Coptis austrogaoligongensis C. L. Long & Z. Cheng, 2024

Cheng, Zhuo, Li, Jiahua, Xu, Congli, Zhang, Lixiang, Gong, Qiangbang & Long, Chunlin, 2024, Coptis austrogaoligongensis (Ranunculaceae), a new species from West Yunnan, China, PhytoKeys 244, pp. 225-235 : 225-235

Coptis austrogaoligongensis C. L. Long & Z. Cheng sp. nov.

Figs 3 , 4 “ 南高黎贡黄连 ” (Nan Gao Li Gong Huang Lian )

Type.

China, Yunnan Province, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yingjiang County, Zhina Township , 2444 m a. s. l., 25 ° 15 ' 55 " N, 98 ° 4 ' 11 " E, 20 March 2023, Zhuo Cheng YNHL 021 (holotype: KUN!; isotype: KUN!) .

Description.

Herbs perennial, rhizomes branched, without stolons. Leaves basal, petioles 24–35 cm, glabrous. Leaf blade ovate, 7–12 × 6–12 cm, three-segmented, margin with sparsely upturned spiny hairs; central segment petiolulate (petiole 0.5–1 cm), ovate-rhombic, 6–12 × 3.5–6 cm, four-ten-lobed, lobes remote, ultimate lobes margin acute serrate, apex acute or obtuse. Scapes one to several, erect, longer or shorter than the leaves, 25–40 cm wide, glabrous, sulcate. Inflorescences terminal, often monochasial, three-five-flowered; flowers small, actinomorphic, bisexual; bracts lanceolate, palmately divided. Sepals five, greenish, long ellipsoid or lanceolate, 0.5–0.6 × 0.15–0.2 cm, sparsely puberulous. Petals spatulate, 0.15–0.25 cm long, glabrous, apex rounded to obtuse, 1 / 4–1 / 3 as long as sepals. Stamens numerous, glabrous, 2–4 mm long, outer ones slightly shorter than petals. Pistils 8–14, 3–5 mm long; follicles 4.5–9.0 mm long, stipitate; seeds ellipsoid, ca. 2–3 mm long, brown.

Distribution and habitat.

The only known locality of this taxon is in Zhidong Village, Zhina Township, Yingjiang County, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The site is located in an open area in a primeval forest dominated by Fagaceae and Magnoliaceae . The observed population is very small, with about 100 plants growing in the bamboo forest along the roadside, accompanied by some pteridophytes. The elevation is 2400–2500 m above sea level.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is derived from the type locality, Gaoligongshan, Yunnan.

Phenology.

The species was observed flowering in February – March and fruiting in April – June.

Conservation status.

This species has not been recorded or described so far, and there is only one known site in Yingjiang County, which is relatively unknown to botanists. In addition, C. austrogaoligongensis is very small and has a short flowering period, making it easily overlooked. At the moment, without further biogeographical investigations, we can suggest that this species satisfies the IUCN 3.1 Red List CR (Critically Endangered) Criteria B 1 ab (ii, iii) + 2 ab (i, ii, iii) ( IUCN 2012), which has an EOO (Extent of occurrence) <100 km 2 and AOO (Area of occupancy) <10 km 2, it may be classified as “ critically endangered ” (CR). The distribution site of C. austrogaoligongensis is next to the road, which causes a great risk of human disturbance and extreme weather, such as tourist activities, road building, grazing and landslides. Additionally, regional management in pursuit of economic development is likely to pose a threat through trampling and pollution of soil and water, probably causing negative impacts to the small and fragile habitat.

Taxonomic notes.

The new species belongs to Coptis section Chrysocoptis based on the following characters: leaves tri-lobed, leaflets sessile or short petiolate ( Cheng et al. 1965; Wang 2001; Wang et al. 2022). There were seven species, one variant and one subspecies belonging to Coptis Section Chrysocoptis in China prior to the discovery of C. austrogaoligongensis . From the perspective of geographical distribution, C. teeta subsp. lohitensis and C. quinquesecta are both distributed in Yunnan, C. teeta subsp. lohitensis is mainly distributed in north Gaoligong Mountains and C. quinquesecta is mainly found in Jinping County, whereas C. austrogaoligongensis is mainly distributed in south Gaoligong Mountains. According to the key to the species of Coptis occurring in China ( Wang 2001), the morphology of C. austrogaoligongensis is similar to C. teeta subsp. teeta and C. teeta subsp. lohitensis . However, C. austrogaoligongensis can be clearly distinguished by the following features: leaves with deep pinnate cleavages on whole lobes adjacent to each other, lateral segments equal to central one; plants without developed stolons; inflorescences with only 1–3 flowers; petals have short claws. A comparative summary of the characters that differentiate these three taxa is presented in Table 1 .

Additional C. austrogaoligongensis specimens examined.

China. Yunnan: Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yingjiang County, Zhina Township , 2444 m a. s. l., 25 ° 15 ' 55 " N, 98 ° 4 ' 11 " E, 20 March 2023, Zhuo Cheng YNHL 021, Zhuo Cheng YNHL 022, Zhuo Cheng YNHL 023, Zhuo Cheng YNHL 024, Zhuo Cheng YNHL 025, Zhuo Cheng YNHL 026 ( KUN!) .

Specimens of C. teeta subsp. lohitensis examined.

China. Yunnan: Lushui County, 29 September 2009, L. Xie 83-0381 ( KUN) ; Lushui County, 20 November 2007, H. Li 24283 ( PE) ; Longyang District, 23 April 2014, H. J. Dong et al. 935 ( KUN) ; Fugong County, 15 March 2008, X. H. Jin & T. Zhang 071 ( PE) ; Fugong County, 12 November 2007, H. Li 20256 ( PE) ; Gongshan County, 27 September 1984, Qingzang team 9763 ( PE) .

Figures

Figure 3. Coptis austrogaoligongensis C. L. Long & Z. Cheng, sp. nov. A species habitat B leaf C plant in florescence stage D whole plant E petiole F margin with sparsely upturned spiny hairs G rhizome and fibrous roots H calyx I petal J, K bract L fruit. Photos by Zhuo Cheng & Jiahua Li.

Figure 4. Coptis austrogaoligongensis C. L. Long & Z. Cheng, sp. nov. A species habitat B Fruit C Flower D margin with sparsely upturned spiny hairs E calyx F petal G bract H bract. Drawn by Xinchen Qu.