Ophiorrhiza monsvictoriae S.S.Zhou & L.D.Duan, 2020

Zhou, Shi-Shun, Li, Ren, Quan, Rui-Chang, Shine, Law & Duan, Lin-Dong, 2020, Ophiorrhiza monsvictoriae (Rubiaceae, Rubioideae), a new species from Myanmar, PhytoKeys 138, pp. 219-223 : 219

Ophiorrhiza monsvictoriae S.S.Zhou & L.D.Duan sp. nov. Fig. 1

Diagnosis.

Ophiorrhiza monsvictoriae is similar to Ophiorrhiza dulongensis H. S. Lo (1990: 27), but differs from it by the principal veins raised on both sides of leaf, stipules broadly triangular, 2-4 mm long, inflorescences axillary, 1-flowered, peduncles puberulous, bracts lanceolate to subulate, 1-2 mm long, puberulous, calyx pilose, 1-2 mm long, lobes and tube equal in length, and corolla narrowly funnelform, 15 mm long, puberulous outside, see Table 1 .

Type.

MYANMAR. Chin State. Natma Taung (Mt. Victoria) National Park, under evergreen broad-leaved forest in tropical mountainous areas forest, 2500-2600 m, 18 July 2018, Shi Shun-Zhou 15305 (holotype: RAF!; isotype: HITBC!, Herb. Bar. Code No. 169316).

Description.

Herbs, creeping to weakly ascending, 15-30 cm tall; stems drying purplish brown, puberulous. Petioles 0.5-1 cm long, puberulous; leaf blade drying membranous to papery, adaxially green, abaxially grayish-green, broadly ovate or elliptic, 2-4 × 1-2.5 cm, adaxially scattered puberulous, abaxially moderately puberulous along principal veins, base obtuse, apex acute; secondary veins 4-5 pairs; stipules broadly triangular, 2-4 mm long, glabrous. Inflorescences axillary, 1-flowered; peduncle puberulous, 6-8 mm long; pedicel ca. 2 mm long, puberulous; macrostylous: bracts lanceolate to subulate, 1-2mm, puberulous. Calyx pilose, 1-2 mm; hypanthium 5-ribbed; lobes lanceolate; lobes and tube equal in length. Corolla white, 15 mm long, narrowly funnelform, puberulous outside, pilose inside; tube densely villous in throat; lobes triangular-lanceolate, 3-3.5 mm long, dorsally ribbed at least in bud. Stamens reaching the tube throat; anthers linear; style reaching the tube mouth; Capsules obcordate, ca. 2 × 4.5 mm.

Etymology.

The new species was named after Mountain Victoria, Natma Taung National Park, Chin State, southwestern Myanmar, where it was discovered in a vast area of mountain forest.

Phenology.

Flowering in July to August, fruits in August to September.

Distribution and habitat.

Ophiorrhiza monsvictoriae is only known from the type locality. It is a terrestrial plant that grows in the floating soil on the stone in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest, which is dominated by Lithocarpus xylocarpus (Kurz) Markg. ( Fagaceae ).

Conservation status.

Ophiorrhiza monsvictoriae was collected on Victoria Mountain, Natma Taung National Park, Chin State, South-western Myanmar. However, only one population, consisting of approximately100 individuals, has been discovered so far in the National Park. Other populations may be found with further investigation because the area is legally protected under by the government of Myanmar.

Critical note.

The new species most resembles Ophiorrhiza dulongensis . Detailed morphological differences between the two species are given in Table 1 .

Figures

Figure 1. Ophiorrhiza monsvictoriae S. S. Zhou & L. D. Duan, sp. nov. A Habitat B front view of flower and Inflorescence C infructescence D opened corolla of long styled flower E corolla inside and outside F stamen and style G fruit H seed.