[Botany • 2024] Camellia zijinica (Theaceae) • A New Species endemic to Danxia Landscape from Guangdong Province, China

Camellia zijinica  M.Lin, Q.L.Ye & Q.Fan,

in Lin, Ye, Zhang, Liao et Fan, 2024. 

 紫金短柱茶  ||  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.237.114768

Photographed by Zhi-Ming Zhong, Qiang Fan and Min Lin.

 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Camellia (Theaceae), Camellia zijinica, discovered in the Danxia landscape from Guangdong Province, China, is characterized and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis based on chloroplast genomes suggested its affinity with C. drupifera, C. oleifera and C. fluviatilis, however, it morphologically differs from all of the latter by leaf shape and size. Phonologically, it most closely resembles C. microphylla, but can be distinguished from the latter by its young branchlets glabrous (vs. densely pubescent), fewer bracteoles and sepals, diverse leaf shape, midvein raised slightly with sparsely pubescent or glabrous (vs. prominently with densely pubescent) and leaf adaxially matt (vs. vernicose) when dried. By morphological and molecular analyses, Camellia zijinica represented a distinct new species of C. sect. Paracamellia.

Key words: Camellia, Danxia landscape, morphology, new species, phylogeny

Camellia zijinica sp. nov.
A habit B, C flowering branch D leaf shape E flower in front view F flower in back view G pistil and ovary H flowering branch, showing the stamens I flowering branch, showing the bracteoles and sepals J fruits, showing young to ripe (a-c) K bracteoles, sepals and petals.

Photographed by Zhi-Ming Zhong, Qiang Fan and Min Lin.

 Camellia zijinica M.Lin, Q.L.Ye & Q.Fan, sp. nov.

  Chinese name: 紫金短柱茶

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to Zijin County of Guangdong Province, the type locality of the new species.

 

Min Lin, Qin-Liang Ye, Zhi-Jian Zhang, Wen-Bo Liao and Qiang Fan. 2024. Camellia zijinica (Theaceae), A New Species endemic to Danxia Landscape from Guangdong Province, China. PhytoKeys. 237: 245-255. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.237.114768

[Botany • 2020] Camellia rostrata (Theaceae) • A New Species of Yellow Camellias from Southwest China

Camellia rostrata S.X.Yang & S.F.Chai, 

in Liu, Chai, Wu, Ye, Jiang, Zhang, Yu, Ma et Yang, 2020.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.459.1.6 

 Researchgate.net/publication/344732093

 

Abstract

Camellia rostrata S.X.Yang & S.F.Chai is described and illustrated as a new species from Guangxi, China. It is morphologically closest to C. debaoensis R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu, but can be easily distinguished by its abaxially glabrous leaf surface, 1.0−1.5(−2.0) cm long pedicel, powdery puberulent inner surface of bracteoles, sepals, and petals, sparsely pubescent inner filaments base, and triangle globose or ellipsoid capsule with pointed beak. The conservation status of this new species was assessed as Critically Endangered (CR).

Keywords: endemism, morphology, plant conservation, taxonomy, Theaceae, Eudicots

Camellia rostrata S.X.Yang & S.F.Chai.
A. Habitat. B. Adaxial leaves. C. Abaxial leaves. D. Front view of the flower. E.Side view of the flower. F. Bracteoles and sepals. G. Petals. H, I. Ovary and variations of the connate styles. J. Stamens. K. Adaxiallypuberulent sepal. L. Seeds. M. Sparsely puberulent seed surface. N. Habit. Scale =1 cm. Image N supplied by Wei Wei.

Zhen-Wen Liu, Sheng-Feng Chai, Fang-Yuan Wu, Pin-Ming Ye, Chang-Jie Jiang, Zhi-Rong Zhang, Xiang-Qin Yu, Jin-Lin Ma and Shi-Xiong Yang. 2020. Camellia rostrata, A New Species of Yellow Camellias from Southwest China. Phytotaxa. 459(1); 61–68. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.459.1.6

  Researchgate.net/publication/344732093_Camellia_rostrata_a_new_species_from_SW_China

[Botany • 2023] Camellia vanlangensis (Theaceae) • A New Yellow-flowered Species from Vietnam

Camellia vanlangensis V.D. Luong & V.T. Pham,  

in Trinh, Luong, Le et Pham, 2023. 

