Clematis danxiacola J. P. Li, P. Li & Z. H. Chen, 2025

Li, Jun-Ping, Ma, Qing, Ma, Dan-Dan, Wang, Jun-Feng, Xie, Wen-Yuan, Wu, Dong-Hao, Ying, Shang-Jiao, Chen, Zheng-Hai & Li, Pan, 2025, Clematis danxiacola (Ranunculaceae), a new species from the Danxia landform area in Zhejiang Province, China, PhytoKeys 266, pp. 97-115 : 97-115

Clematis danxiacola J. P. Li, P. Li & Z. H. Chen sp. nov.

Figs 5 , 6 , 7

Type.

China • Zhejiang Province, Jinhua City, Yongkang County, Zhiying Town, Xianling Village, Chiyantang Reservoir , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, in bushes at the forest margin at foothills, alt. 172 m a. s. l., 28°54'29.28"N, 120°8'7.86"E, August 18, 2023, He-Ping Chen, Jun-Ping Li et Zheng-Hai Chen YK 23081807 ( holotype: ZM barcode ZMNH 0067436 ! isotypes: HZU!, KUN!, PE!) .

Diagnosis.

This new species resembles C. terniflora but differs in several characteristics including leaflet blades abaxially densely persistently appressed-puberulous ( vs. sparsely puberulous and glabrescent), sepals cuneate or oblanceolate, apex subtruncate and premorse ( vs. obovate – oblong to oblong, apex ± acute to obtuse and entire), pistils (5 –) 8–12 ( vs. 4–7), achene ovate, compressed but slightly swollen in the middle, margin not or slightly thickened ( vs. broadly elliptic to obovate, strongly compressed, margin distinctly thickened).

Morphological description.

Evergreen woody vine. Stem with shallowly 6–12 - grooved; branchlets densely gray appressed-puberulous, glabrescent except at nodes; axillary buds triangular – ovate, densely gray puberulous. Leaves opposite, 1 - pinnate, usually 5 - foliolate, sometimes 2 - pinnate on new shoots in summer – fall; petiole 3–7 cm long, base with nodes usually dark purple or gray, puberulous; leaflet blades thick-papery or subleathery, ovate, 3.5–8.0 (– 9.5) × 2.0–5.0 (– 6.2) cm, apex acuminate, base broadly cuneate, subrounded to shallow cordate, margin entire, slightly revolute when drying, adaxially appressed-puberulous when young, glabrescent except for basal veins, lustrous, basal veins slightly prominent, abaxially densely persistently appressed-puberulous, basal veins prominent when dry; leaflets of summer – fall shoots thick leathery, ovate – lanceolate or lanceolate, 2.5–10.0 × 1–3 cm, apex long acuminate, base cuneate; petiolules 0.7–2.0 cm long, base usually dark purple, sometimes tendrilous. Paniculate cymes axillary or terminal, usually many-flowered, 5–15 (– 30) cm long; bracts usually narrowly lanceolate to linear, 0.7–1.5 (– 2.3) × 1.5–4.0 mm, petiolate, rarely leaflike, both surfaces appressed-puberulous. Flowers 2–3 cm in diameter, pungent aromatic, bisexual, erect; buds ovoid, apex acute. Pedicel 1–2 cm long, together with peduncle and rachis densely persistently appressed-puberulous. Sepals 4, white, spreading, cuneate or oblanceolate, 10–14 × 4–6 mm, apex subtruncate and premorse, adaxially glabrous, abaxially densely puberulous, margin velutinous. Stamens 26–49, white, glabrous, 6–11 mm long; filaments 3–7 mm long; anthers linear, 2–4 mm long, apex obtuse or minutely apiculate. Pistils (5 –) 8–12; ovaries pubescent; style densely villous. Achenes usually 3–7, brown, ovate, compressed but slightly swollen in the middle, 5.4–6.3 × 3.0– 3.7 mm, densely ascending pubescent, margin not or slightly thickened; persistent styles 2.5–3.0 cm long, plumose, whitish (Figs 5 – 7 ).

Phenology.

Flowering occurs from May to November, with fruiting from September to January of the following year.

Etymology.

The specific epithet refers to the Danxia landform where the species occurs.

Distribution and ecology.

C. danxiacola occurs in Yongkang County of Jinhua City, and Qingtian County, Jinyun County, and Liandu District of Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, China (Fig. 8 ). The species inhabits sunny slopes or ridges of low hills of the Danxia landform within the elevation range 50–550 m a. s. l, typically climbing on tree canopies or shrubs at forest edges or roadsides. The substrate consists of soil derived from weathered purple sandy conglomerate.

Conservation assessment.

The currently known 19 populations of C. danxiacola are distributed across two prefecture-level cities, four counties, and 14 towns. The total distribution area is approximately 100 km 2 with an estimated population exceeding 1000 mature individuals. Despite occurring in low-hill areas characterized by frequent human activities and habitat fragmentation, the species demonstrates resilience due to its drought tolerance, arid soil adaptability, climbing capabilities, high reproductive success, and extensive potential habitat availability. Furthermore, the species currently faces minimal anthropogenic pressure as its economic value remains undetermined, resulting in limited local exploitation. Based on these factors, we propose that C. danxiacola be classified as a “ Least Concern (LC) ” species according to IUCN Red List criteria ( IUCN 2024).

