Agapetes forrestii var. parvifolia Y. H. Tong & B. M. Wang, 2024

Tong, Yi-Hua, Guo, Xiang-Long, Wang, Bing-Mou, Wang, Zi & Guo, Yong-Jie, 2024, Two new varieties of Agapetes (Ericaceae) from Xizang, China, PhytoKeys 249, pp. 1-11 : 1-11

2 b. Agapetes forrestii var. parvifolia Y. H. Tong & B. M. Wang var. nov.

Fig. 4

Type.

China • Xizang Autonomous Region: Medog County, Damu Xiang, Km 80 on Zhamo Road , epiphytic on trees in evergreen broad-leaved forest; 29°40'59.9"N, 95°30'6.3"E; 2191 m elev.; 3 January 2020 (fl.); Yi-Hua Tong & Bing-Mou Wang TYH- 2363 (holotype IBSC, isotypes IBSC, PE) .

Diagnosis.

This new variety differs from the nominate variety in having smaller leaves (1.1–1.8 × 0.5–0.7 cm) with an acute apex, nearly transverse secondary veins, puberulent peduncle and shorter corollas (9–12 mm).

Etymology.

The variety epithet is derived from its small leaves compared with the nominate variety. The Chinese name is given as 小叶伞花树萝卜 (Chinese pinyin: xiǎo yè sǎn huā shù luó bo).

Distribution and habitat.

This species is currently known only from the type locality, Medog County, Xizang, China. It grows on the tree trunks under broadleaved forests at elevations of 2190–2700 m.

Phenology.

The new variety flowers in November to January the next year and fruits in May to July.

Additional specimens examined.

(paratypes): China. Xizang Autonomous Region: Medog County: Damu Xiang, Km 54 on Zhamo Road , epipetric; 29°41′31.77″N, 95°31′00.6″E; 2337 m elev.; 17 November 2016 (fl.); Yong-Jie Guo, Qiao-Rong Zhang, Shao-Fa Qin, Feng-Qiong Zhang, Sangjie Pingcuo 16 CS 14481 ( KUN, barcode no. 1448873) • ibid., Km 74 on Zhamo Road ; 29°41′34.88″N, 95°31′1.96″E; 2380 m elev.; 30 May 2013 (fr.); Jie Cai, En-De Liu, Yong-Jie Guo 13 CS 7653 ( KUN, barcode no. 1375387) • ibid., Km 80 on Zhamo Road ; 4 July 2013 (fr.); Yi-Hua Tong XZ 060 ( IBSC) • Dexing Xiang, Lage to Hanmi ; 18 October 2012 (fl. bud); Yarlung Zangbo Expedition Team 934 ( BJM, barcode no. 0230310, IBSC) • Jialasa Xiang, Gudeng Gongshe ; 2300 m elev.; 11 December 1982 (fl.); Bo-Sheng Li & Shu-Zhi Cheng 2100 ( PE, barcode nos. 01907986 & 01907987) • Pangxin District, west bank of Yarlung Zangbo ; 2700 m elev.; 15 December 1982 (fl.); Bo-Sheng Li & Shu-Zhi Cheng 3389 ( PE, barcode nos. 0191009 & 0191010) .

Taxonomic notes.

This new variety looks very much like a smaller version of the nominate variety. Although the nominate variety is also distributed in Medog County ( Huang 1986), its distribution area is a little more south compared to that of A. forrestii var. parvifolia , and no overlapping area was found (Fig. 2 ). This species also has potential ornamental values, due to its showy carmine corollas with short green lobes at apex.

Figures

Figure 2. Distribution map of Agapetes interdicta var. interdicta (black circle), A. interdicta var. flaviflora (white circle), A. forrestii var. forrestii (black triangle) and A. forrestii var. parvifolia (white triangle).

Figure 4. Agapetes forrestii var. parvifolia A habit B root tubers C flowering branch D leafy branch E opened corolla, abaxial view F flowers with corolla and some stamens removed to show style G stamens, lateral (left), adaxial (middle) and abaxial (right) view H infructescence. Scale bars: 5 mm (E – G). All by Yi-Hua Tong, except H by Jie Cai.