Researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences identified a new plant species, Eumachia brevipedunculata (E. brevipedunculata), in the tropical rainforests of southern Yunnan, China, and northern Laos. The study was published in PhytoKeys.

E. brevipedunculata is a pantropical shrub. It is morphologically similar to Eumachia straminea (E. straminea), but can be distinguished by its smaller stipules, shorter petioles, and compact inflorescences with notably short peduncles and pedicels. Its yellowish-green corollas, shorter anthers, and black, ribbed fruits further differentiate it from close relatives like E. straminea which has larger leaves, white-cream flowers, and longer floral structures.

In the past collections, this species was frequently misidentified as members of the genus Psychotria due to superficial similarities. However, molecular and morphological analyses confirmed its placement within Eumachia, a genus resurrected in 2012 after decades of taxonomic debate.

E. brevipedunculata thrives in primary tropical rainforests and humid evergreen broadleaf forests at elevations of 500-1,200 meters. It has been recorded in 23 locations in Yunnan and one in Laos, and it faces local threats from habitat fragmentation, livestock grazing, and infrastructure development.

Considering its extent of occurrence and presence in protected areas, researchers have designated the conservation status of the new species as Least Concern (LC) based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Categories and Criteria.

“This discovery is the result of a decade-long exploration of Eumachia in China, which entails extensive fieldwork and the analysis of herbarium specimens. This study underscores the importance of revisiting historical collections with modern taxonomic tools,” said TAN Yunhong from XTBG.

Eumachia brevipedunculata (Image by QUAN Dongli)