Morphological characteristics, genetic diversity, and ethnobotanical uses of Citrus hongheensis (Rutaceae), an endangered species

Abstract

The species Citrus hongheensis is an endangered species and the most primitive Citrus species with the most developed winged leaves. It is endemic to south Yunnan Province, southwest China, and only distributed in a very narrow area along the south bank of the Honghe river (the Yuanjiang river). By combining ISSR and morphological data from 11 populations, it shows that the species has rich genetic diversity among and within populations although the population is declining gradually. According to field and market surveys, the local Hani people have traditionally used C. hongheensis for a long time, such as the dried young fruits of the species as Chinese traditional medicine, leaves as food spice, as well as other organs. By collecting all existing knowledge of traditional and present uses, as well as further potential uses, we demonstrate that the species has good development prospects. Based on rich diversity, ethnobotanical uses, and a positive cultural environment, it was decided to choose four populations (YJNNDM, LCDX, HHDYJ, and YJYJYJ) of C. hongheensis for in situ conservation and artificial sexual reproduction. This will allow to develop new uses of the species, while providing indications for the conservation of other endangered species.

Keywords:

• Citrus hongheensis
• ethnobotanical use
• genetic diversity
• morphological characteristics
• conservation

Acknowledgments

All authors are very grateful to all people providing information and assistance during the field research and investigation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant no. 31360048, 31400181), Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University (Grant no. KLESWFU-201803), and the General Project of Scientific Research of Yunnan Provincial Department of Education (Grant no. 2021J0165).