Urtica thunbergiana Sieb. & Zucc. subsp. silvatica, Becker, Karin, Grosse-Veldmann, Bernadette & Weigend, Maximilian, 2017

Becker, Karin, Grosse-Veldmann, Bernadette & Weigend, Maximilian, 2017, Weeding the nettles V: Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of the eastern Asian species Urtica thunbergiana Sieb. & Zucc. (Urticaceae), Phytotaxa 323 (3), pp. 201-216 : 211-213

1.3 Urtica thunbergiana Sieb. & Zucc. subsp. silvatica (Hand.-Mazz.) K.Becker & Weigend, comb. nov. & stat. nov.,

Fig. 4

Type:—[ CHINA], Yunnan, Inter pagum Dschungdien (“ Chungtien ”) et vicum Djitsung , in regionis frigide temperatae abietetis jugi Ngukala , ad rivulos. 3750–3800 m, 25 Aug. 1915, Handel-Mazzetti 7797 (Lectotype (here designated), WU! (WU_0035449), isolectotypes E! (E_00275393), K! (K_000694838). Syntypes:—[ CHINA, Sichuan] Dongrergo bei Sungpan, im Tannenurwalde, 3900 m, 10 Aug. 1922, H. Smith 3486 (not localized) ; Karlong im Tannenurwalde , 3400 m, 27 Aug. 1922, H. Smith 4229 (not localized) ; Drogotschi, im buschigen Tale , 3600m, 26 Sep. 1922, H. Smith 4705 (not localized) ; [Shaanxi] S-Shenhsi, Giraldi 1345 (B) ; [Gansu] SE-Kansu, Vers Pei la hia, 28 Apr. 1919, Licent 5166 (not localized) .

≡ Urtica silvatica Hand. - Mazz. (1929: 113). Type:—[ CHINA], Yunnan, Inter pagum Dschungdien (“ Chungtien ”) et vicum Djitsung , in regionis frigide temperatae abietetis jugi Ngukala , ad rivulos. 3750–3800 m, 25 Aug. 1915, Handel-Mazzetti 7797 (lectotype (designated here), WU! (WU_0035449), isolectotypes E! (E_00275393), K! (K_000694838), P! (P_06855873) ; [Sichuan] Dongrergo bei Sungpan, im Tannenurwalde , 3900 m, 10 Aug. 1922, H. Smith 3486 (not localized) ; Karlong im Tannenurwalde , 3400 m, 27 Aug. 1922, H. Smith 4229 (not localized) ; Drogotschi, im buschigen Tale , 3600m, 26 Sep. 1922, H. Smith 4705 (not localized) ; [Shaanxi] S-Shenhsi, Giraldi 1345 (B) ; [Gansu] SE-Kansu, Vers Pei la hia, 28 Apr. 1919, Licent 5166 (not localized) .

Herb 0.25–1.00 m; stem stinging hairs 1.0–2.0 mm long overall, setae 0.8–1.5 mm; leaf lamina 50–85 × 25–50 mm, teeth 2–5 mm long, teeth rounded, leaf base rounded to attenuate; leaf stinging hairs 1.5–2.0 mm long overall, setae 0.8–1.2 mm; petioles 20–50 mm long; nodes with 4 free stipules 3–4 mm long.

Distribution and Habitat: — U. thunbergiana subsp. silvatica is restricted to Tibet and central China and is here reported from Anhui, Beijing, Congqing, Gansu, Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan and Yunnan. The subspecies mainly occurs in the understory of forests growing in rich and moist soil, on roadsides, in wetlands, near streams, and is usually found at intermediate and high elevations.

Phenology:— U. thunbergiana subsp. silvatica flowers throughout the year.

