Lycoris longifolia L.H.Lou, 2022

Lou, Yi-Lei, Ma, Dai-Kun, Jin, Ze-Tao, Wang, Hui, Lou, Lu-Huan, Jin, Shui-Hu, Liu, Kun & Liu, Bin-Bin, 2022, Phylogenomic and morphological evidence reveal a new species of spider lily, Lycoris longifolia (Amaryllidaceae) from China, PhytoKeys 210, pp. 79-92 : 79

Lycoris longifolia L.H.Lou sp. nov.

Chinese name: 长叶石蒜 Figs 2 , 3

Diagnosis.

Most similar to L. aurea but differs from it by markedly longer leaves, abaxially with a distinct purplish-red midrib.

Type.

China. Sichuan: Ya’an, Yucheng, Bifengxia , Houyancun , Yanjiashan , under the shrub along the stream, elevation ca. 950 m, 10 May 2021, L.H. Lou & Y.L. Lou 8765 (holotype PE [barcode 02347459]!; isotypes KUN!, PE [barcode 02347457]!) .

Additional Specimens examined.

China. Sichuan: Ya’an, Yucheng, Bifengxia , Houyancun , Yanjiashan , under the shrub along the stream, elevation ca. 950 m, 30 July 2021, L.H. Lou & Y.L. Lou 8766 (paratype PE [barcode 02347458]!) .

Description.

Bulbous perennial. Bulbs subglobose, 3-6 cm diam., tunics membranous, dark brown. Leaves ligulate, acute at the apex, ca. 80-120 × 1.5-2 cm, absent at the flowering time and appearing in autumn, dark green, with a prominent midrib on the abaxial surface, abaxial midrib distinctly purplish-red. Inflorescence scapose, umbellate; scape solid, 70-75 cm long, ca. 2.0 cm diam. at base, light green with purplish-red base; involucral bracts 2, lanceolate, 5.0-9.0 cm long by 1.8 cm wide at base, membranous, light green; bracteoles membranous, lanceolate, 1.0-4.0 cm long. Flowers 5-7 per umbel; pedicels 2-2.5 cm long; perianth with 6 tepals; tube ca. 1.5 cm; lobes yellow, abaxially with white mid-vein, strongly recurved, narrowly oblanceolate, ca. 7 × 0.8-1.0 cm, margin strongly undulate. Stamen filaments 6, creamy-yellow, slightly longer than perianth; anther light purplish, dorsifixed, 8-10 mm long before anthesis. Style creamy-yellow but rose-red at apex, slightly exceeding filaments; stigma purplish-red; ovary green, ovoid, ca. 5 mm long.

Phenology.

Scape produced from July to August, and vegetative growth from September to May next year. This new species grows along the forest edge near the riverside, and Quercus glauca Thunb. and Pinus massoniana Lamb. are the dominant associated species.

Etymology.

The specific epithet alludes to length of leaf blades, a diagnostic character.

Distribution.

This new species has been narrowly discovered in Ya’an, Sichuan, China. Some localities of Southwestern China have been poorly discovered, and a comprehensive floristic investigation will help elucidate the germplasm resources.

Figures

Figure 2. Field photos of Lycoris longifolia A-C flowers D bulb E the distinct purplish-red midrib abaxially F vegetative growth period, showing the long leaves.

Figure 3. Illustration of Lycoris longifolia, drawn by Ai-Li Li (PE).