3. Camellia crispula var. multiplex (Hung T. Chang et Y.J. Tang) S.X. Yang, comb. nov.

≡ C. multiplex Hung T. Chang et Y.J. Tang in Hung T. Chang (1984: 7).

≡ C. crassicolumna var. multiplex (Hung T. Chang et Y.J. Tang) T.L. Ming (1992: 121) .

Type: — CHINA, Yunnan: Wenshan, 2210m, 20 October 1982, Y.J. Tang et al. A16003 (holotype: SYS00095168!; isotype: TEA!)

Notes: — Ming (1992) treated C. multiplex as a variety of C. crassicolumna . We accept Ming’s treatment of the rank, but suggest to treat C. multiplex as the variety of C. crispula because they both have tomentose ovaries. Camellia crispula var. multiplex is different from the nominate variety by its glabrous young branches, pedicel and abaxial surface of sepals.

Habitat:— Montane forests, 1080–2000m.

Distribution:— Endemic to China (Southeast Yunnan and West Guizhou). Recently we found its new distribution in Guangxi (Yang et al. 2021).

Additional specimens examined:— CHINA. Yunnan: Wenshan, 2000m, 13 January 1933, H.T. Tsai 51511 (KUN); Laojunshan, 2000m, 25 August 1961, S.G. Wu 61-3723 (KUN) ; the same locality, 1900m, 24 April 1962, G.M Feng 22027 (KUN); the same locality, 1900m, 28 October 1979, L.S. Xie et M. Cai 0506 (KUN); the same locality, 1800m, 28 December 2004, S.X. Yang 1322 (KUN); the same locality, 1695m, 26 May 2014, S.X. Yang & D.W. Zhao 4837 (KUN) . Guizhou: Panxian, Laochang, 31 August 1988, Z.Y. Zhang 88-6, 88-9 (KUN) . Guangxi: Rongshui, Jiuwan Mount. National Nature Reserve, 1200m, 26 December 2012, S.X. Yang & W. Fang 4254, 4288 (KUN) ; the same locality, 1080m, 21 July 2014, X.Q. Yu 125 (KUN) .