A new species of Hiptage (Malpighiaceae) from Nujiang Gorge of Southwest China

Hiptage lushuiensis, a new species from the Hengduan Mountains, northwestern Yunnan Province, China, is here described and illustrated. This species was found growing at the margin of an open forest in the Nujiang Gorge of Lushui City. H. lushuiensis is distinctive for its pink petals, 2 or more calyx glands, large and red pink samara with white hairs. This species is isolated in the deep gorge (25°51′N, 98° 51′E, altitude 917 m), located at the northern edge of the genus's distribution range. These distinctive differences in morphological traits and geographical location suggest a history of long-distance dispersal and allopatric speciation for this new species