Primula xinningensis (Primulaceae), a new species from karst caves in Hunan, China Author Zhang, Wei College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China & Provincial Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Biological Resources, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China Author Zhang, Yu College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China Author Shao, Jian Wen College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China & Provincial Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Biological Resources, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China shaojw@ahnu.edu.cn text PhytoKeys 2022 2022-06-13 199 155 166 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.199.85231 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.199.85231 1314-2003-199-155 E60353A7C61D5B3EBADE90395FBFD3A7 Primula xinningensis Wei Zhang bis & J.W.Shao sp. nov. Figs 3 , 4 , 5 Type . China . Hunan , Xinning County , Shimen Village , 26°30'27.22"N , 110°40'56.82"E , alt. 458 m , 28 Mar 2016 , Wei.Zhang & Jian.Wen.Shao ZW 20160328 ( holotype : ANUB!; isotypes: ANUB!, PE!) (Fig. 5 ) . Figure 5. Holotype of P. xinningensis Wei Zhang bis & J.W.Shao, sp. nov. Diagnosis. Cotyledon triangular obovate, leaves and scape densely covered with short glandular hairs, flowers long homostyled, corolla lobe apices conspicuously emarginate, pollen sac black. Description. Herb biennial, dwarf, densely covered with short glandular hairs. Leaves 9-25 in an open rosette; petiole 1.0-2.0 cm long; leaf blade pinnatisect, 4.0-8.0 cm long, 1.0-2.0 cm wide; pinnae 5-9 pairs, elliptic, margin usually pinnatifid, segments 3-5, apex mucronulate. Scapes 1-8 in each plant, 0.8-2.0 (-2.5) cm tall, carrying one umbel, usually 3 flowers per umbel; bracts linear lanceolate, 2-3 mm long. Pedicel slender, 0.3-0.8 cm. Flowers long homostylous. Calyx narrowly campanulate, 1.0-3.0 mm long, split to the middle; lobes lanceolate, apex acuminate, not outward curvature. Corolla pale red, flowers' limb 8.0-12.0 mm across, lobes obovate, ca. 2.5 mm wide, apex conspicuously emarginate, corolla tube 5.8-7.0 mm, both stamens and stigma at the mouth of the corolla tube, pollen sac black. Capsule subglobose, 1.0-3.0 mm in diam., dehiscing by valves. Phenology. Flowering from March to April, fruiting from April to May. Chinese name. Xīn ning yǔ ye bao chūn (新宁羽叶报春). Etymology. The specific epithet ' xinningensis ' refers to the locality, Xinning County, Hunan, China. Distribution and ecology. P. xinningensis is known only from Shimen Village, Xinning County, Hunan, China. Growing on the walls or ground of karst caves, at an altitude of 385-487 m. The main accompanied species were Primulina latinervis (W.T.Wang) Mich. Moeller & A. Weber. ( Gesneriaceae ), Cyrtomium fortunei J.Sm. ( Dryopteridaceae ) and Pteris multifida Poir. ( Pteridaceae ). Conservation status. Vulnerable (VU D1 and D2). This species is endemic to China, Hunan Province, Xinning County, Shimen Village. We only found three populations, all of them near the entrance to the karst caves and each with about 100-250 individuals. The surrounding area is cultivated field with strong human activities. The Extent of Occurrence (EOO) is less than 10 km2 and the known Area of Occupancy (AOO) is less than 0.5 km2. Therefore, the conservation status of this new species is evaluated as 'Vulnerable' (VU) as it meets criterion D1 and D2, according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria ( IUCN 2019 ). In addition, P. shimemensis is a homostylous species. Although Primula containing ca. 500 species, there are only ca. 45 species having monomorphic populations ( Mast et al. 2006 ). Therefore, the recognition of this new species increases the homostylous species diversity in Primula and can provide valuable material for studying the evolution and maintenance mechanism of distylous flowers. Additional specimen examined. China. Hunan: Xinning County, Wanfeng Forest Farm, alt. 450 m, 22 Apr 1995, Lin Bo Luo 00205565 (PE); Xinning County, Wanfeng Forest Farm, alt. 450 m, 22 Apr 1995, Lin Bo Luo 00353811 (IBK); Xinning County, Shuimiao Town, Jiangmu Village, alt. 347 m, 19 Feb 2014, Xun Lin Yu & Hui Zhou 028303 (CSFI); Xinning County, Shuimiao Town, Jiangmu Village, alt. 347 m, 19 Feb 2014, Xun Lin Yu & Hui Zhou 028304 (CSFI).