Cremastra saprophytica (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae), a new leafless autonomously self-pollinating orchid species from Gifu Prefecture, Japan

A new species of Cremastra (Orchidaceae), C. saprophytica, is described from Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The new species is similar to C. aphylla in having a leafless and mycoheterotrophic habit. However, it is distinguishable from C. aphylla by its green stem, more closed perianth tube, smaller lateral lobes of lip, smaller callus of lip positioned at base of the midlobe and absence of a rostellum and viscidium. An illustration and ecological information on the new species are provided. A key to the Cremastra species is also provided.

Dipcadi janae-shrirangii (Asparagaceae), a new species from the lateritic plateaus of Konkan region of Maharashtra, India

Dipcadi janae-shrirangii is described and illustrated as a new species from the lateritic plateaus of Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. The new species is allied to the D. concanense (Dalzell) Baker, but differ in its small flowers and perianth tube as long as the lobes. Coloured photographs, illustrations of new species and key to the Indian species of Dipcadi having shiny white flowers and brownish black seeds are provided to facilitate the identification.

Thottea aroangensis, a new species of Aristolochiaceae from central Vietnam

Thottea aroangensis T.A. Le, D. Dien & Tagane (Aristolochiaceae) is described based on the specimen collected from the A Roang commune, A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province, central Vietnam. This species is characterized by subshrub habit 70–90 cm tall, inflorescence at base of stem close to ground level, campanulate and obscurely lobed perianth ca. 2.6 cm long, inside of perianth tube with creamy white patches, and 20 stamens in 2 whorls, by which combination it is clearly distinguished from the other species of Thottea in Vietnam and its surrounding countries. Morphological descriptions, photographs, a distribution map, vernacular name, and preliminary conservation status are provided for T. aroangensis.

Aspidistra latistyla (Asparagaceae), a new species from China

Aspidistra latistyla, (Asparagaceae), a new Chinese species, is described and illustrated here. This new species is similar to A. longipetala in the shape of the flowers, but can be clearly distinguished by its taller leaves, the perianth lobes shorter than tube, stamens inserted in the upper-middle of perianth tube and the stigma cylindrical, 8–10 mm long, 7–9 mm in diameter.

Burmannia munnarensis (Burmanniaceae) a new species and rediscovery of B. indica after 110 years from southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India

A new species of Burmannia (Burmanniaceae), endemic to the southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India is described as Burmannia munnarensis and illustrations are provided. The new species is morphologically most similar to B. indica but can be easily distinguished by its narrow flower wings, involute margin of the perianth lobes, shorter perianth tube and shape of inflorescence. Burmannia indica, known only from the type locality Peermade in Idukki district, Kerala, is rediscovered after a lapse of 110 years on another locality, Meenuliyanpara in the same district. Key to the Indian species of Burmannia is included and status of both taxa is provisionally assessed as per IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Gastrodia qingyunshanensis (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae)—a new holomycotrophic orchid from Guangdong, China

A new species of Gastrodia (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae, Gastrodieae), G. qingyunshanensis, is described and illustrated from Guangdong, China. It is closely related to G. appendiculata C. S. Leou & N. J. Chung but can be distinguished by an urceolate (vs bell-like) and dark brown (vs pale greenish brown) perianth tube, the smaller petals (2.5 × 1.6 mm vs 4–5 × 5–6 mm), the shape of lip (oblong, 3×1.6mm vs ovate, 6–7×5mm), lack of elevated calli at the base of petal (vs having calli), and an appendage shorter than column (vs equal to column). The new species is only reported to occur on Qingyunshan Nature Reserve, Wengyuan County, China, and it is proposed to be Vulnerable (VU) according to the IUCN criteria.

Aspidistra yuelushanensis (Asparagaceae), a new species from Hunan, China

Aspidistra yuelushanensis, a new species of Asparagaceae is described and illustrated from typical hilly red soil region in Hunan Province, central southern China. This novelty is similar to A. chishuiensis by sharing purplish-red and campanulate perianth, but differs from the latter by its stamens inserted at the base (vs. inserted at the middle) of perianth tube, filaments spreading horizontally or slightly upward and enlarged (vs. sessile), perianth lobes slightly outcurved (vs. slightly incurved). It also resembles A. tenuifolia and A. pingfaensis, but differs from the latter two in its leave blade elliptic-lanceolate (vs. narrowly long to ribbon-shaped and linear, respectively), stigma 5 (vs. 7–8 and 8–9, respectively) mm in diameter. A key to the species of Aspidistra in Hunan province is provided.

