Abstract
The species Euonymus duanensis (Celastraceae), a small shrub, is
newly described and illustrated from karst areas of Guangxi Autonomous
Region, China. This species is similar to Euonymus dielsianus but
is readily distinguished by its smaller leaves, obovate or
elliptic-obovate, 2-2.5 × 5-6 cm (vs. 4.5-6 × 9-15 cm), blade margin
crenulate, serrulate to serrate (vs. margin proximal 1/5-2/5 entire,
distal 3/5-4/5 crenulate, serrulate to serrate, sometimes ciliate),
reddish flowers and petals (vs. flowers and petals green, light yellow,
or greenish yellow), short petiole, milk white seeds (vs. dark brown),
and aril bright red partial covering seed (vs. aril bright red covering
seed wholly). Phylogenetic study also revealed apparent phylogenetic
position of the new species among Euonymus species, and the
relationships between related species have also been discussed.
Key words: Celastraceae, Critically Endangered, karst areas,
morphology, phylogenetic, taxonomy