Trà hoa vàng Văn Lang  || taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1965

Abstract

A new plant species, Camellia vanlangensis, belonging to the Archecamellia section is described from Thanh Hoa Province, northern Vietnam. It grows up to 8 m tall and has big golden yellow flowers up to 8 cm wide. The flower is a solitary, subterminal, cup-shaped, with glabrous pedicel, 5–6 persistent bracteoles, 9–10 persistent orange-green sepals, and 10–11 petals. It has 130–150 stamens in 5 whorls, glabrous 3–5-loculed ovary, 3–5 distinct styles, 5-rigged and apex sunken of capsule. A detailed comparison between new species and two close related species, C. impressinervis and C. calcicola, is provided. Preliminary IUCN conservation status of this species is assigned as Critically Endangered (CR).

Keyword: Camellia calcicola, Camellia impressinervis, endangered species, flora, plant taxonomy, Van Lang, yellow flowers

Camellia vanlangensis V.D. Luong & V.T. Pham and its natural habitat
A. Branch with flower bud; B. Vegetative bud; C. Adaxial (left) and abaxial (right) leaf surfaces; D. Petiole; E. Leaf base; F. Part of abaxial leaf surface showing sparsely tomentose; G. Leaf blade margin; H. Flower bud (top view); I. Flower bud (lateral view); J. Flowering branch; K. Flower (top view); L. Flower (lateral view); M. Habitat.

Scale bars: A, C = 5 cm; B, D, G = 0.5 cm; E, H, I, K, L = 1 cm; F = 1 mm. 

Photos by N.B. Trinh and B.N. Pham, design by V.T. Pham 

(Trinh Ngoc Bon and Pham Binh Nguyen Bon 211101).

Camellia vanlangensis V.D. Luong & V.T. Pham, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: The new species most differs from Camellia impressinervis Hung T.Chang & S.Ye Liang (1979) with its cordate leaves base (vs. rounded to obtuse), more secondary leaf veins (16–22 vs. 9–11 pairs), longer sepals (3.5–4.3 vs. 0.1–1.0 cm), and larger capsules 4–5 vs. 3 cm. It’s most distinct from C. calcicola T.L.Ming (1993) by its sparse tomentose on leaves (vs. glabrous in adaxial and pubescent in abaxial surfaces), longer sepals (3.5–4.3 vs. 0.9–1.4 cm), glabrous petals and filaments (vs. pubescent), and glabrous ovary and style (vs. pubescent)

Etymology: The epithet "vanlangensis" refers to an ancient name of Vietnam, Van Lang. 

Proposed Vietnamese name: Trà hoa vàng Văn Lang

Ngoc Bon Trinh, Van Dung Luong, Nguyet Hai Ninh Le and Van The Pham. 2023. Camellia vanlangensis (Theaceae, Sect. Archecamellia), A New Yellow-flowered Species from Vietnam. Taiwania. 68(4); 465-471. taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1965

[Botany • 2023] Camellia wumingensis (Theaceae) • A neglected Species from Guangxi, China

Camellia wumingensis S.Ye Liang & C.R.Fu ex Hai L.Chen, 

in Chen, Wei, Tang et Liu, 2023.

武鸣金花茶  ||  taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1966

Abstract

Camellia wumingensis, a neglected species known only from limestone areas of Guangxi, China, is formally described and illustrated here. It is morphologically similar to C. flavida var. patens in having current-year branchlets purplish red, petiole adaxially grooved, flowers axillary or terminal, ovary glabrous, capsule oblate, and seeds brown, but is readily distinguished by the leaf texture and size, number of secondary veins, flower size, flower bud shape and size, number of petals, degree of fusion of the outer filaments, and pericarp thickness. Other related species C. flavida and C. pinguoensis var. terminalis are also compared with C. wumingensis in the paper, and the differences between them are obvious. In addition to a diagnosis and detailed description, information on the geographical distribution, images of morphological characters and pollen grains, and a provisional conservation status assessment are provided for this species.

