Research Paper

Asarum shinguense, a new species of the genus Asarum (Aristolochiaceae), from Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

Luke J.K. Barnett, Masatoshi Kido, Masato Harada, Akihiro Iwamura

Published on: 07 October 2026

Page: 735 - 738

DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.735

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    Abstract

    Asarum shinguense, a new species of Asarum from Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, is described and illustrated. Morphologically and geographically, the species resembles A. rigescens, A. kooyanum, and A. kinoshitae, but differs in its smaller leaves and flowers, slightly constricted calyx-tube throat, pale pink flowers with yellow mottling, and pubescence restricted to the margins of the calyx lobes. The species is currently known only from a single locality and is assessed here as Critically Endangered.

    Keyword: Aristolochiaceae, Asarum rigescens, Asarum kooyanum, Asarum kinoshitae, Kii Peninsula, Wakayama Prefecture

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