Skip to main content

Prof. Weiming Zhu ironwood (Xantolis weimingii) described with completely glabrous flower crowns

Prof. Weiming Zhu ironwood (Xantolis weimingii) described with completely glabrous flower crowns

NEWS - Xantolis weimingii (Sapotaceae, Chrysophylloideae) is described from Yunnan, southwest China and can be easily distinguished from its relatives by the combination of densely covered plants with ferruginous arachnoid-lanate, oblong or obovate leaves and pendulous staminodes at the base.

Xantolis Raf. 1838 (Sapotaceae, Chrysophylloideae) is a small genus of trees and shrubs containing about 14 species with a distribution from the eastern Himalayas to the Philippines in tropical Asia. The genus is morphologically characterized by distinct spines, a sharp anther appendage, lanceolate lobes on the calyx and corolla, and aristate staminodes.

Molecular data suggest that the genus is sister to the entire subfamily Chrysophylloideae and is a very isolated and poorly understood genus. Specimens was first collected in the Luzhijiang Valley in August 2015, but only sterile or fruiting specimens were collected. In April 2022, a specimen with flowers was finally collected in Wadie, Yuanjiang.

The new species is most similar to X. tomentosa (Roxb.) Raf. but can be distinguished by its oblong or obverse oblong leaves, wide stony or nearly rounded base, acuminate apex, corolla entirely glabrous, 7.7-9.7 mm long, staminodes lanceolate, about 5 mm long, apex tapering to thorny, fringed at the base and glabrous.

The new species is also similar to X. cambodiana (Pierre ex Dubard) P. Royen from Indo-China, but differs by its oblong leaves, wide wedge-pointed or nearly rounded base, acuminate to acuminate apex, calyx oblong to triangular, 6-7 mm long, 3.5-4.5 mm wide, staminodes lanceolate, about 5 mm long, 1-2 mm wide at the base.

Researchers from Yunnan University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Yuxi Forestry and Grassland Bureau and the Yunnan Yuanjiang National Nature Reserve Management Bureau also described X. weimingii has fruits similar to X. assamica (C.B. Clarke) P. Royen, but differs in petioles 4-8 mm long, leaves ovate to obovate, 2.0-8.5 cm long and 1.5-5.0 cm wide.

The new species was given the etymology for Professor Weiming Zhu (朱维明-Wei Ming Chu, 1930-2023), a renowned botanist from Yunnan University, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the study of the Lycophyte flora, Chinese Ferns and to the Herbarium of Yunnan University.

X. weimingii is endemic to central Yunnan, southwest China, and is rarely collected. It has been found in four different locations to date, all in the dry and hot valleys of the Yuanjiang River and its main tributary the Luzhijiang River. The new species grows in savanna habitats on mountain slopes at elevations of 1100-1400 meters.

The rain shadow effect created by the Ailao-Wuliang Mountains and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau results in a typical hot and dry climate in the valleys. The climate is characterized by a dry season with an average annual temperature of 24C and an average annual evaporation capacity of 2700-3800 mm or three to six times higher than the average annual rainfall of 600-800 mm.

The new species is at high risk of extinction due to its limited geographic range, fragmented distribution, small population size and fragile environment. The researchers propose the Critically Endangered (CR) category based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2022).

Original research

Yang F, Chen C, Wang Q-P, Wu J-Y, Li Z-X, Wang H-C (2024). Xantolis weimingii (Sapotaceae), a new species from the Yuanjiang River basin, Yunnan, southwest China. PhytoKeys 246: 251-263, DOI:10.3897/phytokeys.246.119516
Labels:

Popular Posts

Dragon tongue (Phyllodium elegans)

Dragon tongue ( Phyllodium elegans ) is a plant species in Fabaceae, shrubs up to 3 meters high, stems erect or sloping and brown, leaves gathered in three strands and are elongated in shape, flowers grow in rows on long stalks. P. elegans has stems erect or sideways, cylindrical, woody, sturdy, slender, branching alternately, zigzagging, brown, the surface has white hair and the old stems have colored spots. The leaves grow in a stalk with three strands. The leaves are elongated, the base is rounded, the tip is slender, a bone in the middle with several lateral veins, the upper surface is brownish green and has white hair. The inflorescences grow in rows on long stalks. The flower buds are folded and wrapped in two circular leaves, flat, green and white-haired. The flower has a yellowish white color and the base is brown. Pod-shaped fruit, white hair, tip has a tail and 1-3 seeds but generally 2 seeds. Dragon tongue grows on the slopes of sandy, calcareous soils, karst, lots of sun...
Read more

Porang (Amorphophallus muelleri)

Porang or iles-iles ( Amorphophallus muelleri ) is a plant species in Araceae, the petiole is a pseudo stem with a height of 40-180 cm, 1-5 cm in diameter, round, green or purple with irregular white spots, each branching point grows brown bulbil and yellow bulb. A. muelleri has all leaves or stems or stems that are light green to dark green or gray and has greenish-white patches, smooth or smooth surface. The leaves are elliptical in shape with pointed leaf tips, smooth and wavy surface. When flushing has 3, 4-5, 5-6 and finally 6 minor leaves branching with 3 minor petioles. Young leaves have light purple or green edges and will end in yellow and 0.3-0.5 mm wide. The whole canopy is 50-150 cm wide. The stems grow above the tubers with a diameter of 25-50 mm and a height of 75-175 cm. Tubers have a brownish yellow or gray color on the outer surface and brownish yellow on the inside, are slightly oval in shape, fibrous roots, weigh 450-3350 grams, smooth tissue, 4-5 months of dormanc...
Read more

Golden-armed mantis (Hierodula venosa)

Golden-armed mantis ( Hierodula venosa ) is an animal species in the Mantidae, winged praying mantis with females 65-75 mm long and males 45-65 mm, large but not the largest in the genus Hierodula and generally bright yellow with green and chocolate variations. H. venosa has a fully rotating head. The head is dominated by a pair of very large and brownish yellow eyes. The jaw forms a triangle. The back is very wide with thickened margins. A pair of long antennas. Wide wings with rounded tips, striped surface, thick margins, two small white plots on the right and left. The belly is large and jointed, curved downward, the upper part is completely covered by the wings, but partially visible from the side. The pair of forelegs are large and have three segments. The upper segment has rows of spikes on the front and back. The middle segment has a row of many spines on the back and a black tip. The third segment has a row of many spines, long, black and tipped with a long palm. The middle ...
Read more