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Supplementary descriptions of inflorescence and achene of four species of Elatostema (Urticaceae) from China

Jing Wei, Chi Xiong, Feng Chen, Zi-Bing Xin, Si-Rong Yi, Long-Fei Fu

Published on: 22 April 2025

Page: 367 - 370

DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.367

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    Abstract

    The inflorescences and achenes provide valuable taxonomic characters for the genus Elatostema (Urticaceae). To fill the significant gaps in our understanding of these structures, we conducted extensive field investigations to collect infructescences and achenes of four understudied species: E. omeiense, E. oligotrichum, E. pseudoficoides, and E. subcuspidatum. Our detailed morphological analysis, employing high-resolution techniques, revealed key differences between these species and their close relatives. These findings strengthen our knowledges on their species delimitation and contribute to a more precise identification and classification of Elatostema species, which is essential for their conservation.

    Keyword: Elatostema, infructescences, species delimitation, morphological characters

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