Polyalthiopsis verrucipes (C.Y.Wu ex P.T.Li) B.Xue & Y.H.Tan, 2020

Xue, Bine, Ding, Hong-Bo, Yao, Gang, Shao, Yun-Yun, Fan, Xiao-Jing & Tan, Yun-Hong, 2020, From Polyalthia to Polyalthiopsis (Annonaceae): transfer of species enlarges a previously monotypic genus, PhytoKeys 148, pp. 71-91 : 71

publication ID	https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.148.50929
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/682DD7C5-A379-546E-909A-FCE806978D83
treatment provided by	PhytoKeys by Pensoft
scientific name	Polyalthiopsis verrucipes (C.Y.Wu ex P.T.Li) B.Xue & Y.H.Tan
status	comb. nov.

Treatment

Polyalthiopsis verrucipes (C.Y.Wu ex P.T.Li) B.Xue & Y.H.Tan comb. nov. Figs 2 View Figure 2 , 3 View Figure 3 , 4 View Figure 4 , 5 View Figure 5

Polyalthia verrucipes C.Y.Wu ex P.T.Li in Acta Phytotax. Sin. 14 (1): 110. 1976. Basionym

Type.

Lectotype (designated here). China. Yunnan: Menghai, July 1936, C. W. Wang 76321 (IBSC! [barcode no. IBSC0003386]; isolectotypes, A [barcode no. A00039580, photo!], IBSC! [barcode no. IBSC0003386], PE! [barcode no. PE01187287, PE01187470], NAS[barcode no. NAS00321991, photo!]).

Description.

Trees to 15 m tall (Fig. 3A View Figure 3 ). Branches greyish-black, glabrous. Petiole 3-7 mm long, 1-2 mm in diameter, glabrous, with transverse striations when dry (Figs 3E View Figure 3 , 4C View Figure 4 ); leaf laminas oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 10-17 × 2.5-5 cm, base broadly cuneate or obtuse, apex acuminate (Figs 3B View Figure 3 , 4A View Figure 4 ), both surfaces glabrous, thinly leathery, densely verrucate with foliar glands when dry (Figs 2G, H View Figure 2 , 3D View Figure 3 , 4B View Figure 4 ); upper surface of midrib raised when fresh (Fig. 3C View Figure 3 ), becoming flat or slightly sunken when dry (Fig. 2G View Figure 2 ), lower surface of midrib raised; secondary veins 15-18 on each side of midrib, delicate and prominent on both surfaces; tertiary veins reticulate. Inflorescences axillary, with solitary flower (Figs 2D View Figure 2 , 3F, H View Figure 3 , 4A, D, E View Figure 4 ). Pedicel 1-2 mm long, hispid, with one ovate bracteole at top, 2-3 ovate bracteoles at base (Fig. 3F, L View Figure 3 ). Sepals ovate, 2 × 2 mm, slightly reflexed, ciliate (Fig. 4F View Figure 4 ). Petals 6, valvate, free, in 2 whorls; white, linear, both whorls subequal, ca. 16 × 3-5 mm, thinly leathery, glabrous, slightly ciliate (Figs 3F-H View Figure 3 , 4G, H View Figure 4 ). Stamens 40-50 per flower, ca. 1 mm long (Figs 3I View Figure 3 , 4I View Figure 4 ); connective truncate. Carpels 12-16 per flower, oblong, glabrous; stigma ovoid, puberulent; ovary with 1 or 2 line(s) of hairs (Figs 3J View Figure 3 , 4J View Figure 4 ); ovules 2 per ovary, lateral (Figs 3K View Figure 3 , 4K View Figure 4 ). Fruiting pedicel becoming longer and thicker, 5-7 mm long, ca. 3 mm in diameter; monocarp stipes 7-9 mm long; monocarps oblong to rhomboid, ca. 2 cm long, 1 cm in diameter (Figs 3M View Figure 3 , 4M View Figure 4 ). Seeds 2 per monocarp, yellowish, semi-ellipsoid to ellipsoid, ca. 18 cm long, 8 mm in diameter, endosperm rumination lamelliform (Figs 3M, N View Figure 3 , 4M View Figure 4 ).

Distribution and habitat.

Known from several localities in Yunnan Province (Fig. 5 View Figure 5 ): Hei-long-tan and Manxi in Meng-hai County and Kun-man in Meng-yang Town, Jinghong, growing in rain forests, at medium elevations (1300-1800 m a.s.l.).

Phenology.

Flowering in February to March; fruiting from April to July.

Additional specimens examined.

China. Yunnan: Kun-man, Xiao-meng-yang, 27 April 1957, Yunnan Exped. 9527 (IBSC, KUN, PE); Man-xi, Menghai, 16 March 2016, Y.H. Tan MH1603 (HITBC, IBSC); 5 March 2019, B. Xue & H.B. Ding 311, 312, 313 (HITBC, IBSC, KUN).

Preliminary IUCN conservation status.

CR A2ac, C2(a)(i) ( IUCN 2012). Polyalthiopsis verrucipes was assessed as EN A2c by the China Plant Specialist Group (2004). Prior to this study, P. verrucipes was only represented in herbaria by two collections from Yunnan, China (two localities, both of which have subsequently been severely deforested). Our field survey in 2016 identified one population with dozens of individuals of dbh ca. 10 cm and dozens of young treelets in Manxi village, Menghai County. We made a second visit to the location in 2019 and found only a few individuals with dbh larger than 10 cm and few treelets. Herbicide had been used in that location. The bark at the bottoms of the tree trunks was damaged. The local farmers appear to clear the forests in this way for tea plantation and it is anticipated that the trees with damaged bark could not survive. We hope additional undocumented sub-populations will be found and protected, although further field investigation is needed to better understand the current status of populations. At present, we recommend that this species be regarded as critically endangered (CR) based on current IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria ( IUCN 2012).