Cymbidium yunnanensis G.Q.Zhang & S.R.Lan, 2019

Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Chen, Gui-Zhen, Chen, Li-Jun & Lan, Si-Ren, 2019, Cymbidium yunnanensis: a new orchid species (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae) from China based on morphological and molecular evidence, Phytotaxa 387 (2), pp. 149-157 : 155-156

Cymbidium yunnanensis G.Q.Zhang & S.R.Lan , sp. nov. (ȓffl±) ( Figs. 4 , 5 )

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan Province (ȓffl): 1200–1400 m, trees and rocks at forest margins and in forest, 7 March 2012, Liu 6039 (holotype: NOCC).

This new species is similar to C. floribundum . They both have lorate leaves, trilobed lips, 2 pollinia, slightly arcuate columns and erect side lobes. However, this new species differs from C. floribundum in its smaller size, leaves 5–15 cm, shorter scape, white flowers with pale purplish markings on sepals and petals, lip with purple-red blotch, petals narrowly falcate oblong, nearly round lip midlobe and a column foot 1.5–2.0 mm long.

Terrestrial herbs, 45–60 cm tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid, bilaterally compressed, 1.0–1.5 × 0.7–0.9 cm, surrounded by persistent leaf bases. Leaves 5, lorate, 5.0–15.0 × 0.8–1.0 cm, apex subacute, articulate 2.5–3.0 cm from base. Inflorescence dense, with up to 10 flowers, arising from within sheaths at base of pseudobulb, 10 cm long. Bracts 1.5–4.0 mm; pedicel and ovary 0.9–1.2 cm; flower 2.0– 2.5 cm in diameter; sepals, petals and column white with pale purplish markings. Lip white, lateral lobes densely spotted purplish, midlobe with large purple-red blotch; dorsal sepal narrowly oblong, 1.20–1.60 × 0.25–0.35 cm, apex round obtuse; lateral sepals narrowly obovate elliptic, 1.20–1.50 × 0.30–0.45 cm; petals narrowly falcate oblong, 1.20–1.40 × 0.30–0.35 cm, apex obtuse. Lip trilobed, subovate-round in outline 0.9–1.3 × 0.9–1.3 cm; side lobes erect, semi-ovate, 7–9 × 3–4 mm, with small papillae adaxially; midlobe nearly round, 5.0– 6.5 mm in diameter, with small papillae adaxially; disk with 2 longitudinal lamellae; column 0.8–1.1 cm, slightly arcuate, with column foot 1.5–2.0 mm; pollinia 2, triangular. Capsule suboblong, 2.5–4.0 cm long, 1.5–2.0 cm in diam.

Phenology:— Flowering April.

Distribution:— Thus far, found only in Yunnan Province, China.

Habitat:— Terrestrial in forests.

Etymology:— Named for Yunnan, the province in which the species was found.

Conservation status:— We found several populations around 1200–1400 m. It is an endemic species, known only from Yunnan Province, China.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Cymbidium yunnanensis.A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Dorsal sepal, petal and lateral sepal. D. Lip. E. Column and ovary. F. Flower, side view. G. Pollinarium.

FIGURE 5. Cymbidium yunnanensis. A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Flower, side view. D. Flower, back view.