Aster mayangheense Z. Li, 2025

Li, Zhi, Wu, Jiang-hua, Wang, Yu-jie, Zhou, Qi-xian & An, Ming-tai, 2025, Aster mayangheense (Asteraceae, Aster), a new species from Guizhou Province, China, PhytoKeys 257, pp. 179-190 : 179-190

Aster mayangheense Z. Li sp. nov.

Figs 1 , 2

Diagnosis.

Aster mayangheense differs from A. saxicola by its falcate upper leaves (3.5–5.8 × 0.8–2.0 cm) with adaxially shiny surfaces and long-acuminate to caudate apices (vs. oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate leaves 1.0–6.7 × 0.4–1.5 cm, margins entire, shortly petiolate to sessile), 5 - seriate red-purple to purple phyllaries abaxially (vs. 3–5 - seriate phyllaries purple / purplish only at apex) and fewer florets per capitulum (ray florets: 7–12 vs. 9–14; disc florets: 5–9 vs. 10–18) (Figs 1 , 2 , Table 1 ).

Type.

China, Guizhou (贵州), Tongren City , Yanhe County, Mayanghe National Nature Reserve (Fig. 3 ), karst limestone canyon, alt. 435 m, 28.654856, 108.253431, 5 November 2024, Zhi Li LZ 20241105-1 (Holotype: GZAC!; isotypes: GZAC!) (Fig. 2 ) .

Description.

Herbs, perennial, 30–100 cm tall. Rhizomes 5–20 cm long, sometimes somewhat woody. Stems caespitose, procumbent or ascending, some branching from the upper part or not, finely striated and glabrous above. Basal and lower cauline leaves withered at anthesis; basal leaves, broadly ovate or elliptic, 3.0–6.0 × 7.2–10.5 cm, abaxially puberulent, pale purplish or green, 3 - veined, mid-vein prominent abaxially, margin sparsely serrate medially, petioles narrowly winged (1.0) 3.0–6.0 cm long. Middle cauline leaves sessile; blade papery, slightly thickened, oblong-oblanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 4.2–15.0 × 2.8–4.8 cm, apex long-acuminate to caudate, adaxially shiny, sometimes abaxially purplish; mid-vein prominent abaxially; margin shallowly serrate with 3–4 (6) mucronate teeth per side. Upper leaves gradually reduced, falcate, 3.5–5.0 × 0.8–2.0 cm, adaxially shiny, abaxially green or faintly purplish, apex long-acuminate to caudate. Synflorescences terminal or axillary, paniculate-corymbiform to corymbiform, capitula; 10–67 peduncles 5–10 mm. Involucres campanulate, 2.5–3.5 mm in diam.; phyllaries 5 - seriate, imbricate, unequal, herbaceous, apex acute to acuminate, purple to red-purple; outermost phyllaries oblong, 0.5–0.7 × 1.1–1.5 mm; second series oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 0.5–0.8 × 1.1–1.6 mm; middle phyllaries oblong-lanceolate, 0.6–1.0 × 1.3–1.8 mm; fourth series narrowly oblong-lanceolate, 0.4–0.6 × 1.5–2.0 mm; innermost phyllaries narrowly oblanceolate, 0.5–1.0 × 2.0– 2.5 mm. Ray florets 7–12, white; lamina elliptic, 4.1–9.2 × 0.5–1.2 mm, shallowly 3 - lobed; tube 4.0–5.0 mm, glabrous. Disc florets 5–9, yellow; tube 2.0– 3.1 mm, hairy, recurved; limb funnel-form; lobes lanceolate, ca. 1.6 mm, glabrous. Anthers triangular, ca. 0.8 mm. Achenes pale brown, oblong to slightly obovate, slightly compressed, 2.0– 2.3 mm, strigose, 2 - ribbed. Pappus 3 - seriate, white to dirty whitish; outer bristles <0.5 mm; middle bristles 2–6 mm; inner bristles ca. 4 mm. Flowering November – December.

Etymology.

The specific epithet indicates the type locality, Mayanghe, Yanhe County, Guizhou Province, China. The locality name is rendered “ Mayanghe National Nature Reserve ” in Chinese Pinyin.

Distribution and habitat.

Endemic to karst limestone canyon (400–950 m a. s. l.) within Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Yanhe County, Guizhou Province, China (Fig. 1 A ).

Phenology.

Flowering period November to December and fruiting period mid-November to December.

Vernacular name.

麻阳河紫菀 mā yáng hé zī wǎn in Chinese Pinyin.

Conservation status.

Aster mayangheense is currently known from only one locality within the Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, a protected area characterised by karst limestone canyons with minimal anthropogenic disturbance. Due to the limited scope of field surveys, its conservation status has been assessed as Data Deficient (DD) under the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria ( IUCN 2022). However, this species plays a specific ecological role as a key food source for the wildlife conservation François’ Langur ( Trachypithecus francoisi ), suggesting that its persistence may face future threats if conservation measures are not prioritised. Further research is urgently needed to evaluate population trends, habitat requirements and potential risks.

Additional specimens examined (paratypes).

China • Guizhou, Tongren City, Yanhe County, Mayanghe National Nature Reserve , 05 November 2024, LZ 20241105-2 , LZ 20241105-3 , LZ 20241105-4 (deposited at GZAC) .

Figures

Figure 1. Habitat and morphology of Aster mayangheense A habitat B flowering plants C capitula arranged on a branch D top view of the capitula E rhizomes F upper leaves, falcate with shiny surface G side view of two capitula H phyllaries (from outer to inner, left to right) I a disc floret (left) and a ray floret (right).

Figure 2. Holotype of Aster mayangheense.

Figure 3. Distribution of Aster mayangheense in the Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Yanhe County, Guizhou Province, China (two red dots indicating localities).