Casearia napoensis (Salicaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China

Casearia napoensis sp. nov. a new species from Guangxi, Southern China, is described and illustrated. The new species exhibits several distinguishing features: capsule 2.2–3 cm, spherical, leathery, orange-red at maturity, 4 - or 5 - valved, valves fleshy, 0.5 cm thick. Seeds up to 15–16 per fruit.

The relationships among C. napoensis, C. membranacea and C. tardieuae are shortly discussed. The new species is endemic to limestone mountain forests of Western Guangxi, with its known distribution largely confined to the Guangxi Laohutiao Nature Reserve. On the basis of the IUCN criteria, it is assessed as Critically Endangered.