Zhuxi hemipilia (Hemipilia zhuxiensis) closely related to H. henryi and H. crassicalcarata in section

NEWS - Zhuxi hemipilia (Hemipilia zhuxiensis sp. nov.) found in Shibali Long Canyon National Nature Reserve is morphologically similar to Hemipilia henryi Rolfe and Hemipilia crassicalcarata S.S.Chien, but differs in having an oval and simple labellum with a curved edge, a curved apex and a spur shorter than the ovary.

The genus Hemipilia Lindley sensu stricto includes about 13 species. In Hemipilia sect. Hemipilia, many species show morphological similarities, characterized by relatively small purplish-red flowers, a tongue-like rostellum and oval leaves with purple spots.

Many new species have been discovered in recent years. During a 2020 field investigation in the Wuling Mountains, Hubei, China, researchers found many small purple-flowered Hemipilia species. However, the literature does not show such characteristics in previously studied Hemipilia species.

The simple, oblong labellum with slightly volute margins and shorter spurs distinguish it from all known Hemipilia species. The researchers used H. henryi and H. crassicalcarata for morphological comparison, as they share common attributes and are the closest phylogenetically related.

However, the new species shows certain differences as it has oblong leaves with purple spots; 10 × 3–5 mm, single, oblong labellum; slightly volute labellum margin; upwardly curved labellum apex; and much shorter spurs compared to the ovary.

Nuclear (nrITS) and plastid (matK, psaB, psbA-trnH, rbcL and trnL-F concatenation) DNA sequence analyses confirmed H. zhuxiensis to be closely related to H. henryi and H. crassicalcarata supporting its recognition as a new species within H. sect. Hemipilia.

H. zhuxiensis is known to have two populations in the Shibali Long Canyon National Nature Reserve. The two populations are about 500 meters apart along the rock wall of the canyon. The new species grows on the rock wall together with H. henryi.

The canyon is a barren valley and many shrubs and mosses grow on the rock walls on both sides. The species flowers in June. The specific epithet refers to the name of the type locality in Zhuxi County. The Chinese name is “竹溪舌喙兰“.

Original research

Shen C-q, Lu G-H, Chen X-T, Yi L-S, Lan D-Q, Qin R, Liu H (2024). Hemipilia zhuxiensis (Orchideae, Orchidaceae), a new species from Hubei Province, China. PhytoKeys 247: 203-217, DOI:10.3897/phytokeys.247.131618

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