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Issue: Vol. 726 No. 2: 30 Oct. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-10-30
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.726.2.7
Page range: 117-121
Abstract views: 236
PDF downloaded: 14

Meehania porphyrea, a new species from the treasured region of intricate geology in Gansu Province, China

College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China, Institute of New Rural Development, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
Gansu Xiaolongshan National Nature Reserve Management and Protection Center,Tianshui, 741020, Gansu, China
Xi’an Botanical Garden of Shaanxi Province, Botanical Institute of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
Yunping Forest Farm, Xiaolongshan Forestry Protection Center, Gansu Province, Tianshui, 741020, Gansu, China
College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China, Institute of New Rural Development, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China, Institute of New Rural Development, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
Eudicots Meehania taxonomic Gansu Xiaolongshan National Nature Reserve

Abstract

Meehania porphyrea, a new species of Meehania, was discovered during extensive field surveys in the Xiaolongshan National Nature Reserve in Gansu, China. This region is located in the Qinba Mountains of southern Gansu, one of the province's biodiversity hotspots, where the complex environment creates diverse habitats for a wide variety of plant species. Morphologically, M. porphyrea resembles Meehania fargesii (H. Lév.) C. Y. Wu, but the former is distinguished by its overall smaller plant size, often purple abaxial leaf surfaces, pale bluish purple flowers, smaller corolla, and narrow tubular calyx. Based on these distinct characteristics, we describe it here as a new species.

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How to Cite

Bai, Z., Zhang, Z., Dong, Z., Tang, J., Zheng, Z., Yan, X., Chen, X. & Zhang, J. (2025) Meehania porphyrea, a new species from the treasured region of intricate geology in Gansu Province, China. Phytotaxa 726 (2): 117–121. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.726.2.7