Viola yuelingensis (Violaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China

This study describes and illustrates Viola yuelingensis Y. S. Chen & Ju H. Huang, a new species distributed in Guangxi, China. The species is morphologically most similar to Viola yunnanensis, but can be distinguished by the following characteristics: prominently raised reddish-brown midveins on both leaf surfaces with inconspicuous lateral veins on the adaxial side (vs. wrinkled adaxial surface with depressed and often green midvein), and lower petal white or pale purple toward the base, pale purple toward the apex with purple stripes (vs. lower petal white with purple stripes).

The species is distinct from V. changii by its leaf blades with serrate margins (vs. obtusely serrate to subentire), and an abaxial surface that is grayish-green (vs. deep purple). Color photographs, a distribution map, and a comparison with the most similar species are provided.