Calanthe bingtaoi J.W.Zhai, F.W.Xing & 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 : 52-53

2. Calanthe bingtaoi J.W.Zhai, F.W.Xing & Z.J.Liu sp. nov. ( Figs. 2 , 3 ) Somewhat similar to C. graciliflora Hayata (1911: 329) , but it differs by its much taller and stronger vegetative habit

with an inflorescence up to 1.5 m long, the labellum with three slightly raised ridges and a spur with an obtuse apex. Type: — CHINA. Yunnan (ńffl): Gaoligongshan (ṘṼừffi), under forest, ca. 2000 m, 13 March 2012, Liu 5885

(holotype NOCC!)

Terrestrial herbs, 70–85 cm tall, pseudobulbs subconical, 1–2 cm in diam., with 2–3 sheaths and 3–4 leaves. Leaf completely spreading at anthesis, papery, elliptic, 29.0–41.0 5 12.0– 17.5 cm, apex acuminate, petiole- like base narrowly 34–43 cm long, abaxially puberulent. Scape arising from leaf axil of pseudostem, 49–56 cm long, puberulent; rachis 24–31 cm long, laxly 17–25-flowered; floral bracts persistent, ovate-lanceolate, 5–8 mm long; pedicel and ovary 1.8–2.5 cm long, puberulent. Sepals and petals yellow-brown, lip white, disk with purple-red spots, column white; dorsal sepal ovate-elliptic, 1.3–1.5 5 0.8–0.9 cm, apex acute, puberulent; lateral sepals ovate-elliptic, 1.5–1.7 5 0.6–0.7 cm, apex acute, abaxially puberulent; petals narrowly elliptic, 1.3–2.5 5 5.0– 5.5 mm wide, apex acuminate, base narrowly forming claw; lip trilobed, side lobes obovateoblong, 4.0–4.5 5 3.0– 3.5 mm, base adnate to column wings; midlobe suboblong, 5.0–5.55 2.0– 2.3 mm, apex acuminate; disk with 3 ridges, middle extending to apex; spur cylindric, 7–9 mm long, apex obtuse, outside puberulent; column 4.0– 4.5 cm long, ventrally puberulent, wings decurrent, adnate to lip; rostellum bilobed; pollinia 8, narrowly ovoid, equal in size, 1.5–1.7 mm long. Fl. Mar.

Ecology and related species: — Calanthe wenshanensis is known only from Wenshan, Yunnan Province. It grows in shady evergreen forests (elevation roughly 1500 m). This species is similar to C. herbacea ; they both have Alisma -like leaves and green and petals, but the former is distinguished by the fleshy and horn-like lateral lobes embracing the midlobe, which is slightly lobed at its apex. Its habit also is similar to C. alismaefolia , but it is distinct in its floral characters, lax flowers on the inflorescence, yellowish green sepals and petals, a lip with fleshy, horn-like lateral lobes and a midlobe that is slightly lobed apically.

Calanthe bingtaoi was first discovered in Wuliang Mountain, Jing Dong County, Yunnan Province, in 2010 beside a forest stream. During another investigation of Gaoligongshan, Baoshan, Yunnan Province, it was found again in forest. It looks somewhat like C. graciliflora but differs in being much taller and having a more robust habit, with an inflorescence up to 1.5 m tall, yellow-brown sepals and petals, three ridges on the disk of the lip and a spur with obtuse apex.

Etymology: —The specific epithet of C. wenshanensis refers to its discovery in Wenshan. Calanthe bingtaoi is named in honor of the famous Chinese botanist, Prof Bing-Tao Li, who formerly worked in South China Agricultural University and now in Fairylake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen, CAS. He specializes in Apocynaceae and Euphorbiaceae .

Figures

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

FIGURE 3. Calanthe bingtaoi J.W.Zhai & Z.J.Liu. A. Plant of Calanthe bingtaoi. B. Flower, front view. C. Flower, side view. D. Sepals and petals. E. Labellum. F. Polinarium.