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Korean J. Pl. Taxon > Volume 53(3); 2023 > Article
JO, JANG, JEONG, KIM, and CHUNG: Comparative morphological analysis reveals a new record of Boehmeria nakashimae (Urticaceae) in Korea

Abstract

A newly recorded species, Boehmeria nakashimae Yahara, is confirmed for the first time to be distributed on forest edges on Jejudo Island, Korea. This species is known to be endemic to northern Kyushu, Japan. It is characterized by ovate to broadly ovate, elliptic-ovate, or sub-orbicular middle leaf shapes, serrulate-dentate and uniform margins, 17–29 teeth on one side, a short caudate or narrowly acute apex, dense glomerules at fruiting, and densely strigillose on the stems, both surfaces of the leaves, the perianth of staminate flowers, and achenes. Therefore, it is given the new name ‘Je-ju-top-mo-si-pul’ in Korean based on its serrulate-dentate leaf margin and geographical distribution. A description, photographs, illustrations, and keys of related taxa in Korea are provided.

INTRODUCTION

The genus Boehmeria Jacq. (Urticaceae) comprises approximately 100–150 species and is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions (Wang, 1981a; Yahara, 1981; Chen et al., 2003; Wilmot-Dear and Friis, 2013). The genus is distinguished from related genera by plants without stinging trichome, inflorescence without involucre, staminate flowers with 3–5 stamens, inflexed filaments, pistillate flowers with tubular perianth, filiform stigma, remaining perianth of the achene, etc. (Chen et al., 2003; Kim and Sun, 2018). Based on morphological characteristics, including phyllotaxis, leaf margin shape, achene shape, and trichome, Satake (1936) recognized two subgenera and seven sections. Later, Wang (1981a, 1981b, 2016) degraded these to section or series rank by habit, leaf apex shape, inflorescence shape, and achene shape, and treated five sections. Although the morphological characteristics of the leaves are highly variable, the shape, margin, trichome, and texture of leaves are known to be important characters in the current classification systems (Satake, 1936; Wang, 2016; Jo, 2023).
Approximately 12–14 taxa of Boehmeria are known to be distributed in Korea (Kim and Sun, 2018; Korea National Arboretum, 2023). Recently, Jo et al. (2021) recognized two unrecorded species, B. gracilis C. H. Wright and B. silvestrii (Pamp.) W. T. Wang. In the Korean Boehmeria, B. hirtella Satake, B. nakaiana Satake, B. quelpaertensis Satake, and B. taquetii Nakai have been considered as endemic species in Jejudo Island, Korea (Lee, 1996). However, Jo (2023) recently treated B. nakaiana and B. taquetii as newly additional synonyms of B. sieboldiana Blume, and B. hirtella and B. quelpaertensis were also confirmed to be distributed in Japan. Therefore, he did not consider these two species as Korean endemic species. In conclusion, Korean Boehmeria was classified into a total of 13 species within two sections: sect. Tilocnide and Duretia, and three series: ser. Longispicae, Sieboldianae, and Spicatae in sect. Duretia (Jo, 2023).
While studying the genus Boehmeria collected in South Korea, we firstly confirmed the identity of B. nakashimae Yahara, which is known as an endemic species in Japan, on Jejudo Island. This species is distributed along the coast of northern Kyushu in Japan (Yahara, 1983a, 1983b). It was first recognized as a hybrid of B. hirtella and B. holosericea Blume (Yahara, 1983a). Yahara (1983a, 1983b) distinguished B. holosericea by leaves with a serrulate margin, a subcaudate-acuminate apex, and sterile staminate flowers. Unlike B. hirtella, B. nakashimae has large, thick leaves and dense trichomes on the stem, petiole, and leaf veins. Yahara (1983a) recognized as a triploid taxon reproducing by apomixis. Therefore, B. nakashimae is treated as a species rather than as a hybrid.
In this study, we used scientific names and Korean names of Boehmeria based on the recently updated Checklist of Vascular Plants in Korea (Korea National Arboretum, 2023). These scientific names had no nomenclatural problems, and this study focused on taxa with confirmed identities. We morphologically compared two closely related series, ser. Sieboldianae (including B. nakashimae) and ser. Longispicae, and have presented a key for taxa within these two series. Furthermore, descriptions, photographs, and illustrations of B. nakashimae are provided.

