Gaultheria leucocarpa Blume Ericaceae

Patterns of genetic variation and morphology support the recognition of five species in the Gaultheria leucocarpa Blume (Ericaceae) group from mainland China

“…yunnanensis . This is consistent with the description of G. leucocarpa in Mustaqim and Setiawan (2020) in stating that hairs are usually present in juvenile plants. Trichomes commonly act as a barrier to protect plants from herbivores, ultraviolet radiation, or excessive transpiration (Johnson, 1975; Mauricio & Rausher, 1997), or as secretory or accumulative organs to attract or repel insects and other organisms (Dalin et al, 2008).…”

“…yunnanensis. This is consistent with the description of G. leucocarpa inMustaqim and Setiawan (2020) inF I G U R E 4 Gaultheria luchunensis Yi R. Li,Lu Lu & P.W. Fritsch (L. Lu et al LL-2020-44).…”

“…Variation in the indumentum of the calyx and corolla was also found to be good characters for diagnosing G. leucocarpa var. hirta (Mustaqim & Setiawan, 2020; Sleumer, 1967).…”

“…obs.). The branches and leaves of this species are rich in aromatic oil, mainly methyl salicylate (Chua & Sunarti, 1999; Nikolić et al, 2013), used in traditional ethnic medicine (Liu et al, 2013; Ma et al, 2001; Mustaqim & Setiawan, 2020; Silalahi, 2018). Gaultheria leucocarpa displays considerable variation in morphology over its widespread geographic distribution (Copeland, 1932; Hsu, 1981; Sleumer, 1957).…”

“…Gaultheria leucocarpa displays considerable variation in morphology over its widespread geographic distribution (Copeland, 1932; Hsu, 1981; Sleumer, 1957). Reflecting this variation, it has been classified into six varieties (one with four forms; World Flora Online, http://www.worldfloraonline.org; Mustaqim & Setiawan, 2020; Sleumer, 1967). The varieties are mainly delimited by the color of mature fruits, leaves, inflorescence, and corolla, and whether the ovary is glabrous or pubescent.…”