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Type: Article
Published: 2017-02-15
Page range: 171–179
Abstract views: 35
PDF downloaded: 56

Impatiens tanintharyiensis (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Southern Myanmar

Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands. Leiden University, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Garden Department, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, PO Box 7, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand.
School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, 3209, Scottsville, South Africa.
Myanmar Floriculturist Association, People’s Square and People’s Park, Ahlone Road, Dagon Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
Botanic Garden Meise, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium.
floral asymmetry Impatiens lithophyte Myanmar Semeiocardium taxonomy Eudicots

Abstract

Impatiens tanintharyiensis Ruchisansakun, Suksathan & Saw-Lwin from the Tanintharyi region of Southern Myanmar is described and illustrated as a new species. The presence of connate lateral united petals and a four-locular ovary, as well as results of molecular phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ITS and plastid atpB-rbcL spacer DNA sequences, suggest that the new species is a member of Impatiens section Semeiocardium (Zoll.) S.X. Yu & Wei Wang. The new species is morphologically most similar to I. spectabilis Triboun & Suksathan, but can be distinguished by its asymmetric flowers, saccate-bucciniform lower sepal, and shorter, slightly incurved spur. Floral traits, including the presence of a large floral chamber with a wide entrance, are consistent with the bee-pollination syndrome in Impatiens. Since I. tanintharyiensis is only known from two small populations, its conservation status is assessed as Endangered.