Bergera unifolia (Rutaceae), A New Species from Guangxi (China) Based on Morphological and Molecular Data

Abstract

A new species, Bergera unifolia C.L. Deng & F.J. Mou (Rutaceae, Aurantioideae, Clauseneae) is described and illustrated from Dahua County, Guangxi Province, China, based on morphological characters as well as on nrDNA (ITS) and cpDNA (trnL-F, atpB-rbcL, rbcL, matK, psbH-petB and psbA-trnH) sequences. It is characterised by unifoliate leaves similar to those of Murraya stenocarpa (Murraya sect. Bergera, or Chalcas sect. Bergera) but differs from it by having smaller and thinner subcoriaceous leaflets with irregularly toothed margins. The leaflets resemble those of M. kwangsiensis (Murraya sect. Bergera) in having hairs under the leaflets, oil glands and similar odour. Based on molecular data, B. unifolia is closely related to M. stenocarpa and M. kwangsiensis and thus it is important for resolving the classification of those species within Murraya sect. Bergera that should be formally transferred to Bergera.