Calanthe bingtaoi J.W.Zhai, F.W.Xing & Z.J.Liu, 2013

Zhai, Jun-Wen, Chen, Li-Jun, Xing, Fu-Wu & Liu, Zhong-Jian, 2013, Two new species of Calanthe (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae) from China, Phytotaxa 123 (1), pp. 51-55 : 52-53

2. Calanthe bingtaoi J.W.Zhai, F.W.Xing & Z.J.Liu sp. nov. ( Figs. 2 , 3 ) Somewhat similar to C. graciliflora Hayata (1911: 329) , but it differs by its much taller and stronger vegetative habit

with an inflorescence up to 1.5 m long, the labellum with three slightly raised ridges and a spur with an obtuse apex. Type: — CHINA. Yunnan ( ńffl): Gaoligongshan ( ṘṼừffi), under forest, ca. 2000 m, 13 March 2012, Liu 5885

( holotype NOCC!)

Terrestrial herbs, 70–85 cm tall, pseudobulbs subconical, 1–2 cm in diam., with 2–3 sheaths and 3–4 leaves. Leaf completely spreading at anthesis, papery, elliptic, 29.0–41.0 5 12.0– 17.5 cm, apex acuminate, petiole- like base narrowly 34–43 cm long, abaxially puberulent. Scape arising from leaf axil of pseudostem, 49–56 cm long, puberulent; rachis 24–31 cm long, laxly 17–25-flowered; floral bracts persistent, ovate-lanceolate, 5–8 mm long; pedicel and ovary 1.8–2.5 cm long, puberulent. Sepals and petals yellow-brown, lip white, disk with purple-red spots, column white; dorsal sepal ovate-elliptic, 1.3–1.5 5 0.8–0.9 cm, apex acute, puberulent; lateral sepals ovate-elliptic, 1.5–1.7 5 0.6–0.7 cm, apex acute, abaxially puberulent; petals narrowly elliptic, 1.3–2.5 5 5.0– 5.5 mm wide, apex acuminate, base narrowly forming claw; lip trilobed, side lobes obovateoblong, 4.0–4.5 5 3.0– 3.5 mm, base adnate to column wings; midlobe suboblong, 5.0–5.55 2.0– 2.3 mm, apex acuminate; disk with 3 ridges, middle extending to apex; spur cylindric, 7–9 mm long, apex obtuse, outside puberulent; column 4.0– 4.5 cm long, ventrally puberulent, wings decurrent, adnate to lip; rostellum bilobed; pollinia 8, narrowly ovoid, equal in size, 1.5–1.7 mm long. Fl. Mar.

Ecology and related species: — Calanthe wenshanensis is known only from Wenshan, Yunnan Province. It grows in shady evergreen forests (elevation roughly 1500 m). This species is similar to C. herbacea ; they both have Alisma -like leaves and green and petals, but the former is distinguished by the fleshy and horn-like lateral lobes embracing the midlobe, which is slightly lobed at its apex. Its habit also is similar to C. alismaefolia , but it is distinct in its floral characters, lax flowers on the inflorescence, yellowish green sepals and petals, a lip with fleshy, horn-like lateral lobes and a midlobe that is slightly lobed apically.

Calanthe bingtaoi was first discovered in Wuliang Mountain, Jing Dong County, Yunnan Province, in 2010 beside a forest stream. During another investigation of Gaoligongshan, Baoshan, Yunnan Province, it was found again in forest. It looks somewhat like C. graciliflora but differs in being much taller and having a more robust habit, with an inflorescence up to 1.5 m tall, yellow-brown sepals and petals, three ridges on the disk of the lip and a spur with obtuse apex.

Etymology: —The specific epithet of C. wenshanensis refers to its discovery in Wenshan. Calanthe bingtaoi is named in honor of the famous Chinese botanist, Prof Bing-Tao Li, who formerly worked in South China Agricultural University and now in Fairylake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen, CAS. He specializes in Apocynaceae and Euphorbiaceae .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Photos of Calanthe species. A,B. Calanthe bingtaoi. C. Calanthe graciliflora. D. Calanthe wenshanensis. E. Calanthe alismatifolia. F.Calanthe herbacea.

FIGURE 3. Calanthe bingtaoi J.W.Zhai & Z.J.Liu. A. Plant of Calanthe bingtaoi. B. Flower, front view. C. Flower, side view. D. Sepals and petals. E. Labellum. F. Polinarium.