Primula xinjingensis Sheng H. Tang & F. W. Li, 2025

Tang, Sheng-Hu, Long, Ze-Xu & Li, Fang-Wen, 2025, Primula xinjingensis (Primulaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China, PhytoKeys 265, pp. 223-232 : 223-232

Primula xinjingensis Sheng H. Tang & F. W. Li sp. nov.

Figs 1 , 2 , 3

Diagnosis.

The new species bears a striking resemblance to Primula pellucida Franch. in terms of the efarinose plants, the shape of the leaf blade, and the recurved calyx lobes in fruit. However, it is distinguished by having a campanulate (vs. broadly campanulate) calyx, lanceolate (triangular to ovate) calyx lobes, narrowly cuneate-obovate (vs. obovate) corolla limb lobes and a style reaching the throat (vs. exserted from the corolla tube) in the pin flowers. The new species also shares similarities with P. divaricata F. H. Chen & C. M. Hu and P. epilithica F. H. Chen & C. M. Hu in terms of leaf blade size and shape, as well as the campanulate calyx. Nevertheless, it is set apart from these two species by the absence of rhizomes (vs. their presence), lanceolate (vs. triangular or ovate-triangular) calyx lobes that are recurved (vs. erect) in fruits, and narrowly cuneate-obovate (vs. cuneate-obovate or obovate) corolla limb lobes.

Type.

China. Guizhou Province: Yanhe County, Xinjing Town , 28°52'N, 108°18'E, ca. 700 m, 3 April 2025, Sheng H. Tang & Da-Zhu Tang 202504001 ( holotype: CSH! [accession number CSH 0220070 ]; isotype: the Guizhou Botanical Garden!) .

Description.

Herbs perennial, efarinose, without rhizomes, up to 9 cm tall at anthesis. Roots numerous, fibrous. Leaves 7–20, forming a rosette; petiole 5–13 mm long, short-stalked glandular and sparsely multicellular hairs; leaf blade ovate or suborbicular, 4–12 × 4–10 mm, membranous when dry, abaxially and adaxially with multicellular hairs, base cordate, apex acute, margin 5–9 - lobulate; lobules ovate to broadly ovate, margin entire, sometimes with 1 or 2 teeth, apex acute; lateral veins 3–4 pairs, obscure adaxially and prominent abaxially. Scapes 1–3, short-stalked glandular and sparsely multicellular hairs, 1–4 cm tall, umbel 1, rarely 2, 1–4 - flowered; bracts 3, sometimes 2 or 4, linear-lanceolate, 2–3 mm long, short-stalked glandular on both sides. Flowers heterostylous. Pedicel 1–2 cm long, short-stalked glandular and sparsely multicellular hairs. Calyx campanulate, 2–4 mm long, slightly enlarged in fruit, short-stalked glandular and sparsely multicellular hairs outside, glabrous inside, parted to middle or slightly below; lobes 1.5–2.5 × 0.8–0.9 mm, lanceolate, recurved at anthesis sometimes, and recurved in fruit, apex acuminate. Corolla rose-purple; tube 6–9 mm long; limb 9–14 mm wide; lobes 4–6 mm long, narrowly cuneate-obovate, deeply emarginate. Pin flowers: stamens 2–2.2 mm above base of corolla tube, style 4.5–7 mm long, reaching throat. Thrum flowers: stamens toward apex of corolla tube, style 2.5–3 mm long. Capsule globose, 1.7–2.1 mm in diam., dehiscing by 2 valves or crumbling irregularly. Seeds numerous, ovoid or irregularly ovoid, 0.5–0.8 mm long, brown, testa reticulate.

Phenology.

Flowering occurs from late March to early April, and fruiting occurs from May to June.

Etymology.

The new taxon was named for its locality, Xinjing Town, Yanhe County, Guizhou Province, China.

Vernacular name.

The Chinese name is “Xīn Jǐng Bào Chūn” (新景报春).

Distribution and habitat.

Only one population was discovered in Xinjing Town, Yanhe County, Guizhou Province, China (Fig. 4 ). It thrives on moist, shady cliffs and limestone surfaces. The primary companion species are Androsace kouytchensis Bonati , Petrocodon scopulorum (Chun) Yin Z. Wang , and Ophiorrhiza chinensis H. S. Lo.

Conservation status.

Only one population, consisting of approximately 200 mature individuals, was discovered at the type locality. Additional populations likely exist in this area. Until further investigation is conducted, the species should be designated as “ Data Deficient ” ( DD) in accordance with the IUCN Red List Criteria ( IUCN 2024).

Notes.

The new species bears the closest resemblance to Primula pellucida (Fig. 5 ), P. divaricata (Fig. 6 ), and P. epilithica (Fig. 6 ), and we have successfully obtained images of their type specimens. The detailed morphological comparison is shown in Table 1 , as well as an identification key to P. xinjingensis and its related species.

Figures

Figure 1. Primula xinjingensis sp. nov. A. Flowering plant, and bracts (inset); B. Adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the leaf blade, and multicellular hairs on both sides (inset); C, D, E. Pin flower; F, G, H, I, J. Thrum flower; K, L. Capsules; M. Seeds. Photographs by Sheng-Hu Tang.

Figure 2. Habitats of Primula xinjingensis sp. nov. (Population at the type locality). Photographs by Sheng-Hu Tang.

Figure 3. Holotype of Primula xinjingensis sp. nov. stored in CSH (Sheng H. Tang & Da-Zhu Tang 202504001, CSH 0220070).

Figure 4. Location of the population of Primula xinjingensis sp. nov. in Yanhe County, Guizhou Province, China (indicated by the blue circle).

Figure 5. The type specimen of Primula pellucida stored in P (Delavay 2274, P 04544677).

Figure 6. The type specimens of Primula divaricata and P. epilithica. A. Isotype of P. divaricata stored in WUK (M. K. Li 3439, 271331); B. Holotype of P. epilithica stored in KUN (M. K. Li 1199, 1218844).