Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis C. Liu, F. Zhao & C. L. Xiang 2025, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Zhao, Fei
name: Gao, Peng-Wei
name: Zhang, Ting
name: Liu, Cheng
name: Xiang, Chun-Lei
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Plantae
Tracheophyta
Magnoliopsida
Lamiales
Lamiaceae
Schnabelia
Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis

description: Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis C. Liu, F. Zhao & C. L. Xiang sp. nov.
Fig. 3
Type.
China • Sichuan Province, Jiuzhaigou County, in the vicinity of Wujiao Ranger Station of Wujiao Nature Reserve, the wet area along the stream, under the mixed forest, 32°54′42″N, 104°14′38″E, 2599 m a. s. l., 12 July 2019, flowering, Ting Zhang, C. Liu, H. Jiang, Y. L. He & C. H. Li 19 CS 18246 (holotype: KUN 1630399!), (isotype: KUN 1630400!; CDBI 0290980!)
Diagnosis.
Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis is most similar to S. terniflora, but can be distinguished by several morphological differences. Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis is a perennial herb (vs. shrub), with ovate to lanceolate-ovate leaf blades, 2–8 × 1.5–4 cm (vs. lanceolate-oblong to ovate, 1.5–4 × 1–3 cm in S. terniflora), the lateral veins on each side of the mid-rib number 5–8 (vs. 3–6 in S. terniflora). The upper lip and lateral lobes of the lower lip are oblong in S. jiuzhaigouensis (vs. broadly obovate in S. terniflora) and the middle lobe is cuneate (vs. subrounded). The corolla is puberulent on the outside, but non-glandular (vs. puberulent and glandular in S. terniflora) and the nutlets puberulent (vs. densely hirsute), with S. jiuzhaigouensis lacking reticulate veins on the nutlets (vs. with distinctly reticulate veins in S. terniflora). The differences between the new species and S. terniflora are summarised in Table 2.
Description.
Perennial herbs, erect, 20–60 cm tall. Stems 4 - angled and puberulent, occasionally branched from base; internodes 1–11 cm long, puberulent. Leaves opposite, petiole 0.3–2.5 cm long, puberulent; leaf blades ovate to lanceolate-ovate, papery, 2–8 × 1.5–4 cm, puberulent on both surfaces, hairs denser along veins abaxially, base broadly cuneate to rounded or subcordate, apex acuminate, margin serrate, lateral veins 5–8 on each side of the mid-rib. Inflorescences axillary cymes, 1–3 flowered; peduncle slender, (0.5) 1.5–3.5 cm, puberulent; pedicels 0.2–1 cm long; bracts lanceolate, ca. 1–2 mm long, glabrous or sparsely hairy, bracteoles lanceolate, 0.5–1 mm long. Calyx campanulate, 10 - veined, outside sparsely pubescent; tube 1–1.5 mm long, lobes 5, lanceolate, ca. 2–3 × 1 mm, margin entire, apex acuminate. Corolla pink, 2 - lipped, outside sparsely puberulent; tube ca. 5 mm long, both surfaces puberulent; upper lip 2 - lobed, lobes oblong, ca. 3–3.5 × 1 mm; lower lip 3 - lobed, lateral lobes oblong, ca. 2.5–3 × 1 mm, middle lobe larger, cuneate, 5–6 × 3–4 mm. Stamens and style strongly exserted; stamens 4, inserted near corolla throat, filaments 6–8 mm, basally hairy; style 13–16 mm, glabrous, apex subequally 2 - lobed. Ovary pubescent. Nutlets 4, ovoid, puberulent, ca. 3 × 2 mm, without reticulate veins.
Phenology.
Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to September.
Distribution and habitat.
Currently, S. jiuzhaigouensis is known from two locations in Wujiao Xiang, Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan, China. It grows under the forest together with species of Picea brachytyla (Franch.) E. Pritz. (Pinaceae), Rosa omeiensis Rolfe (Rosaceae), Impatiens undulata Y. L. Chen & Y. Q. Lu (Balsaminaceae) and Mimulus L., at elevations from 2500 m to 2600 m.
