Michaelmoelleria F. Wen, Y.G. Wei & T.V. Do, 2020

Wen, Fang, Xin, Zi-Bing, Fu, Long-Fei, Li, Shu, Su, Lan-Ying, Maciejewski, Stephen, Huang, Zhang-Jie, Do, Truong Van & Wei, Yi-Gang, 2020, Michaelmoelleria (Gesneriaceae), a new lithophilous dwelling genus and species with zigzag corolla tube from southern Vietnam, PhytoKeys 146, pp. 89-107 : 89

Michaelmoelleria F. Wen, Y.G. Wei & T.V. Do gen. nov.

Diagnosis.

Michaelmoelleria resembles monotype genus Cathayanthe , but differs from the latter by leaf blade glabrous (vs. sericeous to pubescent in Cathayanthe , same as order followings); calyx actinomorphic (vs. zygomorphic); fertile stamens 4 (vs. 2), stigma 2, both developed ligulate (vs. 1, subcapitate, divided on 1 side); capsule long linear (vs. fleshly, narrowly ellipsoid). The new genus is also morphologically similar to Deinostigma and Tribounia , but is easily distinguished from both by having corolla tube narrowly curving to zigzag infundibuliform-tubular, and bent at about 90° angle in the middle of corolla tube (vs. infundibuliform in Deinostigma ; of a narrow lower tube which widens into an infundibuliform & upper tube which has a prominent boss on the dorsal surface in Tribounia , same as order followings), fertile stamens number 4 (vs. 2; 2) and stigma 2-lobed, lobes often gathering together (vs. upper lip usually vestigial and only lower lip developing, broad, flat and weakly 2-lobed; capitate).

Type and only known species.

Michaelmoelleria vietnamensis F. Wen, Z.B. Xin & T.V. Do, sp. nov.

Description.

Herbs, perennial, epipetric, obvious flesh stem, rosette when young and elongated when aging. Leaves basal or clustered at the top of the stem when young but alternate on elongated aerial stem after years of growth; leaf blade ovate to elliptic, glabrous, base cordate to broadly cuneate, apex obtuse. Inflorescences lax, axillary, 1- or 2-flowered cymes; bracts 2. Calyx actinomorphic, 5-parted to the base. Corolla bluish purple to purple, zygomorphic, inside glabrous; tube obviously curved at the middle, dramatically enlarged to be trumpet-shaped from the middle of corolla tube toward limb, much longer than limb; limb 2-lipped; adaxial lip 2-lobed and abaxial lip 3-lobed, lobes rounded to oblate, apex rounded. Stamens 4, included; anthers basifixed, coherent in pairs, thecae divaricate, confluent at apex, dehiscing longitudinally; staminode 1. Disc annular. Ovary narrowly ellipsoid, 1-loculed; placentas 2, parietal, projecting inward and divaricate. Stigma 2, both developed and appressed, lobes ligulate. Capsule straight in relation to pedicel, linear, dehiscing loculicidally to base, splitting along one suture, straight, not twisted.

Etymology.

Michaelmoelleria was named in honor of Prof./Dr. Michael Möller from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. He is a well-known botanist studying Old World Gesneriaceae , especially in Africa (Madagascar) and Asia (China), and mentor of the senior author from the 1990s to the present. " Michaelmoeller -" (means "Michael Möller”) stands for his full name. " moeller " is the English modification of the German family name, “Möller”. Initially, we planned to use " Moelleria " as the genus name. However, this name was used in different places three times. They are Moelleria Cleve ( Bacillariophyta, incertae sedis) [non Moelleria Scop. ( Spermatophyta, Flacourtiaceae ) (≡ Iroucana Aubl.)]; [nec Moelleria Bres. ( Fungi, Clavicipitaceae ) (≡ Moelleriella Bres.)] [nec Moelleria (Freng.) Freng. ( Bacillariophyta, Naviculaceae )] ( Blanco and Wetzel 2016). Thus, to prevent confusion with those mentioned above, three existing and existed " Moelleria ", we consider that using the variant of Dr. Michael Möller’s full name, " Michaelmoeller ", to name this new genus to be most appropriate.

Distribution and habitat.

Endemic to southern Vietnam, under broadleaved forests in a montane granite area at 140-200 m altitude.