J Syst Evol ›› 2010, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (5): 350-355.DOI: 10.1111/j.1759-6831.2010.00092.x

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A new orchid Paphiopedilum guangdongense and its molecular evidence

1Li-Jun CHEN 1,2,3Zhong-Jian LIU* 4You-Yu LI 1Li-Qiang LI   

  1. 1(Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, The National Orchid Conservation Center of China/The Orchid Conservation & Research Center of Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518114, China)
    2(The Center for Biotechnology and BioMedicine, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China)
    3(College of Forestry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China)
    4(The Nature Reserve of Dawuling of Guangdong Province, Xinyi 525000, Guangdong, China)
  • Received:2009-07-21 Published:2010-09-26

Abstract: A new Paphiopedilum entity found in southern Guangdong was studied taxonomically by means of nrITS analysis in addition to morphological and phytogeographical considerations. This entity is similar to P. gratrixianum (Masters) Rolfe morphologically, from which it differs by having narrower leaves not wider than 2 cm and lacking purple spots toward abaxial base, pale green dorsal sepal veined with pale purplish brown and not heavily spotted with purple, and staminode subtruncate and mucronate at apex. An analysis of ITS sequences of this entity and its allies came to the same conclusion that the entity is a member of Paphiopedilum section Paphiopedilum and closely related to but distinct from P. gratrixianum. As a result, it is treated here as a new species: P. guangdongense Z.J. Liu & L.J. Chen.

Key words: Paphiopedilum guangdongense, new species, Orchidaceae, nrITS.