Bhesa xieii R. H. Jiang & J. C. An, 2022

Jiang, Ri-Hong, Lin, Jian-Yong, Zhu, Chang-San, Liu, Xiu, Tang, Li-Ming & An, Jia-Cheng, 2022, Bhesa xieii (Centroplacaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, Phytotaxa 533 (2), pp. 137-142 : 139-141

Bhesa xieii R. H. Jiang & J. C. An , sp. nov. ( Figure 2 , 3 )

Diagnosis:—The new species is similar to Bhesa robusta , but differs in capsules narrowly ovate, apex obtuse; flowers pale yellow, pedicels strong, 1.5–2.5 mm long; petals ovate to oblong-elliptic, apex obtuse, uncurl; seeds single, oblong-ovate.

Type:— CHINA. Guangxi: Dongxin City, Banai village , growing on the edge of the village, elev. ca. 5 m, 30 December 2020, R. H . Jiang et al. 14003 (holotype: GXFI; isotype: PE) .

Evergreen trees, to 25 m high, with a dark green, heavy crown; bark 0.8–1.4 cm thick, greyish-green with greenishwhite, smooth to cracking, with scars of fallen leaves and stipules. Stipules linear-lanceolate, ca. 1.5 mm long, narrowly acuminate at apex, caducous. Leaves simple, alternate, coriaceous, petiole 2–3 cm long, swollen at base and tip, with slightly white powder; leaf blade 11–20 cm long, 3.5–6 cm wide, oblong-elliptic to narrowly ovate, base obtuse or subtruncate, apex acute or obtuse, margin entire, glabrous; lateral veins 12–15 pairs, prominently raised below, visible above; intercostal veins scalariform, very close, faint above, distinct beneath. Flowers bisexual, racemes, from axils of upper leaves, 6–14 cm long; flowers small, pale yellow, pedicels 2.5–3.5 mm long, calyx lobes broadly ovate to subrotundate, 3.5–4 mm long, 3.2–3.6 mm wide, apex obtuse; petals 5, ovate to oblong-elliptic, 3.5–4.2 mm long 3.2–4 mm wide, apex obtuse; stamens 5, ca. 2 mm long, attached beneath the outer margin of the disc; anthers triangular, obtuse, filaments subulate, ca. 1.5 mm. Ovary subglobose, seated on the disc, apex pubescent; style 2, filiform, free; disc cupular, usually puberulous. Capsules narrowly ovate, ca. 3 cm long, below the middle is the widest part, 1–1.2 cm wide, with 2 vertical grooves, apex obtuse, glabrous, having thick peduncle ca. 3 mm long. Seeds single, oblong-ovate, brown or brown-red, glossy, aril fleshy, bright yellow or orange.

Etymology:—The specific epithet is dedicated to entrepreneur Shao-tian Xie, who contributed to the protection of Bhesa robusta .

Distribution and habitat:— Bhesa xieii is endemic to Guangxi, southern China, distributed in Banai village and Huangzhujiang village, Dongxin City. It grows in lowland secondary forests and near the village, elevation of 10– 20 m.

Conservation status:— Bhesa xieii has been found in two populations of Dongxin City, Guangxi. With the support of the project, we have now produced about 8,500 seedlings.

Additional specimens examined (Paratypes):— CHINA. Guangxi: Dongxin City, Huangzhujiang Village , growing in lowland secondary forests, elev. ca. 20 m, 30 December 2020, R . H . Jiang et al. 14004; Dongxin City, Banai Village , near the village, elev. ca. 8 m, 12 February 2017, Jian-yong Lin 1702001 and Dongxin City , Banai Village , near the village, elev. ca. 5 m, 08 August 2020, Jian-yong Lin 2012010 ( GXFI) .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Holotype of Bhesa xieii R. H. Jiang & J. C. An (GXFI).

FIGURE 3. Bhesa xieii and Bhesa robusta. A–J. Bhesa xieii. A. Plant; B. Fruit branches; C. Inflorescence; D. Inflorescence, show the petals; E. Inflorescence; F. Capsules; G. Capsules; H. Flowering branch; I. Anatomical diagram of capsules; J. leaves. K–M. Bhesa robusta. K. Inflorescence, show petal reflexes; L. Capsules; M. Fruit branches.