$¢PhytoKeys PhytoKeys 259: 217-227 (2025) DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.259.154664 Research Article Vicia liupanshanensis (Fabaceae), a new plant species from northwestern China Bo Yang'*34®, Jun Yang'*4®, Siyu Wei'*34®, Hongmei Zhang'2*“®, Xiaowei Li'?34© ee wo NY — College of Forestry and Prataculture, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China Ningxia Grassland and Animal Husbandry Engineering Technology Research Center, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China Key Laboratory for Model Innovation in Forage Production Efficiency, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China Key Laboratory of Land Degradation and Ecological Restoration in Northwest China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China Corresponding author: Xiaowei Li (lixiaowei@nxu.edu.cn) OPEN @ ACCESS Academic editor: Stephen Boatwright Received: 2 April 2025 Accepted: 11 June 2025 Published: 4 July 2025 Citation: Yang B, Yang J, Wei S, Zhang H, Li X (2025) Vicia liupanshanensis (Fabaceae), a new plant species from northwestern China. PhytoKeys 259: 217-227. https://doi.org/10.3897/ phytokeys.259.154664 Copyright: © Bo Yang et al. This is an open access article distributed under terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (Attribution 4.0 International - CC BY 4.0). Abstract A new legume species, Vicia liupanshanensis, discovered in the southern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and central Gansu Province of northwestern China, is described and illustrated. The distinguishing characteristics of this herbaceous plant include its semi-sagittate stipules and the presence of 7-9 pairs of leaflets in its leaves. The race- mose inflorescence, which is approximately equal in length to the leaf, features rhombic bractlets (5-7 mm long) covered with short, soft hairs. The secund flowers, arranged along one side of the inflorescence, are slightly drooping, approximately 1 cm in length. The corolla displays a shift in colour from pale greenish-creamy-white to yellow-brown, dark yellow, or dark orange. In accordance with the criteria established by the IUCN Red List, the species Vicia liupanshanensis is evaluated as being of Vulnerable status (VU). Key words: Leguminosae, new taxon, taxonomy, Vicia liupanshanensis Introduction The genus Vicia comprises leguminous herbs that are annual, biennial or pe- rennial in nature. These plants frequently exhibit climbing, trailing or creeping growth habits and comprise 150-210 species found in Asia, Europe, and North America, the majority being native to the Mediterranean region (Cacan et al. 2016; Han et al. 2021). Vicia has also been observed to have colonised Hawaii in the Pacific and the middle Atlantic archipelagos of the Canaries, Madeira and Azores. Ball (1968) divided the genus into four sections: Vicia, Faba, Ervum, and Cracca, while Kupicha (1976) subsequently divided it into two subgenera, Vicilla and Vicia. Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS) records that there are 43 species and 5 varieties of Vicia in China, and classifies them into seven sec- tions: Cassubicae, Cracca, Ervum, Faba, Lenticula, Oroboidea, and Vicia. The Flo- ra of China (FOC) is an authoritative compendium that documents 40 species of Vicia in China (13 endemic and 3 introduced) (Bao and Turland. 2010). As of the beginning of 2025, there are 45 species, 5 subspecies, 14 varieties, and 9 forms of wild pea plants (http://www.sp2000.org.cn/). These plants are widely 217 Bo Yang et al.: Vicia liupanshanensis (Fabaceae), a new plant species from northwestern China distributed across all provinces and regions of the country, reflecting their ex- tensive distribution and adaptability. However, these species are comparatively more abundant in the northwestern, northern, and southwestern parts of China. Research indicates that the genus Vicia is located in the Vicioid clade and is a polyphyletic group, with distinguishing features including square stems, inwardly curved and flattened hollow styles, and longitudinal rows of hairs on the inner side of the style (Schaefer et al. 2012). A previous systematic study of members in the genus Vicia, based on nuclear ribosomal ITS data and style morphology, demonstrated that both lateral compression of the style and dorsal clustering of trichomes, are more recently evolved features, where- as dorsoventral compression of the style and uniform pubescence are more primitive characteristics (Choi et al. 