Passiflora kwangtungensis Merr., Lingnan Sc. Journ. 13: 38. 1934

Krosnick, Shawn E., Xun-Lin Yu, & Deng, Yunfei, 2013, The rediscovery of Passiflora kwangtungensis Merr. (subgenus Decaloba supersection Disemma): a critically endangered Chinese endemic, PhytoKeys 23, pp. 55-74 : 61-63

Passiflora kwangtungensis Merr., Lingnan Sc. Journ. 13: 38. 1934 Figures 1 and 2

Type.

CHINA. Guangdong: Tsungfa-Lungmoon Districts, Sam Kok Shan, Ka Wong Kwa, 29 May 1932, Tsang 20609 (holotype: NY! [NY-110492], isotype: NY! [NY-110491], PE! [PE-25522]).

Description.

Slender climber, glabrous throughout; stems terete. Stipules 1.0 × 0.5 mm, setaceous; petioles 1.0-2.0 cm long, biglandular in the upper half, the nectaries 0.3-1.0 mm in diam., papillate; laminas 9.0-13.0 cm × 2.0-5.0 cm, lanceolate to ovate, cordate at the base, apex acute to acuminate, midvein with a 1 mm mucro, margins entire, diffuse white variegation sometimes present along major veins; laminar nectaries 0.2-0.5 mm in diam, (0-) 2-7, scattered submarginally on abaxial surface. Tendrils well developed in mature shoots, green; inflorescences cymose, branched through the third order, (1-) 4-6 flowered; peduncle absent, pedicels 1.3-2.5 cm long, with an articulation 1.0-2.0 cm from the base; inflorescence bracts 1.0 mm × 0.5 mm, linear. Flower buds ovoid, the largest buds 5.0 mm × 3.0 mm; flowers erect; hypanthium 5.0 mm in diam.; sepals 5, 5.0-7.0 mm × 2.5-3.0 mm, lanceolate, glabrous, greenish-yellow, apex acute; petals 5, 4.0-6.0 mm × 2.0 mm, narrowly oblong-lanceolate, greenish-white, apex acute; coronal filaments in two series, outer series 3.0-5.0 mm long, filiform, yellow-green in lower half, yellow in upper half, inner series 1.0-2.0 mm long, filiform, clavate at apex, yellow-green throughout; operculum 1.0-2.0 mm tall, membranous, plicate, incurved towards the androgynophore, yellow-green, the inner margin fimbriate; limen 3.0 mm in diam., outer perimeter with 1 mm tall rim; nectar ring 1.0-2.0 mm wide; stamens 5, staminal filaments connate 4.0 mm along androgynophore, the free portions 4.0 mm long, green, the base flecked with brown spots 0.5-1.0 mm long; anthers 2.0 mm × 1.0 mm, green; ovary 3.0 mm × 1.5 mm, ovoid, sessile on the androgynophore, glabrous, green; styles 3, 3.0 mm long excluding stigmas; stigmas ovoid, 0.5 mm in diam. Fruit 1.0 cm in diam., globose, blue at maturity; arils unknown. Seeds unknown.

Phenology.

Flowering May; fruiting May-June.

Distribution

( Figure 3 ). Endemic to China in Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangxi and Hunan Provinces; rare.

Ecology.

Passiflora kwangtungensis is observed most frequently on hillsides in thickets, along roadsides in forest valleys, or along primary forest margins. This species prefers wet, sandy soils, and is scandent along the ground, sometimes climbing onto low shrubs or tree trunks. Elevation ranges from 500-1000 m.

Vernacular names.

China:"Guang dong xi fan lian" ( Wang et al. 2007).

Specimens examined.

CHINA. Guangdong: 800 m, Anon. 915 (PE); Yangshan Xian, Wuyuan Xiang, Tianjingshan, Deng 1370 (IBSC); Nanxiong Xian, Baishun Xiang, Danankeng, 300-400 m, Deng 6213 (IBSC); Yingde Xian, Shakou Xiang, Huashuishan, 580 m, Liang 84483 (IBSC, PE); Lechang, Jiufeng, Lianan, Lo 1084 (IBSC); Longmen Xian, Nankunshan, Zhongping, Zhukeng, Shihuixiezi, Lo 1782 (IBSC); Lian Shan Town, Nang 659 (IBK, IBSC); Yangshan, Nanling Expedition 1349 (IBSC); Longmen, 350 m, Nanling Expedition 2006 (IBSC); Jiaoling, Nanling Expedition 2273 (IBSC); Yangshan Xian, Chengjia, Tam & Huang 359 (IBSC); Lianshan Xian, Hedong Xiang, Huangniushan, 880 m, Tam 58338 (IBSC); K’I Ravine, To & Ts’ang 12274 (A); Lung T’an Xian, To & Ts’ang 2035372 (L); Lung T’au Mtn., To Kang et al. 275 (US); Lung T’an Mtn., To Kang et al. 535 (US); Tsungfa-Lungmoon Districts, Sam Kok Shan, Ka Wong Kwa, Tso 20749 (NY [paratype]). Lianshan Xian, Shangshuai Zhen, Jinjiling, Ye 3381 (IBSC); Ruyuan, Daqiao, Yue-71 Expedition 355 (IBSC); Ruyuan Xian, Ruyang, Baimakeng, 1200 m, Yue-73 Expedition 720 (IBSC); Fengkai Xian, Qixing, Yue-74 Expedition 4958 (IBSC); Heping, Zhang 705 (IBSC); Guangxi: Jinxiu Xian, 1000 m, Dayaoshan Expedition 12445 (IBK); Jinxiu Xian, 500 m, Dayaoshan Expedition 811616 (IBK); Gongcheng, Gongcheng Expedition 0179 (IBK); Longsheng Xian, Qin & Li 70609 (IBK, IBSC); Ku Chun, Yao Shan (Dayao Shan Mtns.), Sin 21066 (IBSC); Kuchen, Sin 21283 (IBSC); Kuchen, Sin 21407 (IBSC); Quanzhou, near Baiyunan, Tsang 27737 (IBSC, US); Hunan: Jiulongjiang National Forest Park, Rucheng Xian, 520 m, Yu & Tan s.n. (MO); Jiangxi: Anyuan Xian, Huangdi, Lai 2273 (LBG); Quannan Xian, Zhushan Xiang, Yaoshan, Longwei, 800 m, Lai 768 (LBG); Lichuan County, Hong Ling Qu Kongdau Xiang, Nie et al. 2773 (KUN); Dayu Xian, Yaofu, 650 m, Yue 1297 (IBSC; KUN).

Figures

Figure 1. Strict consensus of two most parsimonious trees using ITS sequence data. Jackknife support above 50 % listed above branches.

Figure 2. Floral and vegetative features of Passiflora kwangtungensis. A flower at anthesis B side view of open flower within inflorescence, three axillary inflorescences shown C arrangement of two flowers within axillary inflorescence D congested arrangement of individual axillary inflorescences, each with two to six flowers per inflorescence E immature fruit F papillate petiolar nectaries G mottled variegation along major veins in young leaf H lanceolate leaf shape associated with young growth I ovate leaf shape observed on older tissues. Photo credits: Xun-Lin Yu.

Figure 3. Distribution of Passiflora kwangtungensis in China. Grey circles indicate localities taken from herbarium specimens. Black circles indicate populations observed by Yu from 2007 - 2010.