Bulbophyllum versicolor Z.Zhou, P.Y.Wu & Z.J.Liu, 2021

Zhou, Zhuang, Wu, Peng-Yu, Lin, Ya-Jun, Zhao, Zhuang, Fu, Xiong-De Tu Shuang-Bin, Ying, Zhen & Liu, Zhong-Jian, 2021, Bulbophyllum versicolor (Orchidaceae, Malaxideae), a new species from Yunnan, China: evidence from morphology and molecular analyses, Phytotaxa 528 (4), pp. 247-254 : 251

Bulbophyllum versicolor Z.Zhou, P.Y.Wu & Z.J.Liu , sp. nov. (Øffl卷瓣兰; Figs 2 , 3 )

Type:— China, Malipo, Yunnan, epiphytic on branches in forests, 1300 m, 12 Oct 2017, cultivated and flowered in Wenzhou , 30 Sep 2020, Zhou 2020103001 (holotype: ZM!) .

This new species is similar to B. japonicum , but it differs by its leaf size (3.0–6.0 vs. 3.0– 4.5 cm long), inflorescence shape (raceme 4.0– 6.5cm long, densely 5–14 flowered vs. umbel 2–3 cm long, 2–4 flowered), flower colour (whitish green or pale yellowish green, base purplish red vs. purplish red) and lip size (5.5–6.0 vs. 2.0 mm long).

Epiphytic herbs with a creeping rhizome. Pseudobulbs erect, 4.5–19.0 mm apart, cylindric or narrowly fusiform, 5.0–11.0 mm long, 2.5–4.5 mm in diam., green or yellowish green, slightly angular with longitudinal furrows during dry seasons, with a terminal leaf. Leaves lanceolate, 30–60 × 3–5 mm, apex acute, base tapered to terete petiole, entire. Scape from base of pseudobulb, erect, 4.0– 6.5 cm, slender; racemose 5–14 flowered; peduncle 1.0– 1.5 mm in diam., with 2 tubular sheaths 5 mm; floral bracts lanceolate, ca. 3 mm. Pedicel and ovary ca. 5 mm. Flowers apex whitish green or pale yellowish green, base purplish red. Dorsal sepal oblong, ca. 3 × 1 mm, pale purple, apex acute, apex dark purple, margin sometimes with denticles, triveined. Lateral sepals obliquely lanceolate, 2.5 cm, twisted near base, with their upper and lower edges often loosely connivent to each other, apex acuminate. Petals semiovate or ovate obliquely, 2.2–3.0 × 1.5 mm, pale purple, apex obtuse, with purplish red spots, triveined, margin entire. Lip recurved, ligulatelanceolate, with finely papillate, 5.5–6.0 × 2.0– 2.5 mm, reddish maroon, grooved at base, apex obtuse, attached to end of column foot by a mobile joint. Column quadrangular with tapering base, ca. 4.0 mm long; column foot hookedincurved, ca. 3.5 mm long, reddish maroon to purplish red. Anther cap hemispherical, pale yellow. Pollinia 4, 2 in each pair.

Phenology:— Flowering July–August.

Etymology:— Refering to a variety of flower colours.

Distribution and habitat:— So far only known from the type locality where it is epiphytic on trees at 1300 m in evergreen, broad-leaved forests.

Conservation status:— So far, four populations have been discovered. The number of mature individuals in each population is ten plants. The extent of suitable habitat is continuing to decline due to tree felling and land reclamation. According to the World Conservation Union Red List Categories and Criteria version 3.1 ( IUCN, 2001), we suggest that the unofficial conservation status of this new species should be CR (critically endangered).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Bulbophyllum versicolor. A. Column with ovary. B. Lip. C. Dorsal sepal. D. Petal. E. Anther cap and pollinarium. F. Lateral sepal. G. Plant.

FIGUERE 3. Bulbophyllum versicolor. A. Habitat. B. Flowering plant. C. Inflorescences. D. Flower, upward view. E. Flower, side view. F–G. Dissected parts of a flower. H. Anther cap with pollinarium.