Cortiella yatungense J.J. Deng, C. Peng & X.J. He, 2022

Deng, Jiao-Jiao, Peng, Chang, Liu, Chang-Kun, Xie, Deng-Feng, Gui, Ling-Jian, Zhou, Song- Dong & He, Xing-Jin, 2022, Cortiella yatungense, a new species of Cortiella (Apiaceae) from Xizang, China, Phytotaxa 566 (2), pp. 189-199 : 192-195

Cortiella yatungense J.J. Deng, C. Peng & X.J. He , sp. nov. ( Figs. 1 , 2 )

Diagnosis: — Cortiella yatungense is related to C. hookeri and C. cortioides but it can be distinguished from both by fewer rays (3–6 vs.>6), thin pedicels longer than leaves (vs. stout pedicels shorter than leaves or subequal), petals infolded at apex (vs. slightly incurved and infolded), calyx teeth long-triangular (vs. triangular), ovate to suborbicular (vs. oblong-globose and suborbicular) fruits, and mericarps without vittae (vs. furrow vittae 1, commissure vittae 0–2).

Type: — CHINA. Xizang: Yatung County, Kangbu ; 27°47’13.76’’N, 89°3’13.93’’E; elevation 4789 m a.s.l., 20 Sep 2021, DJJ2021092005 (holotype: SZ) ( Fig. 4 ) .

Description: —Perennial stemless herbs. Plants 4–8 cm. Roots long-conical, 5–12 cm long, with a few branched roots. Leaves petiolate, petioles 3–5 cm long, 1–2 mm thick, sheaths inflated at base. Leaf rachis and petioles fluted, densely fulvous puberulous; blade narrowly oblong, 2.5–5 × 1–2 cm, 1–2-pinnate; pinnae 4–7 pairs, sessile, ultimate segments linear, 1–3 × 0.1–0.6 mm, apex acute. Both compound umbels and simple umbels are present, both drawing from the base; Bracts 1, pinnate; rays 3–6, unequal, pubescent; bracteoles 10–12, linear or pinnate. Calyx teeth long acuminate or linear, about the same length as petals. Petals white, white with purple or purple, ovate, apex infolded; Stylopodium conic, dark purple. Fruit ovate to suborbicular, mainly suborbicular, compressed dorsally, dorsal ribs narrowly winged, lateral ribs broadly winged; vittae absent in each furrow and on commissure. Seed transversely compressed dorsally.

Phenology: —Flowering from August to September, fruiting from September to October.

Etymology: —The specific epithet is derived from the name of Yatung (Xizang), where the type material was collected.

Distribution, habitat and ecology: — Cortiella yatungense is distributed in Xizang (Yatung County) in southwestern China ( Fig. 5 ). It grows in alpine meadows at altitudes of 4000–4800 m.

Conservation status: —This species is currently known only from Yadong, Nyingchi and Cona County of China. In Yadong, a total of more than 300 individuals has been found. However, there is no more information about its conservation status. Based on current information, we propose to assess Cortiella yatungense as “Data Deficient” (DD) according to IUCN (2019).

Additional specimens examined: — China. Xizang: Nyingchi, West of Shergyla mountain, 2 Aug 2008, Luo Jian & Wang Shuli LiuJQ-08XZ-151 (KUN); Cona County, Mamagou, 28 Aug 2011, Luo Jian & Wang Shuli LiuJQ-11XZ-071 (KUN); Yadong County , Kangbu, 4789 m, 20 Sep 2021, Deng Jiaojiao & Peng Chang DJJ2021092005(SZ) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Habitat and morphological features of Cortiella yatungense (A) habitat; (B–C) plant; (D) flower.

FIGURE 2. Morphology of Cortiella yatungense (A) root; (B) broad sheath of basal leaf; (C–D) leaf; (E) inflorescence and bracteole; (F–I) ovate to suborbicular fruit (mainly suborbicular); (J) mericarp transverse section.

FIGURE 4. Holotype of Cortiella yatungense.

FIGURE 5. Distribution of Cortiella yatungense in Xizang, China.