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Liparis tianchiensis (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae), a new species from Wenxian County, Gansu Province, China, is described and illustrated, based on morphological characters. Liparis tianchiensis is morphologically similar to L. damingshanensis, L. pauliana and L. mengziensis with erect, lax flowered-inflorescences, small persistent floral bracts, small greenish-purple flowers, spreading sepals, free reflexed and linear petals, a lip with 2 calli near the base and an arcuate column. Liparis tianchiensis differs from L. pauliana by the single and much smaller leaf, shorter sepals and petals, smaller and reflexed oblong lip. It differs from L. mengziensis by having fewer and larger flowers and not connate lip apex. The novelty mostly resembles L. damingshanensis, but can be readily identified by having longer sepals and a reflexed oblong lip. Liparis tianchiensis only occurs in evergreen broad-leaved forest around a mountain lake in Wenxian County, Gansu Province, China.

Malaxidinae are a cosmopolitan higher Epidendroid subtribe of > 1250 species that exhibit wide morphological and ecological diversity. Despite almost two centuries of taxonomic deliberation, controversy persists regarding the delimitation of practically all Malaxidinae genera, the most important of which are Crepidium, Dienia, Liparis and Malaxis. Previous attempts to classify these genera using a molecular phylogenetic approach showed Liparis and Malaxis to be polyphyletic and the floral characters traditionally used to define them as homoplastic. Emphasis has instead shifted to vegetative and ecological traits. Here, we conduct an expanded analysis of nuclear (ITS) and plastid (matK) sequences focused on terrestrial taxa, with the resulting phylogram largely corroborating the emerging picture, and we test the efficacy of four previously highlighted traits to recover the same relationships. Although growth habit is underscored as important for resolving a natural distinction between epiphytic Liparis and terrestrial ‘Crepidium clade’ plus ‘Malaxis clade’ taxa, leaf shape and venation and habitat preference are shown to be poor predictors of phylogenetic affiliation. Instead, perennating organ structure (heteroblastic or homoblastic) and placement (predominantly above- