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Issue: Vol. 783 No. 2: 4 Nov. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-11-04
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.783.2.8
Page range: 192-200
Abstract views: 39
PDF downloaded: 2

Acer wenshanense (Sapindaceae), a critically endangered new species from Yunnan, China

Plant Science Research Center; South China Botanical Garden; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Guangzhou; Guangdong 510650; China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Plant Conservation and Utilization in Southern China; Guangzhou; Guangdong 510650; China
The Management Bureau of Wenshan National Nature Reserve; Wenshan 663000; Yunnan; China
The Management Bureau of Wenshan National Nature Reserve; Wenshan 663000; Yunnan; China
Plant Science Research Center; South China Botanical Garden; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Guangzhou; Guangdong 510650; China
Eudicots Maple taxonomy morphology new taxon PSESP

Abstract

Acer wenshanense (Sapindaceae), a new species, is described and illustrated based on specimens from Wenshan City, Yunnan Province, China. Acer wenshanense is similar to A. sino-oblongum but differs in having sepals ca. 2.5 mm long (vs. ca. 4 mm long), petals narrowly oblong, ca. 3.5 mm long (vs. oblanceolate, ca. 4 mm long), ovary densely whitish hairy (vs. glabrous), young fruit green (vs. purplish red), and wings incurved and intercrossed (vs. spreading at an angle of 70–120°). It is also resembles​ A. fabri but differs in leaves abaxially whitish glaucous or pale green (vs. green),inflorescence corymbose (vs. paniculate), sepals yellowish green (vs. purplish red), petals yellowish green, narrowly oblong (vs. white, obovate), stamens yellowish green (vs. red), ovary densely whitish hairy (vs. glabrous), young fruit green (vs. purplish red), and wings incurved and intercrossed (vs. spreading at an angle of 60–130°). Acer wenshanense is currently known only from its type locality, represented by a single large tree. No seedlings, saplings, or other juvenile individuals were observed. We therefore recommend that this species be classified as a Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations (PSESP).

References

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How to Cite

Chen, Y.-S., Luo, J.-W., He, D.-M. & Du, S.-Y. (2026) Acer wenshanense (Sapindaceae), a critically endangered new species from Yunnan, China. Phytotaxa 783 (2): 192–200. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.783.2.8