Hong Tao¹, Dai Zhen-lun²

Study on the chinese wild woody peonies (I)

New Taxa of Paeonia L. Sect. Moutan DC.

Bulletin of Botanical Research, Harbin (1997) vol. 17 No. 1 pp.1-5

(1. Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091)

(2. Forestry Bureau of Baokang County, Hubei BaoKang 441600)

Abstract The present paper proposes 2 new species of Chinese wild woody peony from Baokang County of Hubei Province. The new species name "ridleyi" is dedicated to Viscount Ridley, the retired Chairman of International Dendrology Society. We think Baokang district is a great treasure house of Chinese wild tree peony.

Keywords Paeonia Sect. Moutan; P. baokangensis; P. ridleyi

1. Paeonia ridleyi Z. L. Dai et T. Hong sp. nov.

Species Paeonia yananensis T. Hong et M. R. Li affinis, sed foliolis lateralibus saepe integris, foliolis terminalibus 3 - lobis, basi cordatis differt.

Frutex deciduus, circa 1m altus, cortice brunneolo, striato. Folia bi - ternata, pinnis 3, foliolis 9, foliolis terminalibus leviter rotundatis 7 - 8cm longis, 6.5 - 7cm latis, apice 3 -lobis, basi cordatis, subtus pubscentibus, secus nervos axillares et prope basin dense pubescentes, petiolulis 2 - 5cm longis pubescentibus vel glabris; foliolis lateralibus ovatis vel late ovatis 4.5-7.5 longis, 3 - 4. 5cm latis, apice acutis, basi cordatis, subtus minute pubescentibus, secus nervos et prope basin dense pubescentes, petiolulis subsessilibus vel 1 -5mm longis. Flores solitarii, terminales; sepala 5; petala 10, rosea, 5 - 6cm longa, 4.5-6. 5cm lata, vertice leviter rotundata vel parum truncata, pauci - dentata, basi late cuneata intus infra et basi radial purpureo - rubro - maculata, fere 1. 5cm longa, basi 4 - 7mm lata; stamina numerosa, antheris flavis, filamentis purpureo - rubris; discus atro - purpureoruber, vertice dentatis; carpella 5, dense bruneolo - albo - hirsute - sericea, stigmatibus atro - purpureo - rubris. Florescentia initium Maji.

Hubei: Baokang, Laoyashan Chongchongya alt. 1400m in bush; May 3 1994, Dai Zhen - lun 94053 (Holotypus, Baokang Forestry Research Institute)

Paeonia baokangensis Z. L. Dai et T. Hong sp. nov.

Species Paeonia ridleyi Z. L. Dai et T. Hong affinis, sed folia bipinnata, foliolis 15, foliolis terminalibus interdum ellipsoidalibus differt.

Frutex deciduus, circa 1.5- 2m altus, cortice cinereo brunneolo, striato. Folia bipinnata, foliolis 15, foliolis terminalibus ellipsoidalibus, 7. 5 - 9cm longis, 4 - 5cm. latis, apice integribus vel 1 - 3 - lobis, basi leviter cordatis vel cuneatis, subtus prope basin pubescentes, petiolulis 1.5- 2cm longis minute pubescentibus; foliolis lateralibus ovato - ellipsoidalibus vel ellipsoidalibus, 4 - 9. 5cm longis, 2.2-5. 7cm latis, apice acutis, basi rotundatis raro cuneatis, subtus prope basin et secus nervos pubescentes, petiolulis subsessilibus vel 0.2 - 1. 2cm longis, pubescentibus. Flores solitarii, terminales; bracteae 5, sepala 3, petala 11, rosaea 5.5-7.5cm longa, 5-9cm lata, vertice emarginata, basi late cuneata, radial- rubro - maculata 2.5-4cm longa, 1.5 -2cm lata; stamina numerosa, antheris flavis, filamentis pallide purpureo -rubris; discus pallide purpureo - ruber, vertice dentatis; carpella 5, dense pallide luteo - albo - hirsute - sericea, stigmatibus atro - purpureo - rubris. Florescentia intium Maji.

Hubei: Baokang, Houpingzhen, Chefenggou alt. 1600m, in bush; May 2 1996. Dai Zhen - lun. Ran Dong - ya, Li Qing - dao 96047 (Holotypus, Baokang Forestry Research Institute).