Skip to main content

Prof. Weiming Zhu ironwood (Xantolis weimingii) described with completely glabrous flower crowns

Prof. Weiming Zhu ironwood (Xantolis weimingii) described with completely glabrous flower crowns

NEWS - Xantolis weimingii (Sapotaceae, Chrysophylloideae) is described from Yunnan, southwest China and can be easily distinguished from its relatives by the combination of densely covered plants with ferruginous arachnoid-lanate, oblong or obovate leaves and pendulous staminodes at the base.

Xantolis Raf. 1838 (Sapotaceae, Chrysophylloideae) is a small genus of trees and shrubs containing about 14 species with a distribution from the eastern Himalayas to the Philippines in tropical Asia. The genus is morphologically characterized by distinct spines, a sharp anther appendage, lanceolate lobes on the calyx and corolla, and aristate staminodes.

Molecular data suggest that the genus is sister to the entire subfamily Chrysophylloideae and is a very isolated and poorly understood genus. Specimens was first collected in the Luzhijiang Valley in August 2015, but only sterile or fruiting specimens were collected. In April 2022, a specimen with flowers was finally collected in Wadie, Yuanjiang.

The new species is most similar to X. tomentosa (Roxb.) Raf. but can be distinguished by its oblong or obverse oblong leaves, wide stony or nearly rounded base, acuminate apex, corolla entirely glabrous, 7.7-9.7 mm long, staminodes lanceolate, about 5 mm long, apex tapering to thorny, fringed at the base and glabrous.

The new species is also similar to X. cambodiana (Pierre ex Dubard) P. Royen from Indo-China, but differs by its oblong leaves, wide wedge-pointed or nearly rounded base, acuminate to acuminate apex, calyx oblong to triangular, 6-7 mm long, 3.5-4.5 mm wide, staminodes lanceolate, about 5 mm long, 1-2 mm wide at the base.

Researchers from Yunnan University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Yuxi Forestry and Grassland Bureau and the Yunnan Yuanjiang National Nature Reserve Management Bureau also described X. weimingii has fruits similar to X. assamica (C.B. Clarke) P. Royen, but differs in petioles 4-8 mm long, leaves ovate to obovate, 2.0-8.5 cm long and 1.5-5.0 cm wide.

The new species was given the etymology for Professor Weiming Zhu (朱维明-Wei Ming Chu, 1930-2023), a renowned botanist from Yunnan University, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the study of the Lycophyte flora, Chinese Ferns and to the Herbarium of Yunnan University.

X. weimingii is endemic to central Yunnan, southwest China, and is rarely collected. It has been found in four different locations to date, all in the dry and hot valleys of the Yuanjiang River and its main tributary the Luzhijiang River. The new species grows in savanna habitats on mountain slopes at elevations of 1100-1400 meters.

The rain shadow effect created by the Ailao-Wuliang Mountains and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau results in a typical hot and dry climate in the valleys. The climate is characterized by a dry season with an average annual temperature of 24C and an average annual evaporation capacity of 2700-3800 mm or three to six times higher than the average annual rainfall of 600-800 mm.

The new species is at high risk of extinction due to its limited geographic range, fragmented distribution, small population size and fragile environment. The researchers propose the Critically Endangered (CR) category based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2022).

Original research

Yang F, Chen C, Wang Q-P, Wu J-Y, Li Z-X, Wang H-C (2024). Xantolis weimingii (Sapotaceae), a new species from the Yuanjiang River basin, Yunnan, southwest China. PhytoKeys 246: 251-263, DOI:10.3897/phytokeys.246.119516
Labels:

Popular Posts

Korean mulberry (Morus indica)

Murbei or Korean mulberry ( Morus indica ) is a species of plant in Moraceae, shrub or small tree, up to 10 meters tall, slow growing, cylindrical stem, light brown with white nodules, M. indica has heart-shaped or oval-shaped leaves and sometimes three-lobed, 4-12.5 cm long, 2.5-7.5 cm wide, pointed tip, serrated margin, green and has a stalk. Monoecious inflorescences with male and female grow on the same tree, though often on different branches. Male flowers have a size of 9-11.5 mm and are covered with fine hairs. The female flowers are subglubose or only round in shape, measuring 6-9.5 mm. Stigma is 3.5 mm long with short, thick hair. The female flowers form compound fruit and are fleshy, green and white-haired to white, red and black when ripe. Korean mulberry is used in regulating blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Subphylum: Angiospermae Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Rosales Family: Moraceae Genus: Morus Species: Morus indica
Read more

Broad-handed carpenter bee (Xylocopa latipes)

Broad-handed carpenter bee ( Xylocopa latipes ) is an animal species in the Apidae, tropical wood bees, very large, strong, solitary lives and builds nests by burrowing into fallen trees to telephone poles in forests and cities with warm tropical climates. X. latipes is overall black and shiny with black wings that turn bluish or greenish or metallic purple in sunlight. A pair of large eyes and a pair of antennae have broad bases. The back has a horizontal line. The abdomen is oval in shape with segments, the margins are wide and the back has thick hair. The broad-handed carpenter bee produces a loud, distinctive low-pitched hum that can be heard in flight. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Hexapoda Class: Insecta Subclass: Pterygota Order: Hymenoptera Suborder: Apocrita Infraorder: Aculeata Superfamily: Apoidea Epifamily: Anthophila Family: Apidae Subfamily: Xylocopinae Tribe: Xylocopini Genus: Xylocopa Subgenus: Platynopoda Species: Xylocopa latipes
Read more

Malabar melastome (Melastoma malabathricum)

Senggani or malabar melastome ( Melastoma malabathricum ) is a plant species in Melastomataceae, shrubs, 0.5-5 m tall, woody stems, sympodial branches and reddish brown, scaly young branches or tightly haired, taproots and brown, widely used for materials ink and medicine. M. malabathricum has single and stemmed leaves, oval, 2-20 cm long, 1-8 cm wide, tapered, flat edges, rough and hairy surface, upper surface dark green and bright green underside. A straight bone in the middle and two curved bones on the edge. Malabar melastome blooms throughout the year, compound, clustered at the tips of branches and light purple, 3-4 cm in diameter, sticky petals, hair, short end, tapered tip, scaly protective leaves and reddish purple. The flower has 8-12 stamens, 3 cm long, pink, a pistil, potted green potted head and ovaries have 4-6 spaces. Five crowns, ovoid and bright purple. The fruit has a rough skin, dark red and has many black seeds with aryl, cup-shaped and 8 mm long. Ripe fru...
Read more