Mitreolaquanruii (Loganiaceae), a new species from a karst region in Guangxi, China

PhytoKeys. 2023 Sep 8:232:67-75. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.232.108986. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Mitreolaquanruii, a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated in this study. It is morphologically similar to M.liuyanii because of the terete stems, creeping and branched at the base, the leaves which are pilose on both surfaces and the bilobed capsules with two erect horns. The new species can be distinguished from M.liuyanii by its taller habit, up to 20-50 cm tall, its linear leaves, 4-18 × 0.3-1 cm with acuminate apex and 8-10 pairs of lateral veins, its narrowly triangular stipules, its linear bracts, ca. 1.0 cm long and glabrous and its glabrous calyx. Mitreolaquanruii is temporarily assessed as data deficient (DD) according to IUCN. The habitat of Mitreolaquanruii is extremely fragile. Therefore, this species deserves close attention and protection.

Keywords: China; Loganiaceae; Mitreola; new taxon; taxonomy.

Grants and funding

the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32000264), the Scientific Research Project of Education Department of Hunan Province (grant. no. 18B178), the Survey and Collection of Germplasm Resources of Woody & Herbaceous Plants in Guangxi, China (GXFS-2021-34), and the Ethnobotany Study of Baikuyao in Nandan, Guangxi (2018GXNSFBA281162)