Abstract:
Isodon neorensis Ranjan, G. Krishna & Anant Kumar (Lamiaceae) is reported here as a newly recorded species for the flora of China, based on specimens collected from Yadong County, Shigatse City, Xizang Autonomous Region. Its taxonomic identity was confirmed through detailed comparison with type material and morphologically similar congeners. This annual herb is distinguished by a combination of the following characters: quadrangular green to purplish-red stems with soft-hispid indumentum; opposite ovate to cordate leaves with obtusely toothed margins, pubescence on both surfaces, brown glandular dots on abaxial surface; terminal lax racemose inflorescences; campanulate calyx with reflexed teeth; dark red corolla bearing white patches and red dots in throat; didynamous stamens; and slender style occasionally exserted from corolla but not exceeding anterior lip.
Isodon neorensis was originally discovered and described from Neora Valley National Park, Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India, in the eastern Himalayas, and was subsequently recorded from Bhutan and Sikkim, India. The present record extends its known distribution to China and helps resolve a distributional gap in the Chinese sector of the eastern Himalayas. This discovery increases the documented diversity of
Isodon in China and provides new evidence for transboundary floristic continuity and evolutionary relationships within the eastern Himalayan region.