Orchidaceae: Orchidoideae [Draft]

1. AMITOSTIGMA Schlechter, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 4: 91. 1919.

 无柱兰属  wu zhu lan shu

Mitostigma Blume.

Slender terrestrial herbs. Tubers subglobose to ovoid, undivided, fleshy, neck with several slender roots. Stem erect, 1- or rarely 2-foliate, glabrous or occasionally pubescent. Leaf basal or cauline, oblong, lanceolate, elliptic or ovate, base contracted into amplexicaul sheath, usually green and unspotted, rarely with purple-brown blotches. Inflorescence a terminal raceme, glabrous; peduncle elongate, bearing 1 or more sterile bracts; rachis 1- to several-flowered. Flowers often secund, resupinate, white, pink, mauve or purple, rarely yellow; ovary cylindrical-fusiform, usually straight, twisted, shortly pedicellate, glabrous; sepals free, oblong to ovate, 1-veined; petals free, often connivent with the dorsal sepal and forming a hood, usually wider than the sepals; lip spreading, 3-lobed, spurred at base, disc often papillose; mid-lobe often divided, forming 2 lobules; spur cylindrical to narrowly conical, short to elongate; column very short; anther usually erect, oblong-ellipsoid to obovoid, 2-locular, locules parallel or slightly divergent; pollinia 2, oblong, granular-farinaceous, sectile; caudicles strap-like; viscidia naked, oblong-ovate; rostellum rather small, 3-lobed, base with more or less ascending arms on both sides, margins adnate to column; stigma ventral, 3-lobed, lobes confluent, relatively large, flat to somewhat raised; auricles 2, large, thick, placed laterally at base of anther. Capsule suberect.

About 30 species: eastern Asia and adjacent areas; 21 species (20 endemic) in China.

The generic affinity of several of the entities presently referred to Amitostigma remains questionable and in need of re-examination; many of the endemic Chinese taxa are poorly known.

1a. Plant 2-foliate (A. alpestre rarely 1-foliate).

2a. Leaves cauline, widely spaced.

3a. Lip obovate, 3-lobed near the middle, 4.5–5.5 mm wide, longer than broad; lateral lobes ovate-oblong, ca. 0.5 mm wide; spur 4–4.5 mm................................................................................... 17. A. alpestre

3b. Lip orbicular to transversely elliptic, 3-lobed towards the apex, ca. 8.5 mm wide, broader than long; lateral lobes quadrate, ca. 2.5 mm wide; spur 5–7 mm............................................................. 18. A. yuanum

2b. Leaves basal, subopposite.

4a. Rachis 1-flowered................................................................................ 19. A. papilionaceum

4b. Rachis 3- to more than 10-flowered.

5a. Leaves erect to porrect; petals ca. 3.5 Χ 1.5 mm; lip ca. 6 mm; lateral lobes linear 20. A. bifoliatum

5b. Leaves usually appressed to the substratum; petals ca. 5 Χ 3 mm; lip ca. 9 mm; lateral lobes obovate-semirhombic........................................................................................ 21. A. physoceras

1b. Plant 1-foliate.

6a. Leaf appressed to the substratum, adaxial surface with purplish-brown blotches 1. A. hemipilioides

6b. Leaf erect or porrect, uniformly green.

7a. Rachis 1- or rarely 2-flowered.

8a. Spur 2–4 mm, usually much shorter than the ovary.

9a. Stem densely pubescent around leaf base; floral bract much shorter than the ovary; lip 5–6 mm............................................................................... 2. A. amplexifolium

9b. Stem glabrous; floral bract nearly as long as to exceeding the ovary; lip 7–15 mm.

10a. Flower yellow................................................................... 3. A. simplex

10b. Flower pale purple, pink, or white.

11a. Leaf 0.1–0.4 cm wide; petals broadly ovate, 4.5–5.5 mm wide 4. A. farreri

11b. Leaf 0.6–1 cm wide; petals ovate, 1.6–2 mm wide..... 5. A. monanthum

8b. Spur 8–17 mm, about as long as to exceeding the ovary.

12a. Lip 3-lobed towards the apex, 11–15 Χ 13–19 mm; lateral lobes broadly oblong-ovate, ca. 5 mm wide.......................................... 6. A. pinguiculum

12b. Lip 3-lobed below the middle, 8–10 Χ 6–10 mm; lateral lobes linear oblong or ovate-triangular, 1–3 mm wide.

13a. Dorsal sepal 4–5 mm; spur 11–12 mm....... 7. A. dolichacentrum

13b. Dorsal sepal ca. 7 mm; spur 8–9 mm................. 8. A. tibeticum

7b. Rachis usually 3- or more flowered (A. faberi rarely 1- or 2-flowered).

14a. Mid-lobe of the lip 4–7 mm wide, nearly as broad as to broader than long.

15a. Ovary and pedicel 15–25 mm; dorsal sepal ca. 7 mm; lip ca. 13 mm................................................... 16. A. gonggashanicum

15b. Ovary and pedicel 6–10 mm; dorsal sepal 2.5–3.5 mm; lip 5–7.5 mm.

16a. Peduncle ebracteate; spur 2–3 mm. 14. A. basifoliatum

16b. Peduncle with 1 sterile bract; spur 5–6 mm 15. A. faberi

14b. Mid-lobe of the lip 0.5–3.5 mm wide, much longer than broad.

17a. Mid-lobe of lip ca. 3.5 mm wide, deeply divided above the middle to form 2 distinct lobules................... 9. A. parceflora

17b. Mid-lobe of lip 0.5–2 mm wide, apex truncate, obtuse-rounded, occasionally emarginate or shallowly notched.

18a. Lateral lobes of lip oblong-obovate, 1.6–2 mm wide; spur 3.5–6 mm....................................... 10. A. tetralobum

18b. Lateral lobes of lip lanceolate, linear-oblong, ovate-oblong, or triangular, 0.3–0.8 mm wide; spur 1–2.5(–3.5) mm.

19a. Peduncle ebracteate; flowers white; mid-lobe of lip ca. 1.6 mm...................................... 11. A. capitatum

19b. Peduncle with 1 or 2 sterile bracts; flowers pink, rose-pink, purplish-red or purple; mid-lobe of lip 2–4 mm.

20a. Plant 7–25 cm tall; leaf usually basal; lip 3-lobed above the middle............................. 12. A. gracile

20b. Plant 24–36 cm tall; leaf cauline; lip 3-lobed below the middle............................ 13. A. trifurcatum

 

1. Amitostigma hemipilioides (Finet) T. Tang & F. T. Wang, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. Ser. 7: 5. 1936.

 卵叶无柱兰  luan ye wu zhu lan

Gymnadenia hemipilioides Finet, Rev. Gen. Bot. 13: 515. 1901; Amitostigma microhemipilia Schlechter; Chusua hemipilioides (Finet) P. F. Hunt; Hemipilia silvatica Kraenzlin; Orchis microhemipilia (Schlechter) Soό; Ponerorchis hemipilioides (Finet) Soό.

Plant 8–12 cm tall. Tubers oblong, 8–12 Χ 5–10 mm in diam. Stem with 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf basal, appressed to the substratum, ovate-orbicular to oblong, 1.5–2.2 Χ 0.8–2.5 cm, apex acute, adaxial surface with purplish-brown blotches. Peduncle with 1 or 2 lanceolate sterile bracts; rachis up to 5.5 cm, subdensely (2–)3–12-flowered; floral bracts ovate, much shorter than the ovary, apex acute. Flowers pinkish-white with pinkish-purple spots on the lip; ovary and pedicel 7 mm; dorsal sepal oblong-ovate, concave, 3–3.5 Χ 1.5–1.8 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals oblong-ovate, slightly oblique, ca. 3.5 Χ 1.7 mm, apex subobtuse; petals connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, oblong, slightly oblique, 2.7–3 Χ 1.2–1.5 mm, apex obtuse, margins irregularly serrulate, 1-veined; lip obovate, 3-lobed above the middle, 5–7 Χ 4–4.5 mm, base cuneate, margins irregularly serrulate, disc finely papillate; lateral lobes oblong-quadrate, oblique, ca. 1 Χ 1 mm, apices subacute, 3- or 4-veined; mid-lobe quadrate, ca. 2 Χ 2 mm, apex obtuse; spur horizontal and curving downwards to pendulous, cylindrical, 3–4 mm, apex obtuse; viscidia subovoid; stigmatic lobes oblong. Fl. Jun–Jul.

* Rocky soils, moist places in forests, crevices; 2400–2500 m. C Guizhou, NW Yunnan.

Hemipilia silvatica is tentatively referred to the synonymy of this species though type material has not been seen.