Etymology.
The specific epithet ‘ jiuzhaigouensis ’ is derived from the type locality Jiuzhaigou County.
Chinese name.
Jiǔ Zhài Gōu Sì Léng Căo (Chinese pronunciation); 九寨沟四棱草 (Chinese name).
Conservation status.
So far, two small populations of Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis have been observed in the Wujiao Nature Reserve. These populations are geographically close enough to be considered part of a single location. Further detailed investigation of the same habitats is necessary to gain a better understanding of the species’ distribution, abundance and potential threats. Therefore, this species is currently classified as Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2024).
Additional specimens examined.
Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis (paratypes). China • Sichuan: Jiuzhaigou County, Jiawuchi scenic spot of Wujiao Xiang, under the forest with the species of Picea brachytyla, 32°58′29″N, 104°09′29″E, 2551 m a. s. l., 15 July 2019, flowering, Ting Zhang, C. Liu, H. Jiang, Y. L. He & C. H. Li 19 CS 18370 (KUN!).
Specimens of S. terniflora examined.
China, Gansu • Kang County, Qujiagou, 09 Aug 2011, W. Fang et al. fw 11146 (KUN), Jia’an Town, Yuanjiawan, 01 May 1963, Y. Q. He & C. L. Tang 145 (WUK) • Tanchang County, Hanban County, 11 Jul 1951, T. P. Wang 14296 (PE) • Wen County, Motianling, Baishui Jiang Nature Reserve, 07 May 2007, D. E. Boufford et al. 37468 (PE), Bikou Town, Yinchanggou, 05 Jul 1964, Q. X. Li & X. C. Zhao 2037 (NWTC), Fanba Town, Heiyinggou, 19 Aug 1976, J. X. Yang 3730 (IBSC); Zhouqu County, Gongbagou, 16 Jul 1998, Baishuijiang Exped. 064 (PE); Hubei • Shennongjia, on the way from Xinhua to Xiaoluoxi, 11 Jun 2013, C. L. Xiang et al. 749 (KUN); Shaanxi • Mian County, Fangjiaba, 12 Apr 1942, K. T. Fu 3529 (PE), Liushuying, 15 Apr 1938, T. P. Wang 9065 (WUK); Nanzheng County, Near Xiaoba Village, 21 Apr 1973, X. X. Hou 496 (WUK); Near Xiaotai Mountain, 07 May 1956, Huanghe Exped. 521 (WUK); Sichuan • Dujiangyan City, Shichangwan, 19 Apr 1952, Z. He 12165 (PE), Erwang Temple, 27 Apr 1987, D. Z. Fu et al. 87 - 0276 (WCSBG), Qingcheng Mountain, 14 Apr 1930, F. T. Wang 20395 (WUK), Yulei Mountain. 23 Aug 1987, Z. Y. Li et al. 87 - 1962 (WCSBG); Maerkang County, 11 May 1957, X. Li 70613 (IBSC), Shuadan Road, 17 May 1957, X. Li 70662 (NAS) • Mao County, Fushun Town, Gangou, 1 Aug 1975, Sichuan Veget. Exped. 8680 (CDBI) • Nanping (Jiuzhaigou) County; 26 Oct 1937, T. P. Wang 7974 (PE), 17 May 1979, Anonymous 0098 (SM) • LangZhai Village, 15 Jul 1983, Sichuan Veget. Exped. 30420 (CDBI).
description: Published as part of Zhao, Fei, Gao, Peng-Wei, Zhang, Ting, Liu, Cheng & Xiang, Chun-Lei, 2025, Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis (Lamiaceae, Ajugoideae), a new species from Sichuan, China, pp. 21-32 in PhytoKeys 253 on pages 21-32, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.253.141697