Conservation status: —Using IUCN criteria ( IUCN 2016), Urtica thunbergiana Sieb. & Zucc. subsp. silvatica (Hand.-Mazz.) K.Becker & Weigend is considered “Least Concern” (LC)

Representative specimens:— CHINA. Anhui: Ch’ienshan, Fengtien, 29 Jun. 1930, H.W. Kung K.794 (PE_ 00509551!); Beijing: 500km in the south of Peking, 1903–1935, L.Chanet&J.H.Serre2066 (P_06822183!);Mentougou District, Xiaolongmen Forest Farm, Aug. 1888, Z. Wang s.n. (PE_00514239!); Congqing: Nanchuan District, Jinfo Mountain, Yangyuping, Road side, 02 Sep. 1994, Z. Liu 14546 (MO_04539240!); Gansu: Chine Septentrionale, 28 Apr. 1919, R.P. Licent 5166 (P_06855872!); Guizhou: 28 May 1936, S. Deng 90389 (MO_04176242!); Hebei: Neigin, Xiaolingdi, Wuzhi Kiln, 23 Jul. 1950, Y. Liu 13160 (MO_04719097!); Henan: Wetland in a valley, 09 Jul. 1962, S.Han 20514 (HENU_0010820!); Xinxiang, Funiu Mountain, Wetland in a valley, 08 Aug. 1956, Y. Lu 002 (HENU_ 0010821!); Xinxiang, Funiu Mountain, Wetland in a valley, 08 Aug. 1956, L. Shen 099 (HENU_0010823!); Hubei: Shennongjia, riverside, near woods, 2360 m, 23 Sep. 1958, R.Y. Huang 184 (MO_04500020!); Hunan: In monte Yün-shan prope urbem Wukang, 400–1400 m, 1974, Wang-Te-Hui 262 (WU_0035466!); Gansu: Vicinity of Labrang, 3000–4000 m, 17–20 Aug. 1923, R.C. Ching 810 (HUH_00240987!); Shaanxi: Liuba, Miaotaizi Dam groove, Lat. 33.6177643 Long. 106.9212306, Hillside, Jungle, 17 Oct. 1952, K. Fu 6290 (MO_04486877!); Foping, Hetaoping, 1600 m, 18 Jun. 1952, K. Fu 4610 (KUN_0523689!); Shanxi: Jiexiu, Main Mountain, Jiezi Temple neigbourhood, 11 Jun. 1957, J. Liu s.n. (MO_04486398!); Sichuan: Jiuzhaigou (conservation area), Lajiao forestry, 1300 m, hillside, 18 Jul. 1993, L. Xu & J. Zhang 2006 (MO_04482826!); Kangding, Gongga Temple, under some oaks, 3600 m, 20 Jul. 1974, X. Hu 20695 (CDBI_0017409!); Kangding, Mountainous area, 15 Jul. 1963, K. Huan & W. Wang 121 (MO_ 04526644!); Kangding, Zheduo Pond, Grassland near thickets on hillside, 3100 m, 01 Aug. 1963, K. Guan & W. Wang 1230 (MO_04735716!); Kangtin, Minya Konka, Konka Temple, under an oak tree, 3600 m, 20 Jul. 1979, X. Hu 20643 (CDBI_0017410!); Luding, Moxi, roadside, 3200 m, 14 Sep. 1980 Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Science 23542 (CDBI_0017407!); Mt. Omei, on watery rock, 2400 m, Jul. 1935, F.T. Wang 23383 (HUH_00278016!); reg. bor.-occid, Harlong in silva abientina, muscosa, ca. 3400 m, 27 Aug. 1922, H. Smith 4229 (PE_00509585!); West of Wen-chaun Hsien, ravine, 2900 m, 27 May 1930, F.T. Wang 20990 (HUH_00278002!); Yunnan: 1938, T.T. YÜ 9937 (HUH_00278005!); C.W. Wang 69792 (KUN_0523671!); Deqin, Benzilan, Baimang Snow Mountain, near dragon spruce and fir woods, 3200–3400 m, 06 Jul. 1981, Tibet Team2182 (CDBI_0017414!); Fo-Hai, Thickets, 1540 m, Jun. 1936, C.W. Wang 74402 (HUH_00278012!); Hillside in the forest, 3500 m, 26 Aug. 1962, Middle Team 1357 (KUN_0523673!); Inter pagum Dschungdien (“Chungtien”) et vicum Djitsung, in regionis frigide temperatae abietetis jugi Ngukala, ad rivulos. 3750–3800 m, 25 Aug. 1915, Handel-Mazzetti 7797 (E_00275393!, K_000694838!, P_06855873!, WU_0035449!); Li-kiang Hsien, ravine, 2500 m, Jul. 1935, C.W. Wang 70702 (HUH_00278003!); Li-kiang Hsien, Ravine, Jul. 1935, C.W. Wang 70912 (KUN_0523672!); M. Delavay 2838 (P_06822165!); Muli, shady forest, 3200 m, 24 May 1937, T.T. Yü 5686 (KUN_0523678!); Vallées des mount á Tong-Tchouan, 2600 m, Sep., E.E. Maire s.n. (P_06749817!); Wei-si Hsien, ravine side, 3500 m, Jun. 1935, C.W. Wang 73915 (HUH_00278026!);— TIBET. Gongbo Gyamda Xian: Basong Hu (Basum Tso) (Lake), 30°0’21’’N, 93°55’23’’E, 3500 m, cut over mixed broad leaved deciduous-mixed forest and interspersed boggy meadows, dark, moist soil around base of large boulder in forest, 15 Aug. 2000, D.E. Boufford, S.L. Kelly, R.H. Ree, S.K. Wu 30067 (P_06855914!, HUH_00240984!); Kongbo: Nyima La (SE Tibet), 29 33 36.3 N, 94 40 47.8 E, Mixed Picea-Abies -broadleaved forest, dense patch about 25 m tall on moist soil in deep shade under shrubs on steep bank, Common at low altitudes in temperate rain forest in very wet, shaded situation, often occurring in sheets as the dominant ground cover in such habitats with Meconopsis betonicifolia and Primula chungensis , 12 Oct. 1997, Cultivated specimens collected in University of Liverpool Botanik Gardens, Ness, K. Rushforth & Hugh McAllister 5327 (BONN!); Kongbo: Tamnyen Chu (SE Tibet), Tsangpo Valley, Lat. N.29 27’, Long. E.94 38’, 10,000 ft, Along path in Abies-forest, 24 Jun. 1938, F. Ludlow, G. Sherriff & G. Taylor 4971 (HUH_00278022!);— Unidentified localities: Drake 2838 (P_06855916!); In the forest, 2600m, Collector unknown (KUN_0523663!).

