The Genus Arisaema (Araceae: Aroideae: Arisaemateae) in China – A Taxonomic Revision and Annotated List of Species

 

Ma Zhengxu & Li Heng

 

ABSTRACT

China presents an extremely high diversity of the genus Arisaema which includes 197 species distributed in Asia, eastern Africa and North America. In this paper, 81 species and 3 varieties belonging to 14 sections (sect. Anomala, sect. Attenuata, sect. Fimbriata, sect. Odorata, sect. Clavata, sect. Arisaema, sect. Franchetiana, sect. Tortuosa, sect. Dochafa, sect. Nepenthoidea, sect. Decipientia, sect. Pistillata, sect. Tenuipistillata, sect. Sinarisaema) and comprising approximately 41.12% of this genus in the world have been recognized for China, based on the Flora of China treatment as well as the latest studies including biomolecular evidence.

 

Moreover, this revision also strives to settle some taxonomic issues and to add informational supplements to the species which had controversial treatments or inadequate perceptions, namely A. smitinandii S. Y. Hu (A. tsangpoense J. T. Yin & Gusman), A. victoriae V. D. Nguyen (A. calcareum H. Li, pro parte; A. hippocaudatum S. C. Chen & H. Li; A. rubrirhizomatum H. Li & J. Murata), A. bathycoleum Handel-Mazzetti (A. saxatile auct. non Buchet: H. Li, G. H. Zhu et J. Murata), A. yunnanense Buchet var. quinquelobatum (H. Li & J. Murata) Z. X. Ma & H. Li, comb. & grad. nov. (A. quinquelobatum H. Li & J. Murata), A. dahaiense H. Li (A. dulongense H. Li), A. bogneri P. C. Boyce & H. Li (A. fargesii auct. non Buchet: H. Li, G. H. Zhu et J. Murata) among others.

 

Additionally, using research on this genus developed in the adjacent countries to China, the distributive patterns of several Chinese indigenous species should be modified: A. dahaiense H. Li, A. yunnanense Buchet, A. burmaense P. C. Boyce & H. Li and A. franchetianum Engler among others.

 

KEYWORDS

Arisaema, Araceae, taxonomic revision, China.