Amblyanthus chenii, a new species and generic record from Xizang, China

Amblyanthus chenii (Primulaceae; Myrsinoideae), a new species discovered growing in the understory of primeval forests in Medog County, southeast Xizang, China, is described based on morphological evidence. This is also the first generic record of Amblyanthus in China. The new species is most similar morphologically to A. multiflorus based on its axillary inflorescence and connate filament, but it differs in its 2-4 cm long condensed panicle and up to half adnation of its sepals and petals. Amblyanthus chenii can also be easily distinguished from other congeneric species by various morphological differences. Phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and six plastid markers indicates that Amblyanthus chenii and Amblyanthopsis burmanica form a clade that is nested within the large pantropical genus Ardisia and is sister to the Ardisia subgenus Crispardisia. The close relationships among Amblyanthus, Amblyanthopsis, and Ardisia subg. Crispardisia are strongly supported by their ...