Pseudoliparis malinowskiana Margońska, 2020

Margońska, Hanna B., 2020, Notes on the genus Pseudoliparis (Orchidaceae, Malaxidinae), with description of a new species from New Guinea and a new synonymous name, Phytotaxa 435 (3), pp. 243-247 : 243-244

Pseudoliparis malinowskiana Margońska , sp. nov. ( Fig. 1 , 2 )

Type:— PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Northeastern New Guinea: Morobe District, Yoangen vicinity, mount trail, 5000ft, 18 June 1936, Mary Strong Clemens 3393 (holotype: AMES 53991!).

The new species is similar to Pseudoliparis torricelensis (Schlechter (1911) 1914: 114–115) Szlachetko & Margońska (1999: 277), but with elongate rhizomes and shorter inflorescences. Pseudoliparis malinowskiana differs from the other species significantly in the following characters: lanceolate (versus linear) petals, oblong ovate staminodes with the longest near the inner edge and disappearing below the base of gynostemium appendage (versus rectangular and obliquely truncate) and a erect gynostemium appendage that is semi-obovate basally and oblong apically (versus distinctly upturned above its broad base).

Terrestrial plants, 5–20 cm tall (including inflorescence). Rhizome creeping, elongate. Pseudobulbs 4.00–7.00 × 0.20–0.45 cm, with 2–3 basal scales. Leaves 3–5, the younger larger than the others, (1.00)2.50–4.50 × (0.70)1.40– 2.00 cm, oblong ovate to lanceolate, falcate, distinctly apically attenuate, usually trinerved, margins partly slightly undulate; petiole 0.50–1.20 × 0.00– 0.65 cm (when spread); leaf sheaths 0.60–1.40 cm long, 0.30–0.50 cm in diameter. Inflorescence 10–16 cm long, densely ca. 30–60-flowered. Sterile bract one, recurved. Floral bracts up to 7 mm long, recurved. Flower ca. 6 mm in diameter, yellowish. Sepals trinerved. Dorsal sepal 2.40–2.60 × 1.10–1.40 mm, oblong ovate to oblong, obtuse to subapiculate, basally nearly cordate. Lateral sepals 2.20–2.50 × 1.40–1.60 mm, oblique, ovate, obtuse to subapiculate, basally cordate. Petals 2.40–2.80 × 0.75–0.90 mm, lanceolate, apically and basally slightly attenuate, uninerved. Lip 2.90–3.40 × 2.00– 2.50 cm at widest basally, sagittate in outline; midlobe semiovate, rounded at the apex, separate from the lateral lobes by gentle indentation of the edge, folding; lateral lobes with auricles distinctly reaching over the lip base and embracing almost half the length of the whole lip, slightly sinuate; both lip lamellae running along 2 external (of the 3) main nerves, thick, oblong (highest below half their length), more darkly coloured and connate to the basal callus, at the apical part running towards each other and covering the lip lamina for 3/4 its length. Gynostemium 1.30–1.50 mm long, elongate, erect, slightly arched (more with anthesis), very minutely papillate, dark greenish blue; appendage situated just below anther base, up to 0.80 mm long, basally up to 0.30 mm high (semi-obovate), apically up to 0.36 mm high (oblong), 0.50–0.70 mm thick, erect; staminodia subequal to the anther, parallel each other, oblong ovate, strongly curved back over the anther, upper edge gently cut, nearly round, longest near the inner edge, basally disappearing just above beginning of the appendage line; anther broadly ovate; rostellum subequal to the anther.

Etymology:— Dedicated to Bronisławowi Malinowskiemu, an ethnologist, leading representative of functionalism in social anthropology and famous researcher of the cultures of Melanesia (including New Guinea) and Oceania.

Ecology:— In mountain forests, along trails, ca. 1525 m elevation.

Distribution:— New Guinea, so far known only from Morobe District.

Notes:— The type specimen contains a cluster of several plants also with many-flowered inflorescences (in many stages of anthesis). Due to the presence of a gynostemium appendage, without any doubt this species belongs to type section. Based on habit, this species has similarities to Pseudoliparis moluccana (Smith 1900: 2) Margońska (2003b: 63 .; sect. Oistochilus ) but can be easily distinguished by floral morphology e.g. narrower sepals, lanceolate petals, elongate lip auricles and a well-developed gynostemium appendage. Overall morphology of the auriculate lip indicates that the new species is close to group of Pseudoliparis like brachycaulos (Schlechter (1911)1914: 117. Szlachetko & Margońska (1999: 276.), incurva (J.J. Smith 1908: 29) Szlachetko & Margońska (1999: 277.) and torricelensis (Schlechter (1911)1914: 114.) Szlachetko & Margońska (1999: 277.). However, Pseudoliparis malinowskiana differs significantly from them in having e.g. a different habit and gynostemium (especially the shape of staminodes and appendage).

Many species of Pseudoliparis are still known only from few specimens or even just single type-specimen/ protologue. The Pseudoliparis inexspectata ( Smith 1928: 33) Szlachetko & Margońska (1999: 277) type-collection is represented by specimens of Lorzing 4224 (syntypes: BO 1304086!, no flowers, BO spirit coll. not found) and Lorzing 5427 (syntype: BO 1322507!, label only, BO spirit coll.! specimens in bad condition). Therefore, based on the protologue and Smith’s drawing, recognition of the species is difficult. Among specimens in the Utrecht Herbarium (now housed in Nederland National Herbarium, in Leiden) I found next Lorzing 5427, the type-specimen of the species. Fortunately, there were two plants with well-preserved flowers. After careful examination of these samples and the original description, I noticed their similarity to another species, Pseudoliparis balabacensis ( Ames 1911: 42–43) Margońska & Szlachetko (2000: 281) . The latter species is widespread (many preserved specimens) and its type-collection is numerous, of high quality and well preserved. After careful comparisons, I believe these specimens are synonyms.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Habit of Pseudoliparis malinowskiana Margońska. (based on the holotype, drawn by H.B. Margońska).

FIGURE 2. Flower of Pseudoliparis malinowskiana Margońska.A. Flower, lateral side view (left side of the lip in natural position, right side of the lip flattened and spread). B. Lip, front view (left side of the lip in natural position, right side of the lip flattened and spread). C. Dorsal sepal, front view. D. Petal, front view. E. Lateral sepal, front view. (All based on the holotype, drawn by H.B. Margońska.)