Sedum nanlingense Yan Liu & C. Y. Zou, 2020

Zou, Chun-Yu, Meng, Shi-Yong, Lu, Zhao-Cen & Liu, Yan, 2020, Sedum nanlingense (Crassulaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, Phytotaxa 447 (3), pp. 176-184 : 183

Sedum nanlingense Yan Liu & C. Y. Zou , sp. nov. ( Figs. 2 & 3 )

Diagnosis: Similar to S. onychopetalum Frod. and S. kiangnanense D. Q. Wang & Z. F. Wu but differing in having alternate leaves and 3-merous flowers (vs. verticillate leaves and 5-merous flowers).

Type: — China. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin City, Maoershan National Nature Reserve, elev. 2105 m, 25°51′57″N, 110°24′46″E, 12 August 2016, 450329160812022 LY (holotype: IBK!).

A biennial herb, glabrous, 8–13 cm tall. Roots fibrous. Flowering stems solitary or tufted, many branches at base, basally decumbent or ascending, distally erect. Sterile shoots form densely arranged leaves on upper parts of stems. Stems green to pale chestnut brown, maculate with reddish dots or lines. Leaves linear-lanceolate, alternated, 1–1.5 × 0.3–0.5 cm, usually green or maculate with reddish dots or lines, base truncate and spurred, margin entire, apex subacute. Inflorescence spicate cyme, terminal, usually dichotomously branched or three branched, branches often scorpioid, rarely corymbiform, few flowers. Flowers unequally 3-merous, sepals 3, triangular, 2–2.5 × 1.5–2 mm, green, free basally, spurred; petals 3, 3.5–4.5 × 2–2.5 mm, ovate, base narrowly clawed, apex acute, yellow, become reflexed as the flowers age; stamens 6; antesepalous filaments 3, 2–2.5 mm long; antepetalous filaments 1–1.5 mm long, inserted 1 mm from petal base; anthers reduced. Nectar scales subquadrangular, ca. 0.5 × 0.4 mm. Carpels 3, glabrous, ovoid-lanceolate, 2.5 mm long mostly subdivergent to spreading stellately at maturity, sometimes erect, adaxially gibbous, basally connate for 1 mm, apex rostrate; basal flower sometimes pedicellate. Follicular fruit usually spreading-divergent, sometimes erect, adaxially gibbous. Follicles few seeded, obovoid dark yellow or brown when mature.

Phenology: Flowers from July to August. Fruits from August to September.

Etymology: The epithet is derived from the name of the type locality of Nanling Mountains, which is located in south China.

Other specimens examined (paratype): CHINA. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin City, Maoershan National Nature Reserve, elev. 2132 m, 25°51′51″N, 110°24′46″E, 28 October 2016, 450329161028010LY (IBK!).

Distribution and ecology: S. nanlingense is currently found in the Maoershan National Nature Reserve. It grows with S. sarmentosum Bunge and mosses on exposed rocks in subtropical deciduous forests with some cloud forest elements. These habitats have subtropical humid monsoon climates, in which the leaf rosettes gradually shrink during the dry season (winter–spring), leaving only the sterile plant, which then begins to develop in June after rain to eventually produce inflorescences.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Sedum nanlingense A. Plant. B. Inflorescence. C. Top view of the flower. D. Petal and antepetalous stamen. E. Comparison of an antepetalous stamen (short) and an antesepalous stamen (long). F. Carpel. G. Dehiscent capsule.

FIGURE 3. Sedum nanlingense A. Habitat. B. Withered plants. C. Plant. D. Flower. E. Follicle. F. Sterile plants.