Agapetes is a semi-climbing, epiphytic woody shrub native to Southeast Asia. The genus Agapetes belongs to the tribe Vaccinieae of the subfamily Vaccinioideae, and comprises 112 currently recognized species. Most species in the genus are ornamental. They have enlarged and swollen tuberous roots and beautiful and delicate flowers. 

During their floristic exploration of Mêdog (Motuo) County in Xizang Autonomous Region, researchers from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences found an attractive Agapetes plant with fruits in the understory of a primeval subtropical forest and introduced it to the garden.   

After detailed morphological examination, the researchers confirmed that the specimens represented a species new to science. They named the new species as Agapetes rhuichengiana, in honor of Prof. FANG Rhuicheng of the Kunming Institute of Botany, who made significant contributions to the flora of Ericaceae in China.  

Results were published in Taiwania. 

Agapetes rhuichengiana is morphologically similar to A. huangiana in having spirally alternate small, ovate leaves and branchlets, densely covered with spreading setae. However, it differs in having flowers densely covered with white to light yellowish-brown villi, shorter stamens, and fruits that are smaller, depressed subglobose, and villous and verrucose. 

"During our survey, we found only three sites of Agapetes rhuichengiana, close to each other and in habitats near the roadside," said YANG Bin. 

Since very little is known about its natural distribution, a detailed survey of the same habitats may reveal more populations and individuals of this new species. Therefore, the researchers assessed the conservation status of the new species as data deficient, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature standard. 

Agapetes rhuichengiana (Image by YANG Bin) 

Agapetes rhuichengiana (Image by YANG Bin) 

Agapetes rhuichengiana (Image by YANG Bin) 

Agapetes rhuichengiana (Image by YANG Bin)