Bulbophyllum lipingtaoi J. X. Huang, J. Y. Wang & Z. J. Liu, 2017

Wang, Jie-Yu, Liu, Zhong-Jian, Wu, Xin-Yi & Huang, Jiu-Xiang, 2017, Bulbophyllum lipingtaoi, a new orchid species from China: evidence from morphological and DNA analyses, Phytotaxa 295 (3), pp. 218-226 : 221-225

Bulbophyllum lipingtaoi J. X. Huang, J. Y. Wang & Z. J. Liu , sp. nov. (ƤṀỀnj±; Figs. 1, 3 , 4 )

Diagnosis: — B. libingtaoi is similar to B. japonicum , B. muscicola and B. omerandrum . It can be distinguished from B. japonicum by the larger flower size, the shape of floral bract, yellow flower with purplish red veins in sepals and petals, the lip without hookedrevolute apex. Moreover, it differs from B. muscicola by the lateral sepals twisted inward with only basal part of lower margins adnate. Also, it differs from the B. omerandrum by its dorsal sepals broadly ovoid, apex acuminate, lower margins of lateral sepals coherent on basal part, and both margins of sepals and petals without hairy or fimbriate-ciliate. Otherwise, the B. lipingtaoi shows some obvious features that differ from other species such as the scape arising from the node of rhizome and the rigorous single-flowered inflorescence (Details see Table 4).

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan (ȓffi): Malipo (Ąƥḓ), epiphytic on tree trunks, alt. 1280 m, 3 August 2008, Liu 4049 (Holotype NOCC!).

Epiphytic herbs. Rhizome creeping, 0.6–1.0 mm thick, branched. Roots arising from nodes with or without pseudobulbs. Pseudobulbs spaced 1–4 cm apart on rhizomes, terete or elliptic, 8–12 × 3.0– 4.5 mm in the middle, apical with 1 leaf. Leaf blade ovate-elliptic, leathery, 2.2–4.3 × 0.8–1.3 cm, apex obtuse and slightly concave, base contracted into a 2–3 mm stalk. Scape arising from the node of the rhizome, slender, 9.5–10 cm long. Peduncle 8.5–9 cm long, apical with one flower, with 3 membranous sheaths below the middle. Floral bracts ovoid, 2 mm long; petiole and ovary 7–8 mm long, with the basal node above the floral bract attachment; sepal and petal 3–5-veined with purplish red. Labellum yellow, purplish-red only at its base; dorsal sepals broadly ovoid, 5–5.5 × 3.5–4 mm, apex acuminate, margins entire. Lateral sepals lanceolate, 1.8–2 cm long, 3–4 mm wide; only basal margins coherent on both sides, others free; apex long, acuminate and cuspidate; base contracted and connate to column foot extending forward and ligulate. Petals obliquely ovate, 3.8–4 × 2–2.2 mm at base, apex obtuse, margins entire. Labellum fleshy, ligulate, 5–5.5 × 2.5–3 mm, slightly bent downward, apex obtuse, base attaching at a node to the column foot. Column thick and short, 2–2.5 mm long; column foot 4–4.5 mm long, free part 1.5 mm long; column wings spreading forward and obtusely triangular.

Distribution and habitat:–– Bulbophyllum lipingtaoi is known only from type locality with large numbers of individuals. The species is epiphytic on high tree trunks at elevations of 1,280 m in evergreen broad-leaved forest of Malipo County, Yunnan Province, China.

Conservation status:–– Least Concern (LC). This species has an inestimably large number of individuals in Malipo. No threatening conditions are found for B. lipingtaoi according to the IUCN Red List criteria ( IUCN 2012).

Etymology:–– The species epithet honors Professor Bing-Tao Li (ϮƤṀ), a famous Chinese phytotaxonomist.

Phenology:— Bulbophyllum lipingtaoi was observed with flowers from August to September in the field and in culture.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Bulbophyllum lipingtaoi J. X. Huang, J. Y. Wang & Z. J. Liu. A. Whole plant. B. Flowering plant. C. Flower, front view. D. Side view, removed dorsal sepal, a lateral sepal and a petal. E. Pollinarium.

FIGURE 4. Bulbophyllum lipingtaoi J. X. Huang, J. Y. Wang & Z. J. Liu. A Flowering plant. B. Flower front view. C. Dorsal sepal, petal, lateral sepal and labellum. D. Column and lip, side view. E. Pollinarium.