Preliminary phylogeny of Fordiophyton (Melastomataceae), with the description of two new species Author Zeng, Si-Jin Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, The National Orchid Conservation Center of China and The Orchid Conservation and Research Center of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China Author Zou, Long-Hai Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, The National Orchid Conservation Center of China and The Orchid Conservation and Research Center of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China Author Wang, Pan Author Hong, Wen-Jun Author Zhang, Guo-Qiang Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, The National Orchid Conservation Center of China and The Orchid Conservation and Research Center of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China Author Chen, Li-Jun Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, The National Orchid Conservation Center of China and The Orchid Conservation and Research Center of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China Author Zhuang, Xue-Ying text Phytotaxa 2016 2016-02-17 247 1 45 61 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.247.1.3 journal article 10.11646/phytotaxa.247.1.3 1179-3163 13678782 Fordiophyton chenii S. Jin Zeng & X. Y. Zhuang , sp. nov. (ṪKṖÜË), ( Figs. 7 , 8 ) Type : CHINA . Guangdong ( ḞAE ): Jiangmen (ĭ‼), Enping ( ỄṬ ), on damp slopes of ravines in broad-leaved forests, 344 m , 28 Feb. 2013 , S . Jin Zeng et al. Q006 ( Holotype IBSC ; Isotypes B , CANT , HK, K , MO ) . Diagnosis: The new species Fordiophyton chenii resembles F. cordifolium but differs in its very short stems, rosette leaves, hypanthia with densely glandular trichomes and shorter stamens with yellow anthers. FIGURE 7. Drawing of Fordiophyton chenii S. Jin Zeng & X. Y. Zhuang. A : flowering plant; B: flower bud, front view. C: pistil and stamens, side view; D: flower, front view; E: petal; F: longer stamens, front view and back view; G: shorter stamens, front view and back view; H: ovary, vertical view and transverse view. Drawn by Pei-Wen Zhang. FIGURE 8. Comparison of Fordiophyton chenii and F. cordifolium . A–E: F. chenii ; F–I: F. cordifolium ; A, F: the plants in situ ; B, C, G: inflorescences; D, H: flower buds; E, I: an opening flower, side view. A perennial herb, succulent, with raphides both in vegetative and floral parts ( Fig. 5 , A – C ). Stem stoloniferous, 1.6–3 cm , internodes not distinct. Leaves in a basal or sub-basal rosette; petiole 8–18 cm long, 4-sided, narrow-winged, sparsely glandular trichomes when young, glabrescent later; leaf blade ovate or ovate-elliptic, 9–13 × 9–12 cm , base cordate, apex acute, margin entire, membranaceous or slightly fleshy, glabrous; secondary veins 4 on each side of midvein, conspicuous; tertiary veins numerous, parallel, and connecting secondary veins; glabrous on both surfaces; abaxial veins typically purple. Inflorescences terminal, umbellate panicles, each branch 5–12-flowered, subsessile; peduncle 8–24.5 cm , hirsute on nodes, but glabrescent later; bracts oblong, with dense glandular trichomes, caducous. Hypanthia funnel-shaped, 10–12 mm , with dense glandular trichomes; calyx lobes ovate-triangle, 5 × 4–5 mm with dense glandular trichomes. Petals pink or purplish, oblong, ca. 10 × 8 mm , apex pinkish and with 1 glandular trichome at tip. Stamens 8, 4 long and 4 short arranged in 2 whorls. Longer stamens ca. 22 mm ; anthers oblong-linear, ca. 12 mm , bases with an obtuse fork, connective bases inflated and shorter than that of anther ( Fig. 2 , A ). Shorter stamens ca. 9 mm ; anthers oblong, ca. 4 mm , yellow, base obtuse fork, connective base slightly inflated ( Fig. 2 , B ). Ovary half-inferior, ovate, apex truncate and with a membranous crown; placentas shortly stalked ( Fig. 6 , B ). Capsule funnel-shaped, apex truncate, ca. 12–15 mm long, 5–7 mm in diameter. Seeds many, light brown, ca. 1 mm long. Flowering in January–February, fruiting in February–March. Distribution and habitat: Fordiophyton chenii grows in damp locations in ravines with broad-leaved forests between 327 m and 390 m in Jiangmen, Guangdong Province , China . Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the Chinese botanist and Professor Cheih Chen, who made great contributions to the taxonomy of Chinese melastomes. Conservation status: Based on its narrow geographic range and small and isolated populations with few individuals, Fordiophyton chenii should be considered endangered (EN) according to the IUCN red list criteria ( IUCN 2015 ).