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| Gastrochilus wenchuanensis P.Y.Wu & C.Y.Zhou, in Wu, Guo, Zhou, Wang, Shan, Yong et Zhang, 2025. |
Abstract
The newly discovered orchid, Gastrochilus wenchuanensis (Aeridinae, Orchidaceae), found in Wenchuan, Sichuan of China, is described here based on the data of its morphology, phenology, ecology and distribution. This entity bears resemblance to G. formosanus, G. wolongensis, G. nanchuanensis, G. sinensis, G. minjiangensis and G. armeniacus, but can be distinguished by a distinctive vein on both the petals and sepals, as well as an epichile and hypochile that are devoid of spots or stripes. The molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and four plastid regions (atpI, matK, psbA, and trnL-F), supports the conclusion that Gastrochilus wenchuanensis is a new species and is sister to G. formosanus.
Keyword: Gastrochilus, molecular phylogenetics, morphology, new species, sect. Caespitosi
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| Gastrochilus wenchuanensis A. Flowering plant. B. Inflorescence. C. Flower (front view). D. Leaves (view from above and from below). E. Labellum (view from below). F. Anatomy of flowers (F1: dorsal sepals; F2 and F3: lateral sepals; F4 and F5: petals; F6: labellum). G. Flowers (view from rear). H. Capsule. I. Labellum (longitudinal dissection). J. Pollinia. K. Stigma. |
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| Gastrochilus wenchuanensis A. Flowering plant. B. Flower (front view). C. Flowers (view from rear). D. Leaves (view from above and from below). E. Sepal and petal. F. Pollinia. G. Labellum (view from above and from below). H. Labellum (longitudinal dissection). I. Inflorescence. J. Capsule. |
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| Plant and inflorescence with flowers for Gastrochilus wenchuanensis A. Habitat. B. Plant with flowers in wild. C. Plant with flowers in cultivation. D. Plant with fruit. |
Gastrochilus sect. Caespitosi Z. H. Tsi
Gastrochilus wenchuanensis P.Y.Wu & C.Y.Zhou, sp.
nov
Diagnosis: The new species resembles G. formosanus,
but differs in the morphology of the epichile and the
markings on both the petals and sepals. It also deviates
from G. wolongensis due to its shorter inflorescences, an
undimpled and spotless epichile, and a stripeless hypochile.
The distinguishing characteristics of the new species
compared to G. armeniacus include leaf morphology,
flower pigmentation, sepal length, epichile trichome
density, and the absence of hypochile surface ridges.
The distinctive stripe on the petals and sepals, along
with the morphology of the hypochile and epichile, serves
to distinguish this species from G. minjiangensis. It
differs from G. nanchuanensis by its reniform epichile,
green and fully open flowers. The shape of the epichile
and a distinct purple stripe on the petals and sepals
distinguish it from G. sinensis.
Peng-Yu Wu, Jiaxu Guo, Cheng-Yuan Zhou, Zi-Yang Wang, Qian-Tong Shan, Heng Yong, Yu-Tian Zhang. 2025. Gastrochilus wenchuanensis (Aeridinae; Orchidaceae): A New Species from China based on molecular and morphological data. Taiwania. 70(4): 757‒765. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.757
https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2135 [2025 November 14]