Additional specimens examined ( paratypes).

China • Zhejiang Province, Jinhua City, Yongkang County, Xicheng Subdistrict, Feilongshan , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, the forest margin on slope, alt. 182 m a. s. l., June 29, 2023, Jun-Ping Li, Jian-Ping Zhong et Zheng-Hai Chen YK 23062907 ( ZM) ; • same locality, October 9, 2023, Jun-Ping Li, Shang-Jiao Ying et Zheng-Hai Chen YK 23100904 ( ZM) ; • same locality, alt. 181 m a. s. l., 28°59'23.88"N, 120°0'41.40"E, August 18, 2023, Zheng-Hai Chen, Jun-Ping Li et He-Ping Chen YK 23081801 ( ZM, HZU) ; • Xiangzhu Town, Wangxitian Village, Longqingkeng , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, on open land at the forest margin on ridge, alt. 246 m a. s. l., 29°0'8.40"N, 120°2'33.06"E, August 18, 2023, Shang-Jiao Ying et Xia-Shuo Lei YK 23081802 ( ZM, HZU) ; • same locality and date, Jun-Ping Li, He-Ping Chen et Zheng-Hai Chen YK 23081808 ( ZM) ; • Zhiying Town, Xianling Village, Chiyantang Reservoir , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, on bushes at the forest margin on slope, alt. 199 m a. s. l., July 13, 2023, Jun-Ping Li YK 23071302 ( ZM) ; • same locality, alt. 177 m a. s. l., October 8, 2023, Jun-Ping Li et Zheng-Hai Chen YK 23100801 ( ZM) ; • same locality and date, on ridge bushes, alt. 256 m a. s. l., October 8, 2023, Jun-Ping Li et Zheng-Hai Chen YK 23100802 ( ZM) ; • same locality and date, on ridge bushes, alt. 270 m a. s. l., October 8, 2023, Jun-Ping Li et Zheng-Hai Chen YK 23100803 ( ZM) ; • same locality and date, on bushes near the hilltop, alt. 277 m a. s. l., October 8, 2023, Jun-Ping Li et Zheng-Hai Chen YK 23100804 ( ZM) ; • same locality and date, on ridge bushes, alt. 271 m a. s. l., October 8, 2023, Jun-Ping Li et Zheng-Hai Chen YK 23100805 ( ZM) ; • Qianshanyangxia Village , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, on ridge bushes, alt. 236 m a. s. l., 28°55'15.13"N, 120°9'9.49"E, November 8, 2023, Zheng-Hai Chen, Jun-Ping Li et Wen-Yuan Xie YK 23110802 ( ZM) ; • same locality and date, alt. 268 m a. s. l., 28°55'10.71"N, 120°9'32.15"E, Zheng-Hai Chen, Jun-Ping Li et Wen-Yuan Xie YK 23110808 ( ZM) ; • Shizhu Town, Qianlang Village , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, on bushes at the forest margin on slope, alt. 175 m a. s. l., 28°49'59"N, 120°7'14.50"E, August 18, 2023, Jun-Ping Li, He-Ping Chen et Zheng-Hai Chen YK 23081805 ( ZM) ; • same locality and date, on bushes at the forest margin on ridge, alt. 230 m a. s. l., He-Ping Chen, Jun-Ping Li et Zheng-Hai Chen YK 23081806 ( ZM) ; • same locality, November 7, 2023, Zheng-Hai Chen, Jun-Ping Li et Wen-Yuan Xie YK 23110702 ( ZM) . • Lishui City, Liandu District, Nanmingshan Subdistrict, Jinshanxia Village, Duimianshan , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, in bushes beside the highway, alt. 160 m a. s. l., July 23, 2023, Dong-Hao Wu LD 23072301, LD 23072302, LD 23072303 ( ZM) ; • Baiyun Subdistrict, Baiyunshan, Nanbenjishan , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, in bushes by a trail, alt. 176 m a. s. l., 28°28'54.4"N, 119°55'4.71"E, July 29, 2023, Dong-Hao Wu LD 23072901 ( ZM) ; • same locality, August 10, 2023, Wen-Yuan Xie, Jun-Feng Wang, Zheng-Hai Chen et al. LD 23081001 ( ZM, HZU) ; • Beibenjishan , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, in roadside bushes at the mountain foot, alt. 155 m a. s. l., July 29, 2023, Dong-Hao Wu LD 23072902 ( ZM) ; • Zijin Subdistrict, Hebian Village, Bogushan , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, in roadside bushes at the mountain foot, alt. 90 m a. s. l., August 5, 2023, Jian-Ping Zhong et Dong-Hao Wu LD 23080501 ( ZM) ; • Huangnidan Village , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, on bushes amid steep slopes near the highway, alt. 98 m a. s. l., 28°27'37.23"N, 119°57'47.73"E, August 5, 2023, Jian-Ping Zhong et Dong-Hao Wu LD 23080502 ( ZM) ; • the same locality, August 10, 2023, Wen-Yuan Xie, Jun-Feng Wang, Zheng-Hai Chen et al. LD 23081003 ( ZM, HZU) ; • the same locality, October 10, 2023, Jun-Feng Wang et Zheng-Hai Chen LD 23101001 ( ZM) ; • Shuilinggen Village , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, on bushes near the highway, alt. 333 m a. s. l., August 5, 2023, Jian-Ping Zhong et Dong-Hao LD 23080503 ( ZM) ; • Fuling Subdistrict, Jinshan , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, beside a hiking trail on the hillside, alt. 154 m a. s. l., October 10, 2023, Jun-Feng Wang et Zheng-Hai Chen LD 23101002 ( ZM) ; • the same locality and date, on tree crown by the hillside road, alt. 160 m a. s. l., Jun-Feng Wang et Zheng-Hai Chen LD 23101003 ( ZM) ; • the same locality and date, on tree crown by the hillside road, alt. 165 m a. s. l., Jun-Feng Wang et Zheng-Hai Chen LD 23101005 ( ZM) ; • the same locality and date, on bushes by the hillside road, alt. 163 m a. s. l., Jun-Feng Wang et Zheng-Hai Chen LD 23101006 ( ZM) ; • the same locality and date, on bushes by the hillside path, alt. 162 m a. s. l., Jun-Feng Wang et Zheng-Hai Chen LD 23101007 ( ZM) ; • Huangcun Town, Huangcun Village , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, in bushes by the highroad near a small temple, alt. 129 m a. s. l., 28°30'40.02"N, 120°2'48.74"E, July 30, 2023, Dong-Hao Wu LD 23073001 ( ZM) ; • Yanquan Subdistrict, introduced from Xiayinkeng Village and cultivated by Yong-Jun Chen , alt. 50 m a. s. l., July 30, 2023, Dong-Hao Wu LD 23073002 ( ZM) ; • the same locality, Xiayinkeng Village, Changkeng , purple glutenite in the Danxia landform area, in bushes by the roadside, alt. 235 m a. s. l., August 4, 2023, Dong-Hao Wu et Yong-Jun Chen LD 23080401 ( ZM) ; • Taiping Town , on steep shrubs, 119°53'19.8"E, 28°32'34.0"N, alt. 453 m a. s. l., July 27, 2024, Lian-Hai Wu et Zheng-Hai Chen LD 24072701 ( ZM) ; • the same locality and date, 119°53'19.87"E, 28°32'34.09"N, alt. 410 m a. s. l., Jun-Feng Wang et Dong-Hao Wu 24072702 ( ZM) . • Jinyun County, Huzheng Town , on steep shrubs, 120°21'12.12"E, 28°48'18.63"N, alt. 550 m a. s. l., July 7, 2024, Shang-Jiao Ying, Jun-Ping Li, Liang-Dong > et Zheng-Hai Chen JY 24070701 ( ZM) . • Qingtian County, Lakou Town, near Kengkou Village , on shrubs and on rock walls next to the highway, 28°20'31.55"N, 119°56'53.19"E, alt. 53 m a. s. l., August 17, 2024, Jun-Feng Wang, Dong-Hao Wu et Jian-Ping Zhong QT 24081701 ( KUN, PE, ZM) ; • the same locality and date, near Yaojun Village , 28°24'31.26"N, 119°59'57.36"E, alt. 102 m a. s. l., Dong-Hao Wu et Jian-Ping Zhong QT 24081702 ( ZM) ; • Shuqiao Town, near Shakeng Village , on a tree crown and on a rock wall by the roadside, 28°24'54.20"N, 120°2'51.26"E, alt. 277 m a. s. l., Jun-Feng Wang et Jian-Ping Zhong QT 24081703 ( ZM) .

