Cymbidium shidianense G.Z.Chen, G.Q.Zhang & L.J.Chen, 2019

Chen, Gui-Zhen, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Huang, Jie, Wang, Meng, Rao, Wen-Hui & Chen, Li-Jun, 2019, Cymbidium shidianense (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae), a new species from China: evidence from morphology and molecular data, Phytotaxa 399 (1), pp. 100-108 : 105

Cymbidium shidianense G.Z.Chen, G.Q.Zhang & L.J.Chen , sp. nov. (ḦMĔ) ( Figs. 4 , 5 )

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan (řffi): shidian ( ḦM), 1200 m, in forest, 28 Nov 2011, Liu 5828 (holotype: NOCC!).

This new species is similar to C. cyperifolium . They both have 4 pollinia, a trilobed column and leaves articulate 4–5 cm from base. However, this new species differs from C. cyperifolium in its larger pseudobulbs, rigid leaves, broader pale green sepals and petals with darkly coloured veins and V-shaped set of blotches on the lip midlobe ( Table 2).

Terrestrial herbs. Pseudobulbs ovate, 3.8–4.2 × 2.3–2.5 cm, slightly enclosed in leaf bases. Leaves 5–6, lorate, suberect, 43.0–78.0 × 1.0– 1.3 cm, apex acuminate, margin serrated, articulate 4.0–5.0 cm from base. Inflorescence with two flowers arising from within sheaths, erect, 26 cm long, with three sheaths 3.6–4.2 cm long. Flower bracts linear-lanceolate, 2.6–3.2 × 0.7–1.0 cm. Pedicel and ovary 3.0–4.0 cm. Sepals and petals pale green, with deep veins, margin white, base of petals with purple blot. Lip pale green, lateral lobes with small purple spot, margin purple, apex of midlobe with dense purple-red blotches forming a V shape, column pale green with purple spots adaxially. Sepal oblong, 3.5–4.0 × 1.3–1.5 cm, apex acute. Petals oblong elliptic, 2.8–3.0 × 1.3–1.5 cm, apex acute. Lip nearly elliptic/ ovate in outline, trilobed, 2.3–2.5 × 1.0– 1.2 cm, side lobes erect. Midlobe broadly ovate, recurved, 1.1–1.3 × 1.0– 1.2 cm; disk with 2 longitudinal lamellae extending from base to base of midlobe; column 1.4–1.5 cm; pollinia 4, in 2 pairs.

Etymology:— Named for the area in Yunnan Province where the species was found, derived from the Chinese shidian.

Phenology:— Flowering February–March.

Distribution:— Yunnan Province, China.

Habitat:— In forests.

Conservation status:— We found several populations around 1200 m. It is at this time an endemic species.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Cymbidium shidianense.A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Flower, side view. D. Petal. E–F. Lateral sepal. G. Lip. H. Pollinarium.

FIGURE 5. Cymbidium shidianense. A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Flower, side view. D. Flower, back view. E–F. Pollinium. G–H. Pollinarium.