ARPHA Preprints, doi: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e69207

Reappraisal of Nertera (Rubiaceae) in Taiwan

Wei-Chih Chen^‡, Chih-Chiang Wang^§, Kun-Cheng Chang^|

‡ Graduate Institute of Bioresources, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology., Pingtung, Taiwan§ Department of Forestry, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology., Pingtung, Taiwan| No.300 Syuefu Rd., Chiayi City 60004, Taiwan (R.O.C.), Chiayi, Taiwan

Corresponding author: Kun-Cheng Chang ( kcchang@mail.ncyu.edu.tw )

This is an open access preprint distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation: Chen W-C, Wang C-C, Chang K-C (2021) Reappraisal of Nertera (Rubiaceae) in Taiwan. ARPHA Preprints. https://doi.org/10.3897/arphapreprints.e69207

Abstract

Only one species in the genus Nertera, N. granadensis, had been identified in Taiwan. This study discovered that there are two additional species in the genus endemic to Taiwan: N. nigricarpa and N. taiwanian. These species are both distinguishable from N. granadensis through an examination of their holotype and living individuals. N. nigricarpa is characterized by the unapparent or slightly convex leaf venation on the upper surface, spreading leaf margins, purple petals, black fruits, and dark-purple seeds with raised striate. N. taiwanian has leaves with distinctly convex veins on the upper surface, undulated margins, yellowish-green petals, red fruits, and yellow-white seeds without striate.

Keywords

Nertera depressa, Nertera granadensis, Nertera nigricarpa, Nertera taiwaniana, Rubiaceae.