The discovery and research on Salvia guidongensis serve to enrich the diversity of the genus and expand its germplasm resources within the country, Huang Yanbo said. Furthermore, its unique endemic presence in Central China effectively bridges a gap in the distribution of the Glutinaria subgroup.

"It provides a new perspective and evidence for understanding the biogeographical evolutionary history among the European-Central Asian-East Asian flora," he said.

This groundbreaking work was the result of a joint effort by 12 researchers from eight domestic and foreign institutions.

China boasts the richest diversity of East Asian Salvia, with 84 species in the country, accounting for over 80 percent of the species in the region.

In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the research of the genus, including new taxonomic classifications and the discovery of novel species. According to Huang Yanbo, these ongoing developments underscore the challenges in the phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of Salvia — especially in underexplored areas and ambiguous groups — and concerns about their conservation status.

The Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden has been at the forefront of conducting comprehensive surveys and research on the genus, leading to the identification of several new taxonomic groups.

Currently, the garden has amassed a collection of 150 Salvia species and varieties, including 75 from within China and 65 from abroad. This collection, which totals 1,752 germplasm resources, positions the garden as the premier repository of Salvia germplasm in China and the broader East Asia region. These invaluable materials and data derived from these resources have significantly bolstered efforts in conservation, breeding, scientific research and the practical application of the Salvia species.

chenliang@chinadaily.com.cn