Tingzhou bramble (Rubus tingzhouensis) from China as new to science similar to Rubus swinhoei Hance

NEWS - Tingzhou bramble (Rubus tingzhouensis C.An & G.C.Lin, sp. nov.) from Fujian Province, China, established as new to science which is morphologically similar to Rubus swinhoei Hance with chloroplast genome is 156,311 bp long and consists of 132 unique genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNAs, eight ribosomal RNAs, and one pseudogene.

Rubus L. (Rosaceae) established by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 originally consisted of only 10 species. Over 270 years of botanical exploration and taxonomic refinement, Rubus has expanded to include nearly 700 species. This expansion makes it one of the most species-rich genera among the antherioids.

The genus covers temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere. In China alone, more than 208 species have been documented with 139 of them considered endemic. The high number of endemic species highlights China’s unique biodiversity and emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts to protect this species.

R. tingzhouensis is similar to R. swinhoei in growth habit, with oblong to lanceolate leaflets and botryoid inflorescences that may be apical or axillary. However, R. tingzhouensis can be distinguished by its dense indumentum with long reddish-purple stipitate glands, soft setae, and short light yellow trichomes on the plant surface.

It also has scattered epidermal spines, which add to its distinctive appearance. In addition, it has deeply notched stipules measuring 1–1.5 cm long, which are significantly more divided than those of related species, making it a key distinguishing feature.

The new species flowers in March to May. The specific epithet ‘tingzhouensis’ refers to the ancient county of Tingzhou (汀州) in southwest Fujian, China, where the species was found. The Chinese name, “红毛木莓” (hong mao mu mei), reflects the dense plant cover of long reddish purple hairs.

Currently, this species is only found in Changting and Shanghang, Fujian. It is sporadically distributed in the understory of primary forests in mountain valleys at elevations of 300-400 m. The habitat has a thick layer of dead branches, leaf litter and a large amount of humus that supports vigorous herbaceous, shrubby and woody growth.

Associated species include Vernicia montana Lour. and Pterocarya stenoptera C.D.C. in the tree layer; R. corchorifolius L.f., Buddleja lindleyana Fortune, Diplospora dubia (Lindl.) Masam., Callicarpa kochiana Makino, Ilex pubescens Hook. & Arn., Itea omeiensis C.K.Schneid., C. formosana R.Br., Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz., Loropetalum chinense (R.Br.) Oliv., Mallotus apelta (Lour.) Müll.Arg., Trema tomentosa (Roxb.) H.Hara, Phyllanthus glaucus Wall. ex Müll.Arg., Melastoma malabathricum L. and R. reflexus Ker Gawl. in the shrub layer; Lysimachia alfredii Hance, Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don, Blechnopsis orientalis (L.) C.Presl and Dicranopteris pedata (Houtt.) Nakaike in the herb layer.

Most of the populations are outside the conservation zone, making them vulnerable to ongoing exploitation of forest resources by local people. The researchers propose an initial status of Vulnerable (VU D2) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria which reflects a population with a very restricted range (usually less than 20 km2) or a few locations (usually 5 km2 or less).

DESCRIPTION

Vines, lianas and shrubs. Stems cylindrical, greyish-brown, with dense, reddish-purple long glandular hairs, soft bristles, short yellowish hairs and sparse prickles, apically rooting. Leaves simple; blades ovate to oblong-lanceolate, herbaceous, 8–16 × 3.5–6 cm, apex acuminate to acute, base cordate; adaxially flat, hirsutullous with long, purple stipitate glands along veins, abaxially densely yellowish-brown tomentose and pubescent, with long soft hairs along mid-ribs; principal veins sparsely retrorsely aculeolate, margin unevenly serrate to doubly serrate, apex acuminate to acute, lateral veins 9 to 10 pairs; petiole 1.5–2 cm, with dense, long, purplish-red glandular hairs and soft bristles; stipules caducous, free, pinnatipartite, lobes narrowly elliptic or lanceolate, densely covered with long glandular hairs and tomentose-villous, 1–1.5 cm. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, short botryoid, 5–10 flowered; involucral bracts 6–9 mm, lobed, lobes linear or lanceolate, villous, rachis and pedicels with dense reddish-purple long glandular hairs and soft bristles; peduncle 5–10 cm, pedicels 1.5–2 cm; Flowers 2–2.5 cm. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, 5–6 mm, apex acuminate to caudate, outer sepals usually 2- or 3-laciniate; abaxially densely greyish-white pubescent, purplish-red long glandular hairs and soft bristles, adaxially densely greyish-white pubescent. Petals white, broadly ovate to oblong, 5–6 × 4–5 mm, base barely clawed, slightly shorter than sepals. Stamens many; filaments linear, lower part slightly broader; anthers with few long hairs. Carpels many, style longer than stamens, glabrous.

Original research

Chen M, Lin G-C, Wang T, Zhuang Y-X, Yao Y-X, Yang C-Z, Qin Y, Lin Y-X, An C (2024). Rubus tingzhouensis (Rosaceae), a new species from Fujian, China. PhytoKeys 249: 251-267, DOI:10.3897/phytokeys.249.138951

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