Heteropolygonatum wugongshanensis G.X.Chen, Y.Meng & J.W.Xiao, 2017

Xiao, Jia-Wei, Meng, Ying, Zhang, Dai-Gui, He, Wen-Qi, Zhang, Meng-Hua, Luo, Li-Ying, Nie, Ze- Long & Chen, Gong-Xi, 2017, Heteropolygonatum wugongshanensis (Asparagaceae, Polygonateae), a new species from Jiangxi province of China, Phytotaxa 328 (2), pp. 189-197 : 194-195

Heteropolygonatum wugongshanensis G.X.Chen, Y.Meng & J.W.Xiao , sp. nov. ( Figs. 4–5 )

Type:— CHINA, Jiangxi, Anfu county, Wugongshan, Mossy rocks, 27°33′N, 114°14′E, ca. 1590 m, 6 May 2017, Chen, Zhang & Xiao LXP–06–9253(holotype JIU!; isotype SYS!) ( Figs. 4–5 )

Perennial lithophytic herbs. Rhizome moniliform, horizontally creeping, 1–2 cm thick, purple-speckled, with many pale yellow fibrous roots. Stem ascendant, 10–20 cm long, simple, glabrous, ca. 2–5 mm in diameter, pale green, upper purple-speckled, base white. Leaves, 3–5, alternate, pseudo-petiole 2–5 mm, lanceolate, thickly chartaceous, 5–10 × 1.5–3 cm, glabrous, 12–14-nerved with prominent midrib, adaxial side green, abaxial side shiny pale green, base obtuse, apex acuminate. Inflorescences axillary and terminal, solitary or fascicled, glabrous, 1–2-flowered, sepal and bracts absent. Perigone bisexual, pendulous, campanulate, 1.2–1.5 cm long, 5–6 mm in diameter, whitish–purple, tipped greenish; peduncle 6–9 mm long, pedicel 7–17 mm long. Tepals 6, linear-oblong, arranged into 2 whorls of 3 segments, 15–17 mm long, 2–3 mm wide, slightly pubescent at apex, apex acute to obtuse, imbricate, connate for half their length or a little more, lobes 6.5–8 mm long, green. Stamens 6, adnate with perianth lobes, arranged into 2 whorls, inner ones ca. 5 mm long, outer ones ca. 4.5 mm long, free part of filaments 1–1.5 mm, smooth; anthers lanceolate, 2–2.4 mm long, 0.7–0.9 mm wide, apex acute, 2-loculed, longitudinally dehiscent, introrse. Ovary superior, oblong, 0.4–0.6 mm long, ca. 2 mm diameter, glabrous, style slender, ca. 2 mm long, stigma, pubescent. Berries, glabrous, 0.8–1 cm diameter. Flowering May. Fruiting September.

Etymology:—The epithet, wugongshanensis , is derived from the name of the mountain, Wugong(Êṁ) and shan (Ɯ), for mountain in Mandarin, where the species is only known to occur.

Distribution and Habitat:—Based on present collections, Heteropolygonatum wugongshanensis occurs only in a restricted area on Mt. Wugong, Yangshimu Scenic Spot, Anfu County, Jiangxi, China, on mossy rocks. Its distribution is restricted to about 1 m 2 of the region and about 50 individuals of the number. During the whole joint expedition, we found no additional populations.

IUCN Red List Category:— Heteropolygonatum wugongshanensis is only known presently from a mossy stone on Wugong Mountain. Its habitat is vulnerable and is subject to destruction through human activities. Moreover, there are fewer than 50 individuals in the population. Considering that the H. wugongshanensis is found only in small region of Wugong Mountain. Therefore, according to IUCN Red List Criteria (2017), the new taxon should be regarded as Critically Endangered (CR D1, D2).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Images of living plants of Heteropolygonatum wugongshanensis G.X.Chen, Y.Meng & J.W.Xiao, sp. nov.A. habitat; B. stem; C. adaxial surface left, abaxial surface right; D. rhizome and root; E. perigone; F. inflorescence; G. perigone dissected to show insertion of filaments; H. immature fruits.

FIGURE 5. Holotype of Heteropolygonatum wugongshanensis G.X.Chen, Y.Meng & J.W.Xiao, sp. nov., with details.A. habit; B. inside of flower; C. gynoecium; D. immature fruit (Drawn from the holotype, LXP-06-9253, JIU and other images).