[Botany • 2024] Thismia perlisensis (Thismiaceae) • A New red-annulus Species of Thismia sect. Thismia from Peninsular Malaysia

Thismia perlisensis  Besi & Rusea,

in Besi, Jabar, Rahman, Saad, Ahmadni et Go, 2024.  

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.675.1.1 

 

Abstract

A new species, Thismia perlisensis, found during a scientific expedition in the Perlis State Park, is described and illustrated. The new species was discovered in a wetland forest on a limestone foothill. Morphological description, photographic data including habitat, and a key to the species of the Thismia Sect. Thismia Subsect. Brunonithismia recorded from Malaysia are provided. The new species is easily distinguished from the similar species, T. arachnites, T. javanica, T. tentaculata, and T. kenyirensis by the prominent reddish dome-shaped annulus instead of ring-like with rim, deeply trilobed stigma with bifid and subulate lobes, and claviform apices of the inner tepals.

Key words: THISMIACEAE, endemism, mycoheterotrophic plants, Perlis state, Peninsular Malaysia, plant diversity, Monocots

Thismia perlisensis in the wild.

 Images by Edward Entalai Besi and Muhamad Ikhwanuddin Mat Esa.

Flower’s dissection of Thismia perlisensis.
 A. Plant. B. Flower. C. Claviform apex of an inner tepals. D. Dome-shaped annulus. E. Stamens and pistil. F. Stamens. G. Anther thecae. H. View of the supraconnectives. I, J. Pistil with stigmas straightened showing subulate lobes. B–J spirit-preserved specimens.

 Images by Edward Entalai Besi.

Thismia perlisensis Besi & Rusea sp. nov. 

 Type:—MALAYSIA. Peninsular Malaysia: Perlis State, Perlis State Park, ca. 100 m elev., 4 October 2022, E.E. Besi, M.I. Mat Esa, S.H. Tan, D. Sandin & R. Go EDW136 (holotype UPM spirit collection). 

Diagnosis:—Thismia perlisensis can be easily distinguished from the Thismia arachnites Ridley (1905: 197) and Thismia javanica J.J.Sm. (1910: 32) by the blood-red, dome-shaped annulus (vs. ring-like with rim, orange annulus), prominent trilobed stigma with 1.8 mm long, bifid and subulate lobes (vs. ovate, truncate stigma), and claviform apices of appendages of the inner tepals (vs. subulate apices of appendages of the inner tepals). 

 

Etymology:—The specific epithet is named after Perlis State, the type locality of this species.

 

Edward Entalai Besi, Qistina Anis Mad Jabar, Syamil Abd Rahman, Mohd Zulkifly Saad, Ag Shaffie Ag Ahmadni and Rusea Go. 2024. Thismia perlisensis (Thismiaceae), A New red-annulus Thismia Species from Peninsular Malaysia.  Phytotaxa. 675(1); 1-10. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.675.1.1 [2024-12-02] 

[Botany • 2024] Gastrodia lohitensis (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Gastrodieae) • A New mycotrophic Orchid from India

 

 Gastrodia lohitensis   

in Chowlu, Tsering, Ray, Rao, Pertin, Dash et Kabeer, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04556

Abstract

A new mycotrophic species of the genus Gastrodia (Orchidaceae), is described and illustrated from Arunachal Pradesh, India. The species is unique within the genus in having two oblong–linear calli which are parallelly arranged along the margins of the claw of the labellum, and white flowers. The new species is assessed as 'Endangered' according to the IUCN red list criteria.

Krishna Chowlu, Jambey Tsering, Ajit Ray, Abbareddy Nageswara Rao, Abing Pertin, Sudhansu Sekhar Dash and Altaf Kabeer. 2024. Gastrodia lohitensis sp. nov. (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae) from India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04556

[Botany • 2024] Thismia jinzun (Thismiaceae) • A New Species from Hainan Island, China

 

Thismia jinzun  

in Lu, Yang, Qin et Xu, 2024.  

