Taxonomic note of Parnassia (Celastraceae) in China II: population surveys reveal that P. guilinensis is conspecific to P. xinganensis

Abstract

Based on investigation of populations of Parnassia guilinensis and P. xinganensis, examination of herbarium specimens (including types), as well as consultation of protologues and distributions, P. guilinensis is hereby reduced to a synonym of P. xinganensis. P. xinganensis is endemic to northeastern Guangxi Province of China and characterized by having elliptic to ovate leaves and staminodes 3–5-branched with globose glands. Field photographs and an updated morphological description of P. xinganensis are provided.