Gastrochilus minutiflorus Averyanov (1997: 145)

Liu, Qiang, Wu, Xun-Feng, Zhou, Shi-Shun, Li, Jian-Wu & Jin, Xiao-Hua, 2023, New species and record of Gastrochilus (Orchidaceae, Aeridinae) from China and Laos, Phytotaxa 585 (3), pp. 210-224 : 220

Gastrochilus minutiflorus Averyanov (1997: 145) (小fffiffi±) ( Figure 7 )

Type:— VIETNAM. Cao Bang District: Tra Linh Subdistrict, Quuoc Toan, near Thang Heng Lake in environs of Thang Hen and Lung Tao villages, open dry evergreen Keteleeria davidiana (Bertrand) Beissner (1891: 424) forest on tops of remnant limestone mountains at 850–900 m, 21 Oct 1995, L. Averyanov et al. 009 (holotype: LE!; isotype: HN).

Distribution and ecology:— Gastrochilus minutiflorus was only known from Cao Bang District, Vietnam, this is the first record from China (Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province and Jingxi City, Guangxi Province). It was found growing as an epiphyte on the tree trunks at altitudes from 770 to 900 m in limestone forest. Gastrochilus minutiflorus was observed flowering from June to July in the wild.

Etymology:— This species epithet refers to its unusually small flowers.

Specimens examined:— CHINA. Yunnan Province: Wenshan Zhuang-Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Funing County, Xingda Town , limestone forest, 770–820 m, 24 March 2021, Qiang Liu 780 (HFTC!).

Taxonomic discussion:— To our knowledge, there had been no subsequent collections of this species since 1997. During recently field work in Yunnan and Guangxi province, we had firstly found and get the fresh materials. Morphologically, it is similar to G. guangtungensis Z. H. Tsi (1996: 139) and G. acinacifolius Z. H. Tsi (1989: 25) by having repent stem and falcate leaves. However, it differs from latters by having the leathery leaves with densely purple-violet spotted or almost entirely purple-violet, inflorescence usually with 3–8-flowered, small flowers (sepals size: 2.5–3.0 × 1.5–1.8 mm), and epichile triangular, adaxially glabrous ( Tsi 1996, Averyanov 1997, Chen et al. 2009).

Figures

FIGURE 7. Gastrochilus minutiflorus Averyanov. A. Habitat. B. Illustration drafted from type specimen (cited from Averyanov, 1997: Figure 10, pp.145). C. Inflorescence. D. Flower. E. Front view of lip. F. Back view of lip. G. Lateral view of lip. H. Sepals and petals. I. Anther cap. J. Pollinarium.