Monotropa callistoma
| Monotropa callistoma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Monotropa callistoma in flower. Note the orange-tipped petals. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Monotropa |
| Species: | M. callistoma |
| Binomial name | |
| Monotropa callistoma Ze Wei, Li J.Liu & Bing Liu | |
Monotropa callistoma is a species of mycoheterotrophic, non-photosynthetic flowering plant in the family Ericaceae. It was described in 2026 from Hunan, China.[1]
Description
Monotropa callistoma is a fully mycoheterotrophic herb lacking chlorophyll, appearing white when fresh and turning black upon drying.[1] The stems are erect, simple, and fleshy, reaching 9–15 cm in height. Leaves are reduced to alternate, scale-like structures.[1]
The plant produces a solitary, terminal flower. The petals are 4 or 5, glabrous, and bicoloured, being orange in the apical quarter and white in the basal three-quarters.[1] Stamens number 8–10 and have glabrous filaments. The ovary is one-loculed with parietal placentation. The fruit is an ellipsoid-globose berry that becomes nodding at maturity.[1]
Taxonomy
The species was formally described in 2026 by Ze Wei, Li-Jia Liu, and Bing Liu.[1] The type specimen was collected on 29 March 2021 from Shunhuang Mountain in Xinning County, Hunan Province, at an elevation of approximately 1,560 m.[1]
Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and chloroplast genome data recovered M. callistoma as a distinct lineage within Monotropa, sister to Monotropa uniflora.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Monotropa callistoma is currently known only from its type locality on Shunhuang Mountain in Hunan Province, China.[1] It grows in dense, humid broad-leaved forests at elevations around 1,560 m and is associated with ectomycorrhizal fungi.[1]
Reports from other regions of China, including Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Xizang, and Chongqing, are based on photographic observations and remain unverified.[1]
Phenology
The species flowers from March to June and fruits from April to July.[1]
Conservation
Monotropa callistoma has been assessed as Data Deficient due to its limited known distribution and lack of comprehensive population data.[1]
Etymology
The specific epithet callistoma is derived from Greek elements meaning "beautiful" and "mouth", referring to the appearance of the corolla opening.[1]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Wei, Ze; Liu, Li-Jia; Xuan, Jing; Mo, Zhi-Qiong; Ou Yang, Wen-Xiang; Liu, Bing; Li, Min; Wang, Qiang (2026). "Monotropa callistoma (Ericaceae), a new species based on morphological and molecular evidence from Hunan, China". PhytoKeys. 271: 1–?. doi:10.3897/phytokeys.271.177609.