Keyword: Camellia flavida, Camellia pingguoensis var. terminalis, limestone areas, morphology, palynology, taxonomy

Morphological comparison of Camellia wumingensis (A–G) and C. flavida var. patens (H–N).
A, H: Leaves with angle between midvein and secondary veins indicated. B, C, I, J: Flower buds; D, K: Stamens; E, L: Petals. F, M: Capsule. G, N: Seeds. Scale bar =1 cm.

Camellia wumingensis S.Ye Liang & C.R.Fu ex Hai L.Chen.
A, B, D, E: Flowering branches. C: Face view of flower. F: Back view of flower. G: Androecium. H: Habit. I: Front and back view of sepals. J: Front and back view of petals. K: Gynoecium. Scale bar =1 cm.

Camellia wumingensis S.Ye Liang & C.R.Fu ex Hai L.Chen, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Camellia wumingensis is morphologically similar to C. flavida var. patens in having petiole adaxially grooved, flowers axillary or terminal, ovary glabrous, capsule oblate, and seeds brown, but differs by its leaves thinly leathery, 7–11 × 2.5–5 cm (vs. leathery to thick leathery, 7.5–17 × 3–6.2 cm), secondary veins 5– 8, the angle of the midvein and secondary veins relatively narrow, 35°–45° (vs. 7–9, 60°–75°), flower bud ovate to long-ovate, 10–11 × 7–8 mm (vs. globose, 1.4–1.5 cm in diam.), androecium ca. 150 stamens (vs. ca. 250), outer filaments basally connate only 3–5 mm long (vs. 8–10 mm long), and petals 7–9 (vs. 10–14).

Etymology: The species epithet is derived from the name of the type locality Wuming District, Nanning City, Guangxi, China. Sheng Ye firstly provided the name ‘Camellia wumingensis S. Y. Liang & C. R. Fu’ on the herbarium label in the 1980s. At present, this name is still widely used in many fields, though it was invalidly published. Hence we propose to retain original epithet.

 Vernacular name: 武鸣金花茶 (wǔ míng jīn huā chá) in Chinese.

Hai-Ling Chen, Su-Juan Wei, Shao-Qing Tang and Yan Liu. 2023. Camellia wumingensis (Theaceae), A neglected Species from Guangxi, China. Taiwania. 68(4); 472-479. taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1966

[Botany • 2023] Camellia suddeeana (Theaceae) • A New Species from northern Thailand

Camellia suddeeana D.Wei Zhao, 

in Zhao, 2023.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.594.3.7  

 Researchgate.net/publication/370328018

Photos by Wittawat Kiewbang (BKF) and Dongwei Zhao. 

 

Abstract

Camellia suddeeana, a new species endemic to northern Thailand that was previously misidentified as C. tenii, is described and illustrated here. It is similar to C. szemaoensis and C. hainingii for sharing the subsessile flower with white petals and distinct styles, but can be distinguished from the former by its glabrous abaxial surface of the sepals, ovary and seeds, leaves without cork-warts and a different flowering period, and from the latter by leaves without cork-warts and the longer styles. Based on its morphology, C. suddeeana may be placed in C. sect. Heterogena or C. sect. Furfuracea according to the classifications proposed by Ming and Chang, respectively.

Keywords: camellias, morphology, taxonomy, Eudicots

Camellia suddeeana D.Wei Zhao
A: branchlet; B–D: flowers; E: flower without petals and androecium; F: fragment of a dry flower, withsome sepals removed to show gynoecium; G: dry carpels and seeds.

A–E: the plant of S. Suddee et al. 4981 (type); F: Chermsirivathana1185 (BKF, paratype); G: niyomdham 4925 (BKF, paratype). 

The bars indicate 2 cm (in A and G) and 5 mm (in B–F). 

Photos A–E were taken by Wittawat Kiewbang (BKF) and F–G by Dongwei Zhao. 

