Calanthe wenshanensis J.W.Zhai, L.J.Chen & Z.J.Liu, 2013

Zhai, Jun-Wen, Chen, Li-Jun, Xing, Fu-Wu & Liu, Zhong-Jian, 2013, Two new species of Calanthe (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae) from China, Phytotaxa 123 (1), pp. 51-55 : 51

1. Calanthe wenshanensis J.W.Zhai, L.J.Chen & Z.J.Liu , sp. nov. ( Figs. 1 , 2 )

This species is similar to C. herbacea Lindley (1855:10) ; they both have Alisma-like leaves and green sepals and petals, but the former can be distinguished by lateral lobes of its lip that embrace the midlobe and fleshy and horn-like midlobe that is slightly lobed apically.

Type: — CHINA. Yunnan (ńffl): Malipo (ṀĀă), 1000 m, under forest, 4 April 2011, Liu 5305 (holotype NOCC!) .

Terrestrial herbs, 18–25 cm tall. Pseudobulbs ovate or conical, 2.0–3.0 × 1.8–2.2 cm. Leaves 4–6, oblong to elliptic, base contracted to a petiole, 5–7 cm long?apex acuminate. Scape arising from leaf axil, erect, up to 55 cm, pubescent; raceme 30 cm long, laxly ca. 13-flowered; flower bracts oblong-lanceolate, green, ca. 1.3 cm long. Flowers ca. 1.5–2.0 cm in diameter, yellowish green; pedicel and ovary 1.5–2.5 cm, densely pubescent. Sepals subequal, ovate to oblong-ovate, ca. 1.5 × 0.6 cm; dorsal sepal concave, cymbiform; petals subspatulate, ca. 0.3 cm wide, lip adnate to column wings, deeply trilobed, midlobe spreading, wing-like, slightly lobed apically, apiculate in sinus; disk with a cluster of yellow wart-like calli at base; lateral lobes connivent with the calli, horn-like; spur arcuate, yellowish green, ca. 1.3–1.5 cm, outside pubescent, apex obtuse. Column ca. 0.5 cm, white; rostellum bilobed; pollinia waxy, 8, in 2 groups. Fl. Aug.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Calanthe wenshanensis J.W.Zhai & Z.J.Liu. A. Plant of Calanthe wenshanensis. B. Flower, front view. C. Flower, side view. D. Longitude section of flower. E. Sepals and petals. F. Labellum. G. Pollinarium.

FIGURE 2. Photos of Calanthe species. A,B. Calanthe bingtaoi. C. Calanthe graciliflora. D. Calanthe wenshanensis. E. Calanthe alismatifolia. F.Calanthe herbacea.