Ophiorrhizareflexa (Rubiaceae), a new species from a karst region in Guangxi, China

Chao Shang; Jun Xue; Yanjie Yang; Xiaowen Liao; Quanru Liu; Lei Wu

doi:10.3897/phytokeys.238.116767

Ophiorrhizareflexa (Rubiaceae), a new species from a karst region in Guangxi, China

PhytoKeys. 2024 Feb 26:238:231-240. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.238.116767. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Chao Shang¹, Jun Xue¹, Yanjie Yang¹, Xiaowen Liao¹, Quanru Liu², Lei Wu¹

Affiliations

¹ College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China Central South University of Forestry and Technology Changsha China.
² College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, Beijing, China Beijing Normal University Beijing China.

Abstract

Ophiorrhizareflexa, a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated in this study. It is morphologically similar to O.alatiflora due to the branched inflorescence, distylous flowers and the tubular-funnelform corolla with five longitudinal wings. The new species can be distinguished from O.alatiflora by its erect inflorescence, its smaller and equal-sized calyx lobes 0.5-0.7 mm long, its corolla tubes winged to the middle and the wings straight and its strongly reflexed corolla lobes at anthesis. Ophiorrhizareflexa is assessed as least concern (LC) according to IUCN Categories and Criteria.

Keywords: China; Ophiorrhiza; Rubiaceae; new taxon; taxonomy.

Chao Shang, Jun Xue, Yanjie Yang, Xiaowen Liao, Quanru Liu, Lei Wu.