Polygonatumpraecox (Asparagaceae), a new species from mid-eastern China revealed by morphological and molecular evidence.

A new species, Polygonatumpraecox Y.F.Hu & J.W.Shao (Asparagaceae), is described and illustrated. This species is similar to P.cyrtonema , P.odoratum and P.caulialatum , but can be distinguished from P.cyrtonema by its racemose inflorescence, cylindrical hairless filaments and apex without a retrorse spur; from P.odoratum by its stout moniliform rhizome, straight stem and longer (1.7-2.2 cm long) floral tube; and from P.caulialatum by its upper part straight stem, yellowish-green corolla, lobes excurved and earlier flowering. The complete chloroplast genome of this new species is 155,115-155,256 bp in length. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that P.praecox is not genetically related to the above three morphological similar species, but is closely related to the two European species ( P.multiforum and P.latifolium ). This species is relatively common in mid-eastern China and has previously been confused with P.cyrtonema . As its wild resources have decreased in recent years due to over-exploitation for medicinal or edible purposes, we classify it as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List Criteria.