Cypripedium × microsaccos Kraenzl., Russk. Bot. Zhurn. 1913

Wang, Qun, An, Jing, Wang, Yan & Zheng, Bao-Qiang, 2025, Cypripedium × microsaccos Kraenzl. (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae): A natural hybrid of C. calceolus and C. shanxiense from Jilin, China, Phytotaxa 710 (2), pp. 221-230 : 229

Cypripedium × microsaccos Kraenzl., Russk. Bot. Zhurn. 1913 , 58. (小囊Ëä; Fig. 1a, f, g )

Diagnosis:—The hybrid has an intermediate morphology between C. calceolus and C. shanxiense , namely an orange lip with spots, a lip

3–3.5 cm long, narrow, twisted light brown petals ( Table 2). Type:— Russia. Amurskaya Oblast, date: 22 Jun, 1909. Docturowsky no. 3891 (LE01010807). Voucher:— China, Jilin, Yanji: growing under the shade of trees on a sunny slope, altitude 600 m, 10 June 2024, Bao-Qiang Zheng s.n.

(CAF XN006!). Homotypic synonym:— Cypripedium guttatum subsp. microsaccos (Kraenzl.) Soó, Ann. Univ. Sci. Budapest. Rolando Eotvos, Sect. Biol.

1969, 11: 54.

Terrestrial herb. Stem erect, cylindrical, typically 20-30 cm tall, 3-5 mm in diameter, with several internodes 3-5 cm long. Leaves 3-5, on the upper and middle parts of the stem, elliptic or ovate-lanceolate, 5-10 cm long, 2-4 cm wide, base gradually narrowing, apex acute or acuminate. Inflorescence 1 to several, terminal on the stem, usually bearing 1-2 flowers; peduncle 2-4 cm long; dorsal sepal ovate-elliptic, 3-4 cm long, 2-3 cm wide, apex acute, with 5 veins. Petals narrow, twisted, light brown, 4-5 cm long, 8-10 mm wide, apex acute, with 3-5 veins; lip pouch-shaped, orange, with distinct spots, 3-3.5 cm long, base cuneate, apex obtuse; lateral lobes semi-circular, erect, clasping the column, margins entire or slightly toothed; mid-lobe elliptic, apex obtuse, entire, glabrous; lip disc densely pubescent between the lateral lobes, base often with an elliptic callus; column yellowish-green; anther cap yellowish-green, conical, apex unlobed, papillate.

Flowering period: —May to June.

Distribution and habitat: —Growing under the shade of trees on sunny slopes; altitude 500-700 m, eastern Jilin Province, China.

Etymology: —The specific epithet "microsaccos " can be interpreted as "small sac" or "small pouch," referring to the relatively small lip (pouch-like structure) of this species.

Conservation status:— Currently, only one distribution site containing this taxon has been discovered in Yanji. As of now, the number of mature individuals of this orchid is fewer than 10, and further data on its population status have not yet been obtained.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Comparison of C. × microsaccos, C. calceolus, and C. shanxiense. Natural habitat of C. × microsaccos (a); natural habitat of C. calceolus (b); natural habitat of C. shanxiense (c); floral morphology of C. calceolus (d); floral morphology of C. shanxiense (e); floral morphology of C. × microsaccos (f); floral dissection of C. × microsaccos (g).