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.664.4.4

Abstract

Thismia jinzun, a new fully mycoheterotrophic species has been discovered from Hainan Province, China. Thismia jinzun is similar to T. javanica and T. tentaculata in overall appearance, but it obviously differs from the latter two species in several characters. Thismia jinzun has 10–12 mm long, gold-yellow tepal appendages (vs 20–30 mm long, orange-white in T. javanica, and ca. 17 mm long, orange-red in T. tentaculata), a gold-yellow floral tube (vs pale orange or pale yellow in T. javanica and white in T. tentaculata), and a gold-yellow annulus (vs orange in T. javanica and bright yellow in T. tentaculata). According to the IUCN criteria, the conservation status of T. jinzun is classified as Critically Endangered (CR).

conservation status, IUCN, tropical forest, Thismia jinzun, Fungi 

Thismia jinzun sp. nov. 

Chunyang LU, Haijun YANG, Wenhao QIN and Han XU. 2024. Thismia jinzun (Thismiaceae), A New Species of Thismia Genus from Hainan Island, China.  Phytotaxa. 664(4); 273-280. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.664.4.4

[Botany • 2024] Thismia occasa, T. chicoreoides & T. solomonensis • Three New Species and New Records of Thismiaceae in The Solomon Islands

 Thismia occasa T.C.Hsu, S.W.Chung & C.W.Lin, 
T. chicoreoides T.C.Hsu, S.W.Chung & C.W.Lin,
 T. solomonensis S.W.Chung, T.C.Hsu & C.W.Lin,  

 in Chung, Hsu, Lin, Yang, Fanerii, Potisopa et Li, 2024. 

Taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2009

  facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice 

Abstract

Thismia (Thismiaceae), whose distributions are currently known from Asia, Australia, and South America, is newly recorded in the Solomon Islands. Through extensive field explorations, three new species of Thismia were discovered in the rainforest of the Solomon Islands and are herein delineated as T. occasa, T. chicoreoides, and T. solomonensis, all belonging to sect. Sarcosiphon. Comprehensive species descriptions, line drawings, and color plates are furnished for each species, accompanied by a distribution map delineating their respective ranges.

Keyword: biodiversity, Burmanniaceae, endemism, mycoheterotrophic, Sarcosiphon, tropical rainforest, taxonomy

Thismia occasa T.C.Hsu, S.W.Chung & C.W.Lin, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Among the species in Thismia sect. Sarcosiphon, T. occasa is most similar to T. crocea in habit and flower colour, but it is different in its larger mitre approximately 1/2.5 (vs. 1/3–1/4) the length of the whole flower, mitre with 3 impressed sutures (vs. nearly connate), annulus formed by 6 low rectangular lobes (vs. 6 rounded, bilamellate lobes), stamens pendent from the apical margin of the floral tube (vs. sunken inside the floral tube), and lateral appendage bilobed (vs. more or less truncate). 

Etymology: The specific epithet "occasa" is derived from the orange-red flower that imparts a sunset hue.

three new species of Thismia were discovered in the rainforest of the Solomon Islands and are delineate as T. occasa (left), T. chicoreoides (central), and T. solomonensis (right), all belonging to sect. Sarcosiphon.

Thismia chicoreoides T.C.Hsu, S.W.Chung & C.W.Lin, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Similar to Thismia viridistriata as it possesses a blackish-brown-tinged flower adorned with verrucose or finger-like protrusions, however, T. chicoreoides is different in its perianth inside with 12 vertical flat (vs. partly detached from its surface) ribs, apical end of individual connective slightly verrucose (vs. several hairs ca. 0.15–0.2 mm long), lateral appendage central lobe being largest (vs. smallest) and stigma lobes triangular (vs. inverted trapezoid). 

Etymology: The specific epithet "chicoreoides" refers to the verrucose flower, which resembles the appearance of some species of Chicoreus, such as C. paini Houart. 

Thismia solomonensis S.W.Chung, T.C.Hsu & C.W.Lin, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Thismia solomonensis resembles T. nigra in vegetative characters. However, the new species differs from the latter in its shorter stem, 2–12 mm tall (vs. up to 80 mm), yellowish-bronze perianth coloration (vs. blackish-tinged), unlobed individual connectives (vs. 2 small lobes), and a glabrous apex (vs. several long hairs in the middle). 

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the Solomon Islands, where the new species was discovered.  

Shih-Wen Chung, Tian-Chuan Hsu, Che-Wei Lin, Tsung-Yu Aleck Yang, Moffat Fanerii, Fred Potisopa and Chia-Wei Li. 2024. Three New Species and New Records of Thismia (Thismiaceae) in The Solomon Islands. Taiwania. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2024.69.336

 Taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2009

  facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice/posts/891632916320734

 facebook.com/Darthvaderiana/posts/10225907291852504

[Botany • 2024] Gastrodia indica (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Gastrodieae) • A New completely cleistogamous holomycotrophic Species from India

 

Gastrodia indica M.Khanal, 

in Khanal, S. Sarkar, K. Sarkar, Chhetri, Rai, Kumar et Rawat, 2024. Gastrodia 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.663.1.3 

facebook.com/MadhusudhanKhanal18

 

Abstract

Gastrodia indica sp. nov. has been described as a new species from Sikkim, India. This is the first cleistogamous species of the genus Gastrodia discovered from India. It is morphologically allied to G. exilis and G.dyeriana but critical examination revealed considerable differences in floral morphological characters. A detailed taxonomical description along with photoplates, comparison with the allied species and keys for all Gastrodia species from India have been provided to aid in easy identification.

Cleistogamy, Sikkim Himalaya, mycoheterotroph, orchid, taxonomy, Monocots

Gastrodia indica M.Khanal

Madhusudhan Khanal, Shuvadip Sarkar, Kingsuk Sarkar, Prakash Chhetri, Santosh Kumar Rai, Devendra Kumar and Sandeep Rawat. 2024. Gastrodia indica (Orchidaceae: Gastrodieae), A New completely cleistogamous holomycotrophic Species from India. Phytotaxa. 663(1); 26-32. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.663.1.3

 facebook.com/MadhusudhanKhanal18/posts/4575256436032747

 facebook.com/TaxonomistMS/posts/1033025702161857

[Botany • 2024] Gastrodia daweishanensis (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Gastrodieae) • A New Species from Yunnan, China

Gastrodia daweishanensis Ying Qin & Yan Liu, 

in Qin, Huang, Wang et Liu, 2024. 

大围山天麻  ||  taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2007

Abstract

Gastrodia daweishanensis Ying Qin & Yan Liu (Orchidaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China is described. The new species is similar to G. putaoensis X. H. Jin, but differs from the latter by its yellow flowers, perianth tube ventrally distinctly swollen near the base forming a pouch-shaped outgrowth and inner surface of the front half densely pubescent. The detailed information of the new species, including morphological descriptions, illustrations, phenology, etymology and conservation assessment are provided.

Keyword: Gastrodia putaoensis, Gastrodieae, holomycotrophic orchids, morphology, yellow flower

  

Gastrodia daweishanensis. A. Habit. B. Inflorescence. C. Flower, front view. D. Flower, top view. E. Flower, ventral view. F. Flower, side view. G. Opened perianth tube. H. Flower with half of perianth tube removed. I. Anther cap and pollinaria. J. Columns, top view and ventral view. K. Ovary, column, lip, side view, noting red papillae on the tip of lip. L. Lips, top view. M. Rhizome. Photos by Ying Qin from living plants of the holotype population.

Gastrodia daweishanensis Ying Qin & Yan Liu, sp. nov.

大围山天麻 

The new species is similar to G. putaoensis X. H. Jin. Shared characters mainly include similar shape of lip, white disc of lip, ligulate apex of lip densely covered with yellow and red papillae, perianth tube with raised veins on outer surface, similar shape of column and caducous floral bracts. However, it differs from the latter mainly by its yellow (vs. greyish white) flowers, perianth tube ventrally distinctly (vs. indistinctly) swollen near the base forming a pouch-shaped outgrowth (vs. without pouchshaped outgrowth), inner surface of perianth tube densely pubescent (vs. glabrous) distally. A detailed comparison between G. daweishanensis and G. putaoensis is showed in Table 1. ...

Etymology: The epithet “daweishanensis” refers to Daweishan National Park, Pingbian County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, where the new species was found.

Ying Qin, Shuang-Quan Huang, Bing-Mou Wang and Yan Liu. 2024. Gastrodia daweishanensis (Orchidaceae), A New Species from Yunnan, China.  Taiwania. 69(3); 317-320. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2024.69.317

  https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2007

[Botany • 2024] Thismia malayana (Thismiaceae) • A New Species of Thismia sect. Odoardoa from Peninsular Malaysia

 Thismia malayana Siti-Munirah, Hardy-Adrian, Mohamad-Shafiq & Irwan-Syah,

in Siti-Munirah, Hardy-Adrian, Mohamad-Shafiq, Irwan-Syah et Hamidi, 2024.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.242.120967

Abstract

A new species of the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia from Malaysia is described and illustrated. Thismia malayana introduced here was found in two localities: in the lowlands of Gunung Angsi Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, and in the hilly dipterocarp forests of Gunung Benom in Tengku Hassanal Wildlife Reserve, Pahang. Thismia malayana falls into the section Thismia subsect. Odoardoa, as it has creeping vermiform roots and free equal tepals. It is characterised by the following taxonomically important features: a sepia-brown, urceolate-curved floral tube, free equal tepals with terminal appendages, prominent bright yellow annulus and bright violet-blue stamens each bearing five appendages (one pair of club-shaped inwards-pointing, one pair of acute outwards-pointing, and one central appendage). According to the categories and criteria of the IUCN Red List, T. malayana is provisionally classified as Vulnerable.

Key words: Negeri Sembilan, new species, Pahang, Thismia subsect. Odoardoa, Vulnerable

 Thismia malayana with scales (the finest grade is 0.5 mm)
A side view B top view C the size compared to the 20-sen coin (23.59 mm in diameter).

Photos by Hardy-Adrian from uncollected plants.

 Thismia malayana A flowering plant A1 floral tube, inner surface A2 annulus and stamen filaments, view from inside B inflorescence with anthetic flower and several young fruits B1 style and stigma B2 annulus, top view C flower, side view D, E stamens, view from inside and from outside, E1 stamen supraconnectives: one pair of club-shaped inwards-pointing, one pair of acute outwards-pointing, and one central appendage F stamen supraconnectives, apical view G stamen tube, view from below H, H1 fruit after dehiscence, top view, H2 seeds I shoot base with roots.

 Photos by Siti-Munirah (A1–I) and Hardy-Adrian (A) from FRI 101701 (A), FRI 101702 (F, G, I), FRI 101703 (E1), FRI 101705 (B, B2, H, H1, H2) & FRI 101710 (A1, A2, B1, C, D, E). Images not to scale (see dimensions in description and Figs 1, 3).

Thismia malayana 
A flowering plant B flower, side view C flower, view from above D flower, longitudinal section E three stamens, outer view F tepal with terminal appendage, adaxial view G ovary, longitudinal section H style and stigma I involucral bract, adaxial view J leaf, adaxial view.

All drawn by Mohamad Aidil Noordin from spirit material, Siti-Munirah FRI 101705 (A–C); FRI 101701 (D–J).

 Thismia malayana Siti-Munirah, Hardy-Adrian, Mohamad-Shafiq & Irwan-Syah, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Thismia malayana resembles T. chrysops but differs by the brown-whitish colour of the floral tube (vs. very dark sepia brown), glabrous surface of the tepal appendages (vs. finely ciliate), presence of transverse bars at inner surface of floral tube (vs. bars absent), supraconnective apex of each stamen with 5 appendages: one pair of club-shaped inwards-pointing, one pair of acute outwards-pointing, and one central appendage (vs. 7 appendages: one pair of club-shaped, one pair of acute and 3 central appendages).