Camellia suddeeana D.Wei Zhao sp. nov.

Etymology. Camellia suddeeana is named after the leading collector of its type, Dr. Somran Suddee at BKF. ItsChinese name is proposed as “泰北山茶” because it generally occurs in the northern Thailand.

 

Dongwei Zhao. 2023. Camellia suddeeana (Theaceae), A New Species from Thailand. Phytotaxa. 594(3); 232-236. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.594.3.7 

  Researchgate.net/publication/370328018_Camellia_suddeeana_a_new_species_from_Thailand

[Botany • 2022] Camellia annamensis (Theaceae) • A New Species from central Vietnam

Camellia annamensis N.S.Lý, V.D.Lương, N.Đ.Đỗ, T.H.Lê & T.L.Nguyễn, 

in Lý, Lương, Lê, ... et Katayama, 2022. 

  taiwania.NTU.edu.tw 

 Abstract

Camellia annamensis, a new species of Camellia sect. Piquetia (Theaceae) from central Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is most similar to Camellia longii, but differs by its mature leaves sparsely appressed puberulous abaxially and leaf margins shallowly and widely denticulate, lateral veins 10‒13 pairs, sparsely appressed puberulous petioles, sepals 5, petals 20‒22, flattened-globose ovary and styles tomentose and free to base. Information on distribution, ecology, phenology, vernacular name, uses and conservation assessment of this new taxon, along with a key to distinguish the species of Camellia sect. Piquetia in Vietnam are also provided.

Keyword: Annamite range, Camellia honbaensis, C. longii, C. piquetiana, endemism, sect. Piquetia, sect. Lecomtia, taxonomy

Camellia annamensis N.S.Lý, V.D.Lương, N.Đ.Đỗ, T.H.Lê & T.L.Nguyễn.
A. Leaf (adaxial view); B. Venation detail of leaf (abaxial view); C. Flower (lateral view); D. Flower (top view); E. Perules (adaxially shown); F. Petals (adaxially shown); G. Androecium; H. Gynoecium (other floral parts removed); I. Dried fruit. J. Seeds.

Drawn from type materials by Văn-Dũng Lương.

Camellia annamensis N.S.Lý, V.D.Lương, N.Đ.Đỗ, T.H.Lê & T.L.Nguyễn.
 A. Apical part of flowering plant in natural habit; B. Juvenile leaves; C. Flower buds; D. Flower (Front view); E. Flower (side view); F. Flower (bottom view); G. Dried fruit; H. Leaves (adaxial and abaxial views); I. Sepals (abaxially and adaxially); J. Petals (adaxially and abaxially); K. Cross-section of androecium showing stamens; L. Gynoecium with styles free to the base; M. Mature and dried fruits; N. Seeds.

Photos by Ngọc-Đài Đỗ, the color plate by Ngọc-Sâm Lý.

Camellia annamensis N.S.Lý, V.D.Lương, N.Đ.Đỗ, T.H.Lê & T.L.Nguyễn, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Most similar to C. longii in shape and coloration of leave and flower, glabrous stamens and hairy ovary, but differing in having mature leaves sparsely appressed puberulous abaxially with leaf margins shallowly and widely denticulate (vs. glabrous, somewhat serrate), lateral veins 10‒13 pairs (vs. 14–16(– 18)), petioles sparsely appressed puberulous (vs. glabrous), sepals 5 (vs. 2‒3), petals 20‒22 (vs. 5‒6), flattened-globose ovary (vs. diamond shape) and styles tomentose and free to base (vs. finely pubescent, distally glabrous, compound, proximally fused for ca. 5.0 mm).

Etymology: The specific epithet “annamensis” refers to the former name of central Vietnam.

 

Ngọc-Sâm Lý, Văn-Dũng Lương, Thị-Hương Lê, Ngọc-Đài Đỗ, Ninh TRẦN, Anh-Đức Nguyễn, Thị-Liễu Nguyễn, Chiyomi Uematsu and Hironori Katayama. 2022. Camellia annamensis (Theaceae), A New Species from central Vietnam. Taiwania. 67(2); 243-249 DOI: 10.6165/tai.2022.67.243 

  taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract.php?type=abstract&id=1834

[Botany • 2019] Ternstroemia guineensis (Ternstroemiaceae) • A New Endangered Cloudforest Shrub with Neotropical Affinities from Kounounkan, Guinea, W Africa

Ternstroemia guineensis Cheek

in Cheek, Haba, Konomou & Van Der Burgt, 2019.

