Oreocharis scutifolia (Gesneriaceae) , a unique new species from the Dry
and Hot Valley of Jinsha River Basin, Yunnan, China
Abstract
A unique new species, Oreocharis scutifolia Z. Xie, Miao Zhang & H. H.
Kong, endemic to the Dry and Hot Valley of Jinsha River Basin, Yunnan,
China, is described and illustrated here. It is similar to O. cordatula
(Craib) Pellegr. and O. aurantiaca Baill. in some morphological
characters, but differs in its unique peltate, ovate to oblong leaf
blades with emarginated apex, places and types of indumentum, length of
peduncles and corolla, also have significant differences in these
species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on transcriptome data
strongly supported O. scutifolia as a new species, while it forms a
sister group with O. henryana Oliv., O. cordatula (Craib) Pellegr., O.
minor Pellegr. and O. aurantiaca Baill. (ML = 100). Due to its tiny
population, narrow distribution range, and the serious threat from human
activities, invasive plants and damaged habitat, the new species is
assessed as “critically endangered” following the IUCN categories and
criteria.