TAXONOMIC TREATMENT

Boehmeria nakashimae Yahara, J. Jap. Bot. 58: 88, 1983 (Figs. 1, 2).—TYPE: Japan. Kyushu, Fukuoka Pref., Fukuoka City, Shikanoshima, 19 Sep 1937, K. Nakashima 15-a (holotype: TI!, barcode TI00082084; isotypes: “Nakashima 15-b,” TI!, barcode TI00082085, “Nakashima 15-c,” TI, not seen) (Fig. 3).
Korean name: Je-ju-top-mo-si-pul (제주톱모시풀).
Herbs perennial, monoecious or dioecious. Stems lignified at fruiting, erect to descending, deeply sulcate, 1.2–2.0 m tall, 3.2–6.2 mm in diam., yellow-green, densely strigillose; piths not hollow. Leaves opposite, pairs subequal in size; stipules interpetiolar, free, reflex, caducous, lanceolate, 13.3– 15.2 × 4.5–5.9 mm, yellow-green, sparsely strigillose on the adaxial surface, sparsely strigillose on the abaxial surface, densely strigillose on the vein; petioles 6.1–14.0 cm long, 1.7–2.7 mm in diam., yellow-green, densely strigillose; middle leaf blades ovate to broadly ovate, elliptic-ovate, or sub-orbicular, 19.6–27.0 × 11.3–25.5 cm, base rounded, broadly cuneate, or cordate, margin serrulate-dentate, uniform, teeth 17–29 on one side, apex unlobed, short caudate or narrowly acute, adaxial surface green or yellow-green, densely strigillose, densely punctiform lithocysts with cystoliths, midvein flat, abaxial surface yellow-green, densely strigillose along midvein, densely hirsutulous along veinlets, chartaceous. Inflorescences axillary, spicate with glomerules; staminate inflorescences branched on middle part of stem, 10.3–14.9 cm long; pistillate inflorescences often branched or unbranched on upper half part of stem, 10.7–19.8 cm long, glomerules dense at flowering. Flowers unisexual; staminate flowers 4-merous, 4.4–5.9 mm wide; pedicels 0.3–0.6 mm long, yellow-green; perianth lobes cleft near to the middle, convex, elliptic, 1.1–1.4 × 0.8–1.1 mm, without appendages, yellow-green, strigillose in outside; filaments linear, inflexed, 1.6–2.5 mm long, yellow-green, anthers basifixed, 0.7–0.9 × 0.6–0.9 mm, white; ovary rudimentary, clavate; pistillate flowers 2.2–3.3 mm long, sessile; perianth tubes rhomboid to obovoid, 1.0–1.5 × 0.5–1.1 mm, yellow-green, strigillose; necks 2-lobed; style 1, linear, plumose, 1.2–1.9 mm long, white, stigma linear. Infructescences glomerules dense at fruiting, 3.8–5.4 mm wide. Achenes 32–119 per glomerule, rhomboid to obovoid to sub-orbicular, winged, 1.9–2.3 × 1.0– 1.4 mm, base cuneate or obtuse, strigillose.
Chromosome number: 2n = 42 (Yahara, 1983b).
Phenology: Flowering July to September, Fruiting September to November.
Distribution: Korea (Jejudo Island), Japan (Northern Kyushu and Shikoku) (Fig. 4).
Habitat: This species inhabits half-shaded mesic places along forest edges near seashores (Tateishi, 2006). It is also found at 200–900 m in Oreums and along roadsides on Jejudo Island.
Additional specimen examined: JAPAN. Shikoku: Kouchi Pref., Awa Susaki City, Awa-kaigan, 8 Nov 2012, T. Miyazaki 1211201 (PE); Kouchi Pref., Ootuki Town, Between Tomaru-ura and Tachibana-ura, 7 Oct 2003, T. Miyazaki 310152 (L).
KOREA. Jeju-do: Jeju-si, Aewol-eup, Bongseong-ri, Handae Oreum, 21 Oct 2021, H. J. Jo et al. HJ211021-002, 003 (ANH); Hallim-eup, Hyeopjae-ri, Biyangdo Island, 26 Jul 2022, H. J. Jo et al. HJ220726-002004 (ANH); Hallim-eup, Mundoji Oreum, 19 Sep 2019, H. J. Jo et al. HJ190919-001 (ANH); 16 Jun 2021, H. J. Jo et al. HJ210616-001003 (ANH); Jocheon-eup, Banong Oreum, 29 Jul 2021, H. J. Jo et al. HJ210729-001 (ANH); Seogwipo-si, Hawon-dong, 15 Sep 2020, H. J. Jo et al. HJ200915-003005 (ANH); Sallongnam-ro, 1115, 20 Aug 2020, H. J. Jo et al. 200820-007 (ANH), 24 Aug 2022, H. J. Jo et al. HJ220824-004 (ANH).
Taxonomic note: At the habitats of B. nakashimae investigated in this study, B. holosericea and B. hirtella, which were previously recognized as parent species (Yahara, 1983b), were not found. Especially, B. holosericea is geographically isolated from B. nakashimae and is only found along the coast. Boehmeria nakashimae is most similar to B. holosericea in terms of the middle leaf shape. However, the two species differ in morphological characteristics such as leaf margin, appendages of staminate flowers, and achene trichomes (Table 1, Figs. 1, 2, 5). Boehmeria nakashimae is also distinctly distinguished from its related species, B. hirtella and B. sieboldiana, by morphological characteristics such as a deeply sulcate stem, a more densely strigillose stem, and a strigillose perianth of staminate flowers (Table 1, Figs. 1, 2, 5).
Wilmot-Dear and Friis (2013) mentioned that B. nakashimae could be an intermediate form between B. holosericea and B. japonica (L. f.) Miq. However, in this study, we confirmed that this species reproduces through apomixis. Yahara (1983a) also recognized it as a triploid species reproducing by apomixis. In addition, this species is clearly distinguished from B. japonica and B. platanifolia (Maxim.) C. H. Wright by its plant trichomes, leaf margin shape, leaf apex shape, and achene trichomes (Table 1, Figs. 1, 2, 5). Therefore, the new Korean name, ‘Je-ju-top-mo-si-pul’ was given based on its serrulatedentate leaf margin and geographical distribution in Korea.

