Cymbidium biflorens D.Y.Zhang, S.R.Lan & Z.J.Liu, 2020

Zhang, Di-Yang, Tu, Xiong-De, Liu, Bin, Liao, Xing-Yu, Lan, Si-Ren & Liu, Zhong-Jian, 2020, Cymbidium biflorens (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae), a new species from China: evidence from morphological and molecular data, Phytotaxa 428 (3), pp. 271-278 : 274-278

Cymbidium biflorens D.Y.Zhang, S.R.Lan & Z.J.Liu , sp. nov. (两ª兰) ( Figs. 4 , 5 ).

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan: Malipo County, August 2019, Zhang F001 (holotype: FAFU!) .

This new species is similar to C. rhizomatosum . They both have narrowly obovate-elliptic sepals with acuminate apex, subelliptic petals and an ovate midlobe. However, this new species differs from C. rhizomatosum in being leafless with a coralline rhizome, normally two flowering periods, shorter scape, inflorescence with 1–2 flowers, greenish flowers with longer pedicel and ovary, subelliptic petals, petals and lip not fully open.

Terrestrial herb lacking green leaves and pseudobulbs, usually with a rhizome underground, rhizome coralline, 4–7 cm long, 4–9 mm thick, roots 5–6, opposite, 6.0–7.0 cm long, 0.5–0.6 cm thick. Scape arising from the uppermost node of the rhizome, erect, 7.0–10.0 cm long, 0.2–0.3 cm in diameter, peduncle greenish with several sheaths, 1.5–2.3 cm long, inflorescence with 1–2 flowers, floral bracts narrowly ovate, greenish, 7–12 × 3–4 mm; pedicel and ovary 2.6–4.0 cm long; petals and lip not fully open; flower greenish, with a purplish red central line on the petals and purplish red marking on the lip and column. Dorsal sepal narrowly elliptic, 23–27 × 4–5 mm; lateral sepals narrowly obovate-oblong, 23–27 × 3–4 mm, apex acute. Petals subelliptic, 20–23 × 6–8 mm, apex acute; lip subovate in outline, 16–18 × 11 mm, trilobed; side lobes erect; midlobe ovate, 1.0–1.1 × 5.0–6.0 mm, recurved; disc with 2 lamellae extending from its base to the base of the midlobe and toward their apex more or less convergent. Column 1.0– 1.3 cm long; pollinia 4, in 2 pairs.

Etymology:— In reference to two blooming periods per year.

Phenology:— Flowering July–August and October–November.

Distribution:— Thus far, known only from southeastern Yunnan, China.

Habitat:— Loess soil in forests.

Conservation status:— A narrowly endemic species.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Cymbidium biflorens. A. Flowering plant. B. Petal. C. Sepal. D. Column. E. Lip. F. Pollinarium. Drawn by Xing-Yu Liao.

FIGURE 5. Comparison among Cymbidium biflorens, Cymbidium rhizomatosum and Cymbidium macrorhizon. A. Cymbidium biflorens flowering plant. B. C. biflorens flowers. C. Anatomy of organs of C. biflorens. D. Cymbidium rhizomatosum leaves and flower. E. Cymbidium macrorhizon flower.