Swertia hongquanii, a new species of Gentianaceae from Mt. Wuling, southern China

By

Li, Jiaxiang
Xu, Yongfu
Zhao, Lijuan

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

132

Pages

1--10

Subjects

limestone cliffs , Mt. Tianmen , new taxon , Swertia

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.132.37009

 

Abstract

Swertia hongquanii Jia X. Li, a new species of Gentianaceae, is described and illustrated from Mt. Wuling, southern China. It grows on the tops of steep limestone mountains surrounded by cliffs above an altitude of ca. 1400 m. This species resembles Swertia bimaculata, but differs from the latter by the stem leaf blades 2.0–4.5 × 1.0–2.5 cm, ovate to ovate-cordate, base cordate and subamplexicaul, the seeds irregularly polyhedral and the seed coats minutely thorny and reticulate. Based on morphological traits, i.e. the inflorescence structure and the number and structure of the nectaries, the new species may be a member of series Maculatae. A key to the species of series of section MaculataeOphelia is provided.