1.4 Urtica thunbergiana Sieb. & Zucc. subsp. perserrata K.Becker & Weigend , subspec. nov., Fig. 5 Type:— TAIWAN. Taitung, Hsiangyangshan, 3493–3600 m, 23 Jun. 1995, S.T. Chiu, C.H. Chu & C.M. Chao 02924 (holotype TAIM!,

isotype TAIF! (TAIF_082883).

Perennial herb 0.25–1.50 m, stems densely setose with stinging hairs 2.5–4.0 mm long overall, setae 1.5–3.0 mm; leaf margin with 10–20 large strongly pointed teeth on each side, 5–10 mm long; leaf base rounded; leaf stinging hairs 3.0– 3.5 mm long overall, setae 1.5–2.5 mm; petioles 30–50 mm long; 4 stipules forming 2 fused pairs per node, occasionally incised distally.

Notes: —The newly described subspecies perserrata is most similar to subspecies thunbergiana in leaf morphology, but the leaves are broadly ovate and the leaf margins narrowly lobulate, the lobules with one or two sharp and narrow teeth ( Fig. 5 A, F ). Also, subsp. perserrata is strikingly densely setose, especially on the stem and the adaxial leaf surfaces ( Fig. 5 A–F ), whereas the other subspecies, and especially subsp. thunbergiana , are sparsely setose.

Distribution and Habitat: — U. thunbergiana subsp. perserrata is only known from Taiwan so far.

Phenology:— U. thunbergiana subsp. perserrata flowers throughout the year.

Conservation status: —Using IUCN criteria ( IUCN 2016), Urtica thunbergiana subsp. perserrata K.Becker & Weigend is considered “Not Evaluated” (NE).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Urtica thunbergiana subsp. silvatica: A. Habit (Boufford et al. 26323), B. Node with free stipules (Wang 70702), C. Node with fused and incised stipules (Liu 13160), D. Male inflorescences (Rushforth & McAllister 5327), E. Female inflorescence (Rushforth & McAllister 5327), F. Typical leaf (Wang 70702), G. Infructescence (Boufford et al. 30067). Scale bars: A = 5 cm; B–F = 1 cm.

FIGURE 5. Urtica thunbergiana subsp. perserrata (A–F: Chiu et al. 02924): A. Habit, B. Node with fused and incised stipules, C. Node with fused stipules, D. Male inflorescences, E. Female inflorescence, F. Typical leaf. Scale bars:A, D = 5 cm; B–C, E-F= 1 cm.