Mitreola brachypoda W. W. Pan, F. G. Deng & C. Xiong 2026, sp. nov.

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Mitreola brachypoda W. W. Pan, F. G. Deng & C. Xiong sp. nov. Figs 1, 2 Type. China • Yunnan Province: Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Maguan County, Gulinqing Township, Kashang Village; 22.80°N, 104.05°E; elev. ca. 1450 m, 8 March 2026; Wen-Wen Pan et al. PWW 260308-01 (fl.) (holotype IBK!, IBK 00473504; isotypes IBK!, IBK 00473505, 00473506). Diagnosis. Mitreola brachypoda resembles M. bullata, but differs by its 0–5 mm long petiole (vs. 10–26 (– 35) mm), its obovate to spatulate leaf blade with cuneate to attenuate base and acute, obtuse to rounded apex (vs. elliptic or long elliptic, base cuneate or rounded, apex acute or obtuse), its dense umbel-like thyrsoid inflorescence with several cymes (vs. dichasium, sparse), its white or pale purple campanulate corolla (vs. urceolate, light purple), its ca. 1 mm long tube (vs. ca. 1.5 mm) and its 2.3–2.5 mm long lobes (vs. 1.3–1.5 mm) cacacaca. Description. Perennial lithophytic herbs up to 15 cm high. Stem proximally prostrate, terminally erect to suberect, terete, 2–5 cm long, ca. 3 mm in diam., simple, sparsely pilose when young, glabrescent with age, pale green; internodes 2–8 mm long. Leaves opposite, often clustered at the stem or branch apex, petiolate; petiole short, 0–5 mm long, ca. 1.5 mm in diam., light green, sparsely pilose; leaf blade papery when dry, obovate to spatulate, 1.8–5.5 × 1.5–2.6 cm, adaxially dark green to green, abaxially light green, sparsely pilose on both surfaces, especially on the veins; base cuneate to attenuate; margin entire, ciliate; apex acute, obtuse to rounded; lateral veins 5–9 (– 12) on each side of mid-rib, adaxially sunken, abaxially protuberant; stipules triangular, ca. 1 mm long, interpetiolar. Inflorescences terminal and axillary, usually 2–4 per plant, umbel-like thyrsoids with several dense cymes, terminal and axillary, usually 2–4 per plant, 8–15 flowers per cyme; peduncle terete, 3–12 cm long, ca. 1 mm in diam., purplish-red, sparsely pilose; bracts lanceolate, 2–2.5 mm long, villous; pedicels terete, 1–1.5 mm long, ca. 0.5 mm in diam., purplish-red, sparsely pilose. Flowers actinomorphic, pentamerous. Calyx lobes 5, ovate, 1.5–1.8 × 0.6–0.8 mm, purplish-red, sparsely pilose along the keel on the outside, margin entire, apex acute. Corolla campanulate, white or pale purple, glabrous outside, ca. 5 mm in diam.; tube ca. 1 mm long, with a ring of translucent hairs at throat, hairs ca. 0.5 mm long, spreading horizontally; lobes 5, ovate, 2.3–2.5 × 1.5–1.8 mm, margin entire, ciliate, apex rounded. Stamens 5, inserted near middle of corolla tube, glabrous; filaments ca. 0.3 mm long; anthers ovate, ca. 0.2 mm long. Ovary semi-inferior, bilocular, ca. 0.5 × 1.0 mm; style ca. 0.5 mm long, free at base, stigma capitate. Capsules not seen. Phenology. Flowering from February to April. Etymology. The specific epithet ‘ brachypoda ’ is derived from the Greek ‘ brachys ’ (short) and ‘ podos ’ (stalk), in reference to its distinctly short petioles. Vernacular name. duǎn bǐng dù liáng cǎo (Chinese pronunciation); 短柄度量草 (Chinese name). Distribution and ecology. This new species is currently found only at the type locality at an elev. of ca. 1450 m. It grows on moist, moss-covered cliffs (Fig. 1). Associated vascular species include Lepisorus fortunei (T. Moore) C. M. Kuo (Polypodiaceae) and Piper sintenense Hatus. (Piperaceae). Conservation status. Based on current field investigations, the new species is known only from its type locality, with approximately 30–40 mature individuals observed. The data currently available are insufficient to comprehensively assess its conservation status. According to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2026), it is provisionally assessed as Data Deficient (DD). Further botanical surveys in adjacent areas and long-term monitoring are required to better evaluate its distribution, population size and potential threats.

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