Maesa rugosa var. yunnansis, 2025

Dhatchanamoorthy, Narayanasamy & Devanathan, Krishanamoorthy, 2025, Reevaluating the infraspecific taxa of Maesa rugosa C. B. Clarke (Primulaceae): Taxonomic reassessment and typification update, Phytotaxa 683 (1), pp. 53-62 : 60-61

M. rugosa var. yunnansis Devanath. & Dhatchan. comb. nov. & stat. nov.

M. indica var. retusa Handal-Mazzetti (1936: 755) .

Holotype:— CHINA. Yunnan, Bahan (Pchalo), Lu-djiang (Salween) 27° 58’, 2400 – 2600 m, 23 rd Jun. 1916, H.F.v. Handal-Mazzetti 9031 WU (WU0059772 digital image!), Fig. 5 .

Description:—Shrubs, up to 3 m high. Branchlets subterete, densely brown scaly, warted, glabrescent. Petiole canaliculate, 2–3.5 cm; Leaves broadly obovate, 8–16 × 5–12.5 cm, leathery, rugose, broadly obtuse to cuneate at base, serrate to denticulate at margins, retuse-cuspidate at apex, acumen 4–6mm, coriaceous; lateral veins 8–12 pairs. Petiole c. 3 cm long. Inflorescences a panicle, axillary, 3–4.5 cm long, glabrous or puberulent; bracteoles triangular ovate, acute. Flowers creamy yellow, 2–3 mm across. Pedicel c. 1 mm long. Calyx lobes broadly ovate, c. 0.7 mm long, punctate-lineate, ciliate at margins, acute or obtuse at apex. Corolla campanulate; lobes 5, ovate or suborbicular, entire at margins, obtuse or rounded at apex, punctate-lineate. Stamens Inserted at middle of corolla tube; filaments very short; anthers ovoid. Pistil included. Style cylindric; stigma lobed. Fruit ovoid, c. 3 mm across, succulent, porcelain white, punctate-lineate.

Flowering & Fruiting:—July to October Distribution:—China (Xizang, Yunnan). Endemic. Ecology:—This taxon growing in the shady places of mixed forests, scrubs and stream banks at the elevation ranging from 2000–2800 m. Etymology:—This taxon is named after its type locality. Other specimens:— CHINA. Yunnan, Gaoligong Shan, Gongshan Xian, Binzhongluo Xiang, Xiannu Dong, N 28°

1′14″, E 98° 37′ 13″, 1770 m, 8th Jul. 2000, Li Heng 12081 CAS (CAS 0012049 digital image!); Gongshan Drungzu

Nuzu Zizhixian, Cikai Zheng. Heiwadi, N 27° 47′ 39″, E 98° 35′ 13″, 2020 m, 20th Apr. 2002, Li Heng 14558 CAS

(CAS 0012053 digital image!); Along track from Qiqi to second camp, N 27° 42.767′, E 98° 31.924′, 2300 m, 11th Oct.

2001, Zhenkun Zhou 132 UBC ( UBC V250371 digital image!).

Figures

FIGURE 5. Type of Maesa rugosa var. yunnansis Devanath. & Dhatchan. ≡ M. indica var. retuse Handal-Mazzetti (H.F.v. Handal- Mazzetti 9031, WU0059772)