Flower structure and development in Vietnamese Sciaphila (Triuridaceae: Pandanales): refined knowledge of the morphological misfit family and implications for taxonomy

The monocot family Triuridaceae is a morphological misfit with respect to several traits of floral morphology, including the uniformly apocarpous polymerous gynoecium and the famous inside-out flowers of Lacandonia. Although Triuridaceae are crucially important for understanding the floral evolution of Pandanales and angiosperms in general, significant knowledge gaps exist which hamper adequate morphological analysis of flowers in this family. The scarcity of morphological data is also reflected in numerous taxonomic inconsistencies. Here we provide a comprehensive study of reproductive organs of four species of Sciaphila occurring in Vietnam (S. arfakiana, S. densiflora, S. nana and S. stellata) including the first investigation of early floral development and gynoecium phyllotaxis. Our observations are mainly based on SEM images. We confirm the perianth (studied in male flowers) to be two-whorled and report a rare sequence of initiation of perianth parts: the outer tepals show a late congenital fusion, as their free lobes appear before the common perianth tube, whereas the inner tepals show an early congenital fusion, with their free lobes initiating on the tube rim. We interpret the stamen appendages as basal adaxial outgrowths of the stamen filaments. We discuss the number of thecae and locules in anthers of Sciaphila, and conclude that 3- and 4-, but not 2-locular anthers are characteristic of this genus. We describe the carpels as consisting of both ascidiate and plicate zones, the former being extremely short and completely obscured by anthesis. The single ovule is attached in the cross-zone. The style is non-plicate. We analyze gynoecium phyllotaxis by estimating its contact parastichies, and by investigating the number and arrangement of the outermost carpels. The carpel arrangement in a given gynoecium is a result of the balance between whorled and irregular (but not spiral) phyllotaxis. We recognize the following figures of gynoecium merism: 6, 9, 10, 10.5, 11 and 12, with the prevalence of those divisible by three. We discuss our results in the light of general diversity of floral structure of monocots. Our data allow to clarify several issues in taxonomy of Asian Sciaphila and indicate directions of further studies. We report a significant range extension for S. densiflora, which is newly recorded for the flora of Vietnam. We describe for the first time staminodes in female flowers of this species. We reveal two distinct morphs of S. nana in Vietnam. We highlight the need of a thorough revision of S. secundiflora species complex in order to verify the species boundaries and, in particular, to test the identity of the Vietnamese S. stellata.

Aristolochia yachangensis, a new species of Aristolochiaceae from limestone areas in Guangxi, China

Aristolochia yachangensis B.G.Huang, Yan Liu & Y.S.Huang, a new species from limestone areas in Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically most similar to A. fangchi Y.C.Wu ex L.D.Chow & S.M.Hwang, A. petelotii O.C. Schmidt and A. championii Merr. & Chun in shape of leaf blade, anther, gynostemium and inflorescence on old woody stems. However, it can be easily distinguished from the latter by shape of inflorescence, length of upper and lower portions of perianth tube, colour of the limb and throat. A table and a key to distinguish the new species from other morphologically similar Aristolochia species are also provided.

Gastrodia gunatillekeorum (Gastrodieae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae), a new species from a lowland rainforest of Sri Lanka

Gastrodia gunatillekeorum, a new species in the family Orchidaceae, is described and illustrated from a tropical lowland rainforests of Sri Lanka. It is morphologically close to G. spatulata which is endemic to Indonesia owing to the white flower front with yellowish-orange colour on the inner wall of perianth tube and free part of perianth tube reflexed backwards. However, these two species can be very well differentiated on the basis of spathulate to linear petals which are shorter than sepals, fused only at the base and present inside the perianth tube; labellum elongate-elliptic and column broadest in the middle part in G. spatulata, whereas petals as long as sepals with apical 1/3rd part free (rest fused with sepals) and reflexed backwards, labellum rhomboid in shape, column broadest towards the apex in G. gunatillekeorum. Taxonomic account, line drawing, color photographs and conservation assessment are provided for the new species.