Corydalis miaotaiensis sp. nov. (Papaveraceae) from the Qinling‐Daba mountains region, central China

Abstract

Corydalis miaotaiensis (Papaveraceae), a new species from the Qinling‐Daba mountains region, central China, is described. It is similar to Corydalis ternatifolia C.Y. Wu, Z.Y. Su & Lidén, but differs from the latter in the crested (versus ecristate) outer petals, unbranched, suberect to erect (versus branched, ascending) stems, bipinnate (versus biternate) rosette leaves, and in the presence (versus absence) of axillary bulbils, long stolons, and long shoots. Corydalis miaotaiensis exhibits a notable growth pattern, initially suberect to erect but gradually transitioning to wholly decumbent with its developed stolons and long shoots, rendering it distinctive within the genus Corydalis. This underscores the need to consider growth habit when describing Corydalis species. An identification key to C. miaotaiensis and related species is provided.