Rhododendron bailiense Y.P. Ma, C.Q. Zhang and D.F.Chamb., 2015

Ma, Yongpeng, Chamberlain, David F., Sun, Weibang & Zhang, Changqin, 2015, A new species of Rhododendron (Ericaceae) from Baili nature reserve, NW Guizhou, China, Phytotaxa 195 (2), pp. 197-200 : 197-200

Rhododendron bailiense Y.P. Ma, C.Q. Zhang and D.F.Chamb. , sp. nov. ( Fig. 2 )

Rhododendron bailiense resembles R. chihsinianum Chun et Fang. , but differs from R. chihsinianum in the oblong-ovate shape of the mature leaf, cordate leaf base, the 3–6 flowered inflorescence and 14–16 stamens per flower..

Type:— CHINA. Guizhou: Baili Rhododendron Nature Reserve, Dafang , ca. 1800 m, 5 April 2013 (fl), Y. P. Ma, C. Q Zhang and D. F. Chamberlain, M13-002 (holotype: KUN!; isotype: KUN!) .

Small trees, evergreen, 3–4 m tall; bark brown, rough; young shoots tomentose and glandular-setulose, glabrescent. Leaf buds ovate. Petiole stout, 20–40 mm, densely glandular-setulose; leaf blade leathery, oblong-ovate, 7–18 × 4–9 cm; base auriculate; margin revolute; apex rounded, apiculate; abaxial surface evanescent pubescent; adaxial surface green, brown-setulose toward base of midrib, glabrescent; midrib grooved adaxially; lateral veins 17–22-paired, slightly raised on both surfaces. Inflorescence 3–8-flowered; rachis ca. 15 mm, rufous-villous. Pedicel ca. 3 cm, brownish pilose, eglandular; calyx saucer-shaped, ca. 2 mm; margin undulate, ciliate; corolla funnel-campanulate, pale violet, ca. 4 cm; lobes 7, obovate, ca. 1 cm; stamens 14–16, unequal, 2.5–3 cm, filaments glabrous; ovary ca. 6 mm, densely glandular; style glandular to tip. Capsule terete, rough. Fr. Sep–Nov.

Distribution and ecology:—To date, Rhododendron bailiense has only been found from two localites in the region of Baili Rhododendron Nature Reserve (27°14’24’’N; 105°52’42’’E), NW Guizhou and in Pan County (26°02’ N; 104°55’ E), W Guizhou, China. The species has been found in rock outcrops on Karst Limestone at an elevation of 1800–2100 m ( Figure 1 ).

Phenology: — Rhododendron bailiense flowers from March to April.

Etymology: —The specific epithet refers to the site (Baili Rhododendron Nature Reserve) where the new species was firstly discovered and collected.

Conservation status: —We have examined the literature available for Rhododendrons collected from The Baili Rhododendron Nature Reserve and adjacent regions, and we are only aware of one additional locality of the new Rhododendron species described here. Whilst we are only aware of two apparently small populations of the new species (the Baili population consists of no more than 50 plants, over an area of 50 x 50 m 2), we only have limited information regarding the distribution etc. of R. bailiense . Thus we tentatively assess the conservation status of the new species to be Endangered, and suggest that further field studies are urgently required to elucidate its true status in the wild.

Additional specimens examined: — China. Guizhou: Bali Rhododendron natural reserve, Dafang County, 16 April 2013, Ma , Zhang and Chamberlain , M13-001 ( KUN!) ; ibid., 10 April 2012, C. H. Yang, Yang 12-001( KUN!) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Geographical distribution of Rhododendron bailiens and R. chihsinianum (detaileddistribution information of R.chihsinianum was obtained from Chinese Virtual Herbarium, http://www.cvh.org.cn).

FIGURE 2. Rhododendron bailiense. A, Inflorescence and leaf. B, Flower. C, Pistil and calyx. D, Stamen. E, Fruit.