Phoebe jingxiensis J.Y.Lin & R.H.Jiang, 2024

Lin, Jian-Yong, Jiang, Dong-Dong, Ou, Han-Biao, Li, Juan, He, Ying-Hui & Jiang, Ri-Hong, 2024, Phoebe jingxiensis (Lauraceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, Phytotaxa 664 (3), pp. 207-213 : 209-210

Phoebe jingxiensis J.Y.Lin & R.H.Jiang , sp. nov. ( Figures 2 , 3 )

Diagnosis: —The new species is similar to Phoebe yaiensis and Phoebe lanceolata in morphology, but differs in leaf blade elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, apex long acuminate or caudate-acuminate; fruit ovoid, 1.1–1.4 × 0.8–0.9 cm, fruiting pedicel 0.6–1.5 cm long, not thickened, persistent perianth lobes subequal, 4–6 × 3.5–4 mm; seed oval, ca. 0.9–1.3 × 0.6–1.1 cm. The new species is closer to P. crassipedicella and P. neurantha in the cladogram, but differs in leaf blade glabrous on both surfaces, lateral veins 4–10 pairs; panicles, pedicel and perianth outside glabrous.

Type: — CHINA. Guangxi: Jingxi City, Qilong village, growing on the lower part of karst mountain, ca. 680 m, 8 September 2020, Jian-yong Lin 2004001 (holotype: GXFI0001623 ; isotype: PE) .

Evergreen trees, 5–18 m tall. Branchlets green, glabrous, with lenticels. Buds glabrous or puberulent. Petiole 0.5– 1.8 cm, glabrous; leaf blade shiny, elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, 8–16 × 2.3–4.7 cm, leathery, apex long acuminate or caudate-acuminate, base cuneate, glabrous on both surfaces, midrib and lateral veins slender, lateral veins 4–10 pairs, veinlets abaxially inconspicuous. Panicles many, arising from the axils of scales of the terminal bud, 5–12.8 cm long, usually ca. 10 cm, glabrous. Pedicel 0.9–1.4 cm. Perianth lobes ovate, subequal, 4–5 × 2.5–3.5 mm; lobes glabrous outside, densely gray-white villous inside. Filaments pubescent below. Ovary ovoid. Infructescences glabrous. Fruit ovoid, 1.1–1.4 × 0.8–0.9 cm; fruiting pedicel 0.6–1.5 cm; persistent perianth lobes ovate, subequal, 4–6 × 3.5–4 mm, leathery, glabrous outside, gray-white villous inside, apex obtuse, clasping the base of the fruit; the fruits becoming black at maturity. Seed ellipsoid, 0.9–1.3 × 0.6–1.1 cm.

Phenology: —Flowering in April; fruiting in September to October.

Etymology: —The name is derived from the type locality, Jingxi City (Guangxi, China).

Vernacular name:— Ṛƌ¨ (Chinese vernacular name); jìng xī nan (pronunciation in Chinese).

Distribution and habitat: — Phoebe jingxiensis is distributed in Jingxi City and Napo County, Guangxi Province, near the border of China and Vietnam, and is also distributed on the Vietnamese side. It grows in karst mountain forests, elevation of 680–1150 m.

Conservation status: — Phoebe jingxiensis has been found in Jingxi City and Napo County of Guangxi, China, and it is also distributed in Tra Linh County and Ha Quang County of Cao Bang Province, Vietnam (investigated in the Vietnamese side of boundary markers 696, 748, 749 and 751 in China and Vietnam; pers. obs.). The natural regeneration of the population was good and the number of individuals was large. With the support of the project, we have now produced about 2000 seedlings. However , this kind of tree is a traditional local wood species with high frequency of use. According to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria ( IUCN 2012 ), it is temporarily assessed as Vulnerable ( VU) .

Paratypes: — CHINA. Guangxi: Jingxi City, Qilong village , growing on the lower part of karst mountain, ca. 680 m, 14 April 2020, Jian-yong Lin 2009010 and Jian-yong Lin 2108084 (same individual as ‘ Jian-yong Lin 2004001 ’; GXFI, PE) ; ibid., Jingxi City, Naling Village , growing in the lower part of karst mountain, ca. 829 m, 14 November 2019, Jian-yong Lin 1911022 ( GXFI) ; ibid., Jingxi City, Shuli Village , growing in the lower part of karst mountain, ca. 1150 m, 5 July 2022, Jian-yong Lin 220705018 ( GXFI) ; ibid., Napo County, Nongmin Village , growing in the lower part of karst mountain, ca. 790 m, 12 November 2019, Jian-yong Lin 1911001 ( GXFI) .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Type specimens of Phoebe jingxiensis Jian-yong Lin & R. H. Jiang. A. Flowering specimen, holotype, Jian-yong Lin 2004001 (GXFI). B. Fruiting specimen, paratype, Jian-yong Lin 2009010 (GXFI).

FIGURE 3. Phoebe jingxiensis and Phoebe yaiensis. A–I. Phoebe jingxiensis. A. Group of trees. B. Leaves (1. adaxially; 2. abaxially). C. Fruit branches (immature). D. Flowering branches. E. Flower bud. F. Open flower, frontal view. G. Bark. H. Fruits (close to maturity). I. Seeds. J–L. Phoebe yaiensis. J. Leaves (1. adaxially; 2. abaxially). K. Fruits (close to maturity). L. Seeds. Photographs by Jian-yong Lin.