Pternopetalum wulingense J. F. Ye, X. Y. Yue & Ying Liu, 2025

Yue, Xuyang, Pan, Xiaotian, Liu, Ying & Ye, Jianfei, 2025, Pternopetalum wulingense (Apiaceae), a new species from the Wuling Mountains, China, PhytoKeys 263, pp. 61-70 : 61-70

Pternopetalum wulingense J. F. Ye, X. Y. Yue & Ying Liu sp. nov.

Figs 3 , 4

Type.

China • Guizhou Province, Yinjiang County, Fanjingshan Mountain ( 27.92°N, 108.65°E), on moist rock walls by the stream, at an altitude of ca. 1300 m a. s. l., 01 May 2025, in fruit, X. Y. Yue & B. K. Yang Yejf 20250078 ( holotype: SYS!; isotypes: SYS!, PE!) .

Paratype: China • Chongqing Municipality, Xiushan County, Aikou Town ( 28.27°N, 108.83°E), under forest, at an altitude of ca. 1100 m a. s. l., 18 April 2024, in fruit, S. R. Yi Yejf 20240003 ( paratype: SYS!) . • China. Rongxi Town, Xiushan County, Chongqing Municipality , damp shade, 24 June 1979, Anonymous 0785 ( SM) .

Etymology.

The specific epithet wulingense refers to the Wuling Mountains (武陵山), where the new species was discovered.

Diagnosis.

Pternopetalum wulingense differs from P. trichomanifolium by having a rhombic leaf blade outline, ultimate segments of uniform width and oblong-ovoid fruits with both mericarps fully developed (Table 1 , Figs 2 – 4 ).

Description.

Plants 10–30 cm tall. Stems 1–4, erect. Leaves mostly basal, petiolate; petioles 3–16 cm; blades triangular-ovate in outline, 3–9 × 4–13 cm, 3–4 - pinnate, finely dissected; ultimate segments linear, 1–4 × 0.2–0.5 mm, membranous. Bracts absent. Rays 12–26, 1–3 cm. Bracteoles 2, subulate, 0.5–1.5 mm. Umbellules 2–3 - flowered; pedicels 0.2–1.5 mm. Calyx teeth triangular. Petals white, obovate, with incurved apices. Stylopodium conical; styles slightly recurved. Fruits oblong-ovoid, 1.5–3 × 1.5–2 mm, with both mericarps developed; ribs prominent and glabrous; vittae 1–2 per furrow.

Phenology.

Pternopetalum wulingense flowering from March to April and fruiting from May to June.

Distribution and habitat.

Pternopetalum wulingense is currently known only from Yinjiang County, Guizhou Province and adjacent Xiushan County, Chongqing Municipality, China. It grows on moist rock walls along streams at around 1300 m a. s. l., often co-occurring with mosses. Associated species include Cardamine sp. , Dichocarpum sp. , Elatostema sp. , Impatiens sp. , Pilea sp. , Saxifraga sp. and Sedum sp.

Vernacular name.

武陵囊瓣芹 [wŭ líng náng bàn qín].

Conservation status.

As no comprehensive population assessment has yet been conducted across its known range, we recommend assigning the new species a conservation status of Data Deficient ( DD) under the IUCN Red List Criteria ( IUCN 2017). Further field surveys are needed to assess its population size, range and potential threats.

Figures

Figure 2. Morphological comparison of Pternopetalum wulingense (A, D, G, J), P. trichomanifolium (B, E, H, K) and P. bipinnatum (C, F, I, L). A – C. Leaf blade; D – F. Ultimate segments; G – I. Fruit; J – L. Inflorescence. Photograph credits: A, D by Xuyang Yue; B, C, E, H by Jianfei Ye; F, I by Xinjie Zhao; G by Kai Xue; H by Xinxin Zhu.

Figure 3. Pternopetalum wulingense J. F. Ye, X. Y. Yue & Ying Liu. A. Habit; B. Fruit; C. Transaction of mature fruit; D. Flower. Drawn by Xiaotian Pan.

Figure 4. Pternopetalum wulingense J. F. Ye, X. Y. Yue & Ying Liu. A. Microhabitat; B, C. Habit; D. Basal leaf blade; E. Flowers; F. Basal leaf blade adaxially; G. Basal leaf blade abaxially; H. Infructescence; I. Umbellule and fruits. Scale bars: 10 cm (C, F, G); 5 mm (E); 5 cm (H); 1 mm (I). Photograph credits: A, B, D by Jianfei Ye; C, F, G, H, I by Xuyang Yue; E by Kai Xue.