Geum sunhangii (Rosaceae), a new species from Hubei Province, China

Scientists have identified Geum sunhangii, a new species of Rosaceae, from the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve in Hubei Province, China. This discovery is significant due to its unique morphological traits, including jointed styles curved at obtuse or right angles, imbricate petals, and a reniform radical leaf terminal leaflet—distinctive features not found in other known Chinese Geum species. Phylogenetic analysis using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and chloroplast trnL–trnF intergenic spacer sequences confirmed its placement within the genus Geum, revealing close genetic relationships with G. rivale and G. aleppicum. The study highlights the biodiversity of Shennongjia and contributes to the taxonomic understanding of this plant group.

Lv, Z.-Y., Zhang, D.-G., Huang, X.-H., Wang, H.-C., Yang, J.-Y., Tojibaev, K., Deng, T., & Li, Z.-M. (2020). Geum sunhangii (Rosaceae), a new species from Hubei Province, China. PhytoKeys, 156, 113–124. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.156.37277