Chiloschista densiflora

Chiloschista densiflora

nests with Chiloschista (PP = 1.0, BB ML = 100) and is sister to clade formed by C. yunnanensis and C. segawae with high support (PP=1.0, BB ML =98) ( Fig. 1 View FIGURE 1 ).

Description Epiphytic, usually leafless, with many long and curved roots. Racemose 1-2, inflorescence often pendulous, sparsely with 4 to more than 10 flowers, rachis and peduncle 7-20 cm long, usually green, densely hirsute. Inflorescence peduncle with several scaly sheaths; floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, membranous, apex acute, with 1 vein, abaxially sparsely short bristle. Flowers yellow, dorsal sepal and petals yellow with commonly a large brown spot near base about 2/3-3/4, abaxial surface sparsely short hairs. Pedicel and ovary densely short hairy, 6.5-7.5 mm long. Dorsal sepal broadly elliptic, 5-6 mm long, 2.5-3.5 mm wide, apex rounded, with 5 veins; lateral sepals slightly oblique, broadly elliptic, 5-5.5 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, with 4 veins, nearly as large as lateral sepals. Petals nearly sub-oblong, apex sub-truncate, with three veins. Lip yellow, base saccate, 3-lobed; sac rounded; lateral lobes erect, margin with tawny spots, inner mask striate, 4.5-5.5 mm high, 2.0- 2.5 mm wide; middle lobes very short, 2.5-3.0 mm long, 2.0- 2.5 mm wide, apex bifid, a pubescent callus ranging from base to apex with a cavity between them, two whitish conical calli at base of middle lobe. Column yellow, short and stocky, 1.5-2.0 mm long; column foot ca. 4 mm long, at an acute angle to column. Anther cap with 2 filiform appendages on both sides.

Distribution and habitat. Chiloschista densiflora was first discovered in Trongsa, Bhutan. This is new record in China. Based on current field observations, Chiloschista densiflora is located in the tree of the tropical evergreen broadleaved forest in Motuo county, Xizang Autonomous Region, China.

Phenology. Chiloschista densiflora was observed flowering from April to May.

Conservation status. Chiloschista densiflora is currently known to located small region in Bhutan and the tropical evergreen broadleaved forest in Motuo county in China.

We recommend that the current conservation status of Chiloschista densiflora is Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN guidelines (IUCN 2019).