Stellaria longipedicellata W. Q. Wang & Z. H. Ma, 2024

Wang, Wenqiao, Su, Zhiwei & Ma, Zhonghui, 2024, Phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of six recently-described Stellaria species (Caryophyllaceae) from China, with an additional new species, Stellaria longipedicellata, from Sichuan, PhytoKeys 249, pp. 287-298 : 287-298

Stellaria longipedicellata W. Q. Wang & Z. H. Ma sp. nov.

Fig. 2

Type.

China • Sichuan: Luding , growing on scree slopes, elev. ca. 2881 m, 29°51'49.2"N, 102°17'23.0"E, 8 July 2022, W. Q. Wang et al. QSC 0009 (holotype GAUA!) .

Diagnosis.

S. longipedicellata is similar to S. decumbens in having a prostrate life form and few-flowered cymes or solitary flowers, but differs from the latter by having glabrous stems (vs. densely pilose stems), linear-lanceolate leaves (vs. oblong leaves), 1.2–2 cm pedicel, longer than sepals (vs. ca. 4 mm or less pedicel, shorter than or equalling sepals) and petals slightly shorter than or sub-equalling petals (vs. petals ca. 1 / 2 as long as sepals, in Table 2 ).

Description.

Perennial herbs, whole plants glabrous. Stems, slender, prostrate or slightly ascending, much branched, 5–10 cm tall. Leaves sessile, green, linear-lanceolate, minute, 3–7 mm long, 0.6–1 mm broad, apex acute. Inflorescence axillary or terminal, 1–3 - flowered. Pedicel 1.2–2 cm, slender. Bracts lanceolate, 3–4 mm, margin membranous. Sepals 5, glabrous, lanceolate, 4–5 mm long, 0.8–1 mm broad, margin membranous, apex acuminate. Petals 5, slightly shorter than or subequalling sepals, deeply bifid. Stamens 10, slightly shorter than or subequalling petals. Styles 3, rarely 4, filiform. Capsule ovoid-cylindrical, slightly longer than or subequalling persistent sepals. Seeds numerous, red-brown, ovoid, conspicuously rugulose.

Phenology.

Flowering time June – July, fruiting time August – September.

Distribution and ecology.

It is only known from the type locality, growing on scree slopes.

Figures

Figure 2. Morphology of S. longipedicellata A habitat B habit C habit D inflorescence (cymes) E stem F inflorescence (solitary) G leaf H flower (style 3, rarely 4) I capsule.