Fordiophyton huizhouense S. Jin Zeng & X. Y. Zhuang, 2016

Zeng, Si-Jin, Zou, Long-Hai, Wang, Pan, Hong, Wen-Jun, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Chen, Li-Jun & Zhuang, Xue-Ying, 2016, Preliminary phylogeny of Fordiophyton (Melastomataceae), with the description of two new species, Phytotaxa 247 (1), pp. 45-61 : 57

Fordiophyton huizhouense S. Jin Zeng & X. Y. Zhuang , sp. nov. (ḂfflṖÜË), ( Figs. 9 , 10 )

Type: CHINA. Guangdong ( ḞAE): Huizhou (Ḃffl), Huidong ( ḂAE), moist soil on stones, 624 m, 19 March 2015, S. Jin Zeng et al. B1181 (Holotype IBSC; Isotypes B, CANT, HK, K, MO) .

Diagnosis: The new species Fordiophyton huizhouense resembles F. peperomiifolium but differs in its adaxially glabrous leaf blades, lanceolate calyx lobes, and glabrous hypanthia. Furthermore, the connective bases of the longer stamens are inflated, prolonged, exceeding the anther base, and connated with the filament.

A perennial herb, succulent, with raphides in both vegetative and floral parts. Stem stoloniferous, 1–4 cm, internodes not distinct and densely brown hirsute. Leaves in basal or sub-basal rosette; petiole 3–18 cm long, densely hispid, with glandular trichomes; leaf blade ovate or ovate-elliptic, broadly ovate, 6–20 × 5–12 cm, base cordate or subcordate, apex obtuse, margin entire when mature, membranaceous or slightly fleshy, abaxial surface usually purple with setose, adaxially glabrous; secondary veins 3 on each side of midvein, conspicuous; tertiary veins numerous, parallel, and connecting secondary veins. Inflorescences terminal, umbellate panicles, each branch 1–3-flowered, glabrous; peduncle 11–20 cm. Pedicel 6–12 mm, bracts oblong, sparse glandular trichomes, caducous. Hypanthia funnel-shaped, ca. 10–15 mm long, glabrous; calyx lobes lanceolate, ca. 2 × 6 mm, glabrous. Petals purplish, oblong, 15 × 7 mm, apex with 1 glandular trichome at tip. Stamens 8, 4 long and 4 short arranged in 2 whorls. Longer stamens ca. 20 mm; anthers oblong-linear, ca. 8 mm, base cuneate, decurrent, slightly forked, connective base inflated, prolonged and connated with the filament ( Fig. 2 , E, F). Shorter stamens ca. 8 mm; anthers oblong, ca. 3 mm, base obtuse forked, connective base slightly inflated. Ovary half-inferior, ovate, apex truncate and with a membranous crown; placentas short stalked ( Fig. 6 , F). Capsule funnel-shaped, apex truncate, 10–25 mm long, ca. 5 mm in diameter. Flowering in March–April, fruiting in April–May.

Distribution and habitat: Fordiophyton huizhouense grows in damp places or on stones on moist soils between 514 m and 800 m in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China.

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the city name of the type locality.

Conservation status: Based on its narrow geographic range and small and isolated populations with few individuals, F. huizhouense should be considered endangered (EN) according to the IUCN red list criteria ( IUCN 2015).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Stamens of four Fordiophyton species. A, B: F. chenii; C, D: F. cordifolium; E, F: F. huizhouense; G, H: F. peperomiifolium. A, C, F, H: bases of the longer stamens, side view; B, D: shorter stamens, back view; E, G: bases of the longer stamens, front view. The red arrow represents the anther, and the blue arrow represents the connective.

FIGURE 6. Transections of ovaries of four Fordiophyton species. A, B: F. chenii; C, D: F. cordifolium; E, F: F. huizhouense; G, H: F. peperomiifolium; A, C, E, G: general view of ovaries; B, F: close-up of a locule; D, H: close-up of the placenta. CO: ovary column; HY: hypanthium wall; OW: ovary wall; OV: ovule; PL: placenta; SP: sporangia; ST: stalk of placenta; VB: vascular bundle. Scale bars = 250 μm.

FIGURE 9. Drawing of Fordiophyton huizhouense S. Jin Zeng & X. Y. Zhuang. A: flowering plant; B: flower bud, side view; C: pistil and stamens, side view; D: flower, front view; E: petal; F: longer stamens, front view and back view; G: shorter stamens, front view and back view. Drawn by Pei-Wen Zhang.

FIGURE 10. Comparison of Fordiophyton huizhouense and F. peperomiifolium. A–D: F. huizhouense; E–H: F. peperomiifolium; A, B, E, F: flowering plants in situ; C, G: opening flowers, front view; D, H: A flower bud, side view.