2. Amitostigma amplexifolium T. Tang & F. T. Wang, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. Ser. 7: 3. 1936.

 抱茎叶无柱兰  bao jing ye wu zhu lan

Plant 6–10 cm tall. Tubers globose, ca. 5 mm in diam. Stem with 1 tubular sheath at base, 1-foliate, densely pubescent around leaf base. Leaf sub-basal to cauline, porrect, elliptic to oblong-elliptic, 1–2 Χ 0.5–1 cm, apex acute. Rachis 1- or 2-flowered; floral bracts oblong-elliptic, much shorter than the ovary, apex obtuse or acute. Flower white, with purplish-red spots; ovary and pedicel 8–10 mm; flowers; dorsal sepal elliptic, ca. 3.5 Χ 2–2.3 mm, apex obtuse; lateral sepals elliptic, slightly oblique, ca. 4 Χ 2.5 mm, apex obtuse; petals elliptic, slightly oblique, ca. 3 Χ 2 mm, apex truncate-obtuse; lip obovate, 3-lobed below the middle, 5–6 Χ 4–5 mm, base cuneate; lateral lobes falcate-oblong, apices obtuse; mid-lobe cuneate-oblanceolate, margins erose, shallowly notched near the apex to form 2 small lobules, sinus with a small tooth; spur pendulous, cylindrical, curved, ca. 2 mm, much shorter than the ovary; viscidia ovate-triangular; stigmatic lobes oblong. Fl. Jul.

* Forests; 300 m. W Sichuan.

3. Amitostigma simplex T. Tang & F. T. Wang, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. Ser. 10: 25. 1940.

 黄花无柱兰  huang hua wu zhu lan

Plant 5–14 cm tall. Tubers ovoid to subglobose, 4–5 mm in diam. Stem with 1 or 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf basal, porrect, linear to oblong-elliptic, 1.5–4 Χ 0.3–0.6 cm, apex acute or obtuse. Peduncle ebracteate; rachis 1-flowered; floral bracts lanceolate, 6–10 mm, nearly as long as the ovary, apex acute or acuminate. Flower erect, rather large, yellow, sometimes spotted with brown; ovary and pedicel 8–9 mm; dorsal sepal narrowly oblong, concave, 3.8–6 Χ 1.3–3 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading, narrowly oblong-elliptic, falcate, 4.2–8 Χ 1.5–4 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; petals connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, ovate, oblique, 3.7–5.5 Χ 1.8–3.5 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lip broadly obovate, deeply 3-lobed near the middle, 7–15 Χ 6–13 mm; lateral lobes oblong-obovate, falcate, 3–7 Χ 3–6 mm, apices rounded; mid-lobe obcordate to flabellate, 3–5 Χ 4–8 mm, margins undulate, apex emarginate to shallowly notched to form 2 small lobules; spur pendulous, cylindrical, 3–4 mm, much shorter than the ovary, apex obtuse. Fl. Jul–Aug.

* Grassy slopes; 2300–4400 m. W Sichuan, NW Yunnan.

4. Amitostigma farreri Schlechter, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 20: 378. 1924.

 长苞无柱兰  chang bao wu zhu lan

Plant 3.5–9 cm tall. Tubers globose, ca. 5 mm in diam. Stem with 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf sub-basal, porrect, linear to narrowly oblong, 1.5–5 Χ 0.1–0.4 cm, apex acute. Rachis 1-flowered; floral bracts narrowly lanceolate, exceeding the ovary, apex acute. Flower pink; ovary and pedicel 4–5 mm; dorsal sepal erect, ovate-oblong, concave, 5–7.5 Χ 4–5 mm, apex obtuse, 3-veined; lateral sepals ovate-oblong, slightly oblique, 5.5–8 Χ 4–5 mm, apex subobtuse; petals connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, broadly ovate, oblique, 5–7 Χ 4.5–5.5 mm, margins slightly undulate, apex obtuse, 3-veined; lip obovate, 3-lobed below the middle, 7–12 Χ 5–8 mm, base broadly cuneate; lateral lobes triangular, 2–3 Χ ca. 1 mm, apices acute, margins crenulate; mid-lobe obcordate-obovate, 5–9 Χ 5–9 mm, margins crenulate, apex notched to form 2 distinct lobules, sinus with a small acute tooth; spur pendulous, conical-cylindrical, straight, 3–4 mm, slightly shorter than the ovary, apex obtuse; viscidia ellipsoid; stigmatic lobes oblong. Fl. Aug.

* Grassy slopes; 3600–4200 m. SE Xizang, NW Yunnan.

5. Amitostigma monanthum (Finet) Schlechter, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 4: 94. 1919.

 一花无柱兰  yi hua wu zhu lan

Peristylus monanthum Finet, Rev. Gen. Bot. 13: 523. 1901; Amitostigma forrestii Schlechter; A. monanthum var. forrestii (Schlechter) T. Tang & F. T. Wang; A. nivale Schlechter; Orchis forrestii (Schlechter) Soό; O. monantha (Finet) Soό; O. nivalis (Schlechter) Soό.

Plant 6–10 cm tall. Tubers ovoid to subglobose, ca. 5 mm in diam. Stem with 1 or 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate, occasionally pubescent. Leaf basal, erect to porrect, lanceolate, narrowly oblong, or oblanceolate-spatulate, 2–3 Χ 0.6–1 cm, apex acute or obtuse. Peduncle ebracteate; rachis 1-flowered; floral bract linear-lanceolate, 6–12 mm, usually exceeding the ovary, apex acute. Flower rather large, pale purple, pink or pure white, with purple spots on the lip; ovary and pedicel 6–11 mm; dorsal sepal erect, narrowly ovate, concave, 4–4.5 Χ 1.6–1.8 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading to reflexed, narrowly oblong-elliptic, 4.5–5 Χ ca. 1.6 mm, apex subobtuse; petals loosely connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, ovate, slightly oblique, 3.8–4.4 Χ 1.6–2 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lip ovate-orbicular, deeply 3-lobed below the middle, 8–10 Χ 8–10 mm, base shortly clawed, disc finely papillate; lateral lobes suboblong-obovate, 4–5 Χ 1.8–3 mm, apices obtuse, margins often slightly undulate; mid-lobe broadly obovate, 6–7.5 Χ ca. 7 mm, much wider than lateral lobes, margins usually entire or sometimes slightly undulate, apex slightly emarginate to deeply notched to form 2 distinct lobules; spur pendulous, cylindrical, straight, 2.5–4 mm, much shorter than ovary, apex obtuse; viscidia ovate; stigmatic lobes subsquare. Fl. Jul–Aug.

* Grassy slopes, alpine meadows, rocky soils and gravel along streams; 2800–4100 m. S Gansu, S Shaanxi, W Sichuan, SE Xizang, NW Yunnan.

6. Amitostigma pinguiculum (H. G. Reichenbach & S. Moore) Schlechter, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 4: 94. 1919.

 大花无柱兰  da hua wu zhu lan

Gymnadenia pinguicula H. G. Reichenbach & S. Moore, J. Bot. 16: 135. 1878; Diplomeris chinensis Rolfe; Habenaria pinguicula (H. G. Reichenbach & S. Moore) Bentham ex Rolfe; Orchis pinguicula  (H. G. Reichenbach & S. Moore) Soό.

Plant 7–16 cm tall. Tubers ovoid, 10–15 mm in diam. Stem with 1–2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf sub-basal, porrect, linear-oblanceolate, narrowly elliptic, oblong-ovate, or ligulate-oblong, 1.5–8 Χ 0.6–1.2 cm, apex subacute. Peduncle with 1 or 2 lanceolate sterile bracts; rachis 1- or rarely 2-flowered; floral bract linear-lanceolate, 5–6 mm, much shorter than the ovary, apex acuminate. Flower rather large, rose-red to purplish-red; ovary very slender, 9–17 mm including pedicel; dorsal sepal erect, ovate, concave, 5–7 Χ 3–4 mm, apex acute, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading to reflexed, ovate-lanceolate, slightly oblique, 6–8 Χ 3–4 mm, apex acute, 2- or 3-veined; petals loosely connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, broadly ovate, slightly oblique, 3.5–4.5 Χ ca. 3 mm, apex obtuse, 3-veined; lip flabellate, 3-lobed towards the apex, 11–15 Χ 13–19 mm, base cuneate; lateral lobes broadly oblong-ovate, ca. 4 Χ 5 mm, apices truncate; mid-lobe broadly obovate, ca. 4 Χ 7.5 mm, apex truncate to slightly emarginate; spur horizontal to pendulous, elongate-conical, straight to slightly curved, 15–17 mm, usually exceeding the ovary, gradually attenuate, apex acute; viscidia subovate; stigmatic lobes narrowly oblong. Fl. Apr–May.

