Gaultheria sinensis J.Anthony

Fritsch, Peter W., Lu, Lu, Wang, Hong & Li, De-Zhu, 2015, New species, taxonomic renovations, and typifications in Gaultheria series Trichophyllae (Ericaceae), Phytotaxa 201 (1), pp. 1-26 : 20-22

7. Gaultheria sinensis J.Anthony in Anonymous (1933: 19).

Lectotype (designated here):— CHINA. [Yunnan: Deqin Xian], SE Tibet, Ka-gwr-pu, Mekong-Salwin divide, 12,000 ft, 28°25 ʹ N, July 1917, G. Forrest 14216 p.p. (E [upper plant of two on sheet]!, isolectotype K!).

Many-branched prostrate-ascending shrublet with stems to 10 cm long from horizontal stolons, hermaphroditic. Current-year branchlets pale green, strongly flushed red above, occasionally brown proximally, to 4 cm long, apparently not puberulent or with sparse white puberulence and ascending or uncinate straight setae, longer setae 0.26–0.48 mm long. Internodes among largest leaves averaging ca. 0.8–2.5 mm. Petioles 0.3–1 mm long, abaxially glabrous or with sparse appressed or ascending setae, adaxially with white puberulence in a line, margin entire or 1- to 2-toothed per side. Longer leaf blades broadly to narrowly elliptic, obovate, or oblanceolate, shorter leaves often rounder, 4.5–10.7 × 2.9–4.9 mm, 1.5–2.7 times as long as wide, subcoriaceous or coriaceous, planar or some blades cupped, abaxially dull whitish green except glossy and occasionally flushed maroon near margin, abaxially glabrous or at least some leaves with 1 to 11 appressed to ascending setae scattered on midvein (longer setae 0.34–0.5 mm long), adaxially glossy green, midvein abaxially raised, not thickened immediately below apical gland, adaxially impressed and with white puberulence proximally, secondary veins obscure or faintly 1 to 4 on each side of midvein; base cuneate to subrounded; margin serrulate throughout, slightly thickened, planar or slightly revolute, occasionally more strongly so proximally, marginal teeth (setae) 6 to 12 per side, all teeth oriented off leaf surface or in at least some leaves lying atop or adjacent to upper leaf surface, longer teeth 0.1–0.4 mm long; apex acute to subrounded, at least some leaves with slightly downward-pointing apical gland, other leaves with planar gland. Overwintering flower bud pedicels 2.2–5 mm long, glabrous; overwintering flower buds slightly compressed to subglobose laterally, 1.7–3 × 1.5–2.8 mm, 0.9–1.6 times as long as wide, glabrous, bracteoles not keeled, margins eciliolate. Flowers 4.1–5.5 mm long. Calyx dull pink to pale maroon, occasionally green proximally, 2.5–3.5 mm long; lobes deltoid or ovate-deltoid, 1.5–2.7 × 1.6–2.5 mm, adaxially glabrous, apex acute or short-acuminate, eciliolate, not or slightly erose. Corolla white or white flushed dull purplish pink, campanulate, 3.6–4.5 × 3.3–6 mm; lobes 1–3 × 1.2–2.5 mm. Stamens 10; filaments dilated gradually toward upper middle, 0.8–1.6 mm long; anther cells 0.6–0.8 mm long, awns 2 per theca, 0.2–0.4 mm long. Style 0.7– 2.2 mm long; stigma pink. Fruiting pedicel 2.8–5 mm long. Fruiting calyx oblate, crateriform to broadly cupuliform, open, 5–10 × 7–15 mm, outer wall deep sky blue, inner wall white; calyx lobes erect, broadly deltoid, 3–3.5 mm long, apex eciliolate, not erose. Capsule green, exceeded by or often equal to or exceeding calyx lobes.

Illustration — Figure 10 .

Images — Figure 8A–F .

Phenology —Flowering June–September; fruiting August–October.

Habitat and distribution —Coniferous forest, alpine meadows and thickets with scattered bamboo, limestone, marble, granite, and metamorphics, rock faces, along banks of road cuts, borders of swamps, in moss and humus, 2870–4400 m elev. China (Yunnan, Xizang), India (Arunachal Pradesh), Myanmar (Kachin).

Discussion —The specimens cited by J. Anthony in the protologue of Gaultheria sinensis constitute a mixture of several species. The holotype G. Forrest 14216 at E contains two plants on one sheet: the upper plant corresponds to what has become the current concept of G. sinensis , whereas the lower plant matches the morphology of G. crassifolia . We have lectotypified G. sinensis on the upper specimen. With the possible exception of two collections not seen by us (G. Forrest 13428 and 14735), the paratypes cited all belong to species other than G. sinensis : R.J. Farrer 1191 and 1622 are G. ciliisepala, G. Forrest 12938 is the type of G. major, G. Forrest 20040 and H.F. von Handel-Mazzetti 8243 are also G. major , and G. Forrest 19286 (cited as 19268, presumably a transcription error) is the type of G. crassifolia . To clarify the circumscription of G. sinensis , we provide a revised description of the species and additional specimens examined.

