Primulina anisocymosa (Gesneriaceae), a new species with a unique inflorescence structure from Guangdong, China

Abstract

A new Primulina species from Guangdong, China with an unusual inflorescence is described here. Primulina anisocymosa is vegetatively most similar to P. bobaiensis. It can be distinguished from all species within Primulina morphologically by its unique zigzag monochasial cyme and infructescence. To confirm the phylogenetic relationships and generic placement of this species, not only morphological anatomical features but also chromosome and DNA sequence data were examined and analysed here. Two samples from different populations identified as Primulina anisocymosa are monophyletic and were nested in a monophyletic clade within Primulina with high branch support. The somatic chromosome number of the new species is also reported (2n = 36), supporting its placement in the genus.