Dichocarpum longliense Bo Wang, Q. W. Sun & S. Z. He sp. nov.

Figs 2, 3, 4

Type.

China • Guizhou Province, Longli County, Wantanhe Township, Kaika Village, Kaoru Mountain, 26°19′31.18″N, 106°59′51.60″E, elev. ca. 1139 m, 25 March 2022, Bo Wang, wb- 202203022 (holotype: GZTM!; isotypes: GZTM!).

Diagnosis.

This species is similar to D. basilare, D. trifoliolatum, D. carinatum, D. franchetii, D. adiantifolium, and D. arisanense. However, it differs from these species in several key morphological traits. Specifically, its leaflets are scalloped or suborbicular (vs. rhombic to broadly rhombic-ovate in the other six species), and its inflorescence bears only a single flower (vs. 3–7 flowers in the inflorescences of the other species). Additionally, it differs from D. uniflorum, which also features a single flower, in terms of leaflet quantity and flower size.

Description.

Perennial herb, glabrous. Creeping growth, stolons 2–13 cm long. Rhizome slender, 1–1.5 cm long, ca. 0.5–0.8 cm in diameter. Unbranched, with numerous fibrous roots, 8–14 cm long. Basal leaves 3–8, pedately compound, 3–5 - foliolate, thin papery, petiole 5–11 cm, leaf blade 1.5–2.6 × 1–2.4 cm, central leaflet scalloped to nearly rounded, base broadly cuneate or rounded, 2–2.6 × 1.8–2.4 cm, margin distally crenate, apex obtuse, leaflet petiole 0.3–2 cm; lateral leaflets 1–2, scalloped to nearly rounded, 1.5–2 × 1–1.8 cm, margin distally crenate, apex obtuse; without cauline leaves. Bracts 2, opposite, sessile or shortly petiolate, 3 - foliolate. Flowering stem ca. 10–15 cm tall. Inflorescence only 1 flower. Sepals 5, ovate-oblong, white, 1.2–1.4 × 0.6–0.8 cm, apex acute. Petal fan-shaped, golden yellow, apex concave deficiency, 6 × 2 mm, claw ca. 2 mm. Stamens 25–40, anther narrowly oblong, ca. 0.8 mm. Filaments ca. 0.9 cm; ovary narrowly obovate, 0.8–1 cm, persistent styles ca. 2 mm. Follicles linear, ca. 10 mm, beaks ca. 2–2.5 mm.

Distribution and ecology.

The new species is currently restricted to the type locality, specifically Kaoru Mountain, located in Kaika Village, Wantanhe Township, Longli County, Guizhou, China, at an approximate elevation of 1139 meters. Here, only three populations comprising approximately 120 individuals were discovered growing in a moist gully and the entrance of a cave. These plants were accompanied by Adiantum capillus-veneris Linnaeus (Pteridaceae), Hymenasplenium sp. (Aspleniaceae), Elatostema sp. (Urticaceae), and other species.

Phenology.

Flowering from March to April; fruiting from April to June.

Etymology.

The specific epithet ‘ longliense ’ is derived from the type locality, Longli (Guizhou, China).

Vernacular name.

Simplified Chinese: 龙里人字果; Chinese Pinyin: LóngLǐ RénZìGuǒ.

Additional specimen studied (paratype).

China, Guizhou, Guiyang city, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Germplasm Garden, cultivated, 25 March 2022, wb- 202203024, introduced by Bo Wang from the type locality.