2006). It is estimated that more than 40 species of Vicia are cultivated due to their economic benefits (El-Bok et al. 2014). Some of these cultivated and domesticated species, such as V. sativa, V. villosa, V. costata, V. bungei, and V. faba, are now extensively cultivated in numerous countries worldwide (Yi et al. 2020; Anmed and Sattar 2024; Ren et al. 2024). Recent studies have demonstrated the significant anti-tumour, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of compounds isolated from V. bungei (Yang et al. 2023; Le et al. 2024). In 2024, during the course of extensive botanical surveys in the Liupan Mountains, a Vicia-like plant was encountered in Laolongtan and the Mts. Daxueshan, in Jingyuan County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and in Zhuanglang County, Gansu Province, This plant featured a corolla that was greenish-white at first, gradually turning yellow-brown, dark yellow or dark or- ange, and leaves with 7-9 pairs of lanceolate to elliptic leaflets. Comparison with relevant literature and specimens revealed similarities to V. taipaica and V. mingyueshanensis, yet distinct morphological differences (Table 1) indi- cate that it is an undescribed species, which is described herein as new. Materials and methods The specimens of this novel Vicia species were collected from forest edg- es of Daxueshan, in the Jingyuan County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (106.3284 E, 35.3809N; 1972.91 maz.s.l.). These plant specimens have been stored in the Herbarium of the Department of Grassland Science at Ningxia University. We conducted extensive surveys in the Liupanshan region, and we collected 28 specimens of this species from Migangshan, Daxueshan, and Erlonghe in Jingyuan County, and 5 specimens from Zhuanglang County and Longde County near Jingyuan County. We brought specimen plants from the above regions to the laboratory. Once there, some plants were measured for key plant characteristics; others were used to take colour photographs and draw illustrations, and the Flora of China and reports of new species of Vicia spp. in the last decade were consulted. We found that it is most similar to Vicia mingyueshanensis and Vicia taipaica, but there were obvious differences. Based on the measured empirical data, Adobe Illustrator 2024 software was used to add scale bars to each color photo. The species was then compared to a morphologically similar conspecific. Finally, its conservation status was then assessed ac- cording to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red PhytoKeys 259: 217-227 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.259.154664 918 Bo Yang et al.: Vicia liupanshanensis (Fabaceae), a new plant species from northwestern China Table 1. Detailed comparison of Vicia liupanshanense and its two morphologically-similar conspecific species. Characters V. liupanshanensis V. taipaica V. mingyueshanensis Stem height (cm) 50-150 60-100 50-180 Plant indumentum Covered with fine soft hairs or Totally glabrous Totally glabrous nearly glabrous Leaf length (cm), tendril 8-15 8-12 8-15 excluded Leaflet pairs per leaf Viee | 4-6 3-5 Leaflet shape Oblong-lanceolate or elliptical Elliptic to ovate-oblong Elliptic to ovate-oblong Leaflet size (cm) lsd =2,5-*10,6=0,9 1,3 =5.0.x.0:6— 1.5 237-318. 807 = 1.5 Leaflet texture Papery Papery Papery Stipules Semi-sagittate Attached at the lower part, Semi-hastate or lanceolate with the upper part being semi-ovate and the tip having a linear-lanceolate shape Raceme (number of 10-15 5-15 10-20 flowers) Bractlet shape 5-7 mm long, rhombic, covered Absent 0.2-0.3 x 0.1 cm, subulate with short soft hairs Corolla color Corolla pale greenish-white initially, Yellow or brown-yellow Light yellow or dull orange gradually turning yellow-brown, dark yellow or dark orange Calyx shape Oblique campanulate, hairy, with Shortly and unequally Obliquely campanulate, 5 lateral 5 teeth toothed teeth acute, some calyces are cleft Standard Ovate, about 1 cm long, with a Narrowly obovate-oblong, | Apex retuse, 1.3-1.4 x 0.4-0.5 cm broad claw, the apex concave, the | constricted at middle, ca. 13 sides constricted in the middle mm, apex retuse Wing Nearly equal (subequal) in length 10mm Nearly equal (subequal) in length to the standard to the standard Keel Slightly shorter than standard and 10mm Nearly equal (subequal) in length wing to the standard Legume (mm) Oblong, 20-30 x 4-5 Oblong-rhomboid, 20-30 x 5 Falcate, 30-35 x 3 Seed color Brown with black