Additional specimens examined — CHINA. Yunnan: Deqin Xian. [Yanmen Xiang], Mekong-Salwin Divide, near Cizhong, Sila, 3800 m, 12 July 1940, K.M. Feng 5333 (KUN! [2]); Salwin-Mekong Divide, mtns. behind Yongzi Village, 3700–3800 m, 16 August 1940, K.M. Feng 6724 (KUN! mixed with G. major ); Yanmen Xiang, Biluo Xue Shan, E slope just below Sila Pass, 3936 m, 28°00 ʹ 8.5 ʺ N, 98°47 ʹ 54.8 ʺ E, 24 September 2013, L. Lu LL-2013-52 (CAS!, GH!, KUN!). Fugong Xian. Lishadi Xiang, Yaduo Cun, along trail between rd to Myanmar through Yaping Pass and border marker S of pass, E side of Gaoligong Shan, 3699 m, 27°12 ʹ 17.5 ʺ N, 98°41 ʹ 45.0 ʺ E, 2 July 2014, L. Lu LL-2014- 28 (CAS!, KUN!). Gongshan Dulongzu Nuzu Zizhixian. Champutong, 3500–3700 m, 10 September 1940, K.M. Feng 7675 p.p. (KUN! mixed with G. eciliata ); Dulongjiang Xiang, E side of pass of rd from Gongshan to Kongdang, W side of Gaoligong Shan near crest of range, 3670 m, 27°46 ʹ 18 ʺ N, 98°27 ʹ 02 ʺ E, 5 October 2002, Gaoligong Shan Biodiversity Survey 17007 p.p. (CAS! mixed with G. hypochlora, KUN ! mixed with G. hypochlora ); Bingzhongluo Xiang, ca. 3 direct km SSW of Gawagapu Mtn. and ca. 16 direct km WSW of Bingzhongluo in next basin E of Chukuai Lake, E side of Gaoligong Shan, 3770 m, 27°59 ʹ 2.1 ʺ N, 98°28 ʹ 13.6 ʺ E, 29 August 2006, Gaoligong Shan Biodiversity Survey 31589 (CAS!); Cikai Zheng, ca. 1.2 direct km SSE of Heipu Pass tunnel on new rd from Gongshan to Dulongjiang Valley, E side of Gaoligong Shan, 3350 m, 27°45 ʹ 41.7 ʺ N, 98°27 ʹ 2.3 ʺ E, 13 August 2006, Gaoligong Shan Biodiversity Survey 32150 (CAS!); Cikai Zheng, ca. 1.2 direct km SSE of Heipu Pass tunnel on new rd from Gongshan to Dulongjiang Valley, E side of Gaoligong Shan, 3350 m, 27°45 ʹ 41.7 ʺ N, 98°27 ʹ 2.3 ʺ E, 13 August 2006, Gaoligong Shan Biodiversity Survey 32170 (CAS!); [Cikai Zheng], Bingzhongluo Xiang, ca. 2.1 direct km S of Gawagapu Mtn. and ca. 15.2 direct km WSW of Bingzhongluo in next basin E of Chukuai Lake, E side of Gaoligong Shan, 4000 m, 27°59 ʹ 29.3 ʺ N, 98°28 ʹ 36.3 ʺ E, 28 August 2006, Gaoligong Shan Biodiversity Survey 32809 p.p. (CAS! mixed with G. major ); Dongshaofang Pass, Gaoligongshan, 3200–3500 m, 4 June 2006, L. Lu 06-0014 p.p. (CAS! mixed with G. ciliisepala and G. major ); Cikai Zheng, Gaoligong Shan, vicinity of tunnel at Heipu Pass along rd from Gongshan to Dulongjiang, 3400 m, 27°46 ʹ 42.4 ʺ N, 98°27 ʹ 29.4 ʺ E, 13 September 2013, L. Lu LL-2013-14 (CAS!, GH!, KUN!); Bangdang Xiang, Biluo Xue Shan, Balagong spur, trail from Balagong Pass to Siwanongba Valley, 3659 m, 27°58 ʹ 35.3 ʺ N, 98°46 ʹ 3.4 ʺ E, 23 September 2013, L. Lu LL-2013-45 (CAS!, KUN!); [Cikai Zheng], Gongshan to Dulongjiang, E slope of Gaoligong Shan, 3600 m, 26 July 1982, Qinghai-Xizang Expedition 8726 (KUN [2]!); Binzhongluo Xiang, Lung-pan-la Champutung, 3000 m, October 1935, C.W. Wang 67099 (A!, KUN!). Heqing Xian. Xintun, Dafudi, 2870 m, 5 September 1984, J.H. Yang 360 (KUN!). Luquan Yizu Miaozu Zizhixian. Wumeng Mtn., Daheiqin, 3650 m, 26 May 1952, P.Y. Mao 1026 (KUN [2]!). Xizang: Bomi Xian. Vicinity of Galong Pass, 23 August 1983, Chen Shuzhi & Li Bosheng 7026 (KUN!). Chayu Xian. Deyang La, 13,000 ft, 6 June 1947, F. Ludlow & G. Sherriff 15158 (A!, E [2]!); Ri Dong Qu, 4100 m, 9 September 1982, Qinghai-Xizang Expedition 10228 (KUN!). Gongbujiangda Xian. Lusha Chu, 12,500 ft, 10 June 1938, F. Ludlow et al. 4750 (A!, E!); Doshang La, 13,000 ft, 17 July 1938, F. Ludlow et al. 5293 (A!, E!); above Showa Dzong, 11,000 ft, 11 June 1947, F. Ludlow et al. 13146 (E!). Motuo Xian. Gedang, Bengbeng Mtn., S side, 4000–4400 m, 9 October 1982, B.S. Li & S.Z. Chen 01185 (KUN!); Duoxiongla Mtn., N slope, 4000 m, 13 July 1983, B.S. Li & S.Z. Chen 05484 (KUN!); Duoxiongla, trail to Lage, 3200– 3750 m, 29°29 ʹ N, 94°55 ʹ E, 24 July 2007, L. Lu LL-07128 (CAS!); Duoxiongla, trail to Lage, 3200–3750 m, 29°29 ʹ N, 94°55 ʹ E, 24 July 2007, L. Lu LL-07130 (CAS!); Duoxiongla, trail to Lage, 3200–3750 m, 29°29 ʹ N, 94°55 ʹ E, 24 July 2007, L. Lu LL-07133 (CAS!, GH!, KUN!); Duoxiongla Pass, 3700 m, 30 July 1974, Qinghai-Xizang Expedition 74-3770 (KUN [2]!). Bomi or Motuo Xian. Jingzhula Mtn. Pass, W side, 3800–4300 m, 5 September 1982, B.S. Li Bosheng & S.Z. Chen 00701 (KUN!).

