Paraphlomis dabashanensis (Lamiaceae), a new species from the Daba Mountains in Central China

Paraphlomis dabashanensis (Lamiaceae), a new species from the Daba Mountains in Central China

Paraphlomis dabashanensis, a new species from the subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests of the Daba Mountains in Central China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, P. dabashanensis most resembles P. lanceolata, but differs in its persistent and longer bracteoles, densely tomentose calyces with broad-triangular and shorter teeth, as well as longer corollas. However, molecular phylogenetic reconstruction using two nuclear ribosomal DNA regions (ITS and ETS) and 80 plastid protein-coding genes indicates that P. dabashanensis is sister to P. albiflora, with the P. dabashanensis-P. albiflora clade further sister to P. nana. Although geographically closer to P. albiflora and P. nana, P. dabashanensis is easily distinguished by lamina shape and indumentum, calyx indumentum and tooth morphology, and corolla color. The new species also represents the northernmost distribution of Paraphlomis in China.