Artemisia neolehmanniana G.Z.Jin, 2025

Jin, Guang-Zhao, Sheludyakova, Mariya, Abduraimov, Ozodbek, Feng, Ying & Ge, Xue-Jun, 2025, A Taxonomic Revision of Artemisia Subgenus Seriphidium (Asteraceae-Anthemideae) in China, Phytotaxa 686 (1), pp. 1-103 : 31-32

18. Artemisia neolehmanniana G.Z.Jin , sp. nov. Type:— CHINA. Xinjiang: Qinghe, hillside of Sandaohaizi , 46.716667 N, 90.85 E, 2417.46 m, 5 August 2024, G.Z. Jin jgz2024-1 [holotype: IBSC1033930 !; isotypes: IBSC103393 !, XJBI00162566 !].

Perennial herbs, 15–35 cm tall. Rhizome with short woody, dark brown, aged stems. Stems numerous or few, erect or slightly curved upwards at the base, branching from the upper part, branches 1–2 cm long, closely appressed to the stem. Lower stem leaves suborbicular, 2–3-pinnatisect, 1–2 cm long, 1–1.5 cm wide, petiole 1–2 cm long, with 3–5 segments per side, segments further pinnatisect, lobules narrowly linear, 0.3–0.5 cm long, 0.5–1 mm wide, with acuminate tips. Middle stem leaves 2-pinnatisect, 1–1.5 cm long, 0.5–1 cm wide, nearly sessile, with linear pseudostipules. Upper stem leaves 1–2-pinnatisect, 0.5–1 cm long, 0.5–0.8 cm wide, with narrowly linear lobules. The grayish-white tomentum on the stems and branches partially sheds at maturity, the tomentum on all leaves persists, while the leaves are slightly soft in texture. Capitula ovoid-oblong or subovoid, sessile, 2–3.5 mm long, 1.5–2 mm in diameter. Synflorescence a very narrow panicle, branches very short with densely crowded capitula. Phyllaries in 4–5 series, outer phyllaries small, ovate, initially pubescent on the back, middle and inner phyllaries ovoid-oblong or ellipsoid-ovoid, glabrous or subglabrous, with membranous margins. Bisexual florets 3–6, 2–3 mm long and 1–2 mm wide, corolla tubular, purple-red. Anthers linear, upper appendages narrowly lanceolate, with an obtuse base. Styles short, slightly forked after anthesis, forked tips ciliate.Achenes with inconspicuous fine longitudinal lines, 0.8–1.5 mm long, 0.3–0.8 mm in diameter, ovoid or obovoid. Figures 23 , 24 .

Distribution and habitat:— Artemisia neolehmanniana is distributed in Qinghe County, Xinjiang, China ( Figure 25 ). This species is also found in Mongolia. It grows in rocky slopes at elevations of 1800–2600 m.

Phenology:—Flowering and fruiting from late July to early September.

Etymology:— Artemisia neolehmanniana is named after the specific epithet of A. lehmanniana with the prefix “neo”, indicating that the discovery of the new entity is related to the latter.

Vernacular name:— ǛḤḢffiDz (Chinese pinyin: xīn qiú xù juàn hāo). The name is derived from the Chinese name of A. lehmanniana with “new” before it.

Taxonomic notes:— Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae ( Ling 1991b) and Flora of China ( Ling et al. 2011) recorded that A. lehmanniana is distributed in northern Xinjiang, China. However, Sylva Xinjiangensis ( Yang 2012) noted that the description provided by Ling (1991b) does not match the original description, and that this species may be distributed in Xizang or southern Xinjiang, China.

When examining specimens collected from northern Xinjiang, China, identified by Y.R. Ling as A. lehmanniana , it was found that these specimens are similar to A. lehmanniana in leaf shape, branching position and length, but are distinguished by their perennial herbs (vs. subshrubs), lower stem leaves 2–3-pinnatisect (vs. 3–4-pinnatisect), middle stem leaves 2-pinnatisect with linear pseudostipules (vs. 3-pinnatisect with pinnatifid pseudostipules), upper stem leaves pinnatisect (vs. 2-pinnatisect) and the persistent indumentum on the stems at maturity (vs. shedding).

To further determine the identity of the suspected taxon mentioned above, we conducted several field investigations from 2020 to 2024 based on previous collection records. After careful observation of its morphological traits, it was confirmed that the suspected taxon is not A. lehmanniana . In addition, we reviewed the taxonomic literature on A. subg. Seriphidium from countries bordering Xinjiang, China ( Kitamura 1960, Poljakov 1961a, Nikitina 1965, Filatova 1966, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1993, 2007, Kuprianov 1995, Naithani 1995, Krasnoborov 1997, Ghafoor 2002, Urgamal et al. 2014), and confirmed that the taxon previously misidentified as A. lehmanniana in northern Xinjiang is an undescribed species. Therefore, we have provided a detailed taxonomic description and formal nomenclature for this new species.

This new species is also similar to A. compacta in habit, branching position and length, but is distinguished by its lower leaves suborbicular (vs. ovoid) and middle leaves with linear (vs. pinnatifid) pseudostipules.

Specimens examined:— CHINA. Xinjiang: Qinghe, Darshan Pass , 2400 m, 10 August 1956, R. C. Ching 1613 ( IBK, PE) ; ibid., 2400 m, 8 August 1956, A.R. Li & J.R. Zhu 1613 ( XJBI) ; Qinghe, Ottobruck, 15 km from Qinghe , s.a., 1 August 1956, R.C. Ching 1358 ( PE) ; ibid., 1800 m, 2 August 1956, R. C. Ching 906 ( PE) ; Qinghe, Songgouke , 1800 m, 3 August 1956, R.C. Ching 1298 ( PE) ; ibid., 1800 m, 3 August 1956, R.C. Ching 1317 ( PE) ; without precise location, s.a., 3 August 1956, Xinjiang Exped. 259 ( PE) ; Qinghe, Zhonghaizi , 2550 m, 6 August 1956, R.C. Ching 1436 ( PE) .

Figures

FIGURE 23. Artemisia neolehmanniana (photographed by Guang-Zhao Jin). A. habit; B. habitat; C. stem leaves (from top to bottom: lower, middle and upper leaf); D. capitula.

FIGURE 24. Artemisia neolehmanniana. A. habit; B1. outer phyllary (abaxial surface); B2. outer phyllary (adaxial surface); C1. middle phyllary (abaxial surface); C2. middle phyllary (adaxial surface); D. lower stem leaf; E. leaf indumentum; F. capitulum; G. floret; H. floret (longitudinal section). Drawn by Yun-Xiao Liu, based on the holotype.

FIGURE 25. Distribution map of Artemisia neolehmanniana in China.