Coptis huanjiangensis L.Q.Huang, Q.J.Yuan & Y.H.Wang, 2022

Wang, Yiheng, Sun, Jiahui, Wang, Jingyi, Mao, Qiang, Dong, Wenpan, Yuan, Qingjun, Guo, Lanping & Huang, Luqi, 2022, Coptis huanjiangensis, a new species of Ranunculaceae from Guangxi, China, PhytoKeys 213, pp. 131-141 : 131

Coptis huanjiangensis L.Q.Huang, Q.J.Yuan & Y.H.Wang sp. nov.

Figs 2 , 3

Diagnosis.

Coptis huanjiangensis is morphologically similar to C. chinensis , C. deltoidei and C. omeiensis , but it differs from these species by having notably longer petioles (15-40 cm), scapes (20-32 cm), and bigger leaf blades with lobes remote obviously.

Type.

China. Guangxi: Huanjiang County, Jiuwanshan National Natural Reserve , 1082 m, 25°12'1.07"N, 108°38'28.32"E, valleys, 24 January 2022, Yiheng Wang HJ220124 I02 (holotype CMMI!, isotype CMMI!) (Suppl. materials 2, 3) .

Description.

Herbs perennial, rhizomes branched, without stolons. Leaves basal, petiole 15-40 cm, glabrous. Leaf blade ovate-triangular, 12-22 × 9-22 cm, three-sect, papery to subleathery, abaxially glabrous, adaxially nearly glabrous on veins, base cordate, margin with sparsely upturned spiny hairs; central segment petiolulate (petiole 2.5-4 cm), ovate-rhombic, 11-18 × 7-14 cm, deeply four-ten-lobed, lobes remote, ultimate lobes margin acute serrate, apex acute or obtuse; lateral segments similar to or slightly shorter than the central one, obliquely ovate, unequally two-parted. Scapes one to several, erect, longer or shorter than the leaves, 20-32 cm tall, glabrous, sulcate. Inflorescences terminal, often monochasial, five-ten-flowered; flowers small, actinomorphic, bisexual; bracts lanceolate, palmately divided. Sepals five or six, greenish or redish yellow, long ellipsoid or lanceolate, 5.5-9.0 × 1.8-3.5 mm, sparsely puberulous. Petals spatulate, 2-5 mm long, glabrous, apex rounded to obtuse, 1/3-1/2 as long as sepals. Stamens numerous, glabrous, 2-4 mm-long, outer ones slightly shorter than petals. Pistils 8-14, 3-5 mm long; follicles 4.5-9.0 mm long, stipitate; seeds ellipsoid, ca. 1-2 mm long, brown.

Distribution and habitat.

This species has only been found in the valleys of Jiuwanshan National Natural Reserve, Huanjiang County up until now. It grows in shaded places in valleys at 800-1200 m. a. s. l.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is derived from the type locality, Huanjiang County, Guangxi.

Phenology.

The species was observed flowering in February - March and fruiting in April-June.

Note.

There are seven species and one variant of Coptis distributed in China. An identification key is presented below.

Figures

Figure 2. Coptis huanjiangensis L. Q. Huang, Q. J. Yuan & Y. H. Wang, sp. nov. A habit B flower, frontal view C flower, back view D opened corolla E petals F sepals G, H follicles I inflorescence J root. Drawn by Yingbao Sun.

Figure 3. Coptis huanjiangensis L. Q. Huang, Q. J. Yuan & Y. H. Wang, sp. nov. A species habitat (Jiuwanshan National Natural Reserve, Huanjiang County, Guangxi, China) B plant in florescence stage C plant in fruiting stage D leaf, frontal and back view E margin with sparsely upturned spiny hairs F-H inflorescence and flowers I-K follicles and seeds L root. Photos by Yiheng Wang, Jingyi Wang & Qiang Mao.