Cheilotheca crocea
| Cheilotheca crocea | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Cheilotheca |
| Species: | C. crocea |
| Binomial name | |
| Cheilotheca crocea L.Wu & Yan Liu | |
Cheilotheca crocea is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae. It was first described in 2016 by Lei Wu and Yan Liu.[1]
The species is native to southern China, where it is known from Guangxi.[2][1] It is a holomycotrophic plant that derives nutrients through symbiotic relationships with fungi rather than photosynthesis.[2]
Description
[edit]Cheilotheca crocea is a non-photosynthetic, mycoheterotrophic herb. It is morphologically most similar to Cheilotheca malayana, but differs in having filaments of equal length and elongate anthers that open via two longitudinal slits at dehiscence (botany), whereas C. malayana has unequal filaments and short anthers with a single terminal slit.[1]
Like other members of the genus, it lacks chlorophyll and depends on fungal associations for its carbon and nutrient requirements.
Taxonomy
[edit]The species was formally described in 2016 in Phytotaxa as part of a study documenting new records of the genus Cheilotheca in China.[1] It belongs to the subfamily Monotropoideae within the family Ericaceae, a group characterized by mycoheterotrophic plants.
The specific epithet crocea refers to the color of the petals.[3]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]Cheilotheca crocea is endemic to southern China and is known from south-central Guangxi.[2][1] It occurs in evergreen broadleaved forests, where it grows in association with soil fungi.[1]
The type specimen of Cheilotheca crocea was collected by L. Wu and R. H. Jiang (collection number D0199) on 4 August 2010 in Damingshan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China.[3]
The holotype is deposited at the IBK herbarium, with isotypes at HAST and IBK.[3]
Ecology
[edit]As a holomycotrophic plant, C. crocea does not perform photosynthesis and instead obtains nutrients indirectly from other plants via shared mycorrhizal fungi. This ecological strategy is characteristic of members of the subfamily Monotropoideae.
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wu, L.; Jiang, R.-H.; Yang, J.-C.; Liu, Y. (2016). "New records of Cheilotheca (Ericaceae, Monotropoideae) from China including the description of a new species". Phytotaxa. 260 (2): 193–198. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.260.2.9.
- 1 2 3 "Cheilotheca crocea L.Wu & Yan Liu". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Cheilotheca crocea L.Wu & Yan Liu". International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 23 March 2026.