Description and phylogenetic position of a new species, Chrysospleniuminsularis J.E.Jang, K.H.Lee & H.Y.Gil (Saxifragaceae), from the southern islands of South Korea.

Abstract

We describe a new species, Chrysospleniuminsularis J.E.Jang, K.H.Lee & H.Y.Gil, belonging to the family Saxifragaceae, from the southern islands of the Republic of Korea. Chrysospleniuminsularis is morphologically similar to C.japonicum (Maxim.) Makino but can be distinguished by fairly persistent bulbils, green to yellowish-green sepals, four stamens, and cylindrical papillose seeds. Chrysospleniuminsularis is also distinguished from C.alternifolium L., which is distributed in Europe, northern Russia, and the Caucasus, by the absence of stolons and green bracts. Phylogenetic analyses, based on one nuclear ribosomal (ITS) and two chloroplast (rbcL, matK) regions, confirmed that the new species was monophyletic and that C.insularis and C.alternifolium formed a sister relationship with robust support. Herein, we provide a detailed morphological description of C.insularis with its corresponding geographical distribution and comparison table and figures of related species.