INDIA. Arunachal Pradesh: Delei Valley, 11,000 –12,000 ft, 28°15 ʹ N, 96°35 ʹ E, 28 August 1928, F. Kingdon Ward 8605 (K!).

MYANMAR. Kachin: Myitkyina District. Waingmaw Township, Seinghku Wang, 13,000 ft, 28°08 ʹ N, 97°24 ʹ E, 10 July 1926, F. Kingdon Ward 7094 (K!).

Figures

FIGURE 8. Images of Gaultheria major, G. sinensis, and G. stenophylla. A–E. Gaultheria sinensis, habit (A), flowers, lateral view (B) and apical view (C), fruit, lateral view (D) and apical view (E) (A, D–E: L. Lu LL-2013-14; B–C: L. Lu LL-2013-52). F. Gaultheria major (left) and G. sinensis (right) fruits from plants growing together, showing differences in size and mature calyx color [L. Lu LL-2013-51 (left), LL-2013-52 (right)]. G–N. Gaultheria stenophylla, habit (G), flowers in lateral view (H) and apical view (I), fruit, lateral and apical view (J), fruit, lateral view (K), fruit, lateral view, from a plant with open mature calyces (L) (cf. J), plants with dark blue or white mature calyces (the different colors are on separate individuals) (M), plant from same area as those in (M), with light blue mature calyces (N) [G, L: L. Lu LL-2013-7; H–I: L. Lu LL-2014-8; J–K, L. Lu LL-2013-1; M, L. Lu LL-2013-7 (blue) and LL-2013-9 (white); N, L. Lu LL-2013-8]. Photographs A–B, D, G, I–K, M–N by PWF; C, E–F, H, L by LL. Scale bars:A, M, 5 cm; B–E, H–I, 5 mm; F, J–L, N, 10 mm; G, 10 cm.

FIGURE 10. Gaultheria sinensis. A. Flowering plant. B. Leaf, abaxial view. C. Section of branchlet with leaf bases in abaxial (left) and adaxial (right) view, and flower buds. D. Flower. E. Stamen. F. Nectar glands and gynoecium. G. Fruit, lateral view. H. Fruit, apical view. (A–B, D–F drawn from F. Ludlow, G. Sherriff & H.H. Elliot 13146, E; C, G–H drawn from L. Lu LL-2013-14, CAS.)