Elsholtzia zhongyangii P. Li & X.J. Jin, 2022

Jin, Xin-Jie, Huang, Yue, Wei, Yu-Kun, Ma, Qing, Liu, Lu-Xian, Fu, Zhi-Xi, Wu, Gui-Fang, Zhang, Yong-Hua & Li, Pan, 2022, Elsholtzia zhongyangii (Lamiaceae), a new species from Sichuan, China, PhytoKeys 193, pp. 77-88 : 77

Elsholtzia zhongyangii P. Li & X.J. Jin sp. nov.

Type.

China. Sichuan: Yajiang County, Agakeyong , 30°2.54'N, 100°15.01'E, 3237 m a.s.l., 18 Sep 2018, Pan Li LP185940 (holotype, ZM; isotypes CSH, CDBI, HZU, KUN, PE, SZ, WZUH). (Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 )

Diagnosis.

Elsholtzia zhongyangii is most similar to E. feddei f. feddei morphologically in having calyx villous, spinescent calyx apex, two long and three short calyces and acute leaf apices, but differs from the latter by its smaller corolla (3.2-3.5 mm vs. 4.5-5.3 mm), bract stalked (ca. 1.2 mm vs. sessile) and bract glabrous, except margin ciliate (vs. villous, especially on veins abaxially, glabrous adaxially).

Description.

Annual herbs, erect. Stems 10-45 cm tall, tawny purple; pilose or pilulose, multi-branched above base, branch apex with inflorescence, internode 0.5-4.8 cm long. Leaves ovate triangular, ovate oblong to oblong lanceolate or lanceolate, 0.7-3.6 cm long and 0.3-1.7 cm wide, apex acute, base broadly or narrowly cuneate, extending to petiole, with dense glandular. Leaves villous adaxially, villous especially on veins abaxially. Leaf margin serrate, obtuse, occasionally acute, serrate margin usually purple. Inflorescence a terminal spike, secund, ca. 0.9-7.9 cm, flowers 8-14 at each node of the inflorescence (a pair of cymes); bracts subcircular to broadly ovate, ca. 1.2-3.2 × 1.1-4.5 mm, caudate cuspidate, apex ca. 0.7-2.1 mm, glabrous, except margin ciliate, with dense glandular, dark magenta at maturity, bract stalked, ca. 1.2 mm. Pedicel ca. 2 mm long, enlarged at apex, glabrous. Calyx ca. 2.0-3.2 mm, teeth 5, teeth triangular, two long and three short, apex spinescent,white hirsute, margin ciliate. Corolla deep purple, 3.2-3.5 mm, slightly incurved, narrowly funnel-shaped, with hairs transparent and purple interlaced, villous outside, pilose annulate inside, the base of the corolla tube is about 0.5 mm wide, widening upwards, throat about 1.2 mm wide, upper lip emarginated; middle lobe of lower lip semicircular, lateral lobes subcircular, shorter than middle lobe. Stamens 4, protruding from corolla, the anterior longer than the posterior, filaments are glabrous, anthers purple-black. Style longer than stamens at maturity, exserted, 2-cleft, with lobe equal, linear. Ovary 4-cleft; disc persistent, 1 nectary rises on the edge of the ovary. Nutlets 4, brown, oblong, ca. 1.1 mm long, 0.7 mm in diameter, surface becoming mucilaginous when wetted.

Phenology.

Flowering and fruiting from September to December.

Chinese name.

Zhong-yang-xiang-ru (钟扬香薷).

Etymology.

The specific epithet is named in memory of Prof. Yang Zhong, a Chinese botanist who was dedicated to botanical research and education in Xizang (Tibet), China.

Distribution, ecology and habitat.

- Endemic to China, Sichuan Province, Yajiang County (Wolongsi, Weidi, Agakeyong, Jialulongba and Zhusang), Litang County (Wenquan), Ganzi County, Dege County (Ezhi), Luhuo County (Zhuwo) and Batang County. Growing in grassland on mountain slopes or even along the road, at an elevation of 3000-4000 m.

Conservation status.

The known localities of Elsholtzia zhongyangii are not in protected areas. During our field surveys between September 2012 and December 2021, populations in Wolongsi, Weidi, Agakeyong, Jialulongba and Zhusang of Yajiang County were found. Specimen records show that it also occurs in Litang County (Wenquan), Ganzi County, Dege County (Ezhi), Luhuo County (Zhuwo) and Batang County. Taking into consideration that it was distributed along the roadsides like weeds, we believe that it should have a much wider distribution than what is now known. Due to its wide distribution range and large population size, Elsholtzia zhongyangii is here recommended as Least Concern (LC), according to the IUCN Categories ( IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee 2019).

Additional specimens examined (paratypes).

China. Sichuan: Yajiang County, Wolongsi , 30°2.54'N, 101°15.08'E, 3293 m a.s.l., 26 August 2015 , Pan Li & Xinglv Xie LP150689 (PE, KUN, WZUH); Yajiang County, Weidi , 30°3.13'N, 101°12.66'E, 3028 m a.s.l., 18 September 2018 , Pan Li LP185942 (PE, WZUH); Yajiang County, Jialulongba , 30°2.94'N, 101°18.42'E, 3760 m a.s.l., 26 August 2015 , Pan Li & Xinglv Xie LP150686 (PE, KUN, CDBI, SZ, CSH, WZUH); Yajiang County, Zhusang , 19 September 2012 , Pan Li PNLI20120191 (WZUH); Litang County, Wenquan , 4000 m a.s.l., 11 September 1974 , Y.Q. He & H.J. Wang 8281 (WUK); Ganzi County, 10 September 1951 , W.G. Hu 13099 (WUK); Dege County, Ezhi , 1900 m a.s.l., 31 August 1979 , Dege team 0685 (SM); Luhuo County, Zhuwo , 3700 m a.s.l., 2 August 1974 , Sichuan vegetation team 07693 (CDBI); Batang County, 3100 m a.s.l., 2 September 1973 , Sichuan vegetation team 3971 (CDBI).

Figures

Figure 3. Elsholtzia zhongyangii sp. nov. A blooming plant B front view of inflorescence C dorsal view of inflorescence D side view of inflorescence E cyme F bract G flower H side view of flower I front part of flower J villous outside corolla K dissected corolla L pilose annulate inside M ovary 4 - cleft, 1 nectary rises on the edge of the ovary N outside of calyx O nutlet (with mucilage) P adaxial surface of leaf Q abaxial surface of leaf. Photos by Xin-Jie Jin & Pan Li.

Figure 5. Illustration of Elsholtzia zhongyangii Pan Li & X. J. Jin A the whole plant B cyme C bract D outside of calyx E flowers and villous outside corolla F dissected corolla G pilose annulate inside. Drawn by Xin-Jie Jin.