Taxonomic Study of Strobilanthes atropurpurea and Domestically Similar Taxa in China

This study investigates the morphological characteristics and geographical distribution of Strobilanthes atropurpurea s.l. and its similar taxa in China through literature review, field work and specimens analysis. The results reveal that: (1) The domestic S. atropurpurea is a mixed taxon comprising S. atropurpurea from the Tibetan and Yunnan plateaus, S. triflora from mid-high altitude mountain land across Southwest—South China—Central China —East China, and S. wallichii confined to the western Himalayas; (2) S. triflora and Hemigraphis cuneate are conspecific, however, the former is a nomen nudum, while the latter, if transferred to the genus Strobilanthes, will become a later homonym of S. cuneata. (3) Owing to the long-term geographical isolation, the domestic taxa have undergone morphological differentiation and can be classified into three subgroups: the Southwest—South—Central China taxon, the East China taxon, and the Taiwan taxon. This paper presents the key morphological distinctions between the domestic taxa, S. atropurpurea, and S. wallichii. Additionally, a new scientific name, S. yanchengiana, is proposed for the taxon previously referred to as “S. triflorus” The morphological features of S. yanchengiana are described in detail, two new subspecies, subsp. huadongensis and subsp. taiwanensis are represented, for which a diagnostic key is also provided.