Gastrodia fujianenesis L.Ma, X.Y.Chen & S.P.Chen, 2019

Gastrodia fujianenesis L.Ma, X.Y.Chen & S.P.Chen , sp. nov. (aeü*※, Figs. 1 View FIGURE 1 , 2 View FIGURE 2 )

Type:— CHINA. Fujian (aeü): Wuyishan (Kxm), in a dense forest, 1113 m, 12 August 2018, Ma 2018081205 (holotype: FAFU [ FAFU4005q ]) .

This new species is morphologically most similar to G. huapingensis but can be distinguished by unbranched (vs. branched) roots, verrucose (vs. smooth) pedicel and perianth tube and a flat (vs. undulate) lip margin.

Terrestrial, greenish brown, mycoheterotrophic herbs, 7–19 cm tall. Root few, up to 20.0 cm long, ca. 1.2 mm in diameter, at the rhizome apex, unbranched. Rhizomes horizontal, tuberous, ovate or cylindric, 2.5–6.0 × 0.8–2.5 cm, distantly noded, weakly puberulent. Inflorescence erect, terminal, 4–11-flowered, peduncle, 5–9 cm long, 1.0– 1.4 mm in diameter, with 1–3 floral bracts at the base; floral bracts lanceolate, 3–5 mm long, reddish brown, persistent. Pedicel and ovary 8–15 mm long, pedicel brownish red, ovary greenish-brown, ca. 2 mm in diameter, sulcate, outer surface verrucose. Flowers pointing slightly downwards, widely opening, resupinate, greenish brown, glossy. Perianth tube campanulate, 10–12 × 5–7 mm, outer surface verrucose, apex 5-lobed; free portion of sepals ca. 4.0 × 1.2 mm, free portion of petals much smaller than sepal lobes, 1.2 × 1.5 mm, margin denticulate. Lip ovate-triangular, 5.0–8.0 × 2.5–3.0 mm, pale yellow, margin flat, base clawed, apex papillate; claw 1–2 mm long, with 3–4 red-brown nodular appendages; disc with 5–6 longitudinal lamellae. Column 5–7 mm long, narrowly winged, with a pair of tooth-like apical projections; column foot present. Anther hemispheric, ca. 1 mm in diameter, pollinia 2. Capsule cylindric, 10–14 × 4–6 mm, papillate, pedicel slightly elongating in fruit.

Distribution and ecology: —The new species is endemic to the Wuyishan National Park, Fujian Province. The plant grows in evergreen broad–leaved forest at 1100 m in elevation. Gastrodia fujianenesis is thus far known only from the type locality.

Phenology: —Flowering and fruiting August–September.

Etymology: —Named after Fujian Province.

Conservation status:— Only one population consisting of seven individuals has been discovered, although we have done fieldwork in the Wuyishan National Park in both 2017 and 2018. Because of the increasing number of Phyllostachys edulis forests, many virgin forests have been destroyed, and the species is seriously threatened. Its endangered status should be evaluated as CR (critically endangered), according to the IUCN (2017).