Vanda malipoensis L.H.Zou, J.X.Huang & Z.J.Liu, 2014

Zou, Long-Hai, Liu, Zhong-Jian & Huang, Jiu-Xiang, 2014, Vanda malipoensis, a new species of Vanda (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae; Vandeae) from China: evidence from morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses, Phytotaxa 186 (2), pp. 87-96 : 94-95

Vanda malipoensis L.H.Zou, J.X.Huang & Z.J.Liu , sp. nov. (NJDZ坡万代兰) ( Figs. 3 , 4 ).

Diagnosis: This new species is related to V. christensoniana and V. nana . It differs from V. christensoniana by having 4–6 cm long inflorescences with sparse flowers that are almost 50% smaller with a shorter column (2.5–3.0 mm) and spur (7.0– 7.5 mm) and caudiculate pollinia sitting in a dorsal position on the stipe. It can be distinguished from V. nana by its longer inflorescence, widely opening and larger flowers and erect lateral lobes of the lip.

Type:–– China. Yunnan (云南): Malipo ( NJDZ 坡), epiphytic on tree trunks in forests; 30 June 2014, Liu 6644 (holotype: NOCC!) .

Epiphytic herbs with erect stems to 50–150 mm, 3–5 mm in diameter. Leaves distichous, slightly V-shaped in cross section, green, 100–200 × 5–7 mm, apex truncate and unequally 3–4-dentate, base sheathing and jointed. Inflorescences axillary, ascending, 40–60 mm long with 7–12 flowers per inflorescence; floral bracts ovate-triangular, 1.0– 1.5 mm. Flowers white, tinged with pink, opening widely; pedicel and ovary 10–12 mm. Dorsal sepal elliptic, 8.0–9.0 × 3.5–4.0 mm, obtuse; lateral sepals obliquely elliptic, 7.5–8.5 × 4.0– 4.5 mm, apex acute; petals obovate-elliptic, 8.0–9.0 × 3.0– 3.5 mm, acute; lip spurred, trilobed, spotted with purple on the entrance of spur; lateral lobes subtriangular, erect, 1.5–1.8 × 0.8–1.0 mm; midlobe ligulate, 3.0–3.5 × 1.2–1.5 mm, obtuse, with an emarginate basal callus; spur clavatecylindrical, 7.0– 7.5 mm, contracted at middle, apex dilated. Column 2.5–3.0 mm, foot absent; rostellum emarginate, lobes sharp; anther cap dark purple; pollina 2, globose, waxy, caudiculate, each cleft on the apex, attached by the stipe to a viscidium.

Flowering period:—June.

Distribution and habitat:— Vanda malipoensis is epiphytic on tree trunks in forests, known so far only from Malipo, Yunnan Province, China.

Etymology:—The species epithet refers to the locality where this new species has been found so far.

Conservation status:—Within 10 km-radius around the type locality, our survey crew searched 18 locations for V. malipoensis . Only two of the 18 locations were found to contain the new species. Including the type locality, nine, seven and six individuals were found, respectively. The three sites were more than 2 km apart from each other. Using the World Conservation Union Red List Categories and Criteria ( IUCN, 2012), V. malipoensis should be preliminarily treated as critically endangered ( CR B 2ab).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Bayesian tree from the analysis of the combined matrix. Numbers above branches are Bayesian posterior probabilities and bootstrap percentages (PP, BS ML, BS MP); ‘‘-’’ indicates that the node receives less than 50% support in the corresponding analysis.

FIGURE 4. Vanda malipoensis L.H.Zou, J.X.Huang & Z.J.Liu.A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Column without anther cap. D. Longitudinal section of flower (sepal and petal removed). E. Pollinarium.