Sedum plumbizincicola X.H. Guo et S.B. Zhou ex L.H. Wu (Crassulaceae): A new species from Zhejiang Province, China

Abstract

Sedum plumbizincicola X. H. Guo et S. B. Zhou ex L. H. Wu (Crassulaceae), a new species restricted to lead-zinc mining areas in Zhejiang Province, China, is described and illustrated. This taxon belongs to sect. Sedum (H. Ohba) S. H. Fu based on the adaxially gibbous carpels and follicles. It superficially resembles S. alfredii Hance and three other Sedum species found in the same area, but differs from these other taxa in bearing 4-merous flowers. Differences in geographical distribution, growth habit, phenology, macromorphology, leaf and stem anatomy, as well as seed micromorphology among S. plumbizincicola, S. alfredii and other related taxa in the genus Sedum are also reported. nrDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS) sequences from seven populations of S. plumbizincicola support the recognition of this as a taxonomic entity distinct from S. alfredii. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Wien.