Peliosanthes griffithii Baker var. breviracemosa Averyanov & N.Tanaka, 2017

Nguyen, Khang Sinh, Averyanov, Leonid V., Тanaka, Noriyuki, Konstantinov, Eugene L., Maisak, Tatiana V. & Nguyen, Hiep Tien, 2017, New taxa of Peliosanthes and Tupistra (Asparagaceae) in the flora of Laos and Vietnam and supplemental data for T. patula, Phytotaxa 312 (2), pp. 199-212 : 203-207

Peliosanthes griffithii Baker var. breviracemosa Averyanov & N.Tanaka , var. nov. ( Fig. 3 ).

Type:— VIETNAM. 2 November 2015, L. Averyanov, CPC 5402b/ TM 1065/13391 (holotype, LE!). Type specimen prepared from cultivated plant originally collected in northern Vietnam (Cao Bang province, Nguyen Binh district, Ca Thanh municipality, Cao Lu village, around point 22°42’47.7” N, 105°51’50.8” E, primary coniferous forest with Pseudotsuga sinensis along highly eroded rocky limestone ridge at elevation about 1300 m a.s.l., 4 October 2013, L. Averyanov, N. T. Hiep, L. M. Tuan, N. S. Khang, T. Maisak, L. Osinovets, CPC 5402b/ TM 1065).

Herb rosulate, terrestrial or lithophytic. Rhizome plagiotropic, short, (1–)2–3(–4) cm long, Ø (3–)3.5–4(–4.5) mm, simple or few branching. Roots many, grayish, cord-like, rigid. Stems sub-erect, (5–)6–10(–12) mm tall, covered loosely with narrowly triangular sheath leaves (cataphylls). Cataphylls light greenish when young, conduplicate, (1.5–)2–5(–6) cm long, (0.5–)1–1.5(–2) cm wide, soon becoming whitish to light yellowish-brown, scarious, eventually disintegrating into fragmented papery remains. Leaves arching to suberect, petiolate, (8–)10–16(–18) cm long; petiole rigid, straight to arching, shallowly channeled in basal part, (3–)4–10(–14) cm long; blade elliptic to broadly elliptic, shortly acuminate, entire, glabrous, uniformly green and glossy on both sides, (5–)7–10(–12) cm long, (2–)2.5–4(–4.5) cm wide; often longitudinally pleated, longitudinal veins many, crossed subperpendicularly with many secondary transversal veinlets. Inflorescence a terminal, erect, subdense raceme, Ø (1.2–)1.5–1.6(–2) cm; peduncle erect, straight, stout, (2–)2.5–3(–3.5) cm long, Ø (2–)2.2–2.5(–3) mm, light violet, often with greenish tint, with (2–)3–5(–6) sterile bracts; bracts on peduncle narrowly triangular, 3-veined (midvein quite distinct, lateral veins more or less obscure), acuminate or attenuate into linear apical part, cordate at base, papyraceous or scarious, (8–)10–14(–15) mm long, (0.5–)1–2(–3) mm wide; rachis longitudinally ribbed, many-flowered, (3.5–)4–6(–8) cm long, apically with dense tuft of bracts each subtending floral bud. Floral bracts 2 per flower, antrorse, narrowly triangular, acuminate, 1-veined, middle part greenish, subherbaceous, marginally scarious, whitish; outer bract located below flower, (3–)6–10(–11) mm long, (1–)1.5–3(–3.5) mm wide; inner bract (bracteole) situated lateral to flower, slightly oblique, much smaller, (0.5–)1–2(–2.5) mm long. Flowers solitary in bracteal axil on short pedicel, dark purple-violet to almost black, not widely open, rather campanulate, (5–)5.5–6(–6.5) mm across; basal (syntepalous) part hemispheric, (1.8–)2–2.5(– 2.8) mm across, 0.8–1(–1.2) mm long, circular in cross section. Pedicel finely ribbed, white to violet, horizontal, cylindrical, terete, straight, (1–)1.2–1.5(–1.6) mm long, about 1 mm across. Perigone segments subsimilar, narrowly ovate to ovate, usually incurved, subobtuse, (2–)2.2–2.8(–3) mm long, (1.2–)1.5–1.8(–2) mm wide; margins revolute, entire or slightly irregularly nibbled at apex. Corona shortly cylindrical or broadly conoid, almost circular in section, (2.4–)2.5–2.6(–2.8) mm across, (1–)1.2–1.5(–1.6) mm high, the orifice obscurely 6-dentate, Ø (1.5–)1.6–1.8(–2) mm. Anthers 6 on apical inner surface of corona, ovoid, introrse, sessile, dorsifixed, dull yellow to almost white, 0.5–0.6 mm long. Ovary half inferior, distal free part dark purple-violet, broadly pyramidal, 0.9–1.1 mm high, 2.2–2.4 mm across, obscurely 3-lobed in cross section, the interior partitioned into 3 locules by 3 fleshy septa almost touching each other along inward edges in center; each locule slightly open along ventral suture of carpel, containing 4 ovules on basal placenta; style broadly conoid, short, 0.4–0.5 mm long; stigma 3-partite, black, the lobes ovate, 0.3–0.4 mm long, glabrous.