* Rocky soils in forests, moist grasslands, valleys; 200–400 m. NE Zhejiang.

Diplomeris chinensis is tentatively referred to the synonymy of this species.

7. Amitostigma dolichacentrum T. Tang, F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 20: 84. 1982.

 长距无柱兰chang ju wu zhu lan

Plant 6–8 cm tall. Tubers ovoid, ca. 5.5 mm. Stem with 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate, pubsecent. Leaf sub-basal, porrect, elliptic or ovate, 0.7–2 Χ 0.3–0.8 cm, apex acute. Peduncle with 1 foliaceous, ovate sterile bract; rachis 1-flowered; floral bract ovate-lanceolate, ca. 5 mm, much shorter than the ovary, apex acuminate. Flower erect, rather large, colour not recorded; ovary and pedicel 10–12 mm; dorsal sepal erect, oblong-elliptic, 4–5 Χ 2.5–3 mm, apex obtuse, 3-veined; lateral sepals reflexed, oblong-obovate, oblique, 5–6 Χ 2–3 mm, apex obtuse, 3-veined; petals loosely connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, oblong-ovate, 4–5 Χ 2.5–3 mm, apex obtuse, 3-veined; lip orbicular-obovate, deeply 3-lobed near the base, 8–10 Χ 8–10 mm; lateral lobes linear-oblong, slightly oblique, 5–6 Χ 1–1.3 mm, apices obtuse, 1- or 2-veined; mid-lobe spatulate, ca. 7 Χ 3–5 mm, margins slightly crenulate, apex obtuse-rounded, 3–5-veined; spur pendulous, cylindrical, slightly incurved, 11–12 mm, about as long as to slightly exceeding the ovary, neck wide, attenuate towards the apex, apex obtuse. Fl. Jul.

* Habitat and elevation unknown. W Sichuan.

8. Amitostigma tibeticum Schlechter, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 20: 379. 1924.

 西藏无柱兰  xi cang wu zhu lan

Orchis tibetica (Schlechter) Soό.

Plant 6–8 cm tall. Tubers ellipsoid to globose, ca. 5 mm in diam. Stem with 1 or 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf sub-basal, erect, ligulate, lanceolate, or oblanceolate, 2.5–3 Χ 0.5–0.6 cm, apex subacute or subobtuse. Peduncle ebracteate; rachis 1-flowered; floral bract oblong-lanceolate, 8–14 mm, exceeding the ovary, apex subacute. Flower suberect, rather large, pinkish-purple to mauve; ovary and pedicel 7–10 mm; dorsal sepal erect, narrowly ovate-oblong, slightly concave, ca. 7 Χ 2–3 mm long, apex obtuse, 3-veined; lateral sepals spreading to reflexed, sometimes twisted, narrowly ovate-oblong, slightly, oblique, ca. 7 Χ 3.5 mm, apex obtuse, 3-veined; petals loosely connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, narrowly ovate, slightly oblique, ca. 6 Χ 3 mm, 2-veined; lip obovate to obcordate, 3-lobed below the middle, 8–9 Χ ca. 6 mm, base broadly cuneate; lateral lobes ovate-triangular, oblique, 1.5–3.5 Χ 1–3 mm, margins irregularly serrate, apices acute or obtuse; mid-lobe obcordate, 4.5–6 Χ 4–5 mm, margins irregularly serrate, apex slightly emarginate; spur pendulous, cylindrical, slightly incurved, 8–9 mm, about as long as to slightly exceeding the ovary, slightly attenuate, apex obtuse; viscidia ovoid; stigmatic lobes oblong. Fl. Aug.

* Alpine meadows; 3600–4400 m. SE Xizang, NW Yunnan.

9. Amitostigma parceflorum (Finet) Schlechter, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 4: 94. 1919.

 少花无柱兰  shao hua wu zhu lan

Peristylus tetralobus Finet f. parceflorus Finet, Rev. Gen. Bot. 13: 525. 1901; Orchis parceflora (Finet) Handel-Mazzetti; O. tetraloba var. parciflora (Finet) Soό.

Plant 10–15 cm tall. Tubers subglobose, ca. 8 Χ 6 mm. Stem with 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf cauline, porrect, linear to elliptic-lanceolate, ca. 3.5 Χ 0.4 cm, apex acute. Peduncle ebracteate; rachis 2–4 cm, laxly 3–5-flowered; floral bracts lanceolate, ca. 3 mm, much shorter than the ovary, apex acute. Flowers rose-red; ovary and pedicel 7–9 mm; dorsal sepal erect, ovate-oblong, slightly concave, 2–3 Χ ca. 1.3 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading, oblong, slightly oblique, 2.2–3.5 Χ ca. 1.4 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; petals erect or loosely connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, ovate, oblique, 2–3 Χ ca. 1.7 mm, apex acute, 1-veined; lip oblong-obovate, 3-lobed below the middle, 6–8 Χ ca. 4 mm; lateral lobes narrowly oblong, slightly falcate, 3–4 Χ ca. 1 mm, broadening slightly towards the apex, apices truncate-obtuse; mid-lobe oblanceolate, ca. 5 Χ 3.5 mm, widening gradually from narrow base, deeply divided above the middle to form 2 distinct lobules, sinus usually with a small tooth; spur pendulous, cylindrical, straight to slightly incurved, 4–6 mm, shorter than the ovary, attenuate towards the apex, apex acute; viscidia suborbicular; stigmatic lobes oblong. Fl. Jul.

* Forests; 2000 m. NE Sichuan.

10. Amitostigma tetralobum (Finet) Schlechter, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 4: 95. 1919.

 滇蜀无柱兰  dian shu wu zhu lan

Peristylus tetralobus Finet, Rev. Gen. Bot. 13: 524. 1901; Amitostigma yunnanense Schlechter; Orchis tetraloba (Finet) Schlechter; O. tetraloba var. yunnanensis (Schlechter) Soό.

Plant 7–26 cm tall. Tubers subglobose to oblong, 10–15 Χ 5–10 mm in diam. Stem with 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf cauline, porrect, linear-lanceolate, 2–8 Χ 0.3–0.8 cm, apex acute. Peduncle ebracteate or with 1 occasionally foliaceous sterile bract; rachis 1–3.5 cm, laxly to subdensely  3- to more than 10-flowered; floral bracts lanceolate, 3–6 mm, usually shorter than the ovary, apex acute. Flowers secund, pink to pale purple; ovary and pedicel 6–9 mm; dorsal sepal erect, oblong-ovate, concave, 2.5–3.3 Χ ca. 2 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading to reflexed, ovate, slightly oblique, 3–4 Χ ca. 1.8 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; petals loosely connivent with the dorsal sepal and forming a hood, broadly ovate, slightly oblique, 2.8–3.5 Χ ca. 2 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lip rhombic-obovate, 3-lobed near the middle, 4.5–6(–8) Χ 3.5–4 mm, disc finely papillate; lateral lobes oblong-obovate, 2–3.5 Χ 1.6–2 mm, apices obtuse-truncate; mid-lobe oblong-obovate, 2.5–4 Χ ca. 2 mm, base attenuate, apex usually obtuse-truncate, or occasionally emarginate to shallowly notched to form 2 small lobules; spur more or less pendulous, slightly incurved, cylindrical, 3.5–6 mm, slightly dilated apex towards the apex, apex obtuse; viscidia narrowly elliptic; stigmatic lobes clavate. Fl. Jun–Aug.

* Rocky soils in forests, grassy slopes; 1500–2700 m. SW Sichuan, W and SW Yunnan.

11. Amitostigma capitatum T. Tang & F. T. Wang, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. Ser. 7: 4. 1936.

 头序无柱兰  tou xu wu zhu lan

Plant 8–14 cm tall. Tubers ellipsoid, 6–8 mm. Stem with 1 or 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf cauline, porrect, narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblong, 3.5–5 Χ 0.5–1.5 cm, apex acute. Peduncle ebracteate; rachis 0.8–1 cm, densely several- to more than 10-flowered; floral bracts lanceolate, 3–5 mm, nearly as long as ovary, apex acuminate. Flowers white; ovary and pedicel 4–6 mm; dorsal sepal ovate-elliptic, concave, 2–2.2 Χ 1.5–1.7 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined, inner surface finely papillate; lateral sepals ovate-elliptic, oblique, 2.5–3 Χ 2–2.2 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined, inner surfaces finely papillate; petals broadly ovate, oblique, 1.5–1.8 Χ 1.8–2 mm, apex obtuse, 2-veined, inner surfaces finely papillate; lip obovate, 3-lobed near the middle, ca. 5 Χ 3.3 mm, concave at base; lateral lobes ovate-oblong, slightly oblique, ca. 1.5 Χ 0.5 mm, apices obtuse; mid-lobe oblong, ca. 1.6 Χ 0.5 mm, apex truncate and shallowly notched, sinus with a small acute tooth; spur pendulous, globose, ca. 1 mm, apex rounded; viscidia oblong; stigmatic lobes clavate. Fl. Jul.