Etymology: The specific epithet malayana is derived from Malaya, a name formerly used for Peninsular Malaysia. The epithet refers to the known region of the species distribution.

Habitat (in situ) of  Thismia malayana in Ulu Bendul RP in Gunung Angsi FR (A, B) and the Tengku Hassanal WR (C–E)
A Thismia malayana at its habitat, which is located right next to the main trail to Gunung Angsi B Siti-Munirah showing the habitat of T. malayana C path to Lata Bujang and Gunung Benom D the plants growing on rotten wood E Mohamad-Shafiq observed a Thismia malayana in its habitat.

 Photos by Siti-Munirah (A, B) and Mohamad-Shafiq (C–E).

 Mat Yunoh Siti-Munirah, Chin Hardy-Adrian, Sharipudin Mohamad-Shafiq, Zainuddin Irwan-Syah and Abd Halim Hamidi. 2024. Thismia malayana (Thismiaceae), A New mycoheterotrophic Species from Peninsular Malaysia. PhytoKeys. 242: 229-239. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.242.120967

  

[Botany • 2021] Gastrodia qingyunshanensis (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Gastrodieae) • A New holomycotrophic Orchid from Guangdong, China

 Gastrodia qingyunshanensis J.X.Huang, H.Xu et H.J.Yang.

in Shi, Yang, Wei, Liang, Yang, X. Zeng, Xie, Chen, Q. Huang, G. Zeng, Jiang, Xu et J. Huang, 2021. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.483.2.10  

Researchgate.net/publication/349183802

Abstract

A new species of Gastrodia (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae, Gastrodieae), G. qingyunshanensis, is described and illustrated from Guangdong, China. It is closely related to G. appendiculata C. S. Leou & N. J. Chung but can be distinguished by an urceolate (vs bell-like) and dark brown (vs pale greenish brown) perianth tube, the smaller petals (2.5 × 1.6 mm vs 4–5 × 5–6 mm), the shape of lip (oblong, 3×1.6mm vs ovate, 6–7×5mm), lack of elevated calli at the base of petal (vs having calli), and an appendage shorter than column (vs equal to column). The new species is only reported to occur on Qingyunshan Nature Reserve, Wengyuan County, China, and it is proposed to be Vulnerable (VU) according to the IUCN criteria.

Keywords: Gastrodia, holomycotrophic orchid, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae, Monocots

 

 Gastrodia qingyunshanensis J.X.Huang, H.Xu et H.J.Yang.
A. Habit; B. Gross morphology; C. Fruit; D. Ventral view of flower; E. Side view of flower; F. Front view of flower; G. Inner view of flattened perianth tube; H. Lip; I. Column, ventral view; J. Column, side view, with appendage; K. Column, inner view by rip cutting

(A - C. Bar = 1cm; D - K. Bar = 1mm.). 

Photography by Haijun Yang and Han Xu.

Gastrodia qingyunshanensis J.X.Huang, H.Xu et H.J.Yang

Shi Shi, Haijun Yang, Xuefen Wei, Qianyu Liang, Xindong Yang, Xianxing Zeng, Chonglin Xie, Liubao Chen, Qinghua Huang, Guohong Zeng, Zhurong Jiang, Han Xu and Jiuxiang Huang. 2021. Gastrodia qingyunshanensis (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae)—A New holomycotrophic Orchid from Guangdong, China. Phytotaxa. 483(2); 177–182. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.483.2.10

  Researchgate.net/publication/349183802_Gastrodia_qingyunshanensis_a_new_holomycotrophic_orchid_from_Guangdong_China

[Botany • 2015] Gastrodia huapingensis (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Gastrodieae) • A Remarkable New Mycoheterotrophic Orchid with dimorphic columns from China

