A new plant species, Scutellaria chenhedongensis (陈禾洞黄芩) X.W. Yi, Y.F. Chen & Q. Fan, has been formally described in PhytoKeys, an international journal of plant taxonomy. Technical staff at Chenhedong Provincial Nature Reserve in Conghua District, Guangzhou, first spotted the species in 2025 during routine field monitoring. After months of observation, researchers began a field survey in March 2026 to identify the plant.
Growing up to 1 meter tall, Scutellaria chenhedongensis has a woody stem base and narrow, elongated leaves. The upper leaf surfaces are distinctly uneven and textured, while the undersides are densely covered with yellow glandular dots. From March to April, pale-purple to pinkish-purple flowers bloom in dense clusters at the branch tips.
Researchers compared its growth habit, leaves and floral structure with those of closely related species. Supported by both morphological and molecular evidence, the team confirmed it as a previously undescribed species. It was named after Chenhedong, its type locality.
The species is currently known only from the reserve, where around 300 mature individuals have been recorded. Because of its restricted range and small population size, it is classified as Vulnerable (VU) and needs stronger protection. The reserve plans to step up monitoring and distribution surveys to track changes in the population and its habitat, which will give future conservation work a scientific basis.
Author | He Fengyu
Photos | Nanfang Plus
