Paphiopedilum notatisepalum Z. J. Liu, M. Wang & S. R. Lan, 2017

Wang, Meina, Lan, Si-Ren & Liu, Zhong-Jian, 2017, Paphiopedilum notatisepalum, a new species of slipper orchid (Cypripedioideae, Orchidaceae) from China based on morphological and DNA evidence, Phytotaxa 302 (2), pp. 156-164 : 161-163

Paphiopedilum notatisepalum Z. J. Liu, M. Wang & S. R. Lan sp. nov ( Figs 3 , 4 ) (ŖṄAE±)

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan (ȓffi): Malipo (ṀAEĄ), in crevices of shady cliffs or rocks of limestone, 1300 m, 8 Oct. 2016, Liu 9349 (holotype: NOCC) .

This new species is morphologically similar to Paphiopedilum henryanum , from which it differs by the smaller plants with large yellow spots on the leaves, shorter scape, larger flower, white and narrower sepal and light purple-red petals with larger purple spots and yellow-white margins.

Lithophytic herbs. Leaves 3–5, narrowly oblong, 8.0–17.0 × 1.2–2.0 cm, apex unequally bilobulate, minutely tridenticulate, deep green, with large yellow spots and purple markings at the base. Inflorescence arching, 8–10 cm long, green, densely purple-pubescent, terminally 1-flowered; floral bract ovate, pale green, with small purple spots, 3.0–3.5 ×1.5–2.0 cm; pedicel and ovary 3.3–4.0 cm long, green, densely purple-pubescent; flower 7.5–8.2 cm in diameter; dorsal sepal white with large purple spots; synsepal white with purple spots; petals pale purple-red with large purple spots and yellow-white margins; lip pale purple-red with yellow-white margins; staminode pale purple with brownish-yellow margins and a yellow umbo; dorsal sepal ovate, 3.5–3.8 × 2.4–2.7 cm margins minutely ciliate, recurved; synsepal narrowly ovate-elliptic, 3.0–3.3 × 1.7–2.0 cm, minutely ciliate, apex bilobulate; petals narrowly obovate-oblong, 4.0–4.3 × 1.4–1.6 cm long, margins undulate and recurved, obscurely tridenticulate apically, minutely ciliate, with long hairs at base; lip helmet-shaped; pouch ellipsoid, 3.5–4.0 × 1.9–2.2 cm, opening slightly auriculate on both sides; staminode obovate, 8–9 × 6–7 mm, papillose, with a small umbo adaxially, apex emarginate.

Flowering period:— September–November.

Distribution and habitat:— In crevices of shady cliffs or rocks in evergreen broad-leaved forests in limestone areas in southeastern Yunnan, China.

Etymology:— The species name notatisepalum refers to purple-maroon-spotted sepals, from the Greek notati (spot) and sepalum (sepal).

Conservation status:— Using the World Conservation Union Red List Categories and Criteria ( IUCN, 2012), P. notatisepalum should be treated as critically endangered.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Paphiopedilum notatisepalum Z.J.Liu, M.Wang & S.R.Lan.A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Dorsal sepal, petal, and synsepal. D. Lip, side view. E. Staminode, front view. F. Column, side view. Drawn by L. J. Chen from Liu 9349 (holotype).

FIGURE 4. Paphiopedilum notatisepalum Z.J.Liu, M.Wang & S.R.Lan.A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Flower, back view. D. Staminode, front view. E., F, Flowers, side view.