South China's Secret Garden: Two New Petrocodon Species Uncovered

Chinese scientists have had great breakthroughs in botany, discovering two new species of Petrocodon in South China. Petrocodon curvitubus was discovered in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in Debao County. The plant is an elliptic to oblong-ovate perennial herb and has a conical ovary, which differentiates it from other species of Petrocodon. Petrocodon zhonglii was also found in Jiangxi Province, in the Danxia landform. This species is characterized by its stipitate capsule and ventricose corolla tube, which is distinct from related species such as P. coriaceifolius and P. hancei. These findings enhance the karst areas of South China's biodiversity and emphasize the significance of ongoing botanical exploration of these special environments.

Source: China Daily, Taiwania Journal, PhytoKeys.