<i>Angiopteris guangdongensis</i> (Marattiaceae): A New Species From Guangdong, China

In this study, we confirm that the population of <i>Angiopteris</i> from Guangdong Province represents a distinct new species, which we describe as <i>Angiopteris guangdongensis</i>. Morphologically, <i>A. guangdongensis</i> resembles <i>Angiopteris fokiensis</i> but can be distinguished by its arborescent habit (reaching up to 5 m in height), robust scaly stipes, linear-lanceolate pinnules, abaxially scaly slender pinnules, sori with 7-16 sporangia, and a higher basal pinnule aspect ratio. Plastid phylogenomic analyses place <i>A. guangdongensis</i> as a monophyletic lineage sister to <i>A. fokiensis</i>. According to IUCN guidelines, the species is preliminarily assessed as 'Data Deficient (DD)'. In addition, we report the complete plastid genome of this new species. This discovery not only provides important insights into the evolution and speciation of <i>Angiopteris</i> but also highlights the taxonomic oversimplification within the genus.