Figures

Figure 5. Habitat and habitus of C. danxiacola sp. nov. A. Habitat; B. Leaves of spring new shoot; C. Inflorescence of spring new shoot; D. Infructescence of spring new shoot; E. Branchlet and leaves of summer – fall new shoot; F. Inflorescence of summer – fall new shoot. Images captured by Dong-Hao Wu (A), Zheng-Hai Chen (B – E), Jun-Ping Li (F).

Figure 6. Morphological characteristics of C. danxiacola sp. nov. A. Flowering branch (b, summer – fall new shoot); B. Branchlet and axillary bud; C. Leaf (a, spring new shoot; b, summer – fall new shoot); D. Leaflet blade; E. Bud; F. Flower; G. Dissected flower (showing sepals); H. Fruiting branch; I. Infructescence; J. Achene and persistent style. Images captured by Zheng-Hai Chen (A, B, Cb, D – F, H, I) in the field; Jun-Ping Li (Ca, G, J) in the laboratory.

Figure 7. Line drawing of Clematis danxiacola sp. nov. A. Flowering branch; B. Stem; C. Leaf; D. Sepal; E. Stamen; F. Infructescence. Drawn by Yi-Chen Wang.

Figure 8. Geographic distribution of Clematis danxiacola in Zhejiang Province (red dots).