Oreocharis dimorphosepala (W. H. Chen & Y. M. Shui) Mich. Möller

Chen, Wen-Hong, Shui, Yu-Min & Möller, Michael, 2014, Two new combinations in Oreocharis Benth. (Gesneriaceae) from China, Candollea 69 (2), pp. 179-182 : 182

Oreocharis dimorphosepala (W. H. Chen & Y. M. Shui) Mich. Möller , comb. nova

( Fig. 1 F-I).

Ξ Ancylostemon dimorphosepalus W. H. Chen & Y. M. Shui in Ann. Bot. Fenn. 49: 391. 2012.

Typus: CHINA. Prov. Yunnan: Yuanyang County, Shangxincheng Community, in broad-leaved forests along ravines, 23°03’45’’N 102°56’56’’E, 2368 m, 1.VIII.2010, fl., Y. M. Shui & al. 85333 (holo-: KUN [ KUN0149160 ]!; iso-: PE!).

Distribution and habitat. – Oreocharis dimorphosepala occurs only in Yuanyang County in SE Yunnan. The plants grow at the foot of tree trunks in evergreen forests between 2270 and 2620 m.

Conservation status. – The situation of O. dimorphosepalus is precarious. YMS and WHC have observed only 13 mature individuals in the field during 2009-2012 surveys. The species usually grows on the foot of tree trunks with a very low frequency of occurrence. So far, only three trees have been observed harbouring the plant in Yuanyang County. Thus, we propose to provisionally assess O. dimorphosepalus as “Critically Endangered” [CR D] following IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria ( IUCN, 2012).

Figures

Fig. 1. – Oreocharis speciosa (Hemsl.) Mich. Möller & W. H. Chen (A-E) and Oreocharis dimorphosepala (W. H. Chen & Y. M. Shui) Mich. Möller (F-I). A-B. Habitat; C. Habit in situ; D. Top view, and E. Front view of flowers showing the arched filaments; F. Habit; G. Top view, and H. Front view of flowers; I. Cut-open view of a flower showing the straight filaments with a bent at almost right angle at the apex. [photos: A-E: M. Möller; F-I: Y.-M. Shui]