Viola evoluta sp. nov. (Violaceae) from central southern China

Viola evoluta , a new species of Violaceae from central southern China, is described and illustrated based on morphological evidence and molecular phylogenetic analysis using nuclear ITS and 3 combined chloroplast genes ( rpl16 , rbcL , and matK ). This new species is phylogenetically resolved on a solitary branch within V. sect. Viola subsect. Viola , and is morphologically most similar to V. hondoensis W. Becker and H. Boissieu sharing characteristics such as creeping stolons, globose capsules, and large seeds with conspicuous elaiosome. However, it can be distinguished from V. hondoensis by having nearly glabrous habit, cordate leaf blade with crenate‐serrated margin and cuspidate apex, and lanceolate acute sepals. Viola anhuiensis M. E. Cheng, D. Q. Wang and K. Zhang is proposed as a synonym of V. hondoensis W. Becker and H. Boissieu based on specimen examination. A key to species of V. subsect. Viola in China is also presented.