Anoectochilus × buqunhuensis H.Z. Tian & C.X. Li

Li, Chen Xing, Liu, Yue, Shi, Bei Bo, Sun, Mei, Huang, Jing, Liu, Zhen & Tian, Huai Zhen, 2024, A natural hybrid of Anoectochilus (Orchidaceae) from Xizang, China, Phytotaxa 678 (1), pp. 45-54 : 50

Anoectochilus × buqunhuensis H.Z. Tian & C.X. Li , hybr. nat. nov. FIGURE 1 , 4

Type:— China.XizangAutonomous Region:Motuo County, Buqun lake, 1454 m, 10August 2023, 2023081011 (Holotype: HSNU 00079883! Spirit material).

Note: Spirit flowers preserved in Kew Mix are treated as the holotype since they were collected in the field for anatomical investigations and the plant cultivated at the greenhouse of East China Normal University without retaining a complete specimen. We expect to add further complete specimen from the type material later on, once we can have multiple shoots.

Diagnosies:—Morphological features of Anoectochilus × buqunhuensis shows intermediate morphological affinity between A. medogensis and A. griffithii . It is similar to A. griffithii with respect to the shape of epichile lobe, petals and saddle-like under half column-wings, however, the new hybrid differs in lateral speals obliquely ellipsoid with pointed and brown mesochile with 4–5 teeth on both sides. It is also similar to A. medogensis regarding the shape of sepals and upper half column-wings, however, the new hybrid differs in 2-lobed, cuneate-triangulate epichile and conical spur. The morphological characteristics of A. × buqunhuensis are the combination of both A. griffithii and A. medogensis .

Description: —Terrestrial herb, 10–15 cm tall. Rhizome creeping, fleshy, several nodes; roots threadlike, arising solitarily from the rhizome node. Stem erect, pubescent, 3–5 leaved. Leaves adaxially black green with pink to red veins, with three distinct main veins, abaxially reddish brown, ovate to orbicular, apex acute, 2.5–3 × 2–2.6 cm; petiole 1–1.5 cm long. Inflorescence racemose, 1–4 flowered. Bracts 2–3, ovate-lanceolate, red, 7–8 mm long, abaxially pubescent. Flowers resupinate, 1.4 × 1 cm, ovary twisted; sepals emerald green with red apex, pubescent; dorsal sepal 5.4 × 3.6 mm, ovate mucronate, reddish brown, apex apiculate; lateral sepals 8.7 × 3.2 mm, obliquely elliptic, apex cuspidate; petals green, 6.1 × 1.8 mm, apex slightly red, obliquely falcate, largest width 2/3th from the base, 2.4 mm; lip white, 15.3 mm long, Y-shaped; epichile cuneate-triangulate, 2-lobed, lobes diverging at an acute angle, entire; mesochile brown, 5 mm long, flange bearing 4–5 teeth on each side, basal half near hypochile reddish brown; spur conical, green, 0.7 mm long, apex diverging at an acute angle with ovary, containing 2 nearly flabellate calli; column ca. 4.1 mm long, stout, 2 broad column wings with saddle-like structure underneath; stigma 2, distinct, located by the sides of the rostellum; anther cap heart-shaped, reddish-cream yellow, 3–4 mm; pollinia 2, yellow, 2.8 mm long, obliquely clavate.

Vernacular name: —“Bu Qun Hu Jin Xian Lan” “ţffiặfiãǯ”

Etymology: —Named after the type location, Buqun Lake.

Flowering phenology:—July–August.

Habitat:—Found in dense and humid broad-leaved forests.

Distribution:— CHINA: Xizang Autonomous Region, endemic.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Photographic plate showing various morphological features of Anoectochilus × buqunhuensis. A, habit; B, side view of flower; C, front and side view of column; D, leaves; E, sepals and petals; F, front view of lip; G, anther cap and pollinia.

FIGURE 4. Illustration of Anoectochilus × buqunhuensis representing A, plant; B, side view of flower; C, front view of flower; D, sepals and petals; E, calli; F, side view of column; G, front view of column; H, pollinia; I, anther cap. (Drawn by Yue Liu)