Abstract
The species Euonymus duanensis (Celastraceae), a small shrub, is newly
described and illustrated from karst areas of Guangxi Autonomous Region,
China. This species is similar to Euonymus dielsianus but is readily
distinguished by its smaller leaves, obovate or elliptic-obovate, 2-2.5
× 5-6 cm (vs. 4.5-6 × 9-15 cm), blade margin crenulate, serrulate to
serrate (vs. margin proximal 1/5-2/5 entire, distal 3/5-4/5 crenulate,
serrulate to serrate, sometimes ciliate), reddish flowers and petals
(vs. flowers and petals green, light yellow, or greenish yellow), short
petiole, milk white seeds (vs. dark brown), and aril bright red partial
covering seed (vs. aril bright red covering seed wholly). Phylogenetic
study also revealed apparent phylogenetic position of the new species
among Euonymus species, and the relationships between related species
have also been discussed.