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Pilea danxiaensis L.F.Fu, A.K.Monro & Y.G.Wei, a new species of Urticaceae from Danxia landform, Guangdong, China, is described and photographed. Phylogenetic analyses based on three DNA regions (ITS, trnL-F and rbcL) suggest that the new species belongs to P. sect. Pilea. Within the section, the new species is morphologically most similar to P. sinocrassifolia and P. peploides. Plastid genome and ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences of the new species are assembled and annotated. The plastid genome is 151,857 bp in length and comprises two inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,307 bp separated by a large singlecopy of 82,836 bp and a small single-copy of 18,407 bp. A total of 113 functional genes are recovered, comprising 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. A global conservation assessment suggests that P. danxiaensis should be classified as of Least Concern (LC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinostephanus, a new genus from southern China, is described and colorfully illustrated with a single species, A. enpingensis. This new genus is morphologically most similar to Boeica and Leptoboea, nevertheless, it can be easily distinguished from the latter two by the following characteristics, such as leaves in whorls of three, all closely clustered at the top; corolla bowl-shaped, 5-lobed, actinomorphic; capsule hard, oblong-ovoid, short, 3-4 mm long, densely appressed villous, wrapped by persistent densely pubescent calyx lobes, style persistent. The new genus and related genera were sequenced using the next-generation sequencing technique. The whole plastid genome of the new genus is 154, 315 - 154, 344 bp in length. We reconstructed phylogenetic trees using the dataset of 80 encoded protein genes of the whole plastid genome from 47 accessions based on ML and BI analyses. The result revealed that the new genus was recovering in a polytomy including Boeica, Rhynchotechum, and Leptoboea with strong support, congruent to the morphological evidence. A global conservation assessment was also performed and classifies A. enpingensis as Least Concern (LC). In addition, after a review of recently described species of Gesneriaceae, we propose that plant enthusiasts, especially Gesneriad fans, have been playing an increasingly important role in the process of new taxa-discoveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Deinostigma (Gesneriaceae) from Yunnan, China, Deinostigma fasciculatum W.H.Chen & Y.M.Shui, sp. nov., has been discovered and described. In the genus, the new species is similar to D. cicatricosum (W.T. Wang) D.J. Middleton & Mich. Möller and D. cyrtocarpum (D. Fang & L. Zeng) Mich. Möller & H.J. Atkins in dark purple flowers and falcate fruit, but differs from them mainly in the inflorescences with fasciculate flowers, calyx lobes (reflexed, narrowly lanceolate and 1.2-1.3 cm long), corolla tubes (sharply contracted below middle and white outside and below throat). The above three species grow nearby non-limestone wet cliffs and geographically isolated with different distributions (the new species in Southeast Yunnan, D. cicatricosum in Eastern Guangxi and D. cyrtocarpum in Southern Guangxi and Guangdong, China). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on consulting original literature, the examination of specimens, and field investigations, Didymostigma trichanthera is shown to be conspecific with Henckelia anachoreta. Therefore, Didymostigma trichanthera is formally treated as a synonym of Henckelia anachoreta here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Primulina species from Guangdong, China with an unusual inflorescence is described here. Primulina anisocymosa is vegetatively most similar to P. bobaiensis. It can be distinguished from all species within Primulina morphologically by its unique zigzag monochasial cyme and infructescence. To confirm the phylogenetic relationships and generic placement of this species, not only morphological anatomical features but also chromosome and DNA sequence data were examined and analysed here. Two samples from different populations identified as Primulina anisocymosa are monophyletic and were nested in a monophyletic clade within Primulina with high branch support. The somatic chromosome number of the new species is also reported (2nD36), supporting its placement in the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primulina lechangensis (Gesneriaceae), a new species from northern Guangdong province in southern China is described and illustrated. Its morphology suggests affinities to P. longicalyx, but can be distinguished from similar taxon by several distinct characters including: smaller leaf blade (2.0-3.5 × 1.0-1.2 cm), base cuneate-attenuate; smaller bracts (1.0-1.5 × c. 0.15 cm); shorter calyx lobes (0.8-0.9 cm long) tuberculate inside; smaller corolla tube (c. 2 cm long), inflated in the middle and contracted near the mouth; shorter glabrous filaments (0.3-0.4 cm long), inserted 1.3-1.5 cm from base of corolla; stamens and staminodes glabrous; pistil 1.4-1.5 cm long, and capsule c. 1.5 cm long. This species is further exemplified by photographs, and a distribution map is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Hemiboea, H. roseoalba, from Guangdong, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to H. gracilis and H. angustifolia in leaf and flower shape, but can be distinguished by leaf blade with serrulate from the middle to the apex, lateral veins 7-9 on each side of midrib; peduncle 2.5-3.0 cm long, glabrous; cymes 4-6-flowered; triangular calyx base connate for c. 0.3 cm; pink corolla 4.0-4.3 cm long and margin of lobes curled or retroflexed; staminodes 3; pistil 3.7-4.0 cm long; disc 2 mm high and truncate stigma slightly swollen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primulina lutvittata Fang Wen & Y.G. Wei, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Guangdong, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to P. fengshanensis, but differs by several characters of the leaves, cymes, bracts, corollas and anthers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elatostema robustipes W.T. Wang, F. Wen & Y.G. Wei and Pellionia tenuicuspis W.T. Wang, Y.G. Wei & F. Wen, two new species of Urticaceae from the Guangxi and Guangdong provinces (China), respectively, are described and illustrated. Elatostema robustipes most closely resembles E. balansae, and P. tenuicuspis most closely resem- bles P. incisoserrata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]