Miliusa longicarpa Z.Y.Shi & X.L.Hou, 2024

Shi, Zhiyuan & Hou, Xueliang, 2024, Miliusa longicarpa (Annonaceae): a new species from Yunnan, China, Phytotaxa 666 (3), pp. 209-215 : 209-213

Miliusa longicarpa Z.Y.Shi & X.L.Hou , sp. nov. ( Figs 1 , 2 , 3 ) KAEḃDffi

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan: Cangyuan County, Banhong Xiang , under valley forest, elevation 661 m, 23.269167°N, 99.071944°E, 2 Aug 2021, Shi 162 (holotype: AU; isotype: AU, PE; Fig. 1 ) .

This new species is similar to Miliusa macropoda Miquel (1865: 40) in monocarp morphology but differs in pedicel length, 7.8–12.0 cm (versus 17.5–20.0 cm), ellipsoid seeds (1–2 per monocarp) that are not compressed on the sides (versus 1–6 per monocarp, compressed on one or both sides) and leaf lamina base equal (versus unequal).

Trees to 7 m tall, branches terete, young twigs pubescent. Leaves simple, alternate, petioles 3.0–4.0 mm long, pubescent, slightly grooved adaxially; blades elliptic, 9.5–21.0 × 4.2–6.1 cm, glabrous above, pubescent below, base rounded and equal sided, apex acuminate (-caudate), acumen usually 15–21 mm long; margins entire, midrib sunken above, almost glabrous, raised below, pubescent with straight hairs, 0.4–0.6 mm long; secondary veins 10–13 on each side of midvein, straight ascent, angle with midrib 51°–60° (at middle part of leaf blade), loop-forming, prominent below, developed secondary intervein. Inflorescences axillary; peduncles 1.0–2.0 mm long, pubescent, bracts 3, broad triangular, 0.5–1.2 × 0.6–1.0 mm, pubescent. Flowers solitary, bisexual, pedicels 5.6-8.3 cm long, 0.5-0.8 mm in diam., sparsely pilose; bracts 1–3, ovate, ca. 0.5 mm long; sepals 3, ovate-triangular, 2.0–2.5 × 1.5 mm, sparsely pubescent; outer petals 3, sepaloid, lanceolate, 3.0–3.5 × 1.0 mm; inner petals 3, alternate to outer petals, dark red with khaki tinge, ovate, 15.0–17.0 × 6.0–8.0 mm; stamens ca. 40–50, in 4 whorls, l. 2 mm long; anthers ovate, 0.9 mm long, 2-celled; carpels ca. 22-28, 2.5 mm long; stigma linear-oblong, ca. 1.0 mm long, with viscous exudates; pubescent throughout the outer ovary wall, ca. 1.5 mm, ovules 1–2. Fruiting pedicels 7.8–12.0 cm long, 1.4–1.6 mm in diam, gradually thickening upwards, pendulous, almost glabrous, monocarps 10–20, monocarp stipes 1.1–1.6 cm, slender, red, pubescent with straight hairs, 0.3–0.5 mm long, monocarps ellipsoid, 10.0–19.0 × 6.0–10.0 mm, smooth, almost glabrous, constricted in middle when there are 2 seeds, apex not apiculate, red when mature. Seeds 1 or 2 per monocarp, ellipsoid, ca. 10.0 × 6.0 mm.

Distribution and habitat:— Known only from the type collection, 660–800 m, forest along riverbank ( Fig. 4 ). The other specimens examined, e. g., Li 11867, also come from Banhong Xiang and were located at the edge of the Nangunhe National Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province.

Etymology:— Referring to the long monocarps.

Phenology:— Flowering not observed, fruiting August.

Additional material examined:— CHINA. Yunnan Province: Cangyuan County, Banhong Xiang , under valley forest, elevation 661 m, 23.269167°N, 99.071944°E, 2 Aug 2021, Shi 161 ( AU) ; 22 April 2024, Yang 01 ( AU) ; 22 Apr 2024, Zhong 212 ( AU) ; Cangyuan County, Banhong Xiang , dense forests with wet and shady areas on water slopes, elevation 780–800 m, 2 Jun 1974, Li 11867 ( HITBC) .

Notes:— The two most similar species are M. macropoda and M. balansae , but they differ in several characteristics ( Table 1).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Holotype of Miliusa longicarpa, Shi 162 (AU).

FIGURE 2. Miliusa longicarpa. A. Fruit branch. B. Flower. C. Adaxial view of the inner petal. D. Abaxial view of the outer petal. E. Abaxial view of the sepal. F. Abaxial view of the stamen. G. Adaxial view of the stamen. H. Flower with petals and sepal removed. I. Lower (abaxial) leaf surface. J. Immature monocarp with two seeds. K. Monocarp.

FIGURE 3. Miliusa longicarpa. A. Branch with mature leaves and fruits. B. Adaxial side of a leaf. C. Abaxial side of a leaf. D. Flower. E. Fruiting branch. F. Seeds.

FIGURE 4. Distribution of Miliusa longicarpa.