* Rocky soils and damp places in forests; 2600–3600 m. W Hubei, E and W Sichuan.

12. Amitostigma gracile (Blume) Schlechter, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 4: 93. 1919.

 无柱兰  wu zhu lan

Mitostigma gracile Blume, Mus. Bot. Lugd. Bat. 2: 190. 1856; Amitostigma chinense (Rolfe) Schlechter; A. formosana (S. S. Ying) S. S. Ying; A. yuukiana Fukuyama; Cynosorchis chinensis Rolfe; C. gracilis (Blume) Kraenzlin; Gymnadenia gracilis (Blume) Miquel; Gymnadenia tryphiaeformis H. G. Reichenbach; Orchis formosensis S. S. Ying; Orchis gracilis (Blume) Soό; Orchis gracilis var. chinensis (Rolfe) Soό; Orchis sooii S. S. Ying; Orchis yuukiana (Fukuyama) S. S. Ying; Ponerorchis formosensis (S. S. Ying) S. S. Ying.

Plant 7–25 cm tall. Tubers ovoid to oblong-ellipsoid, 8–15 Χ 5–10 cm in diam. Stem with 1 or 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf usually basal, porrect, oblong to ovate-lanceolate, 3–12 Χ 0.8–3 cm, apex obtuse or acute. Peduncle with 1 sterile bract; rachis 0.5–4 cm, subdensely 5- to more than 15-flowered; floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 2–3 mm, much shorter than the ovary. Flowers often secund, pink, purplish-red, or purple; ovary and pedicel 4–8 mm, usually straight; dorsal sepal ovate, concave, 2–3 Χ 1.2–2 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals erect to spreading, ovate to obovate, slightly oblique, 2–3 Χ 1.2–1.8 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; petals connivent with the dorsal sepal and forming a hood, elliptic to ovate, oblique, 2–3 Χ ca. 2 mm, apex acute to obtuse, 1-veined; lip obovate, 3-lobed above the middle, 3.5–5(–7) Χ 2.5–3.2 mm, base cuneate, 5–7(–9)-veined; lateral lobes linear-oblong to triangular, often falcate, 1–2 Χ 0.5–0.8 mm, apices obtuse-truncate or acute; mid-lobe obovate, 2–2.8 Χ 1.2–1.8 mm, larger than the lateral lobes, apex truncate or obtuse-rounded, sometimes emarginate; spur pendulous, cylindrical, straight to very slightly incurved, 1–2.5(–3.5) mm, much shorter than the ovary, apex obtuse; viscidia elliptic; stigmatic lobes subclavate. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Sep–Oct. 2n=42.

Damp, rocky soils in forest, crevices, valleys; 200–3000 m. Anhui, N Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea].

13. Amitostigma trifurcatum T. Tang, F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 20: 80. 1982.

 三叉无柱兰  san cha wu zhu lan

Plant 24–36 cm tall. Tubers globose, 7–10 mm in diam. Stem with 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf cauline, porrect, narrowly oblong-lanceolate, 5.5–7.5 Χ 0.5–0.7 cm, apex acute. Peduncle with 2 occasionally foliaceous sterile bracts; rachis 2–6 cm, subdensely 6–9-flowered; floral bracts lanceolate, 4–5 mm, shorter than the ovary, apex acuminate. Flowers secund, rose-pink with darker spots on the lip; ovary and pedicel 6–7 mm; dorsal sepal erect, narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, 3–4 Χ 1–1.5 mm, apex subacute, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading to reflexed, narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, slightly oblique, 3.2–4.2 Χ 1–1.5 mm, apex subacute; petals forming a hood to erect, narrowly ovate-lanceolate, slightly oblique, 3–3.8 Χ ca. 1.5 mm, apex subacute, 1-veined; lip narrowly elliptic, 3-lobed below the middle, 5–7.5 Χ 2.4–3 mm, with 5 thick, raised veins; lateral lobes lanceolate to narrowly triangular, 1–1.5 Χ ca. 0.3 mm, apices obtuse or acute; mid-lobe oblong-ligulate, 3.5–4 Χ 1–1.5 mm, apex obtuse; spur pendulous, subconical to shortly cylindrical, 1–1.5 mm, apex obtuse; viscidia large, narrowly ovate; stigmatic lobes subclavate. Fl. Sep.

* Marshes, wet grasslands; 2900 m. NW Yunnan.

14. Amitostigma basifoliatum (Finet) Schlechter, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 4: 92. 1919.

 四裂无柱兰  si lie wu zhu lan

Peristylus tetralobus Finet f. basifoliatus Finet, Rev. Gen. Bot. 13: 525. 1901; Orchis basifoliata (Finet) Schlechter.

Plant 10–23 cm tall. Tubers subglobose, 5–10 mm. Stem with 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf basal or cauline, porrect, narrowly oblong-lanceolate, 3.5–7 Χ 0.5–1.4 cm, apex acute. Peduncle ebracteate; rachis 0.5–3 cm, sublaxly 4- to densely more than 10-flowered; floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 3–6 mm, shorter than the ovary, apex acute to acuminate. Flowers secund, white often tinged pinkish-red, with purple spots on the lip; ovary and pedicel 6–10 mm; dorsal sepal erect, ovate-oblong, concave, 3–3.5 Χ ca. 1.7 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading to reflexed, oblong, oblique, 4–4.5 Χ ca. 2 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; petals connivent with the dorsal sepal and forming a hood, rhombic-ovate, 4–4.5 Χ ca. 2.5 mm, apex acute, 1-veined; lip broadly obovate, 3-lobed below the middle, 5–7 Χ 7–9 mm; lateral lobes oblong, slightly falcate, 3–5 Χ 2–3 mm, apex irregularly obtuse-toothed; mid-lobe obovate-flabellate, 4–5 Χ 4–6 mm, base cuneate, apex truncate, irregularly crenulate to shallowly notched to form 2 small lobules, sinus often with a short obtuse tooth; spur pendulous, cylindrical, straight to slightly incurved, 2–3 mm, apex obtuse; viscidia ovoid; stigmatic lobes clavate-oblong. Fl. Jun–Jul.

* Damp places in forests, grassy slopes; 2600–3800 m. SW Sichuan, NW and NE Yunnan.

15. Amitostigma faberi (Rolfe) Schlechter, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 4: 93. 1919.

 峨眉无柱兰  e mei wu zhu lan

Habenaria faberi Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 201. 1896; Gymndenia faberi (Rolfe) Rolfe; Orchis faberi (Rolfe) Soό.

Plant 3.5–15(–21) cm tall. Tubers ovoid, 5–10 mm. Stem with 1 or 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf cauline, porrect, linear-lanceolate to narrowly oblong-elliptic, 3–6 Χ 0.5–1.3 cm, apex acute or obtuse. Peduncle with 1 sterile bract; rachis 1.5–8 cm, several- to more than 10-flowered (rarely 1- or 2-flowered); floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, ca. 3 mm, much shorter than the ovary, apex acuminate. Flowers often secund, pinkish-purple; ovary and pedicel 8–10 mm; dorsal sepal broadly oblong-elliptic, concave, 2.5–3.5 Χ 2–3 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading, broadly ovate, slightly oblique, 3–4 Χ 2–3 mm, 1-veined; petals connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, broadly ovate-orbicular, slightly oblique, 2–3 Χ 2.5–3 mm, apex obtuse, margins somewhat undulate, 1-veined; lip broadly ovate-orbicular, 3-lobed below the middle, 6–7.5 Χ 6.2–7.5 mm, base cuneate, disc densely papillate; lateral lobes overlapping the mid-lobe, oblong, slightly falcate, 2.5–3.8 Χ ca. 1.5 mm, apices obtuse, apical margins crenate; mid-lobe obovate, 3–4.2 Χ 6–7 mm, base cuneate and short-clawed, apical margins irregularly crenate, deeply notched towards the apex to form 2 distinct lobules, sinus with an obtuse tooth; spur pendulous, cylindrical-clavate, slightly incurved, 5–6 mm, slightly dilated towards the apex, apex obtuse; viscidia ovate-lanceolate; stigmatic lobes clavate. Fl. Jul.

