Pleione xiushanensis H. P. Deng, Y. B. Yang & Qi Qin, 2023

Qin, Qi, Yang, Yubing, Lv, Xinyun, Zuo, Youwei, Xia, Changying & Deng, Hongping, 2023, Pleione xiushanensis (Orchidaceae), a new species from Mt. Wulingshan Region, China, Phytotaxa 606 (3), pp. 211-219 : 215

Pleione xiushanensis H. P. Deng, Y. B. Yang & Qi Qin , sp. nov. Figs. 3 , 4

GenBank ID: OQ540695

Type:— China. Chongqing: Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Taiyang Mountain , 28°16’ 06”N, 108° 50’ 11” E, Rock wall, Elev. 1101.7 m, 27 March 2022, Y. B Yang & Q. Qin XS00001 (holotype: SWCTU!) .

Diagnosis: —The new species is similar to P. bulbocodioides and P. pleionoides but differs from the former in that its lip lacks central lamellae and from the latter in that its lip exhibits fuchsia punctata. In addition, the lip of P. bulbocodioides and P. pleionoides has 2 or 4 denticulate lamellae, but the lip of the new species has 2 internal integer lamellae and 2 external denticulate lamellae.

Description: —Herbs, terrestrial. Pseudobulb conic, 1.9-3.5 × ca. 1.2 cm, surface rough, 1-leaved. Leaf immature at anthesis, elliptic-lanceolate, 6-8 ×ca. 2.5 cm, papery, apex acute. Inflorescence erect, covered by 3 tubular sheaths below middle; peduncle 8-18 cm; floral bracts linear-oblong, 27 mm, exceeding ovary, apex acute. Flowers solitary, light-purple, with yellow lamellae on lip, middle dorsal sepal narrowly elliptic, 55-60 × 7-10 mm, apex acute; lateral sepals narrowly elliptic, slightly wider than dorsal sepal, apex acute. Petals oblanceolate, ± falcate, 55-60 × 8-10 mm, apex acute; lip obovate when flattened, 52-60 × 35-45 mm, strongly deflexed at apical 1/3, very obscurely 3-lobed, apical margin denticulate; disk with 2 or 4 lamellae, two inner sides with teeth, outer two full edges. Column ± arcuate, 35-45 mm; column wings very narrow below middle, dilated above, 4-6 mm tall at apex, irregularly dentate; pollinia 4, in 2 pairs, waxy, obovoid. Fl. March-May.

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

Distribution, Habitat, and Phenology: —The new species is currently known only from Taiyang Mountain in Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Chongqing, China. It grows on rock walls at an elevation of 1101.7 m ( Fig. 5 ).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Pleione xiushanensis. A. Habitat; B. Front view; C. Petal; D. Sepal; E-F. Column, detailed; G:Transverse ovary.

FIGURE 4. Pleione xiushanensis. A. Plant with flower; B. Flower, slide view; C. Sepal and petal; D. Lip; E. Column with ovary; F. Column. Drawn by X.H. Zhang.

FIGURE 5. Distribution locus of Pleione xiushanensis.