Rubus neohunanensis X. H. Xiong & X. F. Gao, 2022

Xiong, Xian-Hua & Gao, Xin-Fen, 2022, Rubus neohunanensis, a new name for a bramble taxon misidentified as R. hunanensis in previous Chinese taxonomic literature, Phytotaxa 561 (1), pp. 117-120 : 119

Rubus neohunanensis X. H. Xiong & X. F. Gao , nom. nov. ( Fig. 1 : B)

≡ R. buergeri Miquel (1867: 36) var. viridifolius Handel-Mazzetti (1933: 497) .

Type:— CHINA. Hunan: Wukang [Wugang], Yun-schan [ Yunshan ], Tempel Gwanyin-go [ Guanyin Temple ], 1190 m, 13 July 1918, Handel-Mazzetti 12289 (holotype WU! ; isotypes A!, E!) .

— R. hunanensis auct. non Handel-Mazzetti (1933: 497): Lu & Yu (1985: 171), Lu & Boufford (2003: 258).

Etymology: —The specific epithet is derived from the prefix neo-, meaning new, and hunanensis , the epithet of HandelMazzetti (1933), meaning Hunan Province of China.

Distribution: —The species is endemic to China, occurring in Chongqing, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang. It was observed to grow in montane valleys, forests and grasslands at elevations from 300 m to 2500 m.

Notes: — Rubus neohunanensis is morphologically similar to R. buergeri Miquel (1867: 36) ( Fig. 1 : D) in shrubs low, climbing or prostrate, leaves abaxially tomentose and gradually deciduous. However, R. neohunanensis can be distinguished from R. buergeri by the following morphological characters: branchlets, petioles and inflorescences thinly pubescent (vs. tomentose-villous); sepals broadly ovate (vs. lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate); outer sepals pinnate-laciniate on margin (vs. only apically lobed); leaf blade relatively larger, 8–15 cm in diam. (vs. 4–11 cm).

Additional specimens examined: — CHINA. Chongqing: Wulong, C. L. Li et al. 0461 (PE) . Guizhou: Qingzhen, S. W. Teng 1419 (IBSC) . Guangxi: Bin long, Miu shan, R. C. Ching 6061 (PE). Damiaoshan, S. Q. Chen 14437 (IBK) . Guangdong: Lechang, Nanling Exped. 4128 (IBSC). Ruyuan, Z. Huang 44050 (IBSC) . Hunan: Sangzhi, L. Q. Li 128 (PE). Wugang, Y. F. Deng 0034 (PE) . Hubei: Xuan’en, Y. M. Wang 4807 (PE) . Jiangxi: Jiujiang, Mt. Lushan , X. H. Xiong 1595 (CDBI) . Fujian: Taining, X. L. Hou 90928 (AU). Wuyishan, Wuyi Exped. 00093 (PE) . Zhejiang: Qingyuan, X. H. Xiong 1955 (CDBI). Wencheng, X. H. Xiong 1833 (CDBI) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Type specimens of the four Rubus species. A. R. hunanensis (holotype); B. R. neohunanensis (holotype); C. R. lambertianus (holotype); D. R. buergeri (lectotype).