Research Paper

Ceropegia semifusca (Apocynaceae), a novel species from Yunnan, China

Peng-Rui Luo, Yan-Xia Jia, Yan-Rong Ding, Ji-Dong Ya

Published on: 27 January 2026

Page: 135 - 140

DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.135

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    Abstract

    Ceropegia semifusca P.R.Luo & J.D.Ya, a new species from Aziying Township, Panlong District, Kunming, central Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. It resembles C. sinoerecta M.G.Gilbert & P.T.Li and C. sunhangiana P.R.Luo & T.Deng, but differs by its leaf shape, indumentum, and a corolla throat about twice as wide as the inflated basal tube. Based on its rootstock, the species is assigned to C. sect. Chionopegia. Its chromosome number and genome size are also reported for the first time. Both molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological evidence provide strong support for the distinctiveness of C. semifusca.

    Keyword: Central Yunnan, Ceropegia sinoerecta, Ceropegia sunhangiana, endemic, molecular evidence, Southwest China

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