Resurrection of Drypetes nienkui (Putranjivaceae), endemic to Hainan, China

By

Levin, Geoffrey Arthur, 1955-

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2022

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

206

Pages

129--136

Subjects

Asia , China , Drypetes , Hainan , Putranjivaceae

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.206.87737

 

Abstract

Drypetes nienkui (Putranjivaceae), described from Hainan, China, has long been treated as a synonym of D. indica. Both species belong to a distinctive group of Asian species characterized by perulate buds that give rise to shoots bearing flowers or inflorescences proximally and leaves distally, 2–3-carpellate ovaries, and elongate styles. However, D. nienkui fundamentally differs from D. indica in inflorescence architecture and fruiting pedicel length; these or other characters also distinguish D. nienkui from the remaining species in this group. Drypetes nienkui therefore deserves recognition as a distinct species endemic to Hainan. An expanded description of the species is provided along with a key to the related species.