Zehneria grandibracteata (Cucurbitaceae), an overlooked new species from western Kenyan forests

By

Wei, Neng
Zhong, Zhixiang
Melly, David Kimutai
Kipkoech, Solomon
Mwema, Benjamin Watuma
Ngumbau, Veronicah
Kamau, Peris
Hu, Guangwan
Wang, Qingfeng.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2020

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

165

Pages

85--98

Subjects

East Africa , Flora of Kenya , Phylogeny , taxonomy , Zehneria scabra

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.165.57399

 

Abstract

Zehneria grandibracteata, a new species of Cucurbitaceae from western Kenya, is described here, based on morphological and molecular data. It has long been misidentified as the widely-distributed species Z. scabra. However, it differs by its ovate leafy probract at the base of the inflorescences, subglabrous condition of the entire plant, shorter receptacle-tube and filaments, as well as denser and sessile inflorescences. Furthermore, the molecular phylogenetic analysis of Zehneria, based on nrITS sequences, further supports the argument that Z. grandibracteata should be segregated from Z. scabra.