Berberis jiuzhaigouensis H. L. Pan, D. C. Meng & C. C. Yu 2025, sp. nov.

Berberis jiuzhaigouensis H. L. Pan, D. C. Meng & C. C. Yu sp. nov. Fig. 2 Diagnosis. Berberis jiuzhaigouensis is morphologically similar to B. gilgiana and B. salicaria, particularly in leaf shape. However, it can be readily distinguished by its glabrous abaxial leaf surface – contrasting with the distinctly pubescent midrib of B. gilgiana (Suppl. material 1: fig. S 1 A) – and by its fascicled to sub-umbellate inflorescences, in contrast to the spike-like racemes characteristic of both B. gilgiana and B. salicaria. Type. China • Sichuan, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Jiuzhaigou County, Wujiao Town, Shengnanxin Village, around the point 33.08206737°N, 104.17426166°E, alt. 1636 m, 16 Apr. 2023, YCC 415 (holotype: HITBC 0127178!; Suppl. material 2) Description. Shrubs, deciduous, to 1.5 m tall; mature stems brown or purplish-red, terete; spines 3 - fid, often solitary towards apex of stems, 0.2–1 cm, weak. Petiole almost absent; leaf blade abaxially pale green, adaxially green, lanceolate, obovate-lanceolate, or narrowly elliptic, 2.5–6 × 0.2–1.5 cm; lateral veins and reticulation partially raised abaxially, inconspicuous adaxially; base attenuate; margin entire; apex acute. Inflorescence a fascicle, sub-umbel, solitary, or 6–8 - flowered, ca. 3 cm including peduncle 1 cm; pedicel 2 cm, bracteoles triangular. Sepals in 3 whorls, outer sepals narrowly elliptic 3–3.5 × 1.5–2 mm, median sepals elliptic-obovate 4.5–5 × 3–3.5 mm; inner sepals elliptic-orbicular 5–5.5 × 3.5–4 mm; petals obovate or orbicular-obovate, 5–6 × 6–7 mm, base distinctly clawed; glands separate, elliptic or obovate, 0.75–1 mm, apex entire or incised. Stamens 2.5–3 mm; anther connective truncate. Ovules 2, 3. Berry red, ellipsoid 8–9 mm × ca. 5 mm, estylose. Phenology. Berberis jiuzhaigouensis has been collected in flower in April and in fruit between May and October. Distribution and habitat. Berberis jiuzhaigouensis is currently known only from the type locality. It has been collected from ravine habitats and valley slopes at elevations ranging from approximately 1,600 to 2,000 m a. s. l.