Xie Xiao-Ting, Wei Yi-Ming, Chen Yong-Jun, Zhang Dian-Xiang, Shen Jian-Yong, Xing Yao-Wu, Li Bo
Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences Mengla China.
College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.
Ecol Evol. 2025 Aug 31;15(9):e72089. doi: 10.1002/ece3.72089. eCollection 2025 Sep.
, a distinctive new species discovered in Medog County, southeastern Xizang, China, is here described and illustrated. The generic placement of this species was validated through integrated morphological and palynological observations, as well as molecular phylogenetic analyses using three cpDNA markers (, , and ). Within , is most closely related to but differs significantly in growth habit, leaf shape, inflorescence structure, and achene micromorphology. Crucially, possesses a unique vegetative reproductive strategy, viz. the production of bulbils at both stolon apices and inflorescence apex. This dual-bulbil trait is exceptionally rare within Polygonaceae and likely represents an evolutionary adaptation to the hyperhumid monsoon environment of Medog County as a reproductive assurance strategy.
本文描述并展示了在中国西藏东南部墨脱县发现的一个独特新物种。通过综合形态学和孢粉学观察，以及使用三个叶绿体DNA标记（、和）进行分子系统发育分析，验证了该物种的属级分类地位。在属内，与关系最为密切，但在生长习性、叶片形状、花序结构和瘦果微观形态上有显著差异。至关重要的是，具有独特的营养繁殖策略，即匍匐茎顶端和花序顶端均产生珠芽。这种双珠芽特征在蓼科中极为罕见，可能代表了对墨脱县高湿度季风环境的一种进化适应，作为一种繁殖保障策略。
