Monday, April 3, 2023

[Botany • 2023] Bulbophyllum basiflorum (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) • A New Species of Bulbophyllum sect. Desmosanthes from southeastern Xizang, China


Bulbophyllum basiflorum M. K. Li, J. P. Deng & Y. Luo, 

in Li, Chen, Pang, Deng, Wang, Luo et Xing, 2023. 

Abstract
Bulbophyllum basiflorum M.K.Li, J.P.Deng & Y.Luo (Orchidaceae) from southeastern Xizang, China, is described as a new species and illustrated. This species is morphologically similar to B. cauliflorum and B. stenobulbon, but can be clearly distinguished from them by having shorter scapes adhering to rhizomes and pseudobulbs, raceme dense with 1 or 2 flowers, petals ovate, lip white with 2 longitudinal ridges, and very short column foot. The new species belongs to Bulbophyllum sect. Desmosanthes.

Keyword: Bulbophyllum cauliflorumBulbophyllum stenobulbon, Mêdog, hybrid, sect. Desmosanthes, Taxonomy


Bulbophyllum basiflorum M. K. Li, J. P. Deng & Y. Luo
A. plant and inflorescence; B. inflorescence; C-D. flower; E. split flower (ds. dorsal sepal, p. petal, ls. lateral sepals); F. column; G. lip; H1-H2. anther cap; I. pollinia; J. fruit.
 (Drawn by J. P. Deng)

Bulbophyllum basiflorum M. K. Li, J. P. Deng & Y. Luo
A. plant and habitat; B. plant and inflorescence (b1. apex leaf); C1-C3. flower; D. inflorescence; E1-E2. split flower (ds. dorsal sepal, p. petal, ls. lateral sepals, b. bract); F1-F4. close-up of lip; G1-G3. column and ovary; H1-H2. anther cap; I. pollinia; J. fruit.
(Photos: A by Zhen Xing in Mêdog, B-I by M. K. Li).


Bulbophyllum basiflorum M.K.Li, J.P Deng & Y.Luo, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Bulbophyllum basiflorum is morphologically similar to B. cauliflorum and B. stenobulbon, but can be clearly distinguished from them by having shorter scapes adhering to rhizomes and pseudobulbs, raceme dense with 1 or 2 flowers, petals ovate, lip white with 2 longitudinal ridges, and very short column foot.

Etymology: The specific epithet "basiflorum" refers to racemes that adhere to rhizomes in this species. 
Vernacular name: Ji Hua Shi Dou Lan, 基花石豆兰


Meng-Kai Li, Xue-Da Chen, Shen-Shen Pang, Jian-Ping Deng, Wei Wang, Yan Luo and Zhen Xing. 2023. Bulbophyllum basiflorum (Orchidaceae), A New Species from southeastern Xizang, China. Taiwania. 68(2);143-147. taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/1919
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2023.68.143