* Forests, scrub, valleys, crevices, alpine grasslands, grassy slopes; (600–)2300–4300 m. NE Guizhou, Sichuan, NW Yunnan.

16. Amitostigma gonggashanicum K. Y. Lang, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 22: 315. 1984.

 贡嗄无柱兰  gong sha wu zhu lan

Plant 16–30 cm tall. Tubers ovoid to globose, 10–15 Χ ca. 10 mm in diam. Stem with 2 tubular sheaths at base, 1-foliate. Leaf cauline, erect, narrowly oblong-elliptic, 5.5–8 Χ 0.6–1.6 cm, apex acute. Peduncle ebracteate; rachis  2.5–5 cm, subdensely 3–14-flowered; floral bracts lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, shorter than the ovary, apex acute. Flowers 1–2 cm in diam., purplish-red, the lip white; ovary and pedicel 15–20(–25) mm; dorsal sepal erect, oblong-ovate, ca. 7 Χ 3.5 mm, apex obtuse, 3-veined; lateral sepals spreading, oblong-ovate, slightly oblique, ca. 7.2 Χ 3.5 mm, apex obtuse, 3-veined; petals connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, ovate, ca. 6 Χ 4 mm, apex obtuse, 3(–5)-veined; lip broadly ovate, deeply 3-lobed near the base, ca. 13 Χ 13 mm, with a dense cluster of hairs near base; lateral lobes obovate, ca. 4 Χ 4 mm, margins undulate, apices obtuse; mid-lobe broadly obovate, ca. 7 Χ 6 mm, margins undulate, deeply notched towards the apex to form 2 distinct lobules, sinus with a small obtuse tooth; spur pendulous, cylindrical-conical, ca. 4 mm, apex obtuse; viscidia ovate; stigmatic lobes elliptic. Fl. Jun–Jul.

* Forests; 2400–3800 m. SW Sichuan.

17. Amitostigma alpestre Fukuyama, Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 49: 664. 1935.

 台湾无柱兰  tai wan wu zhu lan

Orchis alpestre (Fukuyama) S. S. Ying.

Plant 5–20 cm tall. Tubers ovoid to subglobose, 5–7 Χ 3–4 mm in diam. Stem with 2 tubular sheaths at base, 2- (rarely 1-)foliate. Leaves cauline, erect to porrect, usually widely spaced, oblanceolate to linear, 3.5–7.5 Χ 0.5–1 cm, apex acute. Peduncle ebracteate; rachis less than 1 cm, 2–4-flowered; floral bracts lanceolate, 5–7 mm, slightly shorter than the ovary, apex acuminate, green or purple. Flowers often secund, pale pink to white with darker pink spots on the lip; ovary and pedicel 5–8 mm; dorsal sepal erect, ovate-oblong, concave, 4–5 Χ 2–2.5 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading, narrowly elliptic or ovate-oblong, slightly oblique, 5–6.5 Χ 2–3 mm, apex acute, 3-veined; petals connivent with the dorsal sepal and forming a hood, ovate-lanceolate, slightly oblique, 4–5 Χ 1.4–1.6 mm, apex obtuse, 1–3-veined; lip obovate, 3-lobed near the middle, 5–6.5 Χ 4.5–5.5 mm, disc finely papillate; lateral lobes ovate-oblong, falcate, 2.8–3.5 Χ ca. 0.5 mm, apices acute or obtuse; mid-lobe obovate-quadrate, 4–4.5 Χ ca. 4.5 mm, apex truncate and shallowly notched to form 2 lobules, sinus with a small tooth; spur pendulous, cylindrical, slightly incurved, 4–4.5 mm, shorter than the ovary, slightly attenuate towards the apex, apex obtuse; viscidia ovate. Fl. Jul.

* Alpine grasslands, rocky patches; 2500–3800 m. C and N Taiwan.

18. Amitostigma yuanum T. Tang & F. T. Wang, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. Ser. 10: 26. 1940.

 齿片无柱兰  chi pian wu zhu lan

Plant 7.5–15 cm tall. Tubers globose, 3–5 mm in diam. Stem with 1–2 tubular sheaths at base, 2-foliate. Leaves cauline, erect to porrect, widely spaced, narrowly ovate, oblong-lanceolate, or oblanceolate, 0.6–3.5 Χ 0.3–0.6 mm, apex acute. Peduncle ebracteate; rachis 1- or 2-flowered; floral bracts narrowly ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 7–8 mm, about as long as the ovary, apex acute or acuminate. Flowers 1–1.5 cm across, pink or white; ovary and pedicel 7–8 mm; dorsal sepal erect, concave, oblong, ca. 4 Χ 1.5–2 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals reflexed, ovate-oblong, slightly oblique, ca. 5 Χ 2.5 mm, apex acute, 1-veined; petals loosely connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, ovate, ca. 3 Χ 2 mm, apex acute, margins crenulate, 3-veined; lip orbicular to transversely elliptic, 3-lobed towards the apex, ca. 7 Χ 8.5 mm, disc finely papillate; lateral lobes quadrate, oblique, ca. 2 Χ 2.5 mm, slightly widened towards the apex, apex truncate, apical margin crenulate, 3-veined; mid-lobe subquadrate, smaller than the lateral lobes, ca. 1.3 Χ 2 mm, apex truncate and shallowly notched, sinus with a small acute tooth, 3-veined; spur pendulous, cylindrical, straight to slightly incurved, 5–7 mm, slightly shorter than ovary, slightly attenuate towards the apex, apex obtuse; viscidia ellipsoid; stigmatic lobes oblong. Fl. Jul–Aug.

* On moss in Rhododendron thickets, alpine grasslands; 3000–3700 m. SE Xizang, NW Yunnan.

19. Amitostigma papilionaceum T. Tang, F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 20: 83. 1982.

 蝶花无柱兰  die hua wu zhu lan

Plant 2–3.5 cm tall. Tubers oblong, 6–10 Χ ca. 4 mm. Stem with tubular sheaths at base, 2-foliate. Leaves basal, subopposite, porrect, ovate-orbicular, elliptic or lanceolate, 0.3–0.7 Χ 0.1–0.6 cm, apex acute, slightly fleshy. Peduncle ebracteate; rachis 1-flowered; floral bract ovate-lanceolate, ca. 3 mm, much shorter than the ovary, apex acute. Flower horizontal to erect, rather large, pale purple, with dark purple spots at the base of the lip; ovary and pedicel ca. 7 mm; dorsal sepal erect, ovate-lanceolate, concave, 4–5 Χ 1.3–1.5 mm, apex subobtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading, oblong-lanceolate, slightly oblique, 4–5 Χ 1.3–1.5 mm, apex subobtuse, 1-veined; petals connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, ovate, slightly oblique, 4.5–5.5 Χ 2–2.5 mm, apex subobtuse, 1- or 2-veined; lip broadly elliptic-obovate, deeply 3-lobed below the middle, 7–9 Χ 5–8 mm; lateral lobes linear-oblong, 3–4.5 Χ 1–2 mm, apices obtuse, 1-veined; mid-lobe spatulate to obovate, 5–5.5 Χ 4–5 mm, margins denticulate, apex rounded, 3-veined; spur pendulous, globose, 1.5–2 mm, apex rounded. Fl. Jul.

* Rocky soils, cliffs; 2500 m. NW Sichuan.

20. Amitostigma bifoliatum T. Tang & F. T. Wang, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. Ser. 7: 127. 1936.

 棒距无柱兰  bang ju wu zhu lan

Plant 6.5–17 cm tall. Tubers ovoid to ellipsoid, ca. 10 Χ 5–6 mm in diam. Stem with 2 tubular sheaths at base, 2-foliate. Leaves basal, subopposite, erect to porrect, broadly ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 1.5–3 Χ 0.4–0.8 cm, apex acute to acuminate. Peduncle ebracteate; rachis 2–5 cm, subdensely several- to more than 10-flowered; floral bracts lanceolate, shorter than the ovary, apex acuminate. Flowers mostly secund, pale purple; ovary and pedicel ca. 8 mm; dorsal sepal elliptic-ovate, concave, ca. 4 Χ 2 mm, apex acute, 1-veined; lateral sepals reflexed, ovate-lanceolate, slightly oblique, ca. 4 Χ 2 mm, apex acute, 1-veined; petals connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, ovate, oblique, ca. 3.5 Χ 1.5 mm, apex acute, 1-veined; lip rhombic, 3-lobed below the middle, ca. 6 Χ 5–7 mm, disc finely papillate; lateral lobes linear; mid-lobe cuneate-oblong, ca. 3 mm, apex slightly dilated and irregularly serrulate; spur pendulous, cylindrical-clavate, slightly incurved, ca. 3 mm, neck contracted, apex obtuse; viscidia elliptic; stigmatic lobes clavate. Fl. Aug–Sep.

