Liparis wenshanensis Y.Y. Su, Y. L. Huang & G. Q. Zhang, 2015

Su, Yong-Yu, Huang, Yi-Lang, Chen, Li-Jun, Zhang, Pei-Wen, Liu, Zhong-Jian & Zhang, Guo- Qiang, 2015, Liparis wenshanensis, a new orchid species from China: Evidence from morphological and molecular analyses, Phytotaxa 204 (4), pp. 253-264 : 262

Liparis wenshanensis Y.Y. Su, Y. L. Huang & G. Q. Zhang , sp. nov. ( Figs. 4 , 5 )

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan: Wenshan, terrestrial in evergreen broad-leaved forest on moist and shady slopes, alt. 1500 m, 10 July, 2014 Z. J. Liu 8072 (Holotype: NOCC).

Diagnosis: This new species is similar to Liparis odorata (Willdenow) Lindley (1830: 26) and Liparis habenarina (F. Muell) Benth. , from which it differs by having a long rachis with 45–55 flowers and sepals, petals and column white, lip greenish with a purplish center; dorsal sepal and petals cylindric; lateral sepals oblong, strongly curved; lip cordate, strongly curved, apical two-lobed, base with a two-lobed callus; column with a lamellae extending from its base to near stigma along centre way, base of lamellae fused to the base of lip, and with widened wings on both sides of the stigma.

Herbs, terrestrial. Pseudobulbs sub-ovoid, 1.7–2 × 0.8–1 cm, noded. Leaves 2, subsessile, base enclosed by two greenish brown cylindric-sheaths, stem-like, 2.5–10 cm; blade ovate-elliptic, 8–13 × 4–5 cm, margin entire, apex acuminate. Inflorescence 45–55 cm long; rachis with 45–55-flowered; floral bracts lanceolate, 3–4 mm. Flowers full open. Sepals, petals and column white, lip greenish with purplish center; pedicel and ovary 1–1.2 cm. Dorsal sepal narrowly linear, margin revolute to cylindric, 6–6.5 × 0.8–1 mm, apex obtuse; lateral sepals oblong, strongly curved backward, 4.5–5 × 2–2.2 mm, apex obtuse. Petals narrowly linear, margin revolute to cylindric, 5–6 × 0.5–0.6 mm; lip cordate, strongly deflexed, 4–5 × 3–3.5 mm, apical two-lobed, with a two-lobed callus at base. Column upper part arcuate, 3–3.5 mm long, with a lamellae extending from its base to near stigma along centre way, base of lamellae fused to the base of the lip for 0.8–1 mm, and with widened wings on both sides of the stigma. Four pollinia in two pairs, waxy, elongate-obovoid, bilaterally flattened without a caudicle or viscidium. Capsule ellipsoid. Flowering period: July–August.

Distribution and habitat:— Liparis wenshanensis is terrestrial and grows in mixed populations with Bletilla sinensis , forming scattered colonies on shady and wet areas on the slopes at elevations of 1500 m in the evergreen broad-leaved forest of Wenshan, Yunnan Province, China.

Etymology:— The species epithet refers to the locality where this new species was first found.

Taxonomic notes:— Liparis wenshanensis is very distinctive among species in the genus. It is morphological similar to L. odorata and L. habenarina , but it can be easily distinguished by its having a long rachis with 45 to 55 flowers and with white sepals, petals and column, and greenish lip with a purple center; dorsal sepal and cylindrical petals, lateral sepals that are oblong and strongly curved backward; a lip cordate that is strongly deflexed, apical two-lobed; a column with a lamellae extending from its base to near the stigma along the center way, the base of the lamellae fused to the base of the lip, and with widened wings on both sides of the stigma ( Table 1).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Liparis wenshanensis Y. Y. Su, Y. L. Huang & G. Q. Zhang. A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Flower, side view. D. Dorsal sepal, petal, lateral sepal, and lip. E. Column and lip, longitudinal section. F. Pollinarium.

FIGURE 5. Liparis wenshanensis Y. Y. Su, Y. L. Huang & G. Q. Zhang. A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, side view. C. Column and lip, longitudinal section. D. Flower, front view. E. Pollinarium. F.A flower of L. habenarina. G. A flower of L. odorata.