Abstract:

Aim: Since 2020, the average annual number of changes in plant names in China has accounted for about 1.5%. Although this proportion is small, the cumulative changes over time cannot be ignored. To timely integrate these plant name changes into the Catalogue of Life China, it is necessary to compile information on new taxa, new records, and name changes related to Chinese plants annually, facilitating reference for scholars. 

Methods: We collected data on newly discovered taxa and name changes for Chinese higher plants by reviewing 117 journals and related monographs. This compilation involved 416 articles from 61 journals and 5 monographs, focusing on the new taxa and nomenclatural changes of higher plants in 2024. 

Results: In 2024, China reported a total of 6 new families, 5 new genera, 284 new species (including 1 hybrid), 24 new infraspecific taxa, 35 new higher taxa (including 1 suborder, 2 new subfamilies, 15 new supertribes, 9 new tribes and 8 subtribes), 5 new sections and 1 new series in higher plants. Additionally, 531 new combinations and status (5 at supraspecific level, 507 at species level and 19 at infraspecific level) and 92 replacement names were published. At the national level, 6 new genus records, 56 new species records, and 3 new infraspecific records were documented. Furthermore, 166 names were synonymized with 109 species, 9 names were resurrected. Four species that had not been observed for many years were rediscovered, and three species distribution was excluded. Among the newly published species, there were 4 bryophytes, 21 pteridophytes (including two hybrids), 3 new gymnosperms, and 256 angiosperms (including 1 hybrid) and 24 infraspecific taxa. Detailed intergrative evidences were provided for 136 new species when described, accounting for 44% of all new species. Additionally, the conservation status of 97 new species were evaluated according to IUCN standards when published, representing 31% of all new species. Four southwestern provinces, i.e., Yunnan, Guangxi, Xizang and Sichuan, boast the highest number of species new to science, accounting for two-thirds of the total new species reported nationwide. Medog County is the richest in the number of new species and national new records among county-level administrative units, with 13 new species and 6 new records published. 

Conclusion: In 2024, China witnessed a net increase of 316 new taxa of higher plants, accounting for 0.67% of the total Chinese plant species. Additionally, 796 names of higher plants underwent changes, accounting for 1.69% of the total. These changes represented 2.36 of all Chinese plant names modified in 2024, encompassing both species additions and nomenclature treatments. Multiple indicators suggest that the number of newly published plant taxa and name changes in China have fluctuated but still remain at a comparatively high level.

Key words: higher plants, new taxa, name changes, China