Silene sunhangii (Caryophyllaceae), a new species from China

By

Lin, Nan
Zhang, Daigui
Huang, Xianhan
Zhang, Jianwen
Yang, Jingyuan
Tojibaev, Komiljon
Wang, Hengchang
Deng, Tao

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

135

Pages

59--69

Subjects

China , Morphology , new species , Phylogeny , Silene

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.135.36426

 

Abstract

Silene sunhangii, a new species of Caryophyllaceae known from only three populations in Hubei and Hunan provinces of central China, is described. Both morphological and molecular data were used to assess the taxonomic status and relationships of this species. Morphologically, S. sunhangii is most similar to S. platyphylla Franch. from which it differs most readily in having 3-veined elliptical leaves without pubescence, tasseled catacorolla, pale purple to red petals without a linear lobe or narrow tooth and lanceolate, bifid to one third. A phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ITS region identified the new species as a well-supported, independent lineage. Our new species is nested within a grade that encompasses species representing a polyphyletic Silene sect. Physolychnis (Benth.) Bocquet. Both the genetic and morphological data support the recognition of Silene sunhangii as a distinct species, although there is inconsistency between these two datasets as to the relationships of the new species.