Aspidistra shimentaiensis C.X. Peng, Y.Q. Li & C.R. Lin, 2023

Peng, Cai-Xia, Dai, Ke-Yuan, Li, Yuan-Qiu, Tong, Yi-Hua & Lin, Chun-Rui, 2023, Aspidistra shimentaiensis (Asparagaceae), a new species from Guangdong, China, Phytotaxa 612 (1), pp. 87-92 : 88-91

Aspidistra shimentaiensis C.X. Peng, Y.Q. Li & C.R. Lin , sp. nov. ( Figs. 1 , 2 )

Type:— CHINA. Guangdong, Yingde City, Shimentai National Nature Reserve , on shady reclined slopes, 113.13° E, 24.49° N, alt. 475 m, 20 March 2023, Cai-Xia Peng & Yuan-Qiu Li pcx0338 (holotype: IBSC!, isotypes: IBSC! IBK!) .

Diagnosis:— The new species is morphologically similar to A. nankunshanensis , but clearly distinguished by its narrowly lanceolate leaf blade being 4.2–5.5 cm wide, prominent secondary veins, purplish red pistil, upper surface of stigma with a white triangular speckle and three inconspicuous Y-shaped wavy lines at center.

Herbs perennial, evergreen, rhizomatous. Rhizome creeping, subterete, 6–8 mm thick, covered with scales, nodes dense. Roots numerous. Vaginal leaves 5–6, purple-red, 2–10 cm long, enveloping base of petiole, becoming blackbrown when dry. Leaves solitary, 1–1.5 cm apart; petiole stiff, upright, 18–32 cm long, 2–3 mm thick, adaxially sulcate; blade narrowly lanceolate, 33–45 cm long, 4.2–5.5 cm wide, dark green, frequently with small yellowish white spots, apex long acuminate, base cuneate, gradually tapering to petiole, inequilateral, margin entire, mid vein strongly prominent on abaxial surface, secondary veins prominent, 4–5 each side. Peduncle erect or declining, purple, 2.2–3.5 cm long, with 4–6 bracts, bracts gradually wider from base to top of peduncle, the topmost one broadly ovate, purplish red, 4–5 mm long, 10–12 mm wide, apex obtuse. Flower solitary at the top of the peduncle, often facing downwards; perianth fleshy, campanulate, 14–16 mm long, yellow with purple red stripes or yellowish purple inside and outside, 6-lobed apically; lobes ovate-triangular, 10–12 mm long, 6–8 mm wide at base; tube 4–6 mm long, 14–16 mm in diameter at upper opening. Stamens 6, opposite to lobes, subsessile, inserted at the base of perianth tube, anthers yellow, oblong, ca. 2 mm long and 1 mm wide. Pistil fleshy, purplish red, 7–9 mm long, ovary inconspicuous, style short, cylindrical, 1–2 mm long, ca. 1 mm in diameter, stigma enlarged, obconical, 6–7 mm long, upper surface slightly convex, 7–9 mm in diameter, with a white triangular speckle and 3 inconspicuous Y-shaped wavy lines at center, slightly undulate and 6-lobed at margin, side surface with 12 prominent longitudinal ridges. Berry subglobose, 14–15 mm in diameter, dull green to black brown, surface frequently with 3 longitudinal ribs when young, slightly irregularly tuberculate at maturity.

Phenology:— The new species was observed flowering from March to April, and fruiting to mature in March next year.

Etymology:— The specific epithet ‘ shimentaiensis ’ is derived from the name of the type locality, Shimentai National Nature Reserve, Yingde City, Guangdong, China. The Chinese name is given as ‘ ƂmḛwḍfflDz ’(Chinese pinyin: shí mén tái zhī zhū bào dàn).

Distribution and ecology: —The new species is known only from the type locality. It grows on shady slopes under evergreen broad-leaved forests. Living plants introduced from the type locality are currently cultivated in South China Botanical Garden and Guilin Botanical Garden of Guangxi Institute of Botany.

Conservation status: —According to our observations in the field investigations, only two populations with about 50 individuals each of the new species were found, and both populations were occurring in a protected area, where the habitat was in good condition. Further investigations in the neighbouring areas with similar habitat are needed to give a better understanding of its natural distribution and abundance. Thus, following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria ( IUCN 2022), it is provisionally assessed as Data Deficient (DD).

Similar species:— Aspidistra shimentaiensis is similar to A. nankunshanensis Yan Liu & C. R. Lin (2013: 123 , Fig. 3 ) in the flower being broad bell-shaped and often facing downwards, but differs by the leaf blade 4.2–5.5 cm (vs. 5–7.5 cm) wide, perianth being yellow with purplish red stripes (vs. yellow) inside with lobes longer (vs. shorter) than tube, purplish red (vs. yellow) pistil, slightly convex (vs. flat) upper surface of sigma with a white triangular speckle and three inconspicuous Y-shaped wavy lines at center (vs. without white speckle and with four inconspicuous radial lines). A detailed morphological comparison between the two species is provided in Table 1 .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Aspidistra shimentaiensis: (A) Habit; (B) Fruit; (C) Flowers; (D) Flower, apical view; (E) Perianth, dissected to show stamens and pistil; (F) Pistil; (G) Stigma, adaxial view. (Drawn by Yun-Xiao Liu from the holotype).

FIGURE 2. Aspidistra shimentaiensis: (A) Habit; (B) Flower, side view; (C) Flower, apical view; (D) Flowers; (E) Perianth, dissected to show stamens and pistil; (F) Fruit; (G) Stamens; (H–I) Pistil; (J) Stigma, top view; (K) Stigma, bottom view.

FIGURE 3. Aspidistra nankunshanensis: (A) Habit; (B) Flowers; (C) Flower, apical view; (D) Flower, with half of the perianth removed to show stamens and pistil; (E) Fruit; (F) Perianth, dissected to show stamens; (G) Stigma, apical view; (H) Pistil.