Aristolochia zhuhaiensis, a self-supporting new species of Aristolochiaceae from Guangdong, China and notes on Aristolochia thwaitesii

By

Wang, Yifan
Guo, Zirui
Landrein, Sven
Onyenedum, Joyce G.
Liao, Shuai

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

254

Pages

61--76

Subjects

Aristolochia subg. Siphisia , Conservation status , Fieldwork , Morphology , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.254.139616

 

Abstract

A self-supporting new species of Aristolochiaceae, Aristolochia zhuhaiensis Y.Fan Wang & Z.R.Guo, is described and illustrated from Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China. Morphologically, this species exhibits vegetative characters, including leaf blade shape and growth form, that are similar to Aristolochia thwaitesii Hook., the only other known taxon in Aristolochia subg. Siphisia in Asia that is non-twining and self-supporting, native to southern Guangdong, particularly the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. However, A. zhuhaiensis can be readily distinguished from A. thwaitesii by its unique floral morphology. The new species features a campanulate to funnel-shaped calyx limb densely covered with porcelain-white granular pustules. In contrast, A. thwaitesii has an elongated, concave tubular calyx limb with an adaxial surface that transitions from purple to pale yellow or white towards the apex, densely covered with recurved fleshy prickles. Aristolochia zhuhaiensis is endemic to Zhuhai City and has not been observed elsewhere. Detailed illustrations, photographic plates, a distribution map, a digitized holotype voucher specimen, a comparative table, and an identification key are provided to facilitate the differentiation of A. zhuhaiensis from A. thwaitesii.