* Damp places, shrubby slopes, grasslands; 700–1200 m. S Gansu, N Sichuan.

21. Amitostigma physoceras Schlechter, Acta Hort. Gothob. 1: 133. 1924.

 球距无柱兰  qiu ju wu zhu lan

Orchis physoceras (Schlechter) Soό.

Plant 6–11 cm tall. Tubers subglobose, ca. 10 mm in diam. Stem 2-foliate. Leaves basal, subopposite, usually appressed to the substratum, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 1–2 Χ 0.7–1.4 cm, apex acute to subacuminate. Peduncle ebracteate; rachis up to 6 cm, subdensely 3–10-flowered; floral bracts lanceolate, much shorter than the ovary, apex acuminate. Flowers secund, pinkish-purple; ovary and pedicel 5–9 mm; dorsal sepal erect, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, concave, ca. 5 Χ 2 mm, apex acuminate, 1-veined; lateral sepals reflexed, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, slightly oblique, concave, ca. 5 Χ 2 mm, apex acuminate, 1-veined; petals ovate-lanceolate, ca. 5 Χ 3 mm, apex acute, 1-veined; lip ovate, deeply 3-lobed, ca. 9 Χ 7–8 mm, base broadly cuneate, disc finely papillate; lateral lobes slightly diverging, obovate-semirhombic, oblique, ca. 3 mm, apices obtuse, apical margins subcrenulate; mid-lobe suborbicular-obovate, ca. 5 Χ 4 mm, apex obtuse, margins irregularly denticulate; spur pendulous, with a short, contracted neck and then dilated and globose, ca. 3 mm, much shorter than the ovary; viscidia elliptic; stigmatic lobes clavate. Fl. Jul–Aug.

* Forests, damp places along cliffs, valleys; 2000–2700 m. NW and W Sichuan.

 

2. ANDROCORYS Schlechter, Fedde Repert. Sp. Nov. Beih. 4: 52. 1919.

 兜蕊兰属  dou rui lan shu

Small terrestrial herbs. Tuber globose to ovoid, fleshy, pubescent. Stem erect, slender, glabrous, with 1 basal leaf. Leaf ovate to narrowly elliptic, base attenuated into amplexicaul sheath. Inflorescence erect, terminal, with several to more than 10 flowers arranged in a short, sub-dense raceme; floral bracts very small, scale-like. Flowers resupinate, small, usually yellowish to green; ovary fusiform, twisted; sepals free; dorsal sepal erect, often broad, concave, forming a hood with the petals; lateral sepals longer and narrower than dorsal sepal; petals concave; lip small, reflexed, ligulate or linear, entire, base often dilated, spurless; column short, with 2 lateral appendages; anther erect, with 2 divergent, hooded locules and broad connective; pollinia 2, clavate, granular-farinaceous, sectile, each attached to a small viscidium; rostellum triangular; stigma 2-gibbose, attached to the base of the rostellum.

Six species: from the Himalayas through S China to Japan; five species (three endemic) in China.

1a. Lateral sepals pendulous and parallel to lip, their lower margins connivent with each other ………………. 1. A. ophioglossoides

1b.                   Lateral sepals spreading, not parallel to lip, their lower margins not connivent with each other.

2a. Sepal margins entire; petals shorter than or as long as dorsal sepal.

3a. Floral bracts broadly ovate, not spirally twisted; dorsal sepal 1–1.2 mm wide, apex obtuse 2. A. pugioniformis

3b. Floral bracts linear, spirally twisted; dorsal sepal 1.3–1.8 mm wide, apex apiculate .....  3. A. spiralis

2b.                                                                  Sepal margins denticulate; petals longer than dorsal sepal.

4a. Floral bracts ovate, ca. 1.5 mm; petals elliptic or obliquely orbicular, as broad as dorsal sepal  4. A. pusillus

4b. Floral bracts broadly ovate, ca. 0.8 mm; petals obliquely oblong-lanceolate, narrower than dorsal sepal         5. A. oxysepalus

1. Androcorys ophioglossoides Schlechter, Fedde Repert. Sp. Nov. Beih. 4: 53. 1919.

 兜蕊兰  dou rui lan

Plant 8–21 cm tall. Tuber globose, 5–8 mm in diam. Stem erect, slender, bearing 2 tubular sheaths and 1 leaf at base. Leaf elongate-elliptic to oblong-spatulate, 3–9 Χ 0.8–2 cm, apex obtuse. Rachis 2.5–9 cm, 6–20-flowered; floral bracts ca. 1 mm, apex subtruncate. Flowers yellowish-green or green; ovary and pedicel 4–4.5 mm; dorsal sepal erect, broadly ovate, entire, concave, 1–1.2 Χ 0.9–1.1 mm, apex obtuse or subacute, 1-veined; lateral sepals obliquely elliptic, entire, pendulous, parallel to lip, the lower margins connivent with each other, ca. 2 Χ 1 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; petals large, erect, oblique, broadly ovate, unequal-sided, concave, ca. 1.5 Χ 1.3 mm, apex obtuse; lip small, linear-ligulate, 1.2–1.8 mm, apex obtuse, base slightly dilated and ca. 0.7 mm wide; connective ca. 1 mm wide. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep.

* Alpine forests, damp alpine grasslands; 1600–3900 m. Gansu, Guizhou, Qinghai, Shaanxi.

2. Androcorys pugioniformis (Lindley ex J. D. Hooker) K. Y. Lang, Guihaia 16: 105. 1996.

 剑唇兜蕊兰  jian chun dou rui lan

Herminium pugioniformis Lindley ex J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit. Ind. 6: 130. 1890; H. nivale Schlechter.

Plant 5.5–18 cm tall. Tuber globose, 6–10 mm in diam. Stem erect or ascending, slender to relatively stout, bearing 1–2 tubular sheaths and 1 leaf at base. Leaf oblanceolate, oblong, narrowly elliptic or elliptic, 2–4 Χ 0.4–1.2 cm, apex obtuse or acute. Rachis 0.8–2.5 cm, 3–10-flowered; floral bracts broadly ovate, apex acute, much shorter than the ovary. Flowers green; ovary and pedicel 4–5 mm; dorsal sepal erect, ovate or ovate-orbicular, entire, concave, ca. 1.5 Χ 1–1.2 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals obliquely obovate to elliptic, entire, spreading, 1.7–2.2 Χ 1–1.2 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; petals obliquely obovate, entire, concave, 1.3–1.5 Χ 0.5–0.8 mm, apex obtuse or subacute, 1-veined; lip fleshy, linear-oblong, 1.7–2.5 mm, apex obtuse, base conspicuously dilated and 0.5–1 mm wide; connective ca. 0.6 mm wide; viscidia ellipsoid. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep.

Abies forests, alpine thickets and meadows; 2700–5200 m. E to S Qinghai, NW Sichuan, Xizang, NW Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Kashmir, Nepal, Sikkim].

3. Androcorys spiralis T. Tang & F. T. Wang, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. Ser. 10: 38. 1940.

 蜀藏兜蕊兰  shu cang dou rui lan

Plant 5–12 cm tall. Tuber globose, 5–8 mm in diam. Stem erect or ascending, slender, bearing 2 tubular sheaths and 1 leaf at base. Leaf oblong, 2–2.5 Χ 0.8–1 cm, apex obtuse. Rachis 2–2.5 cm, 3–8-flowered; floral bracts linear, spirally twisted, apex acuminate, shorter than the ovary. Flowers green; ovary and pedicel 3–7 mm; dorsal sepal erect, broadly ovate, entire, concave, 1.5–2 Χ 1.3–1.8 mm, apex apiculate, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading, oblong, entire, 2–2.75 Χ 1–1.2 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; petals obliquely oblong, concave, 1.3–2 Χ 0.5–0.7 mm, apex obtuse or acuminate and with margins incurved, 1-veined; lip fleshy, linear-ligulate, 1.8–2.1 mm, apex obtuse, base dilated and ca. 0.8 mm wide; connective very broad. Fl. Sep.

* Forests; 2800–3500 m. SW Sichuan, SE Xizang, NW Yunnan.

4. Androcorys pusillus (Ohwi & Fukuyama) Masamune, Hokuriku J. Bot. 12: 88. 1963.

 小兜蕊兰  xiao dou rui lan

Herminium pusillum Ohwi & Fukuyama, Bot. Mag. Tokyo 48: 430. 1934; Androcorys japonensis F. Maekawa; A. pusilla (Ohwi & Fukuyama) T. S. Liu & H. J. Su; A. pusillensis (Ohwi & Fukuyama) S. S. Ying.