Gastrodia huapingensis  

in Huang, Hu, Hsu et Liu, 2015. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.222.4.7 

 ResearchGate.net/publication/281422508

 

The orchid genus Gastrodia Brown (1810: 330) comprises approximately 50 species with a broad Old World distribution (Pridgeon et al. 2005, Cribb et al. 2010, Kenji 2014). Currently, there are at least 20 accepted species of Gastrodia recorded from China (Chung & Hsu 2006, Chen et al. 2009, Hsu & Kuo 2010, 2011, Yeh et al. 2011, Hsu et al. 2012, Tan et al. 2012, Hu et al. 2014). During our field surveys of Chinese traditional medicine in Huaping National Nature Reserve, Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region, China, a Gastrodia was spotted setting fruit in the past few years. Finally, we were able to observe it flowering in August 2014. After careful comparison morphological study with its close relatives (Averyanov & Efimov 2006) and three other species of Gastrodia recorded in Guangxi, namely Gastrodia damingshanensis A.Q.Hu & T.C.Hsu (2014: 256), Gastrodia elata Blume (1856: 174) and Gastrodia menghaiensis Z.H.Tsi & S.C.Chen (1994: 559), we confirmed this Gastrodia as a new species and thereby a new member to the flora of Guangxi. A detailed description, illustration and ecological information are presented below. We also discuss the remarkable dimorphic columns of this new species, which are documented in Gastrodia for the first time.

Keywords: China, delayed self-pollination, dimorphic columns, Gastrodia, incurred column, new species, Orchidaceae, Monocots

Xin-Yi Huang, Ai-Qun Hu, Tian-Chuan Hsu and Yan Liu. 2015. Gastrodia huapingensis (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Gastrodieae): A Remarkable New Mycoheterotrophic Orchid with dimorphic columns from China.  Phytotaxa. 222(4); 290-294. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.222.4.7 

 ResearchGate.net/publication/281422508_Gastrodia_huapingensis_A_new_mycoheterotrophic_orchid_from_China

[Botany • 2024] Thismia malipoensis (Thismiaceae) • A New Species of Thismia sect. Glaziocharis from Yunnan, China

Thismia malipoensis J. D. Ya & W. B. Yu,  

in Ya, Chen, Zhang, Zhu, Cai et Yu, 2024. 

麻栗坡水玉杯  ||  DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54102

  

Abstract

Thismia Griff. (Thismiaceae) is a holo-mycoheterotrophic genus with more than 100 species. In this study, phylogenetic analyses supported that T. malipoensis from Yunnan is a new species in T. sect. Glaziocharis. Morphologically, this new species can be distinguished from its phylogenetic sister species T. abei by having the annulus of the flower expanded and modified into a cucullate (hood-like) structure with zygomorphic symmetry with one opening on one side. Biogeographical inference showed that SW China to Indo-Burma and the Sunda Shelf region was suggested as the ancestral distribution region of Thismia s.s., then eastward to SE China and Japan, and southward to New Guinea to Australia, respectively. The Chinese species should have originated from at least two different ancestral sources, and geographical isolation caused the divergence between T. malipoensis and T. abei at 17.47 Mya.

KEYWORDS: biogeography, China, conservation, new species, phylogeny, taxonomy, Thismia, Thismiaceae

Thismia malipoensis, different views of flower – A, D: bottom view; B: lateral view; C: top view; E, F: front view.

– Source of material: J.-D. Ya & W. Zhang 19CS18569. 

– Photographed by J.-D. Ya.

Thismia malipoensis – A: plant; B, C: plants in habitat.

– Source of material: J.-D. Ya & W. Zhang 19CS18569. – Photographed by J.-D. Ya.

