale red margins. There are also differences in the widths of calyx lobes, leaf blade shape and indumentum characteristics of the petiole between the new species and Rhododendron linearilobum. We confirmed that R. kuomeianum is a new species closely related to R. valentinianum and R. changii with phylogenomic studies of 10 species within this subsection based on restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) data. These phylogenomic analyses also clarified additional taxonomic problems in this subsection previously raised by morphological analysis. Our findings make a strong case for using next-generation sequencing to explore phylogenetic relationships and identify new species, especially in plants groups with complicated taxonomic problems.

Petrocodon vietnamensis sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from karst caves in northern Vietnam

Petrocodon vietnamensis, a new species from karst cave in north Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is morphologically close to P. bonii, but can be distinguished from the latter by having a green, 3–6 cm long peduncle; green, ca 5 mm long calyx lobes; narrow infundibuliform, a 1.1–1.2 cm long corolla tube; ovate abaxial lip lobes; pink to white, 9.5–10.5 mm long filaments; lateral staminodes adnate to ca 12 mm above the corolla base; densely white glandular‐puberulent pistil; a pink to white, 5.5–7.5 mm long style; a white stigma, and a 2–3 cm long capsule. Information on ecology, phenology, preliminary conservation assessment of the new species and a key for the taxonomic identification of Petrocodon species in Vietnam are also provided.

Didymocarpus vickifunkiae (Gesneriaceae), a New Species from the Indo-Burma Hotspot and Lectotypification of D. aureoglandulosus

Abstract—A new gesneriad species, Didymocarpus vickifunkiae is described here from the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. The new species is morphologically similar to D. aureoglandulosus, but differs from it in having a corolla tube with indumentum, eglandular and ovate to oblanceolate bracteoles, slightly broader calyx lobes, and a bearded anther. We provide a detailed morphological description of the newly described species along with images and compare it with species that are morphologically similar to it. Here, we also lectotypify D. aureoglandulosus and provide a brief history on its collection and taxonomy. Finally, we provide a dichotomous identification key for all the Didymocarpus species from Mizoram, India.

<p><strong><em>Clerodendrum angustipetalum</em>, a new species of <em>Clerodendrum</em> (Lamiaceae) from Thailand</strong></p>

Clerodendrum angustipetalum (Lamiaceae), an endemic species to Narathiwat province, southern Thailand, is described and illustrated as a species new to science. It is similar to C. nutans in having an elongate pendulous inflorescence, but essentially differs in the thicker leaf texture (subcoriaceous vs membranaceous), the calyx tube being almost twice as long and the corolla lobes being half as broad. In addition, the new species has longer calyx lobes, corolla lobes and stamens. The conservation status of this species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR, B2a + b(ii, iii)+C2ai+D) due to being known from a single locality with a small population of less than 50 individuals. A morphological comparison between similar species and an updated key to Clerodendrum species with pendulous inflorescences from southern Thailand is also presented.

<strong><em>Mouretia oblanceolata</em> (Rubiaceae), a new species from central Vietnam</strong>

Mouretia oblanceolata, discovered in central Vietnam, is described as a new species of the tribe Argostemmateae in the family Rubiaceae. The new species is most similar to Mouretia tonkinensis and M. vietnamensis but differs from them by the following traits: erect to sub-erect habit, abaxially glabrous, obcordate stipules, oblanceolate leaves, 12–16 pairs of lateral veins, terminal, umbrella-like, cymose inflorescences, deltoid calyx lobes, and revolute, deltoid to ovate corolla lobes. The formal description, including color illustrations and basic information of ecology, phenology and conservation status, and a key to all currently known species of the genus are provided here.

<strong><em>Ardisia recurvisepala</em> (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), a new species from Peninsular Malaysia</strong>

Ardisia recurvisepala Julius & Utteridge sp. nov. (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), a member of Ardisia subgenus Crispardisia on account of the vascularized leaf marginal glands, is herein described and illustrated as new species. The new species can be easily recognized by the elliptic-oblong calyx lobes recurving at the apex, and is also characterized by the narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblong-elliptic leaf laminas with an attenuate-decurrent base and acuminate-caudate apex. Ardisia recurvisepala is known so far from a single locality in Perak and its conservation status is assessed as Vulnerable (VU). An updated key to Ardisia subgenus Crispardisia in Peninsular Malaysia is provided.