Plant 10–22 cm tall. Tuber ovoid or globose, 5–7 mm in diam. Stem erect, slender, bearing 1–3 tubular sheaths and 1 leaf at base. Leaf ovate to oblong, 2–4.5 Χ 1–2.2 cm, apex obtuse. Rachis ca. 2.5 cm, 8–13-flowered; floral bracts ovate, 1.5 mm, shorter than ovary. Flowers green; ovary and pedicel 3–4 mm; dorsal sepal erect, triangular-ovate, orbicular or broadly ligulate, margins irregularly denticulate, concave, 1–1.2 Χ ca. 1 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading, narrowly oblong, margins slightly denticulate, 2–3 Χ 0.7–1 mm, apex obtuse or subacute, 1-veined; petals elliptic to obliquely orbicular, margins entire or slightly denticulate, concave, 1.2–1.5 Χ ca. 1 mm, apex rounded, base cuneate, 1-veined; lip fleshy, ligulate, 2–2.2 Χ ca. 0.7 mm, apex obtuse, base dilated; connective broad. Fl. Jul.

Forests, alpine meadows; 2500–3500 m. C Taiwan [Japan].

5. Androcorys oxysepalus K. Y. Lang, Guihaia 16: 106. 1996.

 尖萼兜蕊兰  jian e dou rui lan

Plant 6–7 cm tall. Tuber globose, ca. 5 mm in diam. Stem erect or ascending, slender, bearing 2 tubular sheaths and 1 leaf at base. Leaf elliptic to oblong, 1.5–1.7 Χ 0.8–0.9 mm, apex obtuse. Rachis 1.8–2 cm, 6- or 7-flowered; floral bracts broadly ovate, ca. 0.8 mm, apex acute, much shorter than ovary. Flowers small, green; ovary and pedicel 3 mm; dorsal sepal erect, broadly ovate, margins denticulate, concave, ca. 1.6 Χ 1.2 mm, apex acuminate, 1-veined; lateral sepals spreading, narrowly oblong-lanceolate, margins denticulate, ca. 3 Χ 1 mm, apex acuminate and thickened, 1-veined; petals erect, obliquely oblong-lanceolate, entire, concave, ca. 2 Χ 0.8 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined; lip pending, fleshy, linear-lanceolate, ca. 1.5 mm, apex obtuse, base dilated and ca. 0.6 mm wide; connective broad. Fl. Aug.

* Abies forests; 3900 m. NW Yunnan.

 

 

3. ANOECTOCHILUS Blume, Bijdr. 8: 411. 1825, nom. conserv.

 开唇兰属  kai chun lan shu

Chrysobaphus Wallich.

Terrestrial herbs. Rhizome terete, several-noded, fleshy, creeping. Roots long filiform to fibrous, villose, arising singly from rhizome nodes. Stem erect or ascending, bearing one to a few loose tubular sheaths at base, and a few clustered subrosulate leaves, glabrous. Leaves ovate or elliptic, velvety and often slightly fleshy, green to purplish-black with white, pinkish or golden reticulate venation on adaxial surface, with a long petiole-like base dilating into tubular amplexicaul sheath. Inflorescence erect, terminal, racemose, pubescent; peduncle bearing a few scattered sheathing bracts; rachis laxly 2–10-flowered. Flowers resupinate or not; ovary slender, twisted or not; sepals free, similar, often spreading widely, outer surfaces usually pubsecent; dorsal sepal forming a hood with the petals; petals membranous, obliquely ligulate-oblong; lip basally adnate to the base of the column, distinctly 3-partite, with an exserted conical to cylindrical spur at base; hypochile semi-tubular, the lateral margins erect; mesochile short to elongate, canaliculate, both external lateral margins bearing an entire, pectinate or filamentous flange; epichile entire to deeply 2-lobed, the lobes divergent, rarely divided; spur containing a pair of irregular calli or septa; column short, dorsally dilated, ventrally bearing 2 intramarginal, lamellate or fleshy appendages (wings); anther erect, ovoid, 2-locular; pollinia 2, clavate, sectile, granular-farinaceous, each attenuate into a narrow stalk attached to a single ovate viscidium; rostellum usually erect, remnant short-bifid; stigmatic lobes 2, separate, convex, placed laterally towards apex of column. Capsule narrowly ellipsoid.

About 30 species: India and the eastern Himalayas through S and SE Asia to Australia and SW Pacific Islands; ten species (six endemic) in China.

The taxonomic distinction between Anoectochilus and its close ally Odontochilus has been problematic, and members of the latter (and other closely related genera) have frequently been lumped with those of the former. Anoectochilus is circumscribed here in line with Genera Orchidacearum (Vol. 3: 69–72. 2003), which regards the ornate venation of the leaves, the conical spur that is exserted beyond the bases of the lateral sepals, and the widely separated stigmatic lobes that are placed laterally towards the apex of the column as definitive generic characters. Members of Odontochilus, in contrast, lack coloured reticulate venation on their leaves, possess only a short saccate hypochile that is enclosed within the bases of the lateral sepals, and have confluent or narrowly separated stigmatic lobes that are positioned directly beneath the rostellum. Further work is clearly required to better resolve generic and specific affinities; the endemic species of China, in particular, remain poorly known.

1a. Lip T-shaped, the epichile lobes diverging at right angles to the axis of the lip.............. 1. A. pingbianensis

1b. Lip Y-shaped, the epichile lobes diverging at an acute angle to one another.

2a. Mesochile of lip bearing entire or occasionally shallowly notched flanges.

3a. Lip 13–22 mm long, yellow; spur 2–3.2 mm long, apex obtuse......................... 2. A. burmannicus

3b. Lip ca. 10 mm long, white; spur 4–6 mm long, apex deeply bilobed..................... 3. A. koshunensis

2b. Mesochile of lip bearing pectinate or filamentous flanges.

4a. Flowers resupinate; ovary twisted.

5a. Mesochile flange composed of 4–8 teeth, each tooth ca. 1 mm long; spur lacking calli 4. A. xingrenensis

5b. Mesochile flange 3–5-laciniate, each filament 2–6 mm long; spur containing 2 carunculate or lamellate calli.

6a. Ovary and pedicel ca. 8 mm long; lip white; flange filaments 2–3.5 mm long 5. A. baotingensis

6b. Ovary and pedicel 10–14 mm long; lip pale yellowish-white; flange filaments 4–6 mm long           6. A. formosanus

4b. Flowers usually erect, not resupinate; ovary not twisted.

7a. Lip pinkish-white, mesochile flanges 6–8-laciniate, each filament 2.5–6 mm long 7. A. roxburghii

7b. Lip white, mesochile flanges fimbriate, composed of 2–5 teeth, each tooth 1.5–3 mm long.

8a.  Epichile lobes 8–9 Χ 6–7 mm................................................. 8. A chapaensis

8b. Epichile lobes 5–6 Χ 2–5 mm.

9a. Leaves 0.7–2.6 Χ 0.6–2.1 cm; epichile lobes flabellate, ca. 5 mm wide 9. A. zhejiangensis

9b. Leaves 3.5–4 Χ 3–3.2 cm; epichile lobes oblong to oblanceolate, ca. 2 mm wide          10. A. emeiensis

 

1. Anoectochilus pingbianensis K. Y. Lang, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 34: 556. 1996.

 屏边金线兰  ping bian jin xian lan

Plant 15–18 cm tall. Stem erect or ascending, 3–4 mm in diam., 4–5-foliate. Leaves ovate, slightly oblique, 3–4.5 Χ 2–3 cm, apex acute, adaxial surface dark green with gold venation, abaxial surface pale green or pale red; petiole-like base and tubular sheath 1.5–2 cm long. Peduncle ca. 9 cm long, bearing 2 or 3 pale red sheathing sterile bracts; rachis ca. 4 cm long, few- to 8-flowered; floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 10–13 mm long, as long as the ovary, apex acuminate, outer surface pubescent. Flowers resupinate; ovary and pedicel cylindrical-fusiform, twisted, 10–12 mm long; densely pubescent; sepals pink, outer surfaces pubescent, 1-veined; dorsal sepal ovate, cymbiform, ca. 6 Χ 4 mm, apex acute; lateral sepals oblong, slightly oblique, ca. 8 Χ 3.5 mm, apex acute, spreading; petals ovate, slightly oblique, ca. 6 Χ 2 mm, apex acute, 1-veined, white; lip T-shaped, ca. 9 mm long, white; hypochile ca. 2 mm long; mesochile ca. 2.8 mm long; flanges laciniate, composed of 5 or 6 narrow filaments; epichile transversely dilated, broader than long, 2-lobed; lobes narrowly oblong, entire, diverging at right angles to axis of lip, ca. 5.5 Χ 1.2 mm, apices obtuse; spur conical, ca. 3 mm long, mouth ca. 2 mm in diam., apex obtuse, containing 2 narrowly elliptic, fleshy, stalked calli near entrance; column ovoid, ca. 2.8 mm long, bearing 2 lamellate wings; stigmatic lobes suborbicular. Fl. Oct.

