| Abstract: | Recent integrative systematic studies of Vitaceae support the recognition of a new genus Pseudocayratia J.Wen, L.M.Lu & Z.D.Chen. The genus consists of five species from China and Japan. We herein describe the following two new species: Pseudocayratia speciosa J.Wen & L.M.Lu, and P. pengiana Hsu & J.Wen, and make three new combinations: Pseudocayratia dichromocarpa (H.Lév.) J.Wen & Z.D.Chen, P. oligocarpa (H.Lév. & Van.) J.Wen & L.M.Lu, and P. yoshimurae (Makino) J.Wen & V.C.Dang. Phylogenetic analyses based on five chloroplast loci strongly support Pseudocayratia as sister to Tetrastigma. Morphologically, species of the genus have stigmas enlarged (but not 4‐lobed), pedicels at fruiting stage enlarged and fleshy, seeds with a crustaceous thin testa, circular cup‐like ventral infolds, linear chalaza extending ca. 2/3 to 3/4 of the seed length (from apex to base), lateral margin with thin edges, and T‐shaped endosperm in cross‐section. The genus is distributed in eastern Asia (China and Japan). The taxonomic novelties we report in this study at both the generic and species levels highlight the importance of collections‐based research in today's integrative systematics. |