Etymology:—The varietal epithet refers to the short raceme of this plant.

Habitat and phenology:—Terrestrial and lithophytic herb on shady slopes covered with primary coniferous forest with Pseudotsuga sinensis on highly eroded rocky limestone near ridge top at elevation about 1300 m a.s.l. Not common. Flowering October–November.

Distribution:—Northern Vietnam (Cao Bang province, Nguyen Binh district). Endemic to northern Vietnam.

Taxonomic relationships:—The variety is distinguishable from Peliosanthes griffithii var. griffithii distributed in NE India and N Vietnam ( Averyanov et al. 2016a) by the short, somewhat compact, ovoid raceme, floral bracts much exceeding flowers, prominently ribbed rachis and short ribbed pedicels. In our plant cultivated, the apical part of inflorescence is cristate with young floral bracts. It is not certain at present if this character is also stable in plants in the wild.

Additional specimens studied (paratypes):— VIETNAM. 15 October 2015, L. Averyanov, CPC 5402a/TM 1100/13393 (LE!). Specimen prepared from cultivated plant originally collected in northern Vietnam (Cao Bang province, Nguyen Binh district, Ca Thanh municipality, Cao Lu village, around point 22°42’47.7” N, 105°51’50.8” E, primary coniferous forest with Pseudotsuga sinensis along highly eroded rocky limestone ridge at elevation about 1300 m a.s.l., 4 October 2013, L. Averyanov, N.T. Hiep, L.M. Tuan, N.S. Khang, T. Maisak, L. Osinovets, CPC 5402a/ TM 1100).

Peliosanthes yunnanensis F.-T.Wang & Tang in Chang (1978: 254), Chen & Tamura (2000: 262); non Averyanov (2011: 143, Fig. 1 & 2 ), ( Fig. 4A–G ).

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan, Mar-li-po, Hwang-jin-in, 6 November 1947, K. M. Feng 12962 (holotype, PE [286816—00036763]!). Paratype:— CHINA. Yunnan, Mar-li-po, Hwang-ging-ying, 15 January 1940, C. W. Wang 83890 ( PE [83890—00036764]!).

Studied sample:— VIETNAM. Lao Cai province, Sapa district., Khoang village, Hoang Lien Son Range, primary evergreen broad-leaved forest on slopes of sandstone mountain at elevation 1800 m a.s.l. around point 22°22’55 N 103°46’43 E, terrestrial herb, very common, 2 November 2016, N. S. Khang, B. H. Quang, NSK 840 ( HN!, LE — photo).

Habitat and phenology:—Terrestrial herb on shady slopes covered with primary broad-leaved evergreen forests on sandstone, granite and quartzite at elevation 1500–2200 m a.s.l. Locally very common. Flowering October– December.

Distribution:—Northwestern Vietnam (Lao Cai province, Sapa town Area). Southern China (SE. Yunnan).

Notes:—The plants from northern Vietnam previously reported as Peliosanthes yunnanensis in Averyanov (2011) were later recognized as a new species— P. grandiflora Averyanov & Tanaka (2012: 156) . In our survey in Sapa town area of Lao Cai province, we found plants referable to P. yunnanensis (new record). This species occurs there as a typical understory herb of the highland broad-leaved mountain forests spreading over the Hoang Lien Son Range at elevations 1500–2200 m a.s.l.

Tupistra fungilliformis F.T.Wang & S.Yun Liang in Liang (1978: 249, pl. 5, f. 1–4), Liang & Tamura (2000: 240), s.l. ( Fig. 4H–P ).

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan, Ping-bien, Bai-jwu-chien, 13 December 1939, C. W. Wang 83061 (holotype, PE [349272—00035390]!). Paratype:— CHINA. Yunnan, Mar-li-po, 3 January 1940, C. W. Wang 86158 ( PE [286792—00593230]!).