<p><strong><em>Hypericum perryongii</em> (Hypericaceae), a new species from Philippines</strong></p>

Hypericum perryongii, from Mindanao Island, Philippines, is herein described and illustrated. This new taxon closely resembles both H. geminiflorum and H. formosanum but can be easily distinguished from the former by its larger corolla and calyx lobes and higher number of stamens per fascicle, and from the latter by its terminally 1-flowered inflorescences and the subsessile and abaxially glaucous leaves.

Asyneuma cupulare, a new species of Campanulaceae from southern Western Ghats, India and lectotypification of Campanula fulgens (Asyneuma fulgens)

Asyneuma cupulare (Campanulaceae) is described as a new species from the southern Western Ghats, India. The new species belongs to the section Eupodanthum and is morphologically close to Asyneuma fulgens in the same section, mainly for the absence of appendages on calyx, erect nature of capsules and calyx lobes after anthesis, presence of 3‐lobed stigma and absence of agglutination in upper part of corolline lobes, but differs in having 4‐angular puberulent stems, puberulent leaves, glabrous filaments and stigma, and cupular 6‐ribbed capsules. Its description is given and diagnostic morphological characters of closely related species are compared and discussed. Information on habitat and conservation status is provided. The typification of Asyneuma fulgens is also discussed.

Early flowers of primuloid Ericales from the Late Cretaceous of Portugal and their ecological and phytogeographic implications

A distinctive feature of the major eudicot diversification that occurred through the Late Cretaceous is the unequivocal presence of Cornales and diverse Ericales. Here we describe well-preserved fossil flowers from the Mira locality in western Portugal, of Campanian-Maastrichtian age, that we assign to a new extinct genus of Ericales with two new species; Miranthus elegans gen. et sp. nov. and Miranthus kvacekii sp. nov. The fossil flowers are pedicellate, structurally bisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous and isomerous, with five narrowly triangular persistent calyx lobes, a five-lobed corolla, five antepetalous stamens, five staminodes alternating with the petals and a semi-inferior, unilocular ovary. The ovary consists of five carpels and has a raised nectariferous ring with stomata-like openings above the insertion of the perianth, and a long five-angled style. A key feature, which confirms a relationship with Primulaceae s. l., is the free, central dome-shaped placenta that bears numerous, densely spaced ovules. The ovary matures into a capsule containing many, minute, reticulate seeds. Flowers of Miranthus are especially similar to those of extant Samolus, a genus of about twelve species that is sister group to other genera of subfamily Theophrastoideae and that has a disjunct distribution mainly in the Southern Hemisphere. Miranthus also appears to have grown in environments influenced by marine conditions, an ecological preference also seen in Samolus. Miranthus expands the diversity of Ericales known from the Late Cretaceous, and together with previously described fossils provides further evidence that the diversification of Ericales was already underway by the Campanian-Maastrichtian stages of the Late Cretaceous.

Flora of Nam Kading National Protected Area VII: a new species of Diospyros (Ebenaceae), D. laoensis

A new species of Diospyros, D. laoensis, from Nam Kading National Protected Area, central Laos, is described and illustrated. It morphologically resembles D. longipilosa of Thailand, D. martabanica of India and Southeast Asia, and D. xishuangbannaensis of China, but is distinguished by its adaxially glabrous midrib, shorter calyx lobes and shorter fruiting pedicel. DNA barcodes of the rbcL and matK regions, a vernacular name and preliminary conservation assessment are also provided. As the species is considered to be endemic to a restricted area which is under threat from deforestation, it is here suggested for assessment under the category of Endangered (EN) within the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Billolivia lamdongensis (Gesneriaceae), a New Species from Vietnam

Billolivia lamdongensis Hareesh, T.A. Le & D.D. Nguyen sp. nova (Gesneriaceae) is described and illustrated from Central Highlands, Vietnam. It resembles B. vietnamensis but differs from the latter in having short hairs on the adaxial surface of the lamina; ovate-lanceolate bracts; linear calyx lobes 3/4 length of the corolla tube; a white corolla with a yellow throat and a dark purple patch between the upper lips on both surfaces; and fruits with pubescence all over.

