Tigridiopalma exalata, a new and endangered species of Melastomataceae from China

By

Zeng, Si-Jin
Xu, Ye-Chun
Wang, Gangtao
Jia, Peng
Cui, Dafang

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2021

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

176

Pages

33--42

Subjects

Chinese melastomes , Guangdong , monospecific genus , new species , Sonerileae

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.176.63619

 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Tigridiopalma, formerly considered monotypic, is here described as T. exalata and illustrated based on molecular and morphological evidence. It is morphologically similar to T. magnifica in having a short stem, huge basal leaves, scorpioid cymes, and 5-merous flowers, but differs in having ribbed and pale yellow puberulent petioles, purple petals with a small white apical patch, connectives of longer stamens with a distinct dorsal short spur at their base, and wingless capsules. Due to the restricted distribution, small populations and horticultural potential of this new species, it should be categorized as an Endangered species (EN).