Sedum lipingense R.B. Zhang, D. Tan & R.X. Wei, 2019

Zhang, Ren-Bo, Deng, Tan, Dou, Quan-Li, He, Lin, Lv, Xin-Yun & Jiang, Hong, 2019, Sedum lipingense (Crassulaceae) identifying a new stonecrop species in SE Guizhou, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence, PhytoKeys 134, pp. 125-133 : 129-130

Sedum lipingense R.B. Zhang, D. Tan & R.X. Wei sp. nov. Figs 2 , 3 , 4

Diagnosis.

S. lipingense can be distinguished from the closely related S. subtile and S. bulbiferum by the presence of rosettes, absent sterile shoots and bulbils, subequal lanceolate-oblong sepals, and other traits (Table 2 ).

Type.

CHINA. Guizhou Province, Kaili City, Liping County, Mengyan Township, on moist rocks, 26°07'N, 108°42'E, 800 m alt., 13 April 2019, ZRB1479 (fl., holotype ZY!, isotype IBK!), 16 June 2019, ZRB1495 (fr., paratype ZY!)

Description.

Biennial (or perennial?) herb. Sterile stems absent. Rosette present during florescence; rosette leaves alternate, broadly obovate, base attenuated and shortly spurred, 0.5-1.5 × 0.4-0.7 cm. Flowering stems 1 to 3 (-4), erect, slender, 3-7 cm; single stems shoot from rosette centers, others shoot from the rosette leaf axils; lateral proximal leaves sometimes opposite, akin to rosette leaves but smaller, 0.6-0.8 × 0.3-0.5 cm, base shortly spurred; distal leaves alternate, spatulate-obovate to spatulate-oblanceolate, 0.7-1.2 × 0.3-0.4 cm, apex obtuse, base shortly spurred. Cymes scorpioid, 2 to 3 branched; branches 1 to 2 flowered; bracts obliquely oblanceolate, apex obtuse, 4-9 × 2-4 mm. Sepals 5, lanceolate-oblong, subequal, ca. 2 mm, base shortly spurred, apex obtuse. Petals 5, yellow, broadly lanceolate, ca. 4 mm, apex mucronate. Stamens 10; antesepalous one ca. 3 mm; antepetalous one inserted ca. 1 mm above petal base, slightly shorter than the antesepalous stamens. Nectar scales broadly cuneate, ca. 0.6 × 0.4 mm, apex truncate. Carpels erect, lanceolate, ca. 3.5 mm, base connate for ca. 1 mm. Styles slender, ca. 1 mm. Follicles stellately divergent at maturity. Seeds oblong, ca. 0.6 mm, papillate.

Distribution and habitat.

At this time, based on our field observations, Sedum lipingense is only known to occur in Longxi village, Mengyan town, Liping County, Guizhou Province. It grows on moist limestone rocks, at ca. 800 m altitude, in groups of several hundred individuals.

Conservation status.

This species is currently known to occur in a single valley and we suggest its placement in the Data Deficient category of IUCN (2017).

Phenology.

This new species was observed flowering from April to May and fruiting from May to June.

Etymology.

The specific epithet ' lipingense ' is derived from the plant’s locality, Liping County, Guizhou Province, China.

Figures

Figure 2. Sedum lipingense A natural habitat B 3 - branched scorpioid cyme C follicles and bracts D single flowering stems derived from rosette centers. Charted by Ren-Bo Zhang.

Figure 3. Sedum lipingense A flowering plant B opened corolla C sepals D two follicles E seed F nectar scales G rosette leaf H distal leaf I bract of flower. Drawn by Tan Deng.

Figure 4. Sedum lipingense A rosette, central and lateral flowering stems B nectar scales C bracts of flowers D distal leaves E rosette leaves F opened corolla G sepals H split carpels I seed. Charted by Ren-Bo Zhang.