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Issue: Vol. 744 No. 1: 2 Mar. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-03-02
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.744.1.7
Page range: 92-96
Abstract views: 29
PDF downloaded: 3

The identity of Withania kansuensis (Solanaceae): insight from trichome morphology

State Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China; State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, Beijing, 100700, China
State Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
State Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
State Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
trichomes morphological variation taxonomy species delimitation Eudicots

Abstract

Withania kansuensis was treated as a synonym of W. somnifera in Flora of China, although it was suggested to be a possible distinct species by its reported simple (vs. dendritic in W. somnifera) trichomes. In the present study, we examined the trichome morphology of both taxa and identified a continuous series of five types, including intermediate forms between simple and dendritic trichome. This demonstrates a continuous morphological variation in trichomes between the two taxa. Our findings therefore support that W. kansuensis is conspecific with W. somnifera.

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How to Cite

Wang, J., Niu, G., Liu, Y. & Chen, X. (2026) The identity of Withania kansuensis (Solanaceae): insight from trichome morphology. Phytotaxa 744 (1): 92–96. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.744.1.7