Unveiling the hidden diversity: the second species of Wenchengia (Lamiaceae) discovered from a dry mountaintop meadow of Hainan Island, China

Wenchengia wui, a remarkable new species of Wenchengia endemic to a dry mountaintop meadow of Sanya City, Hainan Province, southern China, is described and illustrated. The new species is readily distinguished from the only other extant species, W. alternifolia, by its opposite phyllotaxy, oblong-ov...

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Main Authors: Si-Cheng Xu, Jin-Fei Xiao, Chun-Lei Xiang, Bo Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2025-07-01
Series:PhytoKeys
Online Access:https://phytokeys.pensoft.net/article/155679/download/pdf/
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author Si-Cheng Xu
Jin-Fei Xiao
Chun-Lei Xiang
Bo Li
author_facet Si-Cheng Xu
Jin-Fei Xiao
Chun-Lei Xiang
Bo Li
author_sort Si-Cheng Xu
collection DOAJ
description Wenchengia wui, a remarkable new species of Wenchengia endemic to a dry mountaintop meadow of Sanya City, Hainan Province, southern China, is described and illustrated. The new species is readily distinguished from the only other extant species, W. alternifolia, by its opposite phyllotaxy, oblong-ovate leaves with rounded to slightly truncate bases, shallowly funnelform calyces with spreading lips, and 8-ribbed nutlets, as well as its unique habitat preference. The new species is categorized as Critically Endangered (CR) according to the IUCN Red List criteria, based on its limited distribution, specialized habitat, and small population size. Detailed information on its distribution, habitat, diagnostic characteristics, and a comprehensive morphological description are provided. The discovery of this new species offers valuable insights into the evolutionary history and conservation strategies of Wenchengia.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1314-2003
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Pensoft Publishers
record_format Article
series PhytoKeys
spelling doaj-art-c7ad9b7d458148a7bcfacfd98243a70d2025-08-20T03:28:50ZengPensoft PublishersPhytoKeys1314-20032025-07-0125923924710.3897/phytokeys.259.155679155679Unveiling the hidden diversity: the second species of Wenchengia (Lamiaceae) discovered from a dry mountaintop meadow of Hainan Island, ChinaSi-Cheng Xu0Jin-Fei Xiao1Chun-Lei Xiang2Bo Li3Chinese Academy of SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesState Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Natural MedicinesChinese Academy of SciencesWenchengia wui, a remarkable new species of Wenchengia endemic to a dry mountaintop meadow of Sanya City, Hainan Province, southern China, is described and illustrated. The new species is readily distinguished from the only other extant species, W. alternifolia, by its opposite phyllotaxy, oblong-ovate leaves with rounded to slightly truncate bases, shallowly funnelform calyces with spreading lips, and 8-ribbed nutlets, as well as its unique habitat preference. The new species is categorized as Critically Endangered (CR) according to the IUCN Red List criteria, based on its limited distribution, specialized habitat, and small population size. Detailed information on its distribution, habitat, diagnostic characteristics, and a comprehensive morphological description are provided. The discovery of this new species offers valuable insights into the evolutionary history and conservation strategies of Wenchengia.https://phytokeys.pensoft.net/article/155679/download/pdf/
spellingShingle Si-Cheng Xu
Jin-Fei Xiao
Chun-Lei Xiang
Bo Li
Unveiling the hidden diversity: the second species of Wenchengia (Lamiaceae) discovered from a dry mountaintop meadow of Hainan Island, China
PhytoKeys
title Unveiling the hidden diversity: the second species of Wenchengia (Lamiaceae) discovered from a dry mountaintop meadow of Hainan Island, China
title_full Unveiling the hidden diversity: the second species of Wenchengia (Lamiaceae) discovered from a dry mountaintop meadow of Hainan Island, China
title_fullStr Unveiling the hidden diversity: the second species of Wenchengia (Lamiaceae) discovered from a dry mountaintop meadow of Hainan Island, China
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling the hidden diversity: the second species of Wenchengia (Lamiaceae) discovered from a dry mountaintop meadow of Hainan Island, China
title_short Unveiling the hidden diversity: the second species of Wenchengia (Lamiaceae) discovered from a dry mountaintop meadow of Hainan Island, China
title_sort unveiling the hidden diversity the second species of wenchengia lamiaceae discovered from a dry mountaintop meadow of hainan island china
url https://phytokeys.pensoft.net/article/155679/download/pdf/
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