Disporum xilingense X.X.Zhu & L.Zhang, 2016

Zhu, Xin-Xin, Zhang, Chan, Shen, Bin, Liu, De-Tuan & Zhang, Lin, 2016, Disporum xilingense (Colchicaceae), a new species from Sichuan, China, and the exclusion of D. leucanthum from the Chinese flora, Phytotaxa 252 (1), pp. 63-68 : 64

Disporum xilingense X.X.Zhu & L.Zhang , sp. nov. ( Figs. 1 & 2 )

Disporum xilingense is very close to D. leucanthum and D. bodinieri (H. Léveillé & Vaniot 1905: 360) Wang & Tang (1949: 20) , with which it shares similar terminal inflorescences, widely open and nodding flowers with tepals slightly saccate at the base. But it differs from the two species in having narrowly lanceolate tepals 23–26 mm long with tapered lower part 5–6 mm long, stamens distinctly shorter than the tepals, and style equaling or slight longer than the tepals. It is also similar to D. acuminatissimum W.L. Sha (1985: 13) in flower size and color, whereas D. xilingense differs by its acute apices of leaves and tepals, widely opening flowers, glabrous tepals only minutely papillate on the lower margin and inside, sharply narrowed and navicular tepal bases, stamens 14–16 mm long and style 24–26 mm long.

Type:— CHINA. Sichuan: Dayi County, Xiling Snow Mountain, 2250 m, 30°41’55”N, 103°11’15”E, 25 May 2015, X.X.Zhu & Z.X.Hua ZH079 (holotype CSH [barcode CSH 0101527]!, isotypes XYTC!, HENU!).

Stem simple or branched distally, 20–80 cm high, glabrous. Petiole 2–5 mm; leaf blade ovate to elliptic, 6–13 cm long, 2–5 cm wide, acute at the apex, broadly cuneate or roundish at the base, glabrous, 5–7-nerved. Inflorescences terminal, 1–3-flowered; pedicels 17–22 mm long. Flowers widely opening, almost flat, nodding, tepals greenish yellow or white, lanceolate, 23–26 mm long, 3–4 mm wide, acute at the apex, very narrowed in the lower part, navicular-scaphoid, 5–6 mm long, minutely papillate on the lower margin and inside, only slightly saccate at the base. Stamens distinct shorter than the tepals, 14–16 mm long; filaments 12–15 mm long, minutely papillate in the lower part; anthers 2–4 mm long. Ovary obovoid, ca. 2.5 mm long. Style as long as or slight longer than the tepals, 24–26 mm long, trifid at the apex.

Distribution and habitat: —The new species is currently known only from the type locality in Xiling Snow Mountain, Dayi County, Sichuan, China, at elevations ranging from 2000 to 2250 m. It is very rare in the type locality, where only less than 100 individuals were found, flowering normally. This small population grows in shaded and moist places, on humus-rich soils, under the canopy of a broad-leaved forest dominated by Rhododendron spp. ( Ericaceae ) and Cyclobalanopsis spp. ( Fagaceae ) and accompanied by Corydalis anthriscifolia Franch. ( Papaveraceae ), C. schusteriana Fedde ( Papaveraceae ), Euonymus cornutus Hemsl. ( Celastraceae ), Platanthera sp. ( Orchidaceae ), etc.

Etymology: —The specific epithet is derived from the type locality, Xiling Snow Mountain.

Phenology: —This new species has been observed in flowering period from April to May.

Additional specimens examined (paratypes): — CHINA. Sichuan: Dayi County, Xiling Snow Mountain. 04 April 2015, X.X.Zhu 052 (XYTC!).

Specimens of Disporum bodinieri examined: — CHINA. Hunan: Longshan County, 20 May 1958, L. H. Liu 01744 ( PE) ; Guizhou: Pingba County, 29 April 1897, E.Bodinier 1546 [Types] ( E, P) ; Sichuan: Muli County, 27 May 1937, T. T. Yu 5787 ( PE), Wanyuan City , 30 July 1959, P. Y.Li 5956 ( PE), Xichang City, 1932, T. T.Yu 1126 ( PE) ; Yunnan: Dali City, June 1941, H. C. Wang 853 ( PE), 8 May 1945, H. C. Wang 3829 ( PE, KUN), 24 April 2015, X.X.Zhu & Z. X.Hua ZH041 ( CSH), Gongshan County, 29 August 1940, K. M. Feng 7103 ( PE, KUN), 1 October 1940, K. M. Feng 8171 ( PE, KUN), 11 February 1991, Dulong Exped. 4005 ( KUN), 23 March 1991, Dulong Exped. 4877 ( KUN), 8 October 2002, Gaoligong Shan Biotic Survey Expedition 17089 ( E), Lancang County , May 1936, C. W. Wang 76555 ( PE), Lijiang City , July 1935, C. W. Wang 71338 ( PE), July 1935, C. W. Wang 71373 ( PE), 9 June 1939, R. C. Ching 20745 ( PE), Lushui County , 20 May 1958, L. H. Liu 01744 ( KUN), 27 October 1996, Gaoligong Shan Expedition 8172 ( E), 17 May 2005, Gaoligong Shan Biotic Survey Expedition 23327 ( E), Menghai County , May 1936, C. W. Wang 73697 ( PE), Shweli-Salwing divide, 17 April 1913, K. Ward 215 ( E), Songming County , 20 April 1953, P. H. Yu & B. Y. Qiu 134 ( PE), Tengchong County , 30 May 2005, Gaoligong Shan Biotic Survey Expedition 25132 ( E), 15 May 2006, Gaoligong Shan Biotic Survey Expedition 28151 ( E), Wenshan City , 11 August 1947, K. M. Feng 11088 ( PE, KUN), Yangbi County , 28 October 1929, R. C. Ching 25302 ( PE, KUN), 24 April 1940, R. C. Ching 22366 ( PE, KUN), 5 May 1981, Siao-British Exped. 0202 ( KUN) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Disporum xilingense. A. Habit (flowering branch); B. Tepal; C. Stamen; D. Style. (Drawing by Yi Zhang, from holotype).

FIGURE 2. Disporum xilingense. A–C. Greenish yellow flower plant. A. Habitat; B–C. Flower. D–F. White flower plant. D. Habitat; E–F. Flower.