Morphological Distinctiveness and Phylogenetic Analysis of Strobilanthes malvifolia (Acanthaceae), a New Species From Dry‐Hot Valley in Yunnan, Southwest China

ABSTRACT The genus Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae) is known for its high morphological diversity and taxonomically challenging. During field investigations in Yunnan, southwest China, we discovered a remarkable new species, Strobilanthes malvifolia Huan C. Wang & Huai Yu Chen, which is described and illustrated here. This species exhibits distinct morphological characteristics, including cordate leaves with relatively long petioles (up to 8.7 cm long), sparsely and irregularly rounded serrations along the leaf margin. The complete chloroplast genome of this new species was also sequenced, assembled, and annotated. It is endemic to the Jinsha River Basin in western Yunnan, and was discovered in the dry‐hot valley characterized by extreme aridity and high temperatures. Phylogenetic analyses based on nrITS sequences support its placement as sister to S. japonica within the Chamiponella group. Palynological examination reveals spherical, tricolporate pollen with verrucate exine sculpturing arranged in rows, consistent with the pollen type found in Chamiponella group. The species has a very restricted distribution and a small population, with no protection in any nature reserve. According to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, the conservation status of this new species has been preliminarily assessed as Endangered (EN).