 DOI:  10.3372/wi.49.49306 

Abstract

Ternstroemia guineensis is described from a sandstone table mountain at Kounounkan, possibly the last in the Fouta Djallon (Guinea Highlands) to remain largely unimpacted by humans and to have mainly intact natural habitats. It occurs about 2400 km westward of the nearest existing record (Nigeria) of the genus in Africa. It is confined to cloud (submontane) forest in galleries along watercourses. Its conservation status is assessed as Endangered using the IUCN 2012 criteria. The species differs from the other two African highland species, T. cameroonensis and T. polypetala, in having hermaphrodite flowers with a long subcylindric style and punctiform stigmas, and petals connate at the base into a tube (not dioecious, with a short style and cone-like stigmas, and free petals) resembling in these features the neotropical Ternstroemia species, as does also the lowland wetland T. africana of Nigeria, Gabon and Angola.

KEYWORDS: amphi-Atlantic, conservation, Guinea, Guinea Highlands, Kounounkan, medicinal, new species, Pentaphylacaceae, relic, Ternstroemia, Ternstroemiaceae, Theaceae, West Africa

Fig. 1. Ternstroemia guineensis – A: habit, flowering leafy stems; B: detail of revolute margin of mature leaf, abaxial view, showing circular scars of fallen marginal setae; C: detail of one seta scar from B; D: detail of margin of immature leaf showing patent setae; E: flower, hydrated, side view; F: connate corolla with staminal ring, as self-detaching after anthesis; G: flower, with pistil exposed by removal of two sepals, two petals and several stamens; H: transverse section of ovary showing intruding placentas in both of two locules; I: side view of stamen, showing inward arching; J: adaxial view of stamen; K: inner view of two adherent petals, with adherent staminal ring; L: petal (flattened), adaxial surface showing slightly lacerate distal margins and longitudinal nerves; M: outer sepal (flattened); N: inner sepal (flattened).

 Scale bars: A = 5 cm; B–G, K–N = 5 mm; I, J = 2 mm; H = 1 mm. 

 All drawn from Pepe Haba 1060 (K) by Andrew Brown. 

Fig. 2. Ternstroemia guineensis – A: habitat, submontane gallery forest in sparsely wooded grassland; B: habit; C: flower; D: fruits; E: base of a multi-stemmed shrub; F: bark of a tree, trunk c. 18 cm in diam.

Photos: Republic of Guinea, Kounounkan Massif, Feb 2019, Xander van der Burgt.

Ternstroemia guineensis Cheek, sp. nov.
 Holotype: Guinea, Forécariah Préfecture, S part of Kounounkan Plateau, ..., 910 m, fl., 26 Nov 2017, P. M. Haba with X. M. van der Burgt, L. Jennings & G. Konomou 1060 (K K001286639; isotypes: HNG, MO, P, US, WAG).

Diagnosis — Similar to Ternstroemia africana Melch., differing in the smaller leaves (2.5–)3.7–6.1(–6.7) × (1.3–)1.6–2.5(–3) cm, secondary nerves not visible, (not (4–)8–10 × (2–)4–5 cm, secondary nerves visible, c. 7 pairs); petiole margins entire or with 1–2 setae (not densely glandular denticulate); peduncles 1.4–2.4 cm long (not 3–4.5 cm long).

Distribution — Ternstroemia guineensis is currently only known from the southernmost plateau of the Kounounkan Massif in Forécariah Prefecture, an uninhabited sandstone table mountain, where it is known from gallery forests along four streams.

Ecology — The species was found in species-rich submontane gallery (cloud) forest, on rocky soils, at 900–1100 m altitude.