spots Brown with black spots Brown-green Number of seeds per pod 3=5 2-5 4-6 List criteria and corresponding guidelines (IUCN 2024), to evaluate the pro- tected status of this new species, here named Vicia liupanshanensis. The type specimens and some specimens will be sent to the Herbarium of the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (PE), while the remaining specimens are currently preserved at Ningxia University. Taxonomy Vicia liupanshanensis Xiao Wei Li & Bo Yang, sp. nov. urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77364920-1 Description. Herb perennial, 50-150 cm tall, stem erect, climbing, covered with fine soft hairs or nearly glabrous. Leaves even-pinnate, 8-15 cm; branched ten- drils presented at apex with 3 or 4 branches; stipules semi-sagittate, 8-10 mm; leaflets 7-9 pairs, alternate, oblong-lanceolate or elliptical, 17-25 x 6-9 mm, papery, apex obtuse or acuminate, distinctly mucronate, base rounded or broadly cuneate, upper surface sparsely covered with short and soft hairs, lower surface PhytoKeys 259: 217-227 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.259.154664 919 Bo Yang et al.: Vicia liupanshanensis (Fabaceae), a new plant species from northwestern China covered with short hairs with veins densely hairy; veins prominent and raised on lower surface, petiolule ca. 1 mm. Inflorescence a raceme, about the same length as leaves, 8-15 cm long, with-15 flowers; bracts 5-7 mm x 4-5 mm, rhombic, covered with short and soft hairs. Flowers secund, slightly drooping, ca. 1 cm in length, pedicel ca. 1 mm; calyx obliquely campanulate, hairy; lobes 5, lanceolate, 1-3 mm long; corolla pale greenish-white at first, gradually turning yellow-brown, dark yellow or dark orange; standard ovate, ca. 8-10 mm x 4-5 mm, with a broad claw at base, concave at apex, margins constricted in the middle; wings nearly equal in length to the standard, obliquely ovate, auriculated, with a claw 4-5 mm at base; keels ca. 7-9 mm long, apex blunt, shortly auriculated. Ovary linear, gla- brous 4—5 ovulued; the style hairy towards upper part; stigma capitate. Pods ob- long, 20-30 x 4-5 mm. Seeds 3-5 x 3.5-4 mm, oblate-spheroid, brown, with black speckles. Flowering and fruiting June-August. Figs 1, 3, 4. Type. Jingyuan of Ningxia, forest edge (35.3809, 106.3284; 1972.91 maz.s.l.), June 28" 2024, Yang Bo NXLPS-0628011 (holotype: PE). Etymology. The species epithet derives from the name of the mountain range (Liupanshan) where this species was discovered. Vernacular name. The Chinese nameis ‘7\ 4% LL # i.’ (Liu Pan Shan Yé Wan Dou) Distribution and habitat. Vicia /iupanshanensis occurs only at elevations of 1900-2300 m, in Laolongtan, Daxue Mountains, and Migang Mountains in Jingyuan Countyand Longde County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Zhuanglang County, Gansu Province, in China. It is generally found in alpine scrubs and hillside grasslands. (Fig. 2). Chinese Name: AAU RS 6 Vicia liupanshanense X. W. Li & B. Yang Chinese Name: 7\#t LU RS Vicia liupanshanense X. W. Li & B. Yang Identification by Yang Bo Date of Identification: 2024.10.18 Identification by Li Xiaowei Date of Identification: 2024.7.18 Figure 1. Photographs of two collected Vicia liupanshanensis specimens. PhytoKeys 259: 217-227 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.259.154664 290 Bo Yang et al.: Vicia liupanshanensis (Fabaceae), a new plant species from northwestern China 35°20'0"N 35°30'0"N 35°10'0"N 106°10'0"E 106°20'0"E 106°30'0"E 106°40'0"E ms," F LV Sat\yn , Baal a, Z S S&S cn a) Ww Lea) NY NLA LUn Ai ‘ ‘ Hi i i Wy : “ YY Meek | | 2 |S S&S nN re) Jon 4 y ae ime S&S jo ) Ww cy GYR! An 5 Ay i : \\ es Ay }° ni sn ON Ue fa RN IN, = 7 i 4 | © ae ee ae ll ale ANY a i 106°10'0"E 106°20'0"E 106°30'0"E 106°40'0"E Figure 2. Sampling points where the Vicia liupanshanensis specimens were collected in China. Conservation assessment. According to our preliminary conservation as- sessment, Vicia liupanshanensis is predominantly found in the Liupanshan National Nature Reserve within the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Only four populations have been identified (so far), the rest are sporadic, whose total estimated number of mature individuals does not exceed 1000. Hence, based on the IUCN criteria (IUCN 2024), V. liupanshanense is here classified as Vulnerable (VU). Key to Chinese Species of Section Cassubicae la 2a 2b 1b 3a Aa Stpules‘large-over 10 mim\lonGieeAe eA 2 Leaflets small, 1.3-4 cm long, 0.5-1.8 cm wide; leathery; apex rounded or slightly emarginate, lateral veins fan-shaped, extending to margin without FORMU GSU CULALOMN 250. arte cresnsaadev ar Sask axes weet eae toca cata late sbsear. 