Abstract:

During examination of Corydalis specimens collected from the alpine subnival zone of the Tibet Autonomous Region in 2018, two new species records for China, C. filicina Prain and C. crassifolia Royle, were identified. This study presents the first detailed Chinese morphological descriptions and color photographs of these species based on the specimens. While C. filicina resembles C. cornuta Royle, it can be distinguished based on its slender stems; apex of outer petals keel with or without purplish brown speckles; upper petal broad, nearly 3-lobed, with narrow crest; cylindric spur straight, as long as limb; subrhombic lower petal suddenly constricted into cuspidate apex; and square and flat stigma with 10 papillae. While C. crassifolia is morphologically similar to C. retingensis Ludlow, it can be distinguished based on different leaf shapes, raceme structures, and non-thickening fruit stalks. This discovery enriches the species diversity of Corydalis in Tibet and provides new data for floristic research and resource development of the genus.