Herminium himalayanum (Renz) X.H. Jin, Schuit., Raskoti & L.Q. Huang, Cladistics 2015.

Raskoti, Bhakta Bahadur, Schuiteman, Andre, Jin, Wei-Tao & Jin, Xiao-Hua, 2017, A taxonomic revision of Herminium L. (Orchidoideae, Orchidaceae), PhytoKeys 79, pp. 1-74 : 21

20. Herminium himalayanum (Renz) X.H. Jin, Schuit., Raskoti & L.Q. Huang, Cladistics 2015. Figs 6M , 7M , 8K , 10F , 13

Basionym.

Bhutanthera himalayana Renz, Edinburgh J. Bot. 58: 104. 2001.

Type.

BHUTAN. Upper Bumthang Chu district , Pangotang-Tsampa (Chamka), Ludlow, Sherriff and Hicks, 19304 (Holotype: E! [E00008024]) .

Description.

Plant 5-6.5 cm tall. Tuber ovoid to globose, 0.7-0.9 × 0.4-1 cm. Stem with 2 leaves and tubular sheaths. Leaves subopposite, sheathed, lanceolate-elliptic, obtuse to subacute, 1.7-2.2 × 0.4-0.9 cm. Inflorescence subsecund, laxly 3-4-flowered; rachis glabrous, 1-2 cm long; floral bracts triangular-lanceolate, acute, 0.5-0.6 × 0.6-0.8 mm. Flowers 0.7-0.9 cm across; white, dorsal sepal with a green central nerve; pedicel and ovary twisted, 5-6 mm long. Dorsal sepal ovate-elliptic, subacute, 4-5 × 3 mm; lateral sepals ovate-lanceolate, obtuse to subacute, 6 × 2.8-3 mm. Petals spathulate, obtuse, cucullate at apex, 2-2.5 × 1.5-2 mm. Lip 3-lobed, spurred at base; lateral lobes linear, acute, 2-2.5 × 0.5-0.6 mm; mid-lobe linear to lingulate, obtuse, 3.5-4 × 0.5-0.8 mm; spur cylindrical-conical, obtuse, 1.5-2 mm long. Column 1.5-2 mm long; rostellum 0.25 mm long; pollinia 1.2 mm long.

Flowering time.

July-August.

Habitat.

Terrestrial on alpine grassy slopes at elevations of 3960-4570 m.

Distribution.

Bhutan, China.

Specimens examined.

BHUTAN: Thimphu district, Barshong (Parshong), 27.07.1914, Cooper, 1979 (E); Pumo La, 08.1938, Gould 1294 (K); Upper Pho Chu district , Kesha La (Chesha La), 27.07.1949, Ludlow, Sherriff and Hicks, 16640 (BM); Upper Bumthang Chu district, Marlung, 12.07.1949, Ludlow, Sherriff and Hicks, 19413 (BM, E); Upper Kulong Chu district , Shingbe, 24.06.1949, Ludlow, Sherriff and Hicks, 20401 (BM) .

CHINA: Tibet, Yadong county , 4000 m, 01.08.2012, Jin X.H., Jin W.T. & Xu S., 13211 (PE) .

Note.

Herminium himalayana is closely related to H. albomarginatum but differs in having larger flowers (more than 5 mm across) and white sepals, and less than five flowers in an inflorescence.

Figures

Figure 6. Dorsal sepal of Herminium. A H. monorchis B H. chloranthum C H. pygmaeum D H. josephi E H. monophyllum F H. lanceum G H. macrophyllum H H. glossophyllum I H. coeloceras J H. fallax K H. handelii L H. elisabethae M H. himalayanum N H. clavigerum O H. quinquelobum P H. macrophyllum Q H. mannii R H. biporosum.

Figure 7. Lateral sepal of Herminium. A H. monorchis B H. chloranthum C H. pygmaeum D H. josephi E H. monophyllum F H. lanceum G H. macrophyllum H H. glossophyllum I H. coeloceras J H. fallax K H. gracile L H. elisabethae M H. himalayanum N H. clavigerum O H. quinquelobum P H. macrophyllum Q H. lanceum R H. biporosum.

Figure 8. Petal of Herminium. A H. monorchis B H. chloranthum C H. pygmaeum D H. josephi E H. monophyllum F H. lanceum G H. josephi H H. coiloglossum I H. coeloceras J H. fallax K H. himalayanum L H. elisabethae M H. alaschanicum N H. ophioglossoides O H. quinquelobum P H. macrophyllum Q H. ecalcaratum R H. biporosum

Figure 10. Column structure in Herminium. A H. monorchis B H. josephi C H. latilabre D H. monophyllum E H. kamengense F H. longilobatum F H. himalayanum H H. mannii I H. fallax.

Figure 13. Herminium himalayanum. A Flowering plant B Flower (front view) C Flower (side view) D Dorsal sepal, petal and lateral sepal E Lip F Section of ovary with column and lip G Floral bracts H Column (front view) I Column (side view).