Thursday, May 4, 2017

[Botany • 2017] Gastrodia nipponicoides & G. okinawensis • Two New Species of Gastrodia (Gastrodieae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan


Gastrodia okinawensis  Suetsugu


Abstract

Two new mycoheterotrophic orchids, Gastrodia nipponicoides and G. okinawensis, are described and illustrated from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. The outline floral shape of Gastrodia nipponicoides indicates a close affinity to G. nipponica, but it is easily distinguished from G. nipponica by several characteristics such as a shorter perianth tube, lack of rostellum and fewer ridges on its lip. Gastrodia okinawensis is similar to G. takeshimensis but is distinguished by having chasmogamous flowers, paler perianth tube and longer column.

Keywords: Gastrodia, Japanese orchids, mycoheterotrophy, Ryukyu Islands, Monocots


FIGURE 1. Gastrodia nipponicoides from the type locality. A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, side view. C. Flower, from front view. 

FIGURE 3. Gastrodia okinawaensis from the type locality. A. Flowering plants. B. Flower, side view. C. Flower, front view. 


  Kenji Suetsugu. 2017. Two New Species of Gastrodia (Gastrodieae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan.  Phytotaxa. 302(3); 251-258.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.302.3.4