Key to the Species of Boehmeria in Korea related to B. nakashimae

  • 1. Staminate flower perianths appendaged; achenes hirsute, hirsutulous, or sericeous (Ser. Longispicae) 왜모시풀열

    • 2. Stems deeply sulcate; infructescences glomerules above average 5mm.

      • 3. Habitats seashore; middle leaf stipules triangular-ovate, blades often broadly ovate, margins crenulate to serrulate-crenulate, uniform, abaxial surfaces densely velvety sericeous on the veinlets; staminate flower perianths sericeous; achenes sericeous ······· ········································· B. holosericea 왕모시풀

      • 3. Habitats forest; middle leaf stipules narrowly triangular, blades often broadly depressed ovate, margins serrate-dentate, gradually larger distally, abaxial surfaces densely hirsutulous on the veinlets; staminate flower perianths hirsutulous; achenes hirsutulous ············ B. quelpaertensis 제주모시풀

    • 2. Stems shallowly sulcate; infructescences glomerules average less than 5 mm.

      • 4. Stems densely assurgent hirsutulous; leaf apexes often unlobed, densely assurgent hirsutulous on the adaxial surface; staminate flowers perianths hirsutulous; infructescences dense; achenes hirsutulous ··············· ·············································· B. japonica 왜모시풀

      • 4. Stems often densely assurgent hirsute; leaf apexes 3- or 5-lobed, densely assurgent hirsute on the adaxial surface; staminate flowers perianths hirsute; infructescences loose; achenes hirsute ··················· ········································· B. platanifolia 개모시풀

  • 1. Staminate flower perianths without appendages; achenes strigillose (Ser. Sieboldianae) 긴잎모시풀열

    • 5. Stems densely strigillose; middle leaf blades ovate or broadly ovate; abaxial surfaces densely hirsutulous on the veinlets

      • 6. Stems shallowly sulcate, densely strigillose; staminate flower perianths hirsutulous ··················· ········································ B. hirtella 털긴잎모시풀

      • 6. Stems deeply sulcate, more densely strigillose; staminate flower perianths strigillose ····················· ································ B. nakashimae 제주톱모시풀

    • 5. Stems sparsely strigillose or sub-glabrous; middle leaf blades often rhombic-ovate; abaxial surfaces sparsely strigillose or sub-glabrous on the veinlets ·················· ·········································· B. sieboldiana 긴잎모시풀

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Hiroshi Ikeda, Tokyo University for providing the type specimens. This study was carried out with support from the National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR), funded by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) of the Republic of Korea (NIBR202107101), and with additional support from the ‘R&D Program for Forest Science Technology (2021400D10-2225DCA02)’ provided by the Korea Forest Service (Korea Forestry Promotion Institute).

NOTES

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Fig. 1.
Photographs of Boehmeria nakashimae. A. Habit. B. Underground structure. C. Base stem. D. Middle stem. E. Adaxial surface of stipule. F. Abaxial surface of stipule. G. Middle leaf. H. Adaxial surface of leaf. I. Abaxial surface of leaf. J. Staminate inflorescence. K. Bud of staminate flower. L. Staminate flower. M, N. Pistillate inflorescence. O. Pistillate flower. P. Infructescence. Q, R. Achene.
kjpt-53-3-213f1.jpg
Fig. 2.
Illustrations of Boehmeria nakashimae. A. Plant. B. Leaf. C. Stipule. C. Bud of staminate flower. E. Infructescence. F. Achene.
kjpt-53-3-213f2.jpg
Fig. 3.
Type specimens of Boehmeria nakashimae. A. K. Nakashima 15-a (barcode TI00082084). B. 15-b (barcode TI00082085).
kjpt-53-3-213f3.jpg
Fig. 4.
Distribution map of Boehmeria nakashimae. The star indicates the new location in Korea, and the circle indicates the existing location in Japan.
kjpt-53-3-213f4.jpg
Fig. 5.
Photographs of morphological characteristics among Boehmeria nakashimae and its related taxa. A. B. holosericea. B. B. japonica. C. B. platanifolia. D. B. quelpaertensis. E. B. hirtella. F. B. nakashimae. G. B. sieboldiana. a, Stem; b, Leaf; c, Abaxial surface of leaf; d, Bud of staminate flower; e, Infructescence; f, Achene.
kjpt-53-3-213f5.jpg
Table 1.
Comparison of morphological characteristics among Boehmeria nakashimae and its related taxa.
Taxa Stem Middle leaf blade

