574_dataset of Oreocharis_20240614

A peltate-leaved new species,<i> Oreocharis scutifolia </i>Z. Xie, Miao Zhang &amp; H. H. Kong, endemic to the Dry and Hot Valley of the Jinsha River Basin, Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. It is similar to <i>O. cordatula</i> (Craib) Pellegr. and <i>O. aurantiaca</i> Baill. in floral characters, but differs in its peltate leaf blades, which are unique in the genus (and only occur in one population of <i>O. henryana </i>Oliv., but its flowers are smaller, campanulate and deep purple). Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on transcriptome data also supported <i>O. scutifolia</i> as a new species, while it forms a sister group with <i>O. henryana</i>, <i>O. cordatula</i>, <i>O. minor</i> Pellegr. and <i>O. aurantiaca</i> Baill. (LPP = 1). Due to its small population, narrow distribution range, and the serious threat from human activities, invasive plants and damaged habitat, the new species is assessed as "Critically Endangered" following the IUCN categories and criteria.