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Type: Article
Published: 2016-11-01
Page range: 259–266
Abstract views: 16
PDF downloaded: 1

Fordiophyton zhuangiae (Melastomataceae), a new species from China based on morphological and molecular evidence

South China Agricultural University
College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Limestone Plants Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, The National Orchid Conservation Center of China and The Orchid Conservation and Research Center of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Limestone Plants Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
Chinese melastomes Sonerileae Yangchun Eudicots

Abstract

Historically, the taxonomic study of the Asian genus Fordiophyton has had some gaps. Several specimens from Guangdong (China) have been misidentified as Fordiophyton brevicaule C. Chen. The new species proposed here shares with F. brevicaule the densely hirsute stem, rosetted leaves and glabrous hypanthia, but it is distinguished by its glabrous leaves, winged petioles, oblong petals lacking a single trichome at the apex, and purplish anthers in the longer set of stamens. The phylogenetic analyses indicate that it is a member of Fordiophyton and sister to F. brevicaule. Based on morphological and molecular data, we here recognize it as a new species, Fordiophyton zhuangiae S. Jin Zeng & G. D. Tang, which is described and illustrated.