Trichome Shape Lengtha (cm) Widtha (cm) Margin No. of teeth on each sidea Arrangement of teeth
Ser. Longispicae
  B. holosericea Densely assurgent hirsutulous Broadly ovate to orbicular-ovate 15.1 (16.7) 18.9 13.0 (14.1) 16.0 Crenulate to serrulate-crenulate 26 (31) 40 Uniform
  B. japonica Densely assurgent hirsutulous Ovate, broadly ovate, broadly depressed ovate, or orbicular-ovate 10.1 (17.8) 35.8 7.5 (13.7) 30.5 Serrate-dentate or serrate-bidentate 9 (13) 18 Gradually larger distally
  B. platanifolia Densely assurgent hirsute or hirsutulous Oblate to 5-angled broadly ovate, depressed orbicular-ovate, transversely oblong, broadly ovate, or broadly depressed ovate 12.3 (21.3) 31.4 14.4 (20.8) 30.2 Serrate-bidentate, incised in apex 5 (10) 17 Gradually larger distally
  B. quelpaertensis Densely assurgent hirsutulous Broadly depressed ovate, broadly ovate, orbicular-ovate, sub-orbicular, or broadly deltate-ovate 16.5 (22.1) 28.3 16.6 (22.4) 30.5 Serrate-dentate 14 (19) 26 Gradually larger distally
Ser. Sieboldianae
  B. hirtella Densely strigillose Ovate or broadly ovate 12.6 (17.5) 22.2 7.9 (11.1) 15.4 Serrate or serrulate-dentate 13 (18) 20 Uniform to gradually larger distally
  B. nakashimae Densely strigillose Ovate to broadly ovate, elliptic-ovate, or sub-orbicular 19.6 (23.1) 27.0 11.3 (16.3) 25.5 Serrulate-dentate 17 (23) 29 Uniform
  B. sieboldiana Sparsely strigillose or sub-glabrous Rhombic-ovate, elliptic-ovate, or rhombic-lanceolate to lanceolate-ovate 8.0 (15.5) 25.6 3.8 (6.7) 12.8 Serrulate-dentate 8 (16) 26 Uniform

a Minimum (average) maximum.

Table 1.
Extended.
Taxa Middle leaf blade Perianth of staminate flower Infructescence Achene

Lobe of apex Apex Abaxial surface Texture Appendage Trichome Glomerules Trichome
Ser. Longispicae
  B. holosericea Unlobed Acute Densely velvety sericeous Thick chartaceous Present Sericeous Dense Sericeous
  B. japonica Often unlobed, rarely 3- or 5-lobed Acuminate, caudate, or acute Densely hirsutulous Chartaceous Present Hirsutulous Dense Hirsutulous
  B. platanifolia 3- or 5-lobed Acuminate, acute, or caudate Densely hirsutulous Chartaceous or thin membranous Present Hirsute Loose Hirsute
  B. quelpaertensis Unlobed Acute or narrowly acute Densely hirsutulous Thick chartaceous, chartaceous, or thin membranous Present Hirsutulous Dense Hirsutulous
Ser. Sieboldianae
  B. hirtella Unlobed Caudate or acuminate Densely hirsutulous Often chartaceous or thin membranous Absent Hirsutulous Loose Strigillose
  B. nakashimae Unlobed Short caudate or narrowly acute Densely hirsutulous Chartaceous Absent Strigillose Dense Strigillose
  B. sieboldiana Unlobed Caudate Sparsely strigillose or sub-glabrous Often chartaceous or thin membranous Absent Strigillose Loose Strigillose

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Wilmot-Dear, C.M and Friis, I. 2013. The Old World species of Boehmeria (Urticaceae, tribus Boehmerieae): A taxonomic revision. Blumea 58: 85-216.
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Yahara, T. 1981. Taxonomic studies of the Urticaceae 1. The genus Boehmeria in Thailand. Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica 32: 1-21.

Yahara, T. 1983a. A biosystematics study of the local populations of some species of the genus Boehmeria with special reference to apomixis. Journal of the Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo, Section 3, Botany 13: 217-261.

Yahara, T. 1983b. A recognition of Boehmeria nakashimae, sp. nov. (Urticaceae). The Journal of Japanese Botany 58: 82-89.

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