Recently, Guizhou Maolan National Nature Reserve announced the discovery of a new plant species - Smilax glauca L. It is reported that this species was discovered by researchers from Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University of science and technology and Guizhou Maolan National Nature Reserve Management Bureau during the investigation of small populations of wild plants in the reserve in August, 2018.
Access:
After field observation, specimen and literature review, morphological comparison and phylogenetic tree construction in recent years, it was finally determined that the plant is a new species that has not been described, named Smilax weniae P. Li, z.c. Qi & Yan Liu, and the research results were recently published in the international botanical journal plants, Vol. 11, No. 8, 2022.
At present, smilacaceae is considered to contain only one genus of Smilax L., and another genus recorded in flora of China, Heterosmilax Kunth, has been incorporated into Smilax. This family (genus) is one of the most abundant and easily recognized climbing plants in the forest ecosystems of the old and new world. Their typical characteristics are perennial woody, rarely herbaceous; Leaves alternate, petioles generally with sheaths and tendrils; Flowers dioecious, usually arranged in an umbel, borne in leaf axils; Berries are often globose.
It is reported that the good ecological environment and rich biodiversity of Maolan National Nature Reserve in Guizhou provide conditions for the discovery of new species. At present, only 3 distribution points of this species have been found, and less than 100 individuals have been investigated. It is urgent to strengthen rescue and protection.
