Prunus zhuxiensis (Rosaceae), a new species from Hubei, China

In the present paper, we describe a new species, <i>Prunuszhuxiensis</i> (P.subg.Cerasus), from Hubei, China, based on long-term field observations. This species closely resembles <i>P.serrulata</i> in having corymbose-racemose or subumbellate inflorescences, hairy petiole, pedicel, involucral bracts and black drupes. However, <i>P.zhuxiensis</i> differs distinctly from <i>P.serrulata</i> by its sweet edible drupes (versus bitter, inedible drupes in <i>P.serrulata</i>), stipules 4-lobed at the base (versus linear stipules in <i>P.serrulata</i>), smaller bracts, shorter pedicels and styles pilose at the base (versus glabrous styles in <i>P.serrulata</i>). Furthermore, molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that <i>P.zhuxiensis</i> and <i>P.serrulata</i> are placed in separate clades, supporting their distinction.