The rediscovery and delimitation of Elatostema setulosum W.T.Wang (Urticaceae)

By

Fu, Long-Fei
Monro, Alexandre
Wen, Fang
Xin, Zibing
Wei, Yi-Gang
Zhang, Zhixiang, 1960-

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

126

Pages

79-88

Subjects

China , Elatostema huanjiangense , Elatostema tetracephalum , Guangxi , Guizhou , karst landscapes , Rosales , synonymy , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.126.35707

 

Abstract

Of the 280 species of Elatostema documented in China, 189 are known only from a single collection. Elatostemasetulosum is one such species, having been known only from the type collection for nearly half a century, until recent field investigations in Guangxi. Due to its morphological similarity to E.huanjiangense and E.tetracephalum, we undertook a critical review of all three species using morphological and molecular evidence. Our results suggest that all three names refer to the same species, which based on priority should be known as Elatostemasetulosum. We recognize E.huanjiangense and E.tetracephalum as synonyms. A distribution map of E.setulosum and the extinction risk according to the IUCN criteria is provided. After recircumscription, the taxon must be considered as Least Concern (LC).