title: Three new species of Pilea (Urticaceae) from limestone karst in China.
abstract: Three hitherto undescribed species of Pilea (Urticaceae) from limestone karst in China are described and illustrated. Affinities of the species are discussed and Global Species Conservation Assessments presented. The new species are Pilea cavernicola A.K. Monro, C.J. Chen & Y.G. Wei, sp. nov. (Vulnerable) which most closely resembles Pilea scripta (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) Wedd. and Pilea gracilis Handel-Mazzetti, Pilea shizongensis A.K. Monro, C.J. Chen & Y.G. Wei, sp. nov. (Endangered) which is most similar to Pilea aquarum Dunn and Pilea guizhouensis A.K. Monro, C.J. Chen & Y.G. Wei, sp. nov. (Vulnerable) which resembles Pilea boniana Gagnep. and Pilea rubriflora C. Wright mostclosely.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, United Kingdom ; The Herbarium, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alex K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Monro
authors.forename: Y G
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: China; Guizhou; Pilea; Urticaceae; Yunnan; caves; limestone karst