Thismia malipoensis J. D. Ya & W. B. Yu, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis — Thismia malipoensis belongs to T. sect. Glaziocharis and can be distinguished from its phylogenetic sister species T. abei by having the annulus of the flower expanded and modified into a cucullate (hood-like) structure with zygomorphic symmetry with one opening on one side. Moreover, T. malipoensis can be distinguished from the morphologically similar T. belumensis, in that the outer and inner tepal appendages are spreading (vs erect) and equal in length by less than 2 cm (vs outer tepal appendage 1.5–2.5 cm and inner tepal appendage c. 3 cm), the inner tepal base is fimbriate at the margin (vs entire) and the inner tepal tip is subulate (vs clavate).

Etymology — The specific epithet “malipoensis” refers to the county name Malipo of Wenshan Prefecture, the type locality of the new species.

Chinese name — 麻栗坡水玉杯 (má lì pō shuǐ yù bēi).

Ji-Dong Ya, Hai-Yao Chen, Wei Zhang, Ren-Bin Zhu, Jie Cai and Wen-Bin Yu. 2024. Phylogenetic and Biogeographical Analyses of Thismia (Thismiaceae) support T. malipoensis as the eighth species in China. Willdenowia. 54(1); 47-63. DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54102

 twitter.com/thismiaguy/status/1763168009990922458

 

[Botany • 2024] Relictithismia kimotsukiensis (Thismiaceae) • A New Genus and Species from southern Japan with discussions on its phylogenetic relationship

 

Relictithismia Suetsugu & Tagane,
Relictithismia kimotsukiensis Suetsugu, Yas.Nakam. & Tagane, 

in Suetsugu, Nakamura, Nakano et Tagane, 2024. 

DOI: 10.1007/s10265-024-01532-5

Abstract

The family Thismiaceae, known as “fairy lanterns” for their urn- or bell-shaped flowers with basally fused tepals, consists of non-photosynthetic flowering monocots mainly in tropical regions, extending into subtropical and temperate areas. Here, we propose a new mycoheterotrophic genus, Relictithismia Suetsugu & Tagane (Thismiaceae), with its monotypic species Relictithismia kimotsukiensis Suetsugu, Yas.Nakam. & Tagane from Kimotsuki Mountains in the Osumi Peninsula, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu Island, southern Japan. Relictithismia resembles Haplothismia Airy Shaw in having a cluster of tuberous roots, a feature previously observed only in this genus within the family Thismiaceae. However, it differs in having solitary flowers (vs. 2–6-flowered pseudo-raceme in Haplothismia), anther thecae largely separated (vs. connate), and the presence of an annulus (vs. absent). Additionally, Relictithismia differs from the geographically overlapping genus Thismia Griff. in its stamen structure and the position of the annulus. In Relictithismia, the stamens lack connectives, and its free filaments arise from the annulus located inside the perianth mouth, while in Thismia, the stamens typically have connate connectives, forming a staminal tube pendulous from the annulus located at the mouth of the floral tube. Our morphological and phylogenetic data indicated that R. kimotsukiensis holds an early-diverging position within the family, situated outside the Old World Thismia clade. This paper offers an extensive description and color photographs of R. kimotsukiensis, complemented by notes on its phylogenetic relationship and evolutionary history.

 

Keywords: Angiosperms, Endemic, Flora, Dioscoreales, East Asia, Taxonomy

Relictithismia kimotsukiensis.
a Habit. b Close-up of root surface. c Longitudinal section of flower. d Anther. e Stigma surface. f Immature fruit.

Materials from Y. Nakamura & S. Tagane 23060901 (KAG). Drawn by S. Tagane

Relictithismia kimotsukiensis.
a Habit. b Flower, top view. c Flower, diagonal top view. d Flower, lateral view. e Tuberous roots. f Close-up of root. g Longitudinal section of floral tube showing stamens, style, and stigma. h Longitudinal section of floral tube with stamens. i Style and stigma. j Annulus and stamens. k Anthers. l Transverse section of ovary with three equal placentas and numerous ovules.

 Materials from Y. Nakamura & S. Tagane 23060901 (a–f, h–l for TNS, g for KAG). Scale bars: 10 mm (a), 5 mm (b–e and g–h), and 1 mm (f and i–l)

Relictithismia kimotsukiensis and its habitat at the type locality.
a & b A secondary evergreen broad-leaved forest where R. kimotsukiensis was found. c & e Flower, top view. d & f Flower, lateral view.

