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| Liparis tianchiensis X.J.Liu & X.G.Sun, in Liu & Sun, 2023. |
Abstract
Liparis tianchiensis (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae), a new species from Wenxian County, Gansu Province, China, is described and illustrated, based on morphological characters. Liparis tianchiensis is morphologically similar to L. damingshanensis, L. pauliana and L. mengziensis with erect, lax flowered-inflorescences, small persistent floral bracts, small greenish-purple flowers, spreading sepals, free reflexed and linear petals, a lip with 2 calli near the base and an arcuate column. Liparis tianchiensis differs from L. pauliana by the single and much smaller leaf, shorter sepals and petals, smaller and reflexed oblong lip. It differs from L. mengziensis by having fewer and larger flowers and not connate lip apex. The novelty mostly resembles L. damingshanensis, but can be readily identified by having longer sepals and a reflexed oblong lip. Liparis tianchiensis only occurs in evergreen broad-leaved forest around a mountain lake in Wenxian County, Gansu Province, China.
Keywords: Malaxideae, morphology, new species, Wenxian County
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| Liparis tianchiensis sp. nov. A individual in bloom B flower, lateral view C dorsal sepal D lateral sepal E petal F pedicel, ovary and column G lip H anther-cap, abaxial view I anther-cap, adaxial view. Scale bars: 1 cm (A, B); 0.5 cm (C–G); 1 mm (H, I). Drawn by Hui Lin from the holotype. |
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| Liparis tianchiensis sp. nov. A habit B non-flowering plants in situ C flowering individual D dissected floral parts E leaf, adaxial view F leaf, abaxial view G flower, lateral view. Scale bars: 10 cm (B); 1 cm (C–G). |
Liparis tianchiensis X.J.Liu & X.G.Sun, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Liparis tianchiensis is similar to L. damingshanensis with single small leaf, erect, lax flowered-inflorescences, small greenish purple flowers, spreading sepals, free reflexed and linear petals, a lip with 2 calli near the base and an arcuate column. It, however, differs from the latter by having a longer dorsal sepal (9.0–11.0 mm vs 6.0–8.0 mm) and a longer (8.0–10.0 vs 5.0–7.0 mm) and oblong (vs obovate-triangular) lip.
Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the type locality Tianchi Lake, Wenxian County, Gansu Province, China.
Distribution and habitat: Liparis tianchiensis is terrestrial and grows in shaded and damp moss-covered areas in evergreen broad-leaved forest, forming scattered colonies on the slopes of Tianchi Lake at 1680 m a.s.l. For the time being, Liparis tianchiensis is only known from the type locality. The subpopulation is small, with less than 200 individuals.
Xiao-Juan Liu and Xue-Gang Sun. 2023. Liparis tianchiensis (Orchidaceae), A New Species from Gansu, China. PhytoKeys. 219: 27-33. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.219.90351