Etymology — The specific epithet guineensis signifies from Guinea (Guinea-Conakry or the Republic of Guinea), which holds the only known global location for this species.

Martin Cheek, Pepe M. Haba, Gbamon Konomou and Xander M. Van Der Burgt. 2019. Ternstroemia guineensis (Ternstroemiaceae), A New Endangered Cloudforest Shrub with Neotropical Affinities from Kounounkan, Guinea, W Africa. Willdenowia. 49(3); 351-360. DOI:  10.3372/wi.49.49306 

[Botany • 2019] Camellia debaoensis (Theaceae) • A New Species of Yellow Camellia from Limestone Karsts in southwestern China

Camellia debaoensis R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu

in Hu, Wei, Liufu, et al., 2019. 

   DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.135.38756

Abstract

Camellia debaoensis R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu, sp. nov. is described and illustrated as a new species from southwestern Guangxi, China. It is morphologically similar to Camellia pubipetala Y. Wan & S. Z. Huang, C. mingii S.X. Yang and C. tuyenquangensis D.V. Luong, N.N.H. Le & N. Tran, but it differs from these species in having glabrous young branches, glabrous petiole, glabrous sepals, glabrous petals, glabrous stamens and glabrous ovary, 10 petals, cylindrical ovary and style 3-lobed to 1/6 style length.

Keywords: Camellia, China, limestone flora, taxonomy, Theaceae

Figure 1. Camellia debaoensis R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu, sp. nov. A flowering branch B lateral view of flower C fruit and style D fruit, sepals and bracteoles E stamen F pistil. Drawn by Xincheng Qu. 

Figure 2. Camellia debaoensis R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu, sp. nov. A habit B flowering branch C face view of flower D fruit, sepals and bracteoles E fruiting branch F pistil. Photographed by Renchuan Hu.

Camellia debaoensis R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Morphologically, the new species is similar to Camellia pubipetala Y. Wan & S.Z. Huang, C. mingii S.X. Yang and C. tuyenquangensis D.V. Luong, N.N.H. Le & N. Tran, but it differs from these species in having glabrous young branches, glabrous petiole, glabrous sepals, glabrous petals, glabrous stamens and glabrous ovary, 10 petals, cylindrical ovary and 3-lobed to 1/6 style length.

Type: China. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Debao County, Jingde Town, Tuoliang village, at the entrance of one of karst caves, rare, ..., 760 m a.s.l., 13 January 2017 (fl.), R.C. Hu HRC170113002 (holotype: GXMI!, isotypes: GXMI!, KUN!, NHMG! and IBK!).

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the type locality, Debao County, Guangxi.

Renchuan Hu, Sujuan Wei, Yongqing Liufu, Yunkai Nong, Wei Fang. 2019. Camellia debaoensis (Theaceae), A New Species of Yellow Camellia from Limestone Karsts in southwestern China. PhytoKeys. 135: 49-58.  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.135.38756

[Botany • 2019] Camellia chinmeii (Theaceae) • A New Species of Camellia sect. Paracamellia in Taiwan

 Camellia chinmeii S.L. Lee & T.Y.A. Yang

in Lee & Yang, 2019.

 DOI: 10.6165/tai.2019.64.321

 tai2.ntu.edu.tw/taiwania

  

Abstract

A new species of Camellia chinmeii S.L. Lee & T.Y.A. Yang (Theaceae; sect. Paracamellia Sealy) is described. Camellia chinmeii has sessile flowers, six to ten perules, four or five white, early deciduous petals, yellow radiating stamens separate to the base or nearly so, style 6-7 mm long and fused 1/2 to 2/3 from the base, densely tomentose ovary. The fruit is a globose, beaked or unbeaked capsule.

Keyword: Camellia chinmeii, New species, Section Paracamellia, Theaceae, Taiwan

Fig. 1. Camellia chinmeii S.L. Lee & T.Y.A. Yang.
A. Habit; B. leaf, adaxial surface; C-G. perules; H-J. petals; K. stamens and carpel, moving out tepals; L. style and stigma; M-P. fruits, M. immatured, olive colour, N-P. matured, brown colour, P. seeds.

