New taxa of Berberis (Berberidaceae) with greenish flowers from a biodiversity hotspot in Sichuan Province, China

Researchers have identified two new taxa of Berberis—Berberis viridiflora and Berberis sanguinea var. viridisepala—from Baoxing County, Sichuan Province, China, a biodiversity hotspot within the UNESCO-listed Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries. These discoveries expand the known diversity of Berberis, particularly highlighting greenish-flowered variants that differ morphologically from related species. The study also reclassified Berberis multiovula as a synonym of B. sanguinea var. sanguinea, resolving taxonomic ambiguities. Through field surveys and herbarium analysis, the team documented 16 Berberis taxa in Baoxing County, showcasing extensive phenotypic variations in plant morphology, inflorescences, flower colors, and fruit types. The findings suggest that this region may serve as a diversification center for Berberis in the eastern Hengduan Mountains, underscoring its ecological significance.

Li, X., Zhang, L., Li, W., Yin, X., & Yuan, S. (2017). New taxa of Berberis (Berberidaceae) with greenish flowers from a biodiversity hotspot in Sichuan Province, China. Plant Diversity, 39(2), 94–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2017.01.002