Phlomoides bomiensis C. L. Xiang & Y. Zhao, 2024

Zhao, Yue, Chen, Ya-Ping, Bai, Rui-Zhu, Pendry, Colin A., Sukhorukov, Alexander P. & Xiang, Chun-Lei, 2024, A new species and a new record of Phlomoides (Lamiaceae) from Xizang, China, PhytoKeys 246, pp. 15-26 : 15-26

Phlomoides bomiensis C. L. Xiang & Y. Zhao sp. nov.

Fig. 2

Type.

China, Xizang (Tibet), Linzhi City, Bomi County, on the road from Bomi to Motuo, near Galongla Tunnel , 29 ° 48 ′ 22.4 ″ N, 95 ° 42 ′ 2.45 ″ E, alt. 3454 m, 22 Aug 2023, Y. Zhao, R. Z. Bai, Q. Tian & M. L. Qian XCL 2584 (holotype: KUN 1614346 !; isotypes: KUN 1614347 !, KUN 1614348 !, KUN 1614349 !) .

Diagnosis.

Phlomoides bomiensis is morphologically most similar to P. nyalamensis and P. breviflora . These species are often taller than 1 m and have a purple corolla with brown to black trichomes inside the upper lip. It differs from P. nyalamensis by its subtruncate to slightly emarginate calyx teeth, posterior filaments with reflexed appendages at base and floral leaves with obvious petioles (vs. obviously emarginate calyx teeth, posterior filaments without appendages and sessile upper floral leaves). It differs from P. breviflora by its corolla that is longer than 2 cm and its oblong nutlets (vs. corolla often shorter than 1.5 cm and inflated globose nutlets). The differences between the ten species from subclade IIa are listed in Table 2 .

Description.

Perennial herbs. Roots robust, linear-tuberous. Stems 0.5–1.8 m tall, subquadrangular, robust, lower stem part glabrous, upper part with simple trichomes. Basal leaves absent; stem leaves with petioles 5–14 cm long, with simple trichomes, blade cordate, papery, 8–21 × 8–18 cm, adaxially green with simple trichomes, denser on vein, abaxially light green, only with sparse simple trichomes on vein, margin crenate, apex acute. Verticillasters axillary, 8–18 - flowered; floral leaves with petioles 0.5–7 cm long, blade cordate to truncate, 3–15 × 2–12 cm, gradually reduced upwards; bracts linear to lanceolate, 8–10 mm long, with sparse long (2–3 mm) simple trichomes. Calyx tubular, 12 × 5 mm, conspicuously 10 - veined with sparse simple (2–3 mm long) trichomes on veins, tube subtruncate to slightly emarginate, teeth 5, ca. 1 mm long, apical spines 1 mm long. Corolla purple, 21–23 mm long, 2 - lipped; posterior lip ca. 8–10 mm long, galeate, densely stellate tomentose outside, margin denticulate, brown to black bearded inside; anterior lip 3 - lobed, ca. 7 × 8 mm, middle lobe largest, oblong, ca. 5 × 3 mm, lateral lobes ovate; tube glabrous outside, ca. 11 mm, annulate pilose inside. Stamens 4, included within posterior lip, with “ cobweb-like ” indumentum, posterior filaments with reflexed appendages at base. Style unequally 2 - lobed. Nutlets oblong, apex truncate, glabrous.

Phenology.

Flowering from August to September, fruiting from October to November.

Distribution and habitat.

Based on our field collections and previously collected specimens, P. bomiensis is known to occur in Bomi County and Motuo County, Xizang (Tibet), China. It grows in forests and forest margins at altitudes between 3400 and 4200 m (Fig. 3 ).

Etymology.

The specific epithet refers to the name of the Bomi County in Xizang Autonomous Region, where the new species was discovered.

Chinese name (assigned here).

bō mì cǎo cāo sū (波密草糙苏)

Additional specimen examined (paratypes).

China. Xizang (Tibet): • Linzhi City, Motuo County, Northern Galongla Pass , alt. 3500–3700 m, 20 Aug 1982, S. Z. Cheng & B. S. Li 000315 ( PE 00923558 !, PE 00832483 !, PE 00832484 !) • Linzhi City, Bomi County, 30 km away from Zhamo Road , alt. 4200 m, 27 Jul 2010, South Tibet Expedition Team STET 1237 ( PE 02328210 !) • Linzhi City, Bomi County, Galongla Mountain , alt. 3879 m, 17 Jul 2022, J. F. Xiao, H. Z. Feng & Er. F. Huang XJF 114 ( KUN 1614350 !) .

Phlomoides bomiensis was first collected more than 40 years ago (S. Z. Cheng & B. S. Li 00315; PE 00923558 !, PE 00832483 !, PE 00832484 !), but the specimens were then identified as Phlomoides umbrosa (Turcz.) Kamelin & Makhm. var. australis (Hemsl.) C. L. Xiang & H. Peng. However , Phlomoides umbrosa var. australis was distinguished from P. bomiensis by having white or transparent trichomes on upper corolla and subsessile floral leaves (vs. brown-black trichomes on upper corolla and floral leaves with petioles 0.5–7 cm long). Another specimen of P. bomiensis was collected in 2010 (South Tibet Expedition STET 1237; PE 02328210 !), but it was misidentified as Phlomoides tibetica . The differences between Phlomoides tibetica and P. bomiensis are provided in Table 2 .

Figures

Figure 2. Phlomoides bomiensis C. L. Xiang & Y. Zhao A habitat B, C verticillaster with floral leaves D plant E verticillaster F flower G bracts H dissected flower I appendages at base of posterior filaments (arrow) J calyx and dissected calyx K floral leaves L Stem leaves (Photographed by Yue Zhao).

Figure 3. Distribution of Phlomoides bomiensis (black triangle), new location of P. longidentata (black star) and known localities of P. longidentata (black circle).