Fig. 2. Camellia chinmeii S.L. Lee & T.Y.A. Yang.
A. Ms. Chin-Mei Hung stood in front of the tree of C. chinmeii in field; B. flower; C. fruit opening with the seeds inside; D. fruit; E. style and stigma; F. stamens; G. perules, petals and stamens, from left to right. (Photos, A, B, C, D taken by Shih-Lin Lee, and E, F, G taken and arranged by Yi-Fu Wang)

Camellia chinmeii S.L. Lee & T.Y.A, Yang, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Similar to Camelia brevistyla, but differing in having fewer stamens, fewer filaments free from each other, longer styles and smaller fruit. It is also similar to Camellia confusa, but has smaller leaves and flowers, fewer stamens and smaller fruit. It is also similar to Camellia hengchuensis, but has thin leaves and globose fruit. It is also similar to Camellia kissi, but differs in having the filaments free from each, longer styles and globose fruit.

Distribution and ecology: Endemic to Taiwan. Camellia chinmeii mainly occurs in mountainous areas between 2000 and 2350 m on gentle slopes in forests on Mt. Weishangshan, Nantou County, in central Taiwan.

 Etymology: The specific epithet, chinmeii, honors Ms. Chin-Mei Hung, wife of the first author, who first recognized Camellia chinmeii as a new taxon in 2010; she passed away during a field trip on 6 December 2014.

    

Shih-Lin Lee and Tsung Yu Aleck Yang. 2019. Camellia chinmeii, A New Species of Camellia sect. Paracamellia in Taiwan. Taiwania. 64(3); 321-325.  DOI: 10.6165/tai.2019.64.321

tai2.ntu.edu.tw/taiwania/abstract.php?type=abstract&id=1629

 facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice/posts/2320071791547970

     

[Botany • 2019] Camellia mingii (Theaceae) • A New Species of Yellow Camellias from Southeast Yunnan, China

Camellia mingii  S.X.Yang

in Liu, Fang, Liu, et al., 2019. 

 DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.393.1.4 

Abstract

Camellia mingii S.X.Yang is described and illustrated as a new species from southeast Yunnan Province, China. It is morphologically closest to C. pubipetala, but can be easily distinguished by its spiral arrangement of bracteoles and sepals; its bracteoles and sepals lunate, reniform or broadly ovate, glabrous inside and densely puberulent outside; its petals orbicular to short elliptic, puberulent on both sides; and its inner filaments puberulen to ca. 2/3 from base. Molecular analyses based on GBSSI sequences also support C. mingii as a distinct species of yellow camellia. It is ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Keywords: Eudicots, endemic, Funing County, taxonomy, Theaceae

Zhen-Wen Liu, Wei Fang En-De Liu, Ming Zhoa, Yao-Feng He and Shi-Xiong Yang. 2019. Camellia mingii, A New Species of Yellow Camellias from Southeast Yunnan, China. Phytotaxa. 393(1); 47–56. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.393.1.4

[Botany • 2018] Phylogeny, Historical Biogeography, and Diversification of Angiosperm Order Ericales suggest Ancient Neotropical and East Asian Connections

Order Ericales

Rose, Kleist, Löfstrand, et al. 2018.  

 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.01.014 

  Highlights

• A supermatrix phylogeny of the angiosperm order Ericales is proposed.

• Holoparasitic Mitrastemonaceae is sister to Lecythidaceae.

• Crown Ericales originated during the Albiuan and rapidly radiated thereafter.

• Ericales originated in the Neotropics and Indo-Malaysia.

• Diversification analyses suggest 70 shifts in speciation rate.

