Dendrobium libingtaoi Q.Xu & Z.J.Liu, 2018

Dendrobium libingtaoi Q.Xu & Z.J.Liu View in CoL , sp.nov. (AEḾHfi; Figs. 2 View FIGURE 2 , 3 View FIGURE 3 )

Type:— China. Yunnan (řffl): Malipo (Ṁffidz), epiphytic on tree trunks in forests, m, 11 October, 2014, Liu 8157 (holotype: NOCC!)

This new species is similar to Dendrobium draconis , but differs in having ovate-elliptic petals, a lip with a red blotch in the middle, narrowly ovate lateral lobes, and nearly round midlobe. These two species exhibit obvious differences.

Epiphytic herbs with cylindrical stems, 15.0–33.0 cm long, and 0.7–1.1 cm in diameter, unbranched, with internodes 1.5–2.5 cm long. Leaves distichous, ovate-oblong, 3.5–5.0 × 2.0– 2.5 cm, both surfaces densely covered with black hairs, apex equally bilobed, base decurrent forming sheaths. Inflorescences 2–5-flowered, 1.0–2.0 cm; floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 5.0–7.0 cm, abaxially black hirsute; pedicel and ovary 3.2–3.7 cm. Flowers white; lip with a pale red blotch in the middle; column adaxially and spur internally red. Sepals dorsally carinate, wing-shaped; dorsal sepal suboblong, 20.0–23.0 × 6.0–7.0 mm, apex acute; lateral sepals oblong-lanceolate, 22.0–25.0 × 6.6–7.5 mm, apex acute; mentum long, narrow, straight, forming an angled spur, 1.0– 1.2 cm; petals ovate-elliptic, 2.2–2.4 × 1.0– 1.1 cm, apex nearly acute; lip 2.3–2.5 cm, trilobed; lateral lobes narrowly ovate, 10.0–12.0 × 4.0–5.0 mm, entire; midlobe nearly round, 10.0–12.0 × 10.0–12.0 mm, margin undulate and upcurving; pollinia 4, oblong, in 2 pairs.

Flowering period:— October.

Distribution and habitat:— Dendrobium libingtaoi is epiphytic on tree trunks in forests at 1500 m in Malipo, Yunnan Province.

Etymology:— The species is named after Professor Bing-Tao Li, a Chinese botanist who devotes himself to plant science.