Reinstatement of the Chinese species Cimicifuga lancifoliolata (Ranunculaceae)
24 February 2016
Luo, Jiang-Ping; Hong, Yu; Ren, Chen; Yang, Qin-er; Yuan, QiongWe demonstrate that Cimicifuga lancifoliolata (Ranunculaceae) is not conspecific with Actaea brachycarpa but is a very distinctive species since it is readily distinguishable by an array of morphological characters. Our previous molecular analyses have indicated that the affinities of C. lancifoliolata do not lie with A. brachycarpa but with the otherwise rather isolated A. vaginata. The morphological characters and geographical range of A. brachycarpa are also clarified, and chromosomal data are reported for both A. brachycarpa (2n = 16 = 10m + 4sm + 2st) and C. lancifoliolata (2n = 16 = 10m + 4sm + 2st (2sat)) for the first time. Here we adopt the broad generic concept and delimitation of Actaea, in which the two genera Cimicifuga and Souliea are included, and thus propose a new combination, A. lancifoliolata. We give a full description for both A. brachycarpa and A. lancifoliolata, and establish a new section, A. sect. Chloranthae, to accommodate A. lancifoliolata.