Friday, November 18, 2016

[Botany • 2016] Vanda funingensis • A New Species of Orchid (Epidedroideae; Vandeae; Aeridinae) from Yunnan, China: Evidence from Morphology and DNA


Vanda funingensis 
L.H. Zou & Z.J. Liu


Abstract

Vanda funingensis, a new orchid species from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. This species, which has thin, regular tepals, a slender spur, and a relatively dense inflorescence, is superficially similar to species of Vanda s.l. with Ascocentrum-like flowers. However, the plant differs from the latter by having labellum structures shared by Vanda s.s., longitudinal ridges on the adaxial surface and no expansion of the spur apex. Furthermore, molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that the new species is a member of sect. Testacea from Vanda s.s., especially V. coerulescens (in the nrITS analysis) and V. testacea. This new species is distinguished from the other two species by having flat petals, a rectangular midlobe with three inconspicuous ridges adaxially and a long, tubular spur.

Keywords: Aeridinae; Ascocentrum; orchid flora of China; orchid phylogenetics; Testacea, Monocots



FIGURE 4. Vanda funingensis  L.H. Zou & Z.J. Liu.
A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Flower, side view. D. Labellum, side view. E. Pollinarium, front view. F. Pollinarium, back view.
Photograph by Wen-Hui Rao. 

Long-Hai Zou, Xin-Yi Wu, Min Lin, Li-Jun Chen and Zhong-Jian Liu. 2016. Vanda funingensis, A New Species of Orchidaceae (Epidedroideae; Vandeae; Aeridinae) from China: Evidence from Morphology and DNA.
Phytotaxa. 260(1); 1-013. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.260.1.1