Astragalusbashanensis (Leguminosae), a new species from Central China.

A new species Astragalusbashanensis, from western Hubei Province, Central China is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Astragalussinicus and A.wulingensis, but differs from both by its spreading pubescent indumentum on stems and petioles, longer petioles, white bracts, whitish or yellow corolla, longer claw of the keel-petal, hairy pods and smaller seeds.

Taxonomic notes on the genus Deutzia (Hydrangeaceae) from Central China.

Based on examination of syntype specimens deposited at P, the lectotype for the name Deutziasetchuenensis Franch. is designated here. By consulting literature and specimen records, the type locality of D.setchuenensisvar.longidentata Rehder, 'Chin-Ting shan' in the protologue is likely a misspelling of 'Chiuting shan' which is now called Jiuding shan located in southern Mao county, Sichuan province. In addition, a new variety, Deutziasetchuenensisvar.macrocarpa Q.L.Gan, Z.Y.Li & S.Z.Xu from western Hubei, Central China, is described and illustrated. It differs from other varieties of D.setchuenensis Franch. by the orange anthers, broader outer filaments, obtuse inner filaments, and larger fruits.

Veronicahongii (Plantaginaceae), a new species from Central China.

A new species Veronicahongii, from western Hubei Province, Central China is described and illustrated. The species is morphologically similar to V.henryi Yamazaki, but mainly differs in the glabrous plant, except pedicels, broadly ovate leaf blades, glandular-pubescent pedicels, obovate calyx lobes, smaller corolla, broadly ovate capsule and much smaller seeds.

A new species of Prunus subgen. Cerasus from Central China.

A new species, Prunuswangii Q.L.Gan, Z.Y.Li & S.Z.Xu from western Hubei, Central China is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to P.clarofolia Schneid. and P.pseudocerasus Lindl., but differs in larger height, nearly erect branches, densely and horizontally arranged lenticels, straight lateral veins of leaves, persistent brownish bracts, reflexed and entire calyx lobes, 2-lobed petals with narrowly triangular sinus, earlier flowering and broadly ellipsoid fruits. Furthermore, P.wangii blooms in late February and the colour of flower changes with time, which makes it possible to be a new breeding material for ornamental cherry with early spring blooms.

Flueggea acicularis (Phyllanthaceae), a narrow endemic species rediscovered in central China.

Flueggea acicularis (Phyllanthaceae) is endemic to the karst region of central China. Male specimens of this species were first collected in 1908. In 1989, female plants of F. acicularis were found for the first time, but misidentified as a new species. Throughout this period the male plants of F. acicularis were mismatched with female plants of other species, and male plants had not been collected since 1908. Then, in March, 2009, the authors rediscovered a wild population of F. acicularis consisting of both male and female plants in Wuxi county, Chongqing municipality, China. Based on field investigation and examination of specimens, we matched the correct female and male plants of this species for the first time since its initial publication a century ago. A complete and accurate morphological description, distribution, habitat and phenology of this species are also provided. Furthermore, the conservation status of F. acicularis is assessed as "Near Threatened" (NT) according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

An ethnobotanical study of forage plants in Zhuxi County in the Qinba mountainous area of central China.

In the Qinba mountainous area of Central China, pig farming has a significant impact on the growth of the rural economy and has substantially increased farmer incomes. Traditional knowledge plays an important role in the selection of forage plant species for pig farming by local people. This study aimed to identify the forage plants used for pig feeding and to catalog indigenous knowledge regarding their use. During 2016 and 2017, ethnobotanical surveys and inventories were conducted in Zhuxi County, Hubei Province, China. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, key informant reports, free listings, guided field walks, and participatory observations with 77 households in 16 villages in 13 towns/townships. The obtained data were analyzed using a relative frequency citation (RFC) index. Overall, 145 wild forage plants from 91 genera and 31 families were recorded. The most cited families were Asteraceae, Polygonaceae, Urticaceae, Amaranthaceae, Fabaceae, Cruciferae, Caryophyllaceae, and Lamiaceae. Whole plants (75.9%) and tender leaves (12.4%) were the most frequently used parts of the plants. Most of the forage plants were herbaceous (88.9%). Almost all forage plants could be collected throughout the year (62.7%). Raw and cooked were the two main preparation methods. The most frequently cited species were Taraxacum mongolicum, Bidens pilosa, Sonchus oleraceus, Pilea verrucosa, and Pilea pumila var. obtusifolia. A total of 14 species were identified as the top forage plants in Zhuxi County based on their RFC values (RFC value greater than 0.5). Local people possess rich traditional knowledge about the utilization and management of forage plants for pig feeding. However, the maintenance of this traditional knowledge may be seriously threatened by changes in pig feeding modes and the lack of successors. Appropriate strategies and action plans have been suggested for the conservation of traditional knowledge associated with biodiversity and the sustainable use of forage species resources. These include 1) taking targeted measures to protect forage resources and associated traditional knowledge; 2) strengthening research on the forage plants with the highest RFC values for nutritional value, digestibility, other functions, and ecological status; and 3) enhancing the identification of poisonous forage plants.

The complete chloroplast genome of an endangered endemic herb species in China, Primula filchnerae (Primulaceae).

Primula filchnerae (Primulaceae) is an endangered endemic herb species in China. In this study, we characterized the complete chloroplast genome of P. filchnerae based on next generation sequencing (NGS). The chloroplast genome of P. filchnerae was 151,547 bp in size, containing a large single-copy (LSC) region of 82, 662 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,749 bp. These two regions were separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs), each of 25,568 bp. A total of 130 functional genes were encoded, consisted of 86 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes.