A new synonym for Viburnum erosum (Viburnaceae) in East China, based on morphological and molecular evidence

Abstract

The critical observations of living plants in the field, along with the examination of type specimens and protologues, led us to conclude that the key characteristics, including the length of the petiole, stipules and peduncles, as well as the shape of leaves of Viburnum fengyangshanense, all fall within the variation range of V. erosum. Additionally, molecular analysis of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and three plastid DNA markers (rbcL, matK and ndhF) indicates that V. fengyangshanense and V. erosum are deeply nested within a clade. Therefore, based on morphological and molecular evidence, it is demonstrated that V. fengyangshanense should be regarded as a new synonym of V. erosum.