Abstract

Inferring interfamilial relationships within the eudicot order Ericales has remained one of the more recalcitrant problems in angiosperm phylogenetics, likely due to a rapid, ancient radiation. As a result, no comprehensive time-calibrated tree or biogeographical analysis of the order has been published. Here, we elucidate phylogenetic relationships within the order and then conduct time-dependent biogeographical and diversification analyses by using a taxon and locus-rich supermatrix approach on one third of the extant species diversity calibrated with 23 macrofossils and two secondary calibration points. Our results corroborate previous studies and also suggest several new but poorly supported relationships. Newly suggested relationships are: (1) holoparasitic Mitrastemonaceae is sister to Lecythidaceae, (2) the clade formed by Mitrastemonaceae + Lecythidaceae is sister to Ericales excluding balsaminoids, (3) Theaceae is sister to the styracoids + sarracenioids + ericoids, and (4) subfamilial relationships with Ericaceae suggest that Arbutoideae is sister to Monotropoideae and Pyroloideae is sister to all subfamilies excluding Arbutoideae, Enkianthoideae, and Monotropoideae. Our results indicate Ericales began to diversify 110 Mya, within Indo-Malaysia and the Neotropics, with exchange between the two areas and expansion out of Indo-Malaysia becoming an important area in shaping the extant diversity of many families. Rapid cladogenesis occurred along the backbone of the order between 104-106 Mya. Jump dispersal is important within the order in the last 30 My, but vicariance is the most important cladogenetic driver of disjunctions at deeper levels of the phylogeny. We detect between 69 and 81 shifts in speciation rate throughout the order, the vast majority of which occurred within the last 30 My. We propose that range shifting may be responsible for older shifts in speciation rate, but more recent shifts may be better explained by morphological innovation.

Keywords: Ericales; Ericaceae; Theaceae; supermatrix; vicariance; long distance dispersal

Jeffrey P. Rose, Thomas J. Kleist, Stefan D. Löfstrand, Bryan T. Drew, Jürg Schönenberger and Kenneth J. Sytsma. 2018. Phylogeny, Historical Biogeography, and Diversification of Angiosperm Order Ericales suggest Ancient Neotropical and East Asian Connections. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press.   DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.01.014

[Ecology • 2017] Nectar Properties and the Role of Sunbirds as Pollinators of the Golden-flowered Tea (Camellia petelotii)

 a sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) pollinating a flower of Camellia petelotii; note contact of the pollen-bearing beak with stigmas

@Botanical_    DOI: 10.3732/ajb.1600428 

ABSTRACT

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Properties of floral nectar have been used to predict if a plant species is pollinated by birds. To see whether winter-flowering plants evolve nectar properties corresponding to bird pollinators, nectar properties of several Camellia species (including the golden-flowered tea), as well as the role of floral visitors as effective pollinators, were examined.

METHODS: Potential pollinators of Camellia petelotii were identified at different times of day and under various weather conditions. A bird exclusion experiment was used to compare the pollination effectiveness of birds and insects. Nectar sugar components (fructose, glucose, and sucrose) from C. petelotii growing wild and another seven Camellia species and 22 additional cultivars (all in cultivation) were examined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

KEY RESULTS: The sunbird Aethopyga siparaja and honeybees were the most frequent floral visitors to C. petelotii. Honeybee visits were significantly reduced in cloudy/rainy weather. The fruit and seed set of flowers with birds excluded were reduced by 64%, indicating that bird pollination is significant. For the wild populations of C. petelotii, a bagged flower could secrete 157 μL nectar; this nectar has a low sugar concentration (19%) and is sucrose-dominant (87%). The eight Camellia species and 22 cultivars had an average sugar concentration of around 30% and a sucrose concentration of 80%, demonstrating sucrose-dominant nectar in Camellia species.

CONCLUSIONS: The nectar sugar composition of Camellia species was characterized by sucrose dominance. In addition, the large reduction in seed set when birds are excluded in the golden-flowered tea also supports the suggestion that these winter-flowering plants may have evolved with birds as significant pollinators.

Key words:  bird pollination, Camellia petelotii, effective pollinators, insect pollination, nectar properties, sucrose content, Theaceae, winter flowering

Shi-Guo Sun, Zhi-Huan Huang, Zhi-Bao Chen and Shuang-Quan Huang. 2017. Nectar Properties and the Role of Sunbirds as Pollinators of the Golden-flowered Tea (Camellia petelotii).  American Journal of Botany.   DOI: 10.3732/ajb.1600428

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