Neottia nujiangensis X.H. Jin, 2016

Jin, Xiao-Hua & Pang, Hong-Bo, 2016, A new species of Neottia (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae) from alpine border region between China and Myanmar, Phytotaxa 289 (3), pp. 291-295 : 291-295

Neottia nujiangensis X.H. Jin , sp. nov. ( Figs. 1–2 )

Neottia nujiangensis is similar to Neottia fugongensis , but differs from it by having flowers densely along the rachis, pedicel and ovary about 4.5 mm long, lateral sepals ovate, petals elliptic, lip 4 mm long, and lobelets widest at base.

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan: Gongshan County, west slope of Gaoligongshan Mountains (border region between China and Myanmar), under the alpine bamboo forests, 3800 m, 30 July 2013, Xiaohua Jin et al, ST1536 (holotype, barcode 01978395, PE!; isotypes, PE) .

Autotrophic plants, 20–25 cm tall. Roots 1 mm in diam. Stem with 2–3 sheaths at base. Leaves 2, borne one third to two thirds of plants, opposite, broadly ovate, glabrous, acute, 2.5–3 × 2–2.5 cm. Inflorescence 10–15 cm long, pubescent. Infertile bracts 2 to 3, lanceolate; floral bract lanceolate, 0.3–0.5 cm long. Flowers uniformly green. Pedicel and ovary hispidulous; pedicel 3 mm long, glabrous; ovary fusiform, 1.5 mm long. Sepals reflexed along the ovary; dorsal sepal oblong, 1-veined, obtuse, 2 mm × 0.7 mm; lateral sepals slightly oblique, ovate, 1-veined, obtuse, 2 mm × 1 mm; petals elliptic, 1-veined, obtuse, 2 mm × 0.7 mm; lip Y-shaped, greatly narrowing towards the base, more or less concave in the centre of base, 3-lobed at base (or with a pair of auricles at base), 4 mm × 3 mm; lateral lobes (auricles) oblong to elliptic, acute, dentate, erect; middle lobe bilobed; lobelet oblong, dentate, 1.5 mm × 1 mm; column arcuate, 1.8 mm long.

Distribution and Habitat:—This new species usually grows under alpine thickets of bamboo and bush of Rhododendron spp. with elevation of 3800–4000 m. During our fieldwork in Eastern Himalayas in 2012, 2013, and 2014, about three populations with estimation of 1000 plants were discovered in alpine border region between China and Myanmar. All populations are far from any direct threats. Hence, this new species should be considered as “Least Concern” according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN, 2001).

Relationships: — Neottia nujiangensis is sympatric with Neottia fugongenis ( Jin & Li 2007: 243) T.C. Hsu et S.W. Chung (2009: 77) ( Fig. 3 ), and closely related with it by having two broadly ovate leaves, uniformly green flowers, and lobelets dentate. However, Neottia nujiangense can readily be distinguished from it by having flowers densely along the rachis (flowers sparsely along the rachis in N. fugongensis ), pedicel and ovary 4.5 mm long (pedicel and ovary 10 mm long in N. fugongensis ), lateral sepals ovate (elliptic in N. fugongensis ), petals elliptic (petals linear in N. fugongensis ), lip about 4 mm long and not ciliate (lip 8–9 mm long and ciliate), auricle more or dentate (auricle entire in N. fugongensis ) ( Table 1, Fig. 4 ), lobelet widest at base (widest near the apex in N. fugongensis ).

Flowers Densely along the rachis Sparsely along the rachis

Ovary and pedicel 4.5 mm long 10 mm long

Lateral sepals ovate elliptic

Petals elliptic linear

Lip Y-shaped, 4 mm × 3 mm, not ciliate Y-shaped, 8–9 mm × 7 mm, ciliate Lateral lobes dentate entire

Lobelet widest at base widest near apex

Figures

FIGURE 1. Neottia nujaingensis X.H. Jin. A. Habit. B. Overview of flower. C. Lateral view of flowers. D and E. Dorsal sepal. F.Lateral sepal. G. Petal. H. Ovary and column. I. Front view of column. J. Pollinia.

FIGURE 2. Close up of flowers of Neottia nujiangensis.

FIGURE 3. Neottia nujiangensis sympatric with Neottia fugongensis and their habitat.

FIGURE 4. Close up of flowers of Neottia fugongensis.