Pseudostellaria wuyishanensis X. Luo & Q.Y. Yang, 2021

Luo, Xiao, Yang *, Qi-Yi, Zhang, Zhe, Zhu, Pan, Ma, Liang, Chen, Xin-Yan, Lin, Shu-Yi & Chen, Shi-Pin, 2021, Pseudostellaria wuyishanensis, a new species of Caryophyllaceae from Fujian, China, PhytoKeys 181, pp. 21-28 : 21

Pseudostellaria wuyishanensis X. Luo & Q.Y. Yang sp. nov.

Figs 1 , 2

Type.

China. Fujian: Wuyishan National Park , on rocks along a stream, ca. 1700 m a.s.l, 1 May 2019, Xiao Luo et Qiyi Yang20190501 (holotype: FAFU!; isotype: FAFU!)

Diagnosis.

Pseudostellaria wuyishanensis can be distinguished from P. heterantha by several morphological features and distribution (Table 1 ). P. wuyishanensis has stolons (vs. no stolon in P. heterantha ), 1-1.6 × 0.5-0.7 cm (vs. 2-2.5 × 0.8-1.2 cm in P. heterantha ) leaf blade, ca. 2 cm long (vs. 3-3.5 cm long in P. heteranth ) pedicel and is 6-7 cm tall with 1 line of hairs (vs. 8-15 cm tall with 2 lines of hairs in P. heterantha ). P. wuyishanensis only distribute in Wuyishan National Park, Southeastern China (vs. Northern and Southwestern China in P. heterantha )

Description.

Plants perennial. Root tubers green, fusiform, 0.4-0.6 × 0.2-0.3 cm. Stem erect, 6-7 cm tall, slender, unbranched at base, apex false dichotomous branched, stoloniferous, with 1 line of hairs. Leaves opposite, entire, 1-1.6 × 0.5-0.7 cm; proximal middle leaves oblanceolate, base attenuate into a petiole, apex acute; distal leaves ovate, shortly petiolate, membranous, both surfaces glabrous, the adaxial green, the abaxial viridescent, apex acute, usually with mucro ca.0.5 mm, sparsely ciliate at base, pinnately veined, lateral veins 3-4 pairs, inconspicuous. Chasmogamic flowers terminal or axillary, solitary; pedicel erect, ca. 2 cm long, pilose; sepals 5, green, lanceolate, ca. 3 mm, abaxially slightly pilose, margin membranous, glabrous; petal 5, oblong, slightly longer than sepals, ca. 4 mm, apically emarginate, base with a short claw; stamens 10, shorter than petals, ca. 4 mm; filament glabrous; anthers purple-red, reniform; ovary coniform, ca. 2 × 0.9 mm, with 2 thin styles to 3 mm, revolute, longer than the ovary, ovules numerous. Cleistogamous flowers and fruits not seen.

Distribution and habitat.

The new species is endemic to the Wuyishan National Park, Fujian Province. The plant grows in the deciduous broad-leaved forest at 2000 m in elevation. The dominant species of the community include Pinus taiwanensis Hayata ( Pinaceae ), Lithocarpus harlandii (Hance) Rehder ( Fagaceae ), Buxus sinica var. parvifolia M. Cheng ( Buxaceae ), Veratrum schindleri Loes ( Melanthiaceae ), and Dichocarpum franchetii (Finet&Gagnepain) W.T. Wang & Hsiao ( Ranunculaceae ).

Phenology.

Flowers were observed in June.

Conservation status.

There is only one known location and fewer than 50 individuals of P. wuyishanensis found during our fieldworks in the Wuyishan National Park in both 2019 and 2020. But the investigation has not been through enough to fully understand the species natural distribution. According to IUCN Red List criteria (2012), this new species should be assessed as Data Deficient (DD; criteria B1ab(i-v) + 2ab(i-v)).

Etymology.

The specific epithet ' Pseudostellaria wuyishanensis ' refers to Wuyishan National Park, the locality of the type collection.

Figures

Figure 1. Pseudostellaria wuyishanensis sp. nov. A plant B stem with one line of hair C flower D flower in side view E calyx F petal G tuber H gynoecium of chasmogamous flower.

Figure 2. Pseudostellaria wuyishanensis X. Luo, Q. Y. Yang A habitat B habit C tuber D plant E flowering plant F flower G all parts of flower.