Vaccinium chlaenophyllum (Ericaceae), a New Species from the Central Highlands of Vietnam

A new epiphytic species Vaccinium chlaenophyllum Vuong, V.H. Bui & V.S. Dang (Ericaceae) is described from Lam Dong Province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Vaccinium chlaenophyllum is similar to V. pseudospadiceum but differs from it by having an epiphytic habit, smaller leaves, shorter calyx lobes and corolla, and a glabrous filament. A morphological description, illustrations, data on habitat, and a table comparing V. chlaenophyllum with V. pseudospadiceum are provided.

<p><strong><em>Trigonotis motuoensis </em>(Boraginaceae), a new species from Xizang, China</strong></p>

Trigonotis motuoensis, a distinct new species endemic to Xizang, China, is described and illustrated. It can be easily distinguished from all other known congeneric species by the ebracteate inflorescences, broadly spatulate calyx lobes and obliquely trigonous-tetrahedral nutlets that have flat bottom surface and triangular abaxial surfaces. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis based on nrITS confirmed that it belongs to Trigonotis sect. Elongatae. An updated key to the species of Trigonotis from Xizang is also provided.

Jasminum chiae sp. nov. (Oleaceae), from a tropical limestone area in Yunnan, China

Jasminum chiae (Oleaceae), a new species from tropical limestone mountains in Cangyuan County, Yunnan Province, China is described here. This new species is similar to J. longitubum, but differs in having 5–8 pairs of lateral veins, abaxially conspicuous quaternary veins of leaf blade when dry, subulate‐filiform bracts at base of inflorescence, and larger inflorescences. Besides it also resembles J. adenophyllum and J. kaulbackii, but is distinguished by its subcordate or rounded laminar base, abaxially conspicuous quaternary veins of leaf blade when dry, and shorter calyx lobes.

Four new species in subsection Asterotricha for the genus Onosma L. (Boraginaceae) from flora of Iran

Onosma khorramabadensis, O. lorestanica, O. sahandica and O. kerendica are described and photographed as new species from Lorestan, Eest Azarbayejan and Kermanshah provinces of Iran. Based on Flora Iranica, all the new species can be placed in the sect. Onosma subsect. Asterotricha considering their stellate‐hairy tubercles on leaves.The first new species has some similarities to Onosma bilabiata and O. elwendica based on having accrescent and two connected calyx lobes, but can be distinguished by its stem leaves shape and size, elongate inflorescence and more characters. O. lorestanica is close to O. elwendica by having spathulate leaves shape and nearly same fruiting calyx length; however it differs by its dense short capitate cyme in flowering time, tubercles density and rays arrangements on the tubercles. O. sahandica can be also close to O. bilabiata and O. elwendica for its fruiting calyx length and corolla color, but differs by having free calyx lobes and not accrescent at fruiting time. O. kerendica is related to O. cardiostegia by its habit and inflorescence shape, but can be distinguished by length of lowest bracts, its inflorescence size in fruiting time, pedicel length and filaments attachment place.The recent introduced species, Onosma zagrica (Dehshiri, 2018) should be classified into subsection Asterotricha instead of being in subsection Onosma according to its description and type specimen examination.Distribution map, micrographs of details of important characteristics and a diagnostic key are presented.

Didymocarpus lobulatus (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Zhejiang Province, East China.

Didymocarpus lobulatus, a new species endemic to Zhejiang province, eastern China, is described and illustrated with photographs. The new species is morphologically similar to D. heucherifolius, D. cortusifolius and D. salviiflorus in leaf morphology, but can be easily distinguished by a combination of characters, including the shape of bracts, calyx and calyx lobes.