Berberis pengii C.C.Yu & K.F.Chung, 2014

Yu, Chih-Chieh & Chung, Kuo-Fang, 2014, Systematics of Berberis sect. Wallichianae (Berberidaceae) of Taiwan and Luzon with description of three new species, B. schaaliae, B. ravenii, and B. pengii, Phytotaxa 184 (2), pp. 61-99 : 85-88

8. Berberis pengii C.C.Yu & K.F.Chung , sp. nov. ( Figs. 7E–H , 13 ).

Type:— TAIWAN. Pingtung: Taiwu, Kuaiku Lodge , 22°36’48”N, 120°44’39”E, 2150 m, 18 April 2011, Chih-Chieh Yu 683 (holotype TAI -284283!) .

Diagnosis: Berberis pengii is similar to B. aristatoserrulata , B. chingshuiensis , and B. mingetsensis in its leaf shape, differing from the latters by its narrow-triangular or triangular-oblong outer sepals and from the former by its globose berries.

Evergreen shrub or small tree-like shrub, 1.5–4 m tall. Mature stems yellowish-brown, not verruculose. Spines 3-fid, concolorous, 0.8–1.8 cm. Leaves subsessile or sometimes with short petioles ca. 2–5 mm; leaf blade elliptic or narrowlyelliptic, abaxially pale green sometimes pruinose, adaxially shiny green; 4.4–8.9 × 1.4–2.6 cm, leathery; midvein abaxially raised and adaxially impressed, lateral veins slightly raised, the secondary veins pinnate, jointly looped and multi-festooned, the tertiary veins weakly reticulated; base cuniform, margins densely spinose with spinules of 13–27 with 1.5–3.5 mm apart on each side, apex acute or attenuate. Inflorescence a fascicle, 4–7-flowered. Bracts absent. Pedicel pale green, 0.4–1.6 cm. Bracteoles absent. Flowers yellow. Sepals in 3 whorls, outer sepals with midveins slightly raised yellow or reddish tinge narrowly-triangular or triangularly-oblong 5 × 1 mm, middle sepals yellow or reddish tinge ovate 7.5 × 2.5 mm, inner sepal yellow obovate 8 × 4 mm. Petals elliptic, 7 × 4 mm, base clawed with a pair of narrowly-ovoid nectaries very close to each other, apex acutely emarginated with margins slightly ragged. Stamens bright yellow ca. 5 mm, anther connective of stamen distinct, apex truncate. Pistil 5.5 mm long, usually red. Ovules 6 or 8. Berries black, globose or sub-globose ca. 10 × 10 mm, more or less pruinose, estylose.

Phenology: — Flowering April–May; Fruiting April–June, October, November.

Distribution & habitat: — Berberis pengii is large understory shrubs of 1–2 m tall commonly found in the coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests in the southern Central Mountain Range at 2100 to 2500 m ( Fig. 6B ).

Etymology:—The specific epithet is named in honor of Dr. Ching-I Peng, mentor and collaborator of the senior author, for his continuous guidance, supports, and friendship, and for his great contribution to the studies of Asian Flora.

Chinese name: NJfi灣小ª

Proposed IUCN conservation status: —Nearly Threatened. Berberis pengii is endemic to south Taiwan and its natural range is mostly within the range of national preservation areas. Therefore we propose a provisional IUCN category of NT for the species ( IUCN 2012).

Additional specimen examined: — TAIWAN. Kaohsiung: Dagueii Lake, 2150 m, 11 February 2009, Yu 338 (TAI), near the Blue Ghost Lake, 2400 m, 10 February 2009, Yu 339 (TAI), Juniper Camping Site, 2250 m, 12 February 2009, Yu 378 (TAI), the “Big Field” near Dagueii Lake, 2250 m, 10 February 2009, Yu 379 (TAI); near Camp Yukuting, 2400 m, 12 February 2009, Yu 355, 358 (TAI); Dona Logging Trail, 2100 m, 12 February 2009, Yu 347 (TAI). Pingtung: Peitawushan, 3000 m, 6 June 1988, Huang 13670 (TAI), 2400–2600 m, 30 November 1997, Liu 146 (TNM), 2500– 2900 m, 24 April 2008, Wu 165 (TNM); en route from the first Lodge to Chih-pen-chu-shan, 1900 m, 10 March 1990, Lin 408 (HAST); Pa-yu lake to Lakalakashan, 14 February 1993, Yang 30239 (HAST, PE); Kuaiku Lodge, 2250–2900 m, 2 April 1994, Chen 595 (HAST, TNM), 1600–2150 m, 9 October 2006, Wang 9342 (TNM), 2150 m, 18 April 2011, Yu 683 (TAI); Tamaru Camping Site, near Damumushan, 2200 m, 21 May 2009, Yu 325 (TAI); behind Nantawushan, 2500 m, 2 May 2009, Yu 330 (TAI); Linpalapalashan, 2300 m, 22 May 2009, Yu 377 (TAI). Taitong: near Shishuitoushan, 2300 m, 11 February 2009, Yu 341 (TAI).

Figures

FIGURE 6. Distributions of Berberis sect. Wallichianae of Taiwan and Luzon. A. Major mountain ranges in Taiwan, with possible type localities of B. aristatoserrulata and B. brevisepala. NR: Nature Preserve. MWH: Major Wildlife Habitat. Mts: Mountain Range. B. Distributions of B. aristatoserrulata, B. hayatana, and B. pengii. C. Distributions of B. chingshuiensis, B. mingetsensis, and B. nantoensis. D. Distributions of B. kawakamii, B. ravenii, and B. schaaliae. E. Distributions of B. brevisepala and B. tarokoensis. F. Distribution of B. barandana in Luzon Island of the Philippines.

FIGURE 7. Berberis aristatoserrulata Hayata (A–D) and B. pengii C.C. Yu & K.F. Chung (E–H). A. Dull adaxial leaf surface. B. Silkyluster adaxial leaf surface when exposed to light.C. Flowers, front view. D. Flowers, exterior view, showing the sepals. E. Leafing braches. F. Flowers, front view. G. Flowers, exterior view, showing the sepals. H. Berries. A–D: Guanmen Historical Trail. E–H: Beitawushan, courtesy of Chi-Kai Yang.

FIGURE 13. Berberis pengii C.C. Yu & K.F. Chung. A. Fruiting branch. B. Flower, exterior view, showing the sepals. C. Flower, front view. D. Outermost sepal. E. Secondary-whorled sepal. F. Inner whorl of sepal. G. Petal with a pair of ovoid nectaries at base. H. Stamen. I. Stamen with opened anthers. J. Ovary, longitudinal dissected showing ovules. Drawn by Han-Yau Huang.