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Published November 19, 2025 | Version v1
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Balanophora xinfeniae (Balanophoraceae), a new species from Xizang, China

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
  • 2. Central South Inventory and Planning Institute of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Changsha, China
  • 3. Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China

Description

Balanophora xinfeniae C.L.Fu, M.Li & B.Xu, a new species discovered in Xizang, China, is described and illustrated here. Molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons strongly support B. xinfeniae as a new species within the genus Balanophora. The most distinctive characteristic of the new species is its dioecious sexual system, with male flowers having a 3-lobed perianth, opposite leaves with serrated tips, and yellow scapes. Although it shares morphological similarities with B. henryi, B. xinfeniae can be distinguished by its flat spheroid tubers without stellate lenticels, yellow scape, prominently serrated apical leaf margins, and nearly spherical or ovoid-ellipsoid female inflorescences.

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Additional details

Cites
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Figure: 10.3897/phytokeys.266.147400.figure2 (DOI)
Figure: 10.3897/phytokeys.266.147400.figure1 (DOI)
Figure: 10.3897/phytokeys.266.147400.figure3 (DOI)
Figure: 10.3897/phytokeys.266.147400.figure5 (DOI)
Figure: 10.3897/phytokeys.266.147400.figure4 (DOI)
Other: 10.3897/phytokeys.266.147400.suppl1 (DOI)
Other: 10.3897/phytokeys.266.147400.suppl2 (DOI)

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