* Shaded, humid places in forests; 1500 m. SE Yunnan.

2. Anoectochilus burmannicus Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1922: 24. 1922.

 滇南开唇兰  dian nan kai chun lan

Plant 16–30 cm tall. Roots fibrous, up to 9 cm long. Stem erect, 3–6-foliate. Leaves broadly ovate to ovate-elliptic, slightly oblique, 3–8 Χ 1.8–5 cm, apex acute, adaxial surface blackish-green with limited bronze venation, abaxial surface pinkish-red; petiole-like base and tubular sheath 1.5–2.8 cm long. Peduncle 9–14 cm long, bearing 2 or 3 pale red sterile sheathing bracts; rachis 3.5–6 cm, 3–12-flowered; floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, often sheathing the ovary at base, 9–14 mm long, shorter than the ovary, apex acuminate, outer surface sparsely pubescent. Flowers erect, not resupinate; ovary and pedicel narrowly fusiform, not twisted, 11–15 mm long, pubescent; sepals pink, outer surfaces pubescent, 1-veined; dorsal sepal broadly ovate, cymbiform, 4.5–6 Χ 4–5 mm, apex subobtuse; lateral sepals oblong-elliptic, oblique, 6–7.5 Χ 3–5 mm, apex subacute, spreading; petals broadly ovate-elliptic, strongly oblique, falcate, 5–6 Χ 3–4 mm, apex obtuse, 1-veined, yellowish-white; lip Y-shaped, 13–22 mm long, yellow; hypochile 2–3 mm long; mesochile reflexed at right angle from apex of hypochile, 5–9 mm long; flanges narrow, margins entire, terminating in small, slightly revolute auricles at apex of mesochile; epichile longitudinally dilated, 2-lobed; lobes oblong, oblanceolate or spatulate, entire, diverging at an acute angle to one another, 6–9 Χ 2–3 mm, apices obtuse; spur conical, 2–3.2 mm long, mouth 1.5–2.2 mm in diam., apex obtuse, containing 2 subelliptic, sessile calli near entrance; column broadly ovoid, ca. 3 mm long, bearing 2 lamellate wings; stigmatic lobes elliptic. Fl. Sep–Dec.

Damp places in evergreen broad-leaved forest, valleys; 1000–2200 m. S Yunnan [Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand].

3. Anoectochilus koshunensis Hayata, Icon. Pl. Formos. 4: 104. 1914.

 恒春银线兰  heng chun yin xian lan

Odontochilus koshunensis (Hayata) S. S. Ying.

Plant ca. 20 cm tall. Stem ascending, 2–4-foliate. Leaves ovate to orbicular-ovate, 3–4 Χ 2–3 cm, apex acute, upper surface blackish-green with white venation, abaxial surface reddish-purple; petiole-like base and tubular sheath ca. 1 cm long. Peduncle 7–10 cm long, bearing 2 or 3 sheathing sterile bracts, reddish-brown; rachis ca. 4.5 cm long, 5- or 6-flowered; floral bracts ovate to ovate-lanceolate, ca. 7 mm long, shorter than the ovary, outer surface pubescent, pinkish. Flowers suberect, not resupinate, white; ovary and pedicel cylindric-fusiform, not twisted, ca. 12 mm long, pubescent; sepals pubescent on outer surfaces, 1-veined, reddish-brown; dorsal sepal orbicular-ovate, cymbiform, 5–5.5 Χ 3–4 mm, apex acute to cuspidate; lateral sepals narrowly elliptic, oblique, 7–8 Χ 3.5–4 mm, apex acute, spreading; petals ovate-elliptic, strongly oblique, falcate, 5.5–6 Χ 1.5–2 mm, apex cuspidate and incurved, 1-veined, white; lip Y-shaped, ca. 10 mm long, white; hypochile 1–2 mm long; mesochile reflexed at right angle from apex of hypochile, 3–4 mm long; flanges oblong to linear-lanceolate, 4–5 Χ ca. 2 mm, entire or sometimes shallowly notched at the apex; epichile longitudinally dilated, 2-lobed; lobes oblong, diverging at acute angle to one another, 7–9 Χ 3.5–3.7 mm, apices obtuse to slightly mucronate; spur tubular-conical, 4–6 mm long, mouth ca. 2 mm in diam., apex deeply bilobed, containing 2 irregular, stalked calli; column ovoid, 3–3.5 mm long, bearing 2 lamellate wings; stigmatic lobes orbicular. Fl. Jul–Oct.

* Broad-leaved evergreen forest; 1500–2000 m. N and S Taiwan.

4. Anoectochilus xingrenensis Z. H. Tsi & X. H. Jin, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 40: 84. 2002.

 兴仁金线兰  xing ren jin xian lan

Plant 15–20 cm tall. Stem ascending, 2–3 mm in diam., 2–5-foliate. Leaves ovate to orbicular-ovate, 2–5 Χ 2–3 cm, apex apiculate, adaxial surface dark green with golden venation; petiole-like base and tubular sheath 1.5–2 cm long. Peduncle ca. 12 cm long, bearing 2 or 3 sterile sheathing bracts; rachis 3–5 cm long, 3–5-flowered; floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 10–12 mm long, subequal in length to the ovary, pink. Flowers resupinate; ovary and pedicel twisted, 10–13 mm long, pubescent; sepals pinkish-red outer surfaces pubescent; dorsal sepal ovate, concave, 5–7 Χ 3–5 mm, apex acute; lateral sepals suboblong, slightly oblique, 7–9 Χ 3.5–5 mm, apex acute; petals ovate, oblique, 6–8 Χ 2–3 mm, apex cuspidate, 1-veined, white; lip Y-shaped, 13–18 mm long, white; hypochile ca. 3 mm long; mesochile ca. 3 mm long; flanges pectinate, composed of 4–8 short teeth, each tooth ca. 1 mm long; epichile longitudinally dilated, 2-lobed; lobes flabellate, diverging at an acute angle to one another, 6–7 Χ 2.5–3.5 mm, apical margins slightly incised; spur narrowly conical, 3–4 mm long, mouth ca. 2 mm in diam., lacking calli; column ca. 1 mm long. Fl. Aug.

* Forests; 1200 m. SW Guizhou (Xingren Xian).

5. Anoectochilus baotingensis (K. Y. Lang) Ormerod, Taiwania 48: 87. 2003.

 保亭金线兰(变种)  bao ting jin xian lan (bian zhong)

            Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wallich) Lindley var. baotingensis K. Y. Lang, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 34: 557. 1996.

Plant 15–17 cm tall. Stem erect, 2- or 3-foliate. Leaves suborbicular, ca. 3 Χ 2.5 mm, apex acute, purplish-red; petiole-like base and tubular sheath ca. 0.6 cm long. Peduncle ca. 8 cm long, bearing 3 sheathing sterile bracts; rachis ca. 1 cm long, 3-flowered; floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 9–12 mm long, as long as to exceeding the ovary, apex acute. Flowers resupinate, white; ovary and pedicel cylindric-fusiform, twisted, ca. 8 mm long, pubescent; sepals 1-veined, outer surfaces pubescent; dorsal sepal ovate, cymbiform, ca. 6.5 Χ 2.5 mm, apex acuminate; lateral sepals oblong-elliptic, ca. 7.5 Χ 3 mm, apex acute, spreading; petals oblong-cuneate, strongly oblique, ca. 6.5 Χ 2.5 mm, apex ligulate-acute, 1-veined; lip Y-shaped, ca. 17.5 mm long, white; hypochile rectangular, ca. 5 mm long, with lateral lobes 1.5 mm wide; mesochile ca. 3 mm long; flanges 3-laciniate, each filament 2–3.5 mm long; epichile longitudinally dilated, 2-lobed; lobes ligulate entire, diverging at an acute angle to one another, ca. 8 Χ 2.5 mm, apices obtuse; spur conical, 3–3.5 mm long, apex obtuse, containing 2 large circular carunculate calli; column ovoid, 5–6 mm long, bearing 2 oblong-elliptic wings; stigmatic lobes deltoid. Fl. Apr.

* Soil-covered rocks in forests; 300–400 m. Hainan.

6. Anoectochilus formosanus Hayata, Icon. Pl. Formos. 4: 101. 1914.