Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 69(2): 307-313. 2017 
doi: 10.26492/gbs69(2).2017-09 
307 
Primulina wuae (Gesneriaceae), a new species 
from southern China 
S. Li 1 ’ 2 , Z.B. Xin 1 - 2 , X. Hong 3 , L.F. Fu 12 & F. Wen 1 - 2 
'Guangxi Key Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Restoration Ecology 
in Karst Terrain, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang 
Autonomous Region and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 
CN-541006, Guilin, Guangxi, China 
2 Gesneriad Conservation Center of China (GCCC), CN-541006, 
Guilin, Guangxi, China 
wenfang760608@ 139.com 
3 School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, 
Anhui University, CN-230601, Hefei, Anhui, China 
ABSTRACT. Anew species, Primulina wuae F.Wen & L.F.Fu (Gesneriaceae), is described from 
the southern part of China. This new species is most similar to Primulina pseudoroseoalba Jian 
Li et al., P. roseoalba (W.T.Wang) Mich.Moller & A.Weber, P. subrhomboidea (W.T.Wang) 
Yin Z.Wang and P beiliuensis B.Pan & S.X.Huang var .fimbribracteata F.Wen & B.D.Lai, but 
differs from these in characters such as the size and indumentum of the bracts, the indumentum 
of the pedicels and anthers, the length of the pistils etc. A provisional conservation assessment 
is also provided. 
Keywords. Critically endangered, IUCN conservation assessment, limestone flora, new taxon, 
Primulina pseudoroseoalba 
Introduction 
Until recently Primulina Hance was a monotypic genus in the family Gesneriaceae. 
Based on molecular phylogenetic and morphological studies, all species of Chiritopsis 
W.T.Wang, two species of Wentsaiboea D.Fang & D.H.Qin, and almost all species of 
Chirita sect. Gibbosaccus C.B.Clarke have since been incorporated into a dramatically 
expanded Primulina (Wang et al., 2011; Weber et al., 2011). Now the genus comprises 
more than 176 species, including many recently described species (Moller et al., 2016; 
IPNI, 2017). 
W hil e conducting field investigations of the limestone flora of northern Guangxi 
(China), we found an unknown species of Primulina that required further study. As 
well as herbarium specimens, live plants and seeds were collected and grown at the 
nursery of Guilin Botanical Garden and the Gesneriad Conservation Center of China. 
After comparison to other Primulina species in local Floras and monographs (e.g. 
Wang et al., 1990, 1998; Li & Wang, 2004; Wei et al. 2010), comparison to the many 
new larger-flowered species described in recent years, especially those from Guangxi 
(e.g. Zhu et al., 2014; Huang et al., 2015; Ning et al., 2015; Liu et al., 2016; Luo et al., 
