Neillia daloushanensis M. T. An & Xu Wu, 2025

Neillia daloushanensis M. T. An & Xu Wu sp. nov.

Figs 1 View Figure 1 , 2 View Figure 2 , 5 View Figure 5

Type.

China • Guizhou Province, Daozhen Gelaozu Miaozu Autonomous County, Dashahe National Nature Reserve, Mazhaoyan , 29°11'N, 107°27'E, alt. 1910 m, 26 October 2024, Ming-tai An, Xu Wu, Yu-cai Feng, Hua-kai Zou, Jin-xiong Ba, GZAC-DSH-001 (holotype: GZAC!; paratype: PE!) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis.

The new species is morphologically most similar to Neillia gracilis Franch. , but differs notably in several characters. N. daloushanensis is a creeping liana with stout and quadrangular branchlets, whereas N. gracilis is not. Its leaves are approximately twice as long and wide as those of N. gracilis . The stipules are large and wide, broadly ovoid, sessile, and clasping, measuring 0.8–1.3 cm in length and 0.6–1.1 cm in width. The calyx tube is densely pilose on both surfaces and bears stipitate glands abaxially. Seeds number 2–4 (vs. 2 in N. gracilis , details refer to Table 2 View Table 2 ).

Description.

Creeping lianas, rhizomes woody. Branchlets stout, angular, glabrous, 0.5–1.4 m long. Leaves blade ovate or triangular-ovate, 5–9 × 3–6 cm, apex acuminate or long acuminate, base heart-shaped, margin obtuse doubly serrate and irregular 3–5 - lobed, rarely indehiscent, pubescent on both surfaces along veins. Petiole 1.2–2.3 cm long, sparsely pilose. Stipules large and wide, broadly ovoid, sessile, clasping, 0.8–1.3 × 0.6–1.1 cm, apex blunt, margin wavy-toothed, rarely entire, ciliate. Terminal raceme with 4–11 flowers, ca. 2.4 cm long. Bracts ovate, margin with ciliate. Pedicel ca. 0.2 cm, pilose. Flowers ca. 0.5 cm in diameter. Calyx tube bell-shaped, 0.3–0.4 cm long, densely pilose on both surfaces, covered with abaxially stipitate glandular. Sepals triangular-ovate, 0.2–0.3 cm long, apex tapering, margin entire, slightly pilose on both surfaces. Petals obovate, white or pinkish, ca. 0.3 × 0.3 cm, apex emarginate, ciliate. Stamens ca. 20, inserted at the edge of the calyx tube, not exceeding the sepals in height. Ovary densely villous, with 2–4 ovules. Follicles hidden in the persistent calyx tube. Seeds 2–4, bright brown, with raised seed ridges.

Distribution and habitat.

This species is currently known only from Dashahe National Nature Reserve, Daozhen Gelaozu Miaozu Autonomous County, Guizhou Province, where it grows on bare high-altitude land or at the edges of shrubs at an altitude of ca. 1900 m (Fig. 3 View Figure 3 ). It may also occur in adjacent areas of Chongqing Province.

Phenology.

The flowering and fruiting period is from September to December.

Etymology.

“daloushanensis” specifically refers to the Dalou mountain range.

Local name.

Simplified Chinese: 大娄山绣线梅.

Conservation status.

We investigated potential habitats in the surrounding area and found that Neillia daloushanensis primarily grows on sandy-gravel soil with ample light and good drainage. The soil in these habitats is relatively poor, and the species is absent from adjacent shrublands characterized by deep humus layers. Although N. daloushanensis occasionally occurs at forest edges, its growth there is noticeably poorer than on exposed bare ground. Due to the limited extent of suitable bare land, the estimated population size is fewer than 50 individuals. Additionally, a review of image and specimen databases from regions with similar habitats and elevations revealed no other known populations. However, as a comprehensive investigation of the population status of N. daloushanensis has not yet been conducted, we recommend classifying it as Data Deficient “DD” according to the IUCN criteria ( IUCN 2022).

Phylogenetic affiliation.

The phylogenetic analysis reveals that N. daloushanensis forms a distinct clade sister to a group comprising N. affinis var. pauciflora , N. thyrsiflora , and N. gracilis , rather than clustering exclusively with its morphologically similar species, N. gracilis (Fig. 4 View Figure 4 ). Morphologically, only N. daloushanensis is a semi-lignified creeping liana, which can also be well distinguished by the large and wide stipules, densely pilose calyx tube on both surfaces and seeds 2–4.