Studied samples:— VIETNAM. Cao Bang province, Bao Lac district, Hong An municipality, Mi Lung village , primary broad-leaved and mixed humid evergreen forest along rocky ridge composed of solid crystalline highly eroded limestone, 1500–1550 m a.s.l., 22°49’15.4’’ N 105°49’53’’ E, epiphyte on old tree in shady humid karst funnel, dull yellow to almost white, perigone segments dirty purple-brown, anthers and stigma dull yellowish, very rare, 21 November 2014, L. Averyanov et al., CPC 7576 (Herbarium of the Center for Plant Conservation, Hanoi, LE!, LE — photo), fig. 4 J, K ; Cao Bang province, Bao Lac district, Dinh Phung municipality, Ban O village, primary mixed and coniferous evergreen humid forest on mountain tops composed of solid highly eroded limestone, 1200–1300 m a.s.l., 22°45’24.8’’ N 105°46’47.9’’ E, terrestrial and lithophytic herb on steep rocky slope, fruits green with purple marks, very common, 24 November 2014, L. Averyanov et al., CPC 7640 (Herbarium of the Center for Plant Conservation, Hanoi, LE —photo) ; Ha Giang province, Quan Ba district , Bat Dai Son municipality, Bat Dai Son protected area, on limestone ridge of degraded forest, 13°09’13” N 104°59’36” E, 1064 m, rare, lithophytic, bracts on young shoots green with red, outer bracts brown, red at base, tepals with white spot at base inside ; anther dull white-yellow, fruit dull green, fruit flesh white, 10 February 2001, D. K. Harder et al., DKH 6057 ( HN, MO!, LE —photo), fig. 4 M ; Ha Giang province, Meo Vac district, Pa Vi municipality, Pa Vi Thuong village , 23º11’05’’ N 105º24’04’’ E, 1450 m a.s.l., remnants of coniferous forest on rocky tops of remnant ridges composed of highly eroded marble-like limestone, lithophytic herb, flowers black-violet, stigma white, fruits green with dirty-violet tint, not common, 13 December 2005, L. Averyanov et al., HAL 8577 (Herbarium of the Center for Plant Conservation, Hanoi, MO, LE —photo), fig. 4 L ; Ha Giang province, Quan Ba district, Tung Vai commune, Thang village , Suoi Can Mountain , 23°03’14” N 104°50’54” E, 1390 m a.s.l., limestone primary broad-leaved evergreen closed forest, epiphytic herb, occasionally, 11 April 2013, N. Q. Hieu et al., CPC 4919 (Herbarium of the Center for Plant Conservation, Hanoi, LE —photo) ; Ha Giang province, Quan Ba district, Tung Vai commune, Thang village , 23°03’16” N 104°50’28” E, 1345 m a.s.l., limestone primary broad-leaved evergreen closed forest, epiphytic perennial herb, occasional, 13 April 2013, N. Q. Hieu et al., CPC 4967 (Herbarium of the Center for Plant Conservation, Hanoi, LE —photo), fig. 4 H ; Ha Giang province, Bac Me district, Phieng Luong municipality, Phieng Day village , degraded primary broad-leaved humid evergreen forest along rocky canyon of small stream at the base of mountains composed of solid crystalline highly eroded limestone, 900–1000 m a.s.l., 22°38’43.8" N 105°19’19.8" E, epiphytic herb on old mossy tree on steep stream slope, fruits dark green, very rare, 14 November 2014, L. Averyanov et al., CPC 7464 (Herbarium of the Center for Plant Conservation, Hanoi, LE —photo) ; Ha Giang province, Quan Ba district, Can Ty commune, Dau Cau 1 village, around point 23°05′45.1′′ N, 105°01′02.7′′ E, 1050 m a.s.l., primary evergreen mixed forest at the top of rocky limestone mountain, epiphytic, very rare, 17 December 2016, N. S. Khang et al., VP 24 ( HN, LE —photo) ; Lao Cai province, Bat Xat district, Y Ty commune, Nhiu Co San Mountains , primary mixed forest on slopes of sandstone mountain, 2000 m a.s.l., 22°36’34.3 N 103°37’29.3 E, epiphyte on big tree, flower red-purple with small white dots inside petal and large white pattern along the triangular petals outside, stigma globose, yellow, very rare, 26 October 2016, N. S. Khang, B. H. Quang, NSK 817 ( HN, LE —photo), fig. 4 N, O ; Son La province, Thuan Chau district, Co Ma municipality, Hua Ty village , Copia nature reserve , 21º20’07’’ N 103º35’07’’ E, remnants of primary coniferous forest on rocky tops of ridge composed of clay shale, 1500–1600 m a.s.l., epiphyte on tall tree, flowers dirty purple-violet, fruits dark dirty green, not common, 12 November 2006, N. T. Hiep et al., HAL 9729 ( HN, MO, LE —photo), fig. 4 P ; Thanh Hoa province, Yen Dinh district, Quy Loc commune, around point 20 o 03’41.2” N 105 o 33’32.8” E, 105 m a.s.l., scattered under scrub or on cliffs of evergreen broad-leaved lowland forests on limestone, common, 25 April 2013, N. S. Khang, NSK 517 ( HN, LE —photo), fig. 4 I .

