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| Hemipilia huanglongensis D.J.Xie & R.B.Zhang, in Xie, Li, Deng, Wei, Dou, Peng et Zhang, 2026. |
Abstract
A new species of Orchidaceae, Hemipilia huanglongensis D.J.Xie & R.B.Zhang, was discovered on steep karst slopes in northern Sichuan, China and is described and illustrated, based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence. While morphologically similar to H. amplexifolia (Tang & F.T.Wang) Y.Tang and H.Peng, H. faberi (Rolfe) Y.Tang and H.Peng and H. tetraloba (Finet) Y.Tang and H.Peng, it can be distinguished by a squamose lip base with an upwardly protruding lamella, along with larger floral structures, including the sepals, petals, lip and ovary. Phylogenetic analyses, based on nuclear (ITS) and plastid (matK, rbcL) DNA sequences, further support its distinction from these three morphologically allied species.
Key words: Conservation assessment, morphological diagnosis, new species description, orchid systematics, Sichuan flora
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| Images of living, dry or rehydrated specimens of Hemipilia huanglongensis D.J.Xie & R.B.Zhang. A. Flowering plant; B. Front inflorescence view; C. Back inflorescence view; D. Flower disintegration; E. Leaf; F. Bracts; G. Tubers; H. Ovary and pedicel; I. Gynostemium (1: anther; 2: auricle; 3: rostellum; 4: bursicle; 5: lamellae at lip base); J. Squamose lip base (Photographed by T. Deng and R.B. Zhang). |
Hemipilia huanglongensis D.J.Xie & R.B.Zhang, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Hemipilia huanglongensis morphologically resembles H. amplexifolia, H. faberi and H. tetraloba. Hemipilia huanglongensis differs from H. amplexifolia in having a multi-flowered rachis (vs. 1–2-flowered) and purple flowers (vs. white with purplish-red spotting, which may appear red in PPBC photographs). Hemipilia huanglongensis can be distinguished from the other two species by the lip base (squamose vs. papillate in H. faberi and H. tetraloba, following the same order) with an upwardly protruding lamellae (vs. absent), more lateral sepal veins (3 vs. 1), longer ovary and pedicel (≥ 12.6 vs. ≤ 10; measurements in millimetres, the same below), longer dorsal sepal (≥ 3.7 vs. ≤ 3.5), longer lateral sepal (≥ 4.7 vs. ≤ 4), longer petal (≥ 3.7 vs. ≤ 3.5), longer lip (≥ 12.6 vs. ≤ 8), wider lip (≥ 8.3 vs. ≤ 7.5), longer lateral lip lobe (≥ 4.5 vs. ≤ 3.8) and longer middle lip lobe (≥ 8.6 vs. ≤ 4.2).
Da-Jun Xie, Jin-Xiao Li, Tan Deng, Ruo-Xun Wei, Quan-Li Dou, Shu-Ming Peng and Ren-Bo Zhang. 2026. Hemipilia huanglongensis (Orchidaceae), A New Species from north Sichuan, China. PhytoKeys. 273: 225-236. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.273.181545 [22 Apr 2026]