Scale bars: 10 mm. Photos (a & b) were taken by Yasunori Nakamura on 3 June 2022, and photos (c–f) were taken by Shuichiro Tagane on 9 June 2023. Photos (e & f) were captured after collection

Relictithismia Suetsugu & Tagane, gen. nov.

Diagnosis Relictithismia resembles Haplothismia in possessing a cluster of tuberous roots, yet it is clearly distinguished by its solitary flowers (vs. 2–6-flowered pseudo-raceme in Haplothismia), largely separate anther thecae (vs. connate), and the presence of an annulus (vs. absence).

Etymology: The name of the new genus, Relictithismia, is a combination of the Latin word “relictus”, meaning “left behind”, and the generic name Thismia. The name reflects its morphological characteristics that serve as a bridge between the early-diverging genera in Thismiaceae and the genus Thismia, showcasing the putative ancestral condition of these plant groups.

Relictithismia kimotsukiensis Suetsugu, Yas.Nakam. & Tagane, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet refers to the type locality of the new species.

Vernacular name: Mujina-no-shokudai (in Japanese). The vernacular name is inspired by its apparent resemblance to and the distinct diffrences from species of Thismia, locally referred to as “tanuki-no-shokudai,” meaning a candlestick used by a raccoon dog. The term “mujina” is an old Japanese name for a badger, known as “anaguma” in Japanese, although historically and regionally, it has sometimes also been associated with raccoon dogs. Therefore, we consider that this name aptly represents the similarity and differences between Thismia and Relictithismia. Moreover, the name “mujina-no-shokudai” (= a candlestick used by a badger) fits its ecology, as the majority of the plant, even during the flowering stage, remains buried underground beneath fallen leaves, reminiscent of a badger burrowing underground.

Distribution Japan, Kagoshima Pref., Kimotsuki-gun, Kimotsuki-cho (currently known only from the type locality).

Kenji Suetsugu, Yasunori Nakamura, Takafumi Nakano and Shuichiro Tagane. 2024. Relictithismia kimotsukiensis, A New Genus and Species of Thismiaceae from southern Japan with discussions on its phylogenetic relationship.  Journal of Plant Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10265-024-01532-5

[Botany • 2023] Gastrodia munasinghae & G. thilakapremae (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Gastrodieae) • Two New Species from Sri Lanka [The Study of the Tribe Gastrodieae in Sri Lanka I]

Gastrodia munasinghae & G. thilakapremae 

Atthanagoda, C.Bandara & Kumara, 

 

in Bandara, Atthanagoda, Bandara et Kumar, 2023.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.622.2.2 

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Abstract

As the first step in the taxonomic study of the tribe Gastrodieae (Orchidaceae), two new species, Gastrodia munasinghae and G. thilakapremae are described here from Sri Lanka based on the distinct morphological differences and long-term field observations. Detailed taxonomic descriptions along with the line drawings, color plates, notes on habitat and ecology, distribution and conservation status, phenology and pollination ecology as well as morphological comparison to the other Gastrodia species in Sri Lanka are also discussed. Both species are endemic to the Island and are assessed as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List criteria. Furthermore, notes are provided along with a distribution map for field identification of all Gastrodia species in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: Monocots, Central Highlands, mycoheterotrophy, potato orchids, Samanala Nature Reserve

 Gastrodia thilakapremea Atthanagoda, C.Bandara & Kumara 

 Gastrodia munasinghae Atthanagoda, C.Bandara & Kumara 

 

Champika Bandara, Anusha Gayan Atthanagoda, Nadeesha Lewke Bandara and Pankaj Kumar. 2023. The Study of the Tribe Gastrodieae (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae) in Sri Lanka I: Two New Species of Gastrodia. Phytotaxa. 622(2); 115-130. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.622.2.2

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