Habitat and phenology:—Primary and old secondary broad-leaved and coniferous humid forests (with Fokienia, Nageia, Pinus, Podocarpus , Pseudotsuga, Tsuga and Xanthocyparis ) preferably on highly eroded rocky limestone, rarely on shale and sandstone, at elevations (100)1000–1800(2000) m a.s.l. Large epiphytes or clustering lithophytes, rarely terrestrial herbs, common on moist rocky steep slopes, often on exposed mossy rocks near mountain tops or along streams in ravines. Rare. Flowering October–February.

Distribution:—Northern Vietnam, provinces: Cao Bang (Bao Lac district), Ha Giang (Bac Me, Meo Vac and Quan Ba districts), Lao Cai (Bat Xat district), Son La (Thuan Chau district) and Thanh Hoa (Yen Dinh district). Southern China (SE Yunnan).

Notes:—Plants identified here as T. fungilliformis from Vietnam (new record) are highly variable especially in the color of perigone (purple or blackish purple), whitish pattern of the inside of perigone tube, and the shape, color, and size of stigmas relative to open campanulate perigone ( Fig. 4K–P ). The stigmas tend to considerably shrink with ageing. Further studies on the variation of this species are needed.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Peliosanthes hirsuta. A. Flowering plant. B. Inflorescence. C. Portion of rachis with floral bracts subtending a pedicel. D. Flattened floral bract and bracteole. E. Flower, side (left) and frontal (right) view. F. Flowers with flattened tepals, frontal (left) and rear view (right). G. Flower, sagittal section. H. Ovary, view from above. I. Ovary, side views. J. Ovary, transversal section at base (below) and in middle part (above). K, L. Separated singular carpels, adaxial views.All drawn from the type –E. Konstantinov, K-305 by L.Averyanov and T. Maisak.

FIGURE 2. Peliosanthes hirsuta sp. nov. A, B. Flowering plant. C. Inflorescence. D. Flower buds and flowers. E. Flattened plant. F. Inflorescence. G. Rachis with floral bracts (bract and bracteole), flowers removed. H. Bract and bracteole. I. Flowers, side view. J. Flowers, sagittal sections. K. Transversal section of perigone tube with intact ovary, side view (left) and view from above (right). L. Basal portion of flower in transversal section, showing basal portion (left; with ovules) and apical portion (right) of ovary. Photos of E. Konstantinov and L.Averyanov, correction and design by L.Averyanov [A–E—photos from the type E. Konstantinov K-305; F-L—photos from paratype Averyanov et al, LA-VN 840].

FIGURE 3. Peliosanthes griffithii var. breviracemosa. Digital epitype, L. Averyanov, CPC 5402b /TM 1065 /13391. Photos, correction and design by L. Averyanov.

FIGURE 4. Peliosanthes yunnanensis: A. Flowering plant. B. Inflorescence. C. Bract and bracteole. D. Flattened flower. E. Corona, transversal section, view from below. F. Flower, sagittal section. G. Flower and ovary, transversal section. Different morphological forms of Tupistra fungilliformis s.l.: H–J. Plant habit (H—N.Q. Hieu et al., CPC 4967; I—N.S. Khang, NSK 517; J—L. Averyanov et al., CPC 7576). K–P. Inflorescences and flowers (K—L. Averyanov et al., CPC 7576; L—L. Averyanov et al., HAL 8577; M—D.K. Harder et al., DKH 6057; N, O—N.S. Khang, B.H. Quang, NSK 817; P—N.T. Hiep et al., HAL 9729). All photos by N.S. Khang and L. Averyanov, correction and design by L. Averyanov.