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Prof. Hua Peng sage (Salvia penghuana) from Guizhou as new species in subgenus Glutinaria

NEWS - Salvia penghuana, a new species from Guizhou Province in southwest China, is morphologically similar to S. filicifolia and S. cavaleriei, but can be distinguished by its bracts, corolla and lower arms. Based on its fibril roots, calyces, small corolla and reduced posterior thecae, the researchers suggested that S. penghuana should be placed in section Sobiso of the subgenus Glutinaria.

Prof. Hua Peng sage (Salvia penghuana) from Guizhou as new species in subgenus Glutinaria

Salvia L. (1753) which has 58 synonyms, is traditionally defined and classified into 11 subgenera with about 1000 species, is the largest genus in Lamiaceae. This taxon has a subcosmopolitan distribution, but mainly spreads in Mesoamerica, Southwest Asia, the Mediterranean and East Asia.

Recently a large number of new species or hybrids of this genus have been reported worldwide. About 100 species have been recorded in East Asia, most of which are in China, with 89 native species and 3 naturalized species from the New World.

Based on staminal morphology, Salvia in East Asia is placed in the subgenus Sclarea (Moench) Benth and Allagospadonopsis Briq. However, based on recent molecular and morphological evidence, species in this region are assigned to Sclarea and Glutinaria.

Researchers from Guizhou University in Guiyang, Maolan National Nature Reserve in Libo, Kuankuoshui National Nature Reserve Administration in Zunyi and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Kunming discovered a population of Salvia with 3-4 pinnate compound leaves in southern Guizhou. The flowerless plants morphologically resembled S. filicifolia Merr.

Another population was found in northern Guizhou and several living specimens were cultivated at Guizhou University. After careful observation of the flower morphology, the researchers considered this collection not to be S. filicifolia. Over the next three years, they confirmed the specimens to be an undescribed species.

S. penghuana is similar to S. filicifolia, but differs in having 6-flowered verticillasters (vs. 6-10-flowered verticillasters), oblong-lanceolate bracts (vs. linear-lanceolate), purple corolla (vs. yellow or white), fused lower arms of connective tissue (vs. separate lower arms like subulates).

S. penghuana is also similar to S. cavaleriei, but differs in having 3-4 pinnate leaves (vs. simple to 2-pinnate), oblong-lanceolate bracts (vs. lanceolate), puberulent calyx (vs. glabrous), longer upper arms of connective tissue (about 5 mm vs. about 3 mm).

The new species is known only from Libo and Suiyang, Guizhou Province, at elevations of 770-1220 m. Both populations grow in mixed evergreen and deciduous karst forests. This plant flowers from April to June, and fruits from May to June.

The etymology of the specific epithet ‘penghuana’ is in honor of Prof. Hua Peng. Chinese: Péng huá shǔ wěi cǎo (彭华鼠尾草). The populations in Libo and Suiyang are not under any reasonable threat and based on IUCN criteria, the species is categorized as “Least Concern” (IUCN 2024).

Original research

Qiu F-J, Yu D-L, Lan H-B, An M-T, Geng Y-F, Xiang C-L, Hu G-X (2024). Salvia penghuana (Lamiaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China. PhytoKeys 246: 179-187, DOI:10.3897/phytokeys.246.130332
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