1. V. amoena Leaflets large, (2-)3-6(-10) cm long, 1.2-2.5 cm wide; papery; apex acute, lateral veins reaching margin in wavy or dentate connections. .................... tabs oc ee AAI Nace Peed Bis ANS tas PRAM, seas Bedealad AER thie 2. V. pseudo-orobus Stipulesssmiall: lessathan0 0! Waning: sesh Sieve, casks hes eal eveueensietbeaecun sede 3 Flowers purple, bluish-purple Of red... eessccceessececessececeseeeeseseeeseseeeees 4 Elowers-smealls O.,7-=4*CmilonG is... 2 ee le 3. V. kioshanica PhytoKeys 259: 217-227 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.259.154664 091 Bo Yang et al.: Vicia liupanshanensis (Fabaceae), a new plant species from northwestern China Ab 5a 6a 6b 7a 7b 5b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 3b lla 11b 12a 13a 13b 14a 15a 15b 14b 16a 16b 12b 17a 17b Blowers-largen: 10= ZO. Mir lOM Gz tsccnesevaerememeccruanssnmmdestaccarm.s maser teceemmedtaaenapetsy 5 Leaflet venation dense and distinct, lateral veins spreading at right an- a] | SESE ada DURE BA bie NBS 0S Un EOD AOE Se UE AS EER id A Ane EE 6 Leaflets elliptic or oblong-ovate, 10-16 mm wide; flowers 15-30, densely lies ale (216 a Reeth en ene Alc Ari nt, ae SRO sae Pre 4. V. amurensis Leaflets oblong, less than 6 mm wide; flowers 4-15, loosely arranged....7 Stipules small, bifid; inflorescence nearly equaling leaves; flowers 10-11 FURMY OTNG 5 eee cte a exe ate EN uc Seca va eax bork ees wer estan 5. V. perelegans Stipules triangular, with several teeth; inflorescence longer than leaves; HO Wers 1:02 Onin ONY ao, nn chee OS we cpccums leet ame coe 6. V. tibetica Leaflet venation sparse, lateral veins ascending at acute angles.............. 8 Flowers with bracteoles; inflorescence shorter than leaves; stipules semi-sagittate, rhombic to lanceolate; leaflets 6-10 pairs, linear-lanceo- late, ovate-lanceolate or ODIONG ............ecssceeeseeeeenees 7. V. latibracteolata Flowers without bracteoles; inflorescence equaling or slightly exceeding leaves; stipules bifid, lobes SUDUIatE.......... ee ccccecesscecessscecessseeeessseeeees 9 Leaflets linear-oblong, very narrow, only 1.5-3 mm wide; inflorescence longer than leaves; flowers 13-17 mm long..............::068 8. V. multicaulis Leaflets elliptic or ovate-lanceolate, 10-20 mm long, relatively broad; in- florescence equaling leaves; flowers 10-14 mm long................::cccsseeee 10 Leaflets ovate-lanceolate, 4-7 MM WIE.............ccccceseeeeees 9. V. chinensis Leaflets elliptic, broadly elliptic to long-ovate, 6-14 mm wide ................... ee OR hs a ee J en tert a eae nL en Seer Ee TTD 10. V. japonica Flowers:dullitvelloweOr White: rcct 2sceccchas ease dcresces Peds dete eeete tow eee Meet ee 11 Plants tall, shrubby, white-pubescent; flowers smallca. 7 mm long ........... Piinebenenwina tsk Susie p's RGEEASKUDOR ap me POE SNL Cies appre bescaewabehersanetedl 11. V. sinogigantea Plants sparsely pubescent or glabrous; flowers relatively large.............. 12 Leaflets large, 15-49 mm long, 6-15 MM Wide ............ceccccesecceeseeeeneeeeees 13 Flowers white; inflorescence usually branched, shorter than leaves........... Negi Beg chim nathan ia atadrsabe ane cite noche tia «abn seu cecten «ag nthvnac chi 12. V. wushanica Flowers dull yellow or pale blue; inflorescence nearly equaling or longer (NAMIC SV SS alec ate cet ors ices. a hen ah ei ees me vars 14 Stipules entire; inflorescence axiS SIQNE? ..............cccccecceesseeeeesseeeeenseeeees 15 Leaflets 4-6 pairs; inflorescence without bracteoles........... 13. V. taipaica Leaflets 7-9 pairs; inflorescence with bracteoles .. 14. V. liupanshanensis Stipules divided; inflorescence axis thick and straight.................cccceeees 16 Flowers dull yellow; leaflets gray-green beneath; 20-25 flowers ................ Boo Bo Sacer aah, Eman dete re nce sd, ee etd, BB ee 15. V. dichroantha Flowers blue-yellow; leaflets gray-green beneath; 15-20 flowers............... eisai oihencnnnevatt onslesail des oven cOvdle iene nerartdabnc Jald Maes Protect eeuaNene Sawant cs 16. V. ternata Leaflets*small-6—'S ramlong?2=5 Mn Wass. eco. bescteebvesenea, cametee. oes 17 Flowers white or pale yellow; inflorescence longer than leaves, with 3-11 flowers; leaflets oblong-lanceolate or elliptic; occurring in Xinjiang............ Sef Pett daa lds coco Dans sin