A new species of Prunus subgen. Cerasus from Central China

Abstract

A new species, Prunus wangii Q.L.Gan, Z.Y.Li & S.Z.Xu from western Hubei, Central China is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to P. clarofolia Schneid. and P. pseudocerasus Lindl., but differs in larger height, nearly erect branches, densely and horizontally arranged lenticels, straight lateral veins of leaves, persistent brownish bracts, reflexed and entire calyx lobes, 2-lobed petals with narrowly triangular sinus, earlier flowering and broadly ellipsoid fruits. Furthermore, P. wangii blooms in late February and the colour of flower changes with time, which makes it possible to be a new breeding material for ornamental cherry with early spring blooms.