Balanophora xinfeniae (Balanophoraceae), a new species from Xizang, China

<i>Balanophora xinfeniae</i> C.L.Fu, M.Li & B.Xu, a new species discovered in Xizang, China, is described and illustrated here. Molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons strongly support <i>B. xinfeniae</i> as a new species within the genus <i>Balanophora</i>. The most distinctive characteristic of the new species is its dioecious sexual system, with male flowers having a 3-lobed perianth, opposite leaves with serrated tips, and yellow scapes. Although it shares morphological similarities with <i>B. henryi</i>, <i>B. xinfeniae</i> can be distinguished by its flat spheroid tubers without stellate lenticels, yellow scape, prominently serrated apical leaf margins, and nearly spherical or ovoid-ellipsoid female inflorescences.