J Syst Evol ›› 2009, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (1): 87-91.DOI: 10.1111/j.1759-6831.2009.00005.x

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Musa chunii Häkkinen, a new species (Musaceae) from Yunnan, China and taxonomic identity of Musa rubra

Markku HÄKKINEN 1,2*   

  1. ( Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China )
    2 ( Botanic Garden, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 4
    4 (Jyrängöntie 2), FI-00014, Finland ) *Corresponding address. E-mail: .
  • Received:2008-01-19 Published:2009-02-27

Abstract: The center of diversity of the genus Musa (Musaceae) is in Southeast Asia, a region not studied in detail and where new species and varieties continue to be reported. A new wild banana species, M. chunii Häkkinen from Yunnan, China is described and illustrated based on observed morphological characteristics in the field. This extremely rare new species was only found in Tongbiguan Nature Reserve, Dehong District, West Yunnan. A key to M. chunii and related taxa is provided. In addition, critical notes regarding M. rubra Kurz identity are given.

Key words: Musa, Musa chunii H鋕, kinen, Musa rubra Kurz, Musaceae, Rhodochlamys, Southeast Asia, wild banana