Sinocrassula kunmingensis J. Guan Wang & Jing Zhao sp. nov.
Figs 2, 3
Type.
China • Yunnan: Kunming City, Chenggong District, Santai Mountain; elev. ca. 1933 m; 24.894500, 102.795700; 15 October 2025; Jia-Guan Wang, Jing Zhao & Chuan-Jie Huang YUS 15601 (holotype YUKU!; isotype YUKU!).
Diagnosis.
Sinocrassula kunmingensis is morphologically similar to S. obliquifolia Jing Zhao, J. Guan Wang & X. M. Zhou and S. crassifolia Chao Chen, Jing Zhao & J. Guan Wang, but can be distinguished by the following characters. Compared to S. obliquifolia, this species stem leaves are greenish-yellow or red (vs. purple-red in S. obliquifolia), bracts are ovate-lanceolate (vs. lanceolate in S. obliquifolia), nectar scales are subligulate, measuring 0.5–0.8 × 0.4–0.8 mm (vs. rectangular, 0.3–0.5 × 0.2–0.3 mm in S. obliquifolia). Compared to S. crassifolia, inflorescences are longer, 10–15 cm (vs. 3–10 cm in S. crassifolia), flowers are reddish-purple (vs. pinkish-white in S. crassifolia), nectar scales are subligulate (vs. reniform in S. crassifolia).
Description.
Terrestrial or lithophytic, perennial, 25.0–33.0 cm tall, glabrous, rosette 4.0–6.0 × 3.0–6.0 cm in diam. Roots fibrous. Basal leaves rosulate, ca. 25–35, spirally arranged, base green or glaucous green, asymmetrically long-spatulate 1.5–3.5 × 0.7–1.0 cm, upward red brown with spots. Flowering stems terminal, 10.0–15.0 cm, slender, glabrous, red brown with spots, basally branched. Stem leaves alternate, greenish-yellow or red without spots, lanceolate, relatively narrow and elongated, 2.8–3.2 × 0.7–1.0 cm, obliquely ascending or slightly reflexed. Inflorescence corymbiform, ca. 2.0–3.0 cm in diam, many flowered. Bracts spreading, ovate-lanceolate, 0.7–1.2 × 0.2–0.4 cm. Flowers small, ca. 4.0–6.0 mm in diam, pedicels green, slightly longer than flowers. Sepals broadly triangular, green with purplish-red spots, 1.5–3.0 × 0.5–1.2 mm, minutely papillate, apex acute to acuminate, base truncate to slightly rounded. Petals triangular, base yellow white, middle with a slight central protrusion, densely purplish-red spotted or streaked upward, 2.0–3.0 × 1.0–2.0 mm. Stamens slightly shorter than petals, ca. 1.8–2.5 mm long, filaments basally gradually broadened; anthers golden yellow. Nectar scales nearly ligulate, ca. 0.5–0.8 × 0.4–0.8 mm. Carpels five, lanceolate, arranged clockwise, 2.0–3.0 × 0.5–1.0 mm. Styles slender, white, ca. 1.0– 1.5 mm. Pollen grain prolate-spheroidal, 20.0–25.0 × 10.0–15.0 μm, surface ornamentation irregularly striate. Flowering from September to January.
Distribution and habitat.
Sinocrassula kunmingensis is currently known in central Yunnan Province, China. Two populations were found in granite crevices, as well as on dry stony or gravelly slopes at elevations ranging from 1933 to 2186 m.
Additional specimens examined (paratypes).
China • Yunnan: Kunming City, Wuhua District, Qiongzhu Temple, Yu’an Mountain, elev. ca. 2186 m, 25.0814°N, 102.6272°E, 15 June 2023, Jing Zhao & Mei-Ying Wu YUS 15397 (YUKU!).
Etymology.
The epithet kunmingensis refers to Kunming City, the location where the species was discovered. Its Chinese name is suggested as ‘ 昆明石莲 (kun ming shi lian) ’.
