Ilex damingshanensis (Aquifoliaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, with evidence from morphology and molecular phylogeny

Ilex damingshanensis (Aquifoliaceae), a new species from Damingshan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, is described and compared with morphologically similar species. The new species is morphologically most like I. occulta but can be distinguished by its lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate leaves with acuminate or obtuse apices (vs. elliptic or obovate-elliptic with obtuse or subrounded apices), distinctly crenulate-serrulate leaf margins (vs. subentire) and smaller pyrenes. A molecular phylogenetic analysis based on three nuclear markers supports its distinct evolutionary position, revealing that it is sister to a large clade. In this sister clade, the morphologically most similar I. occulta is deeply nested alongside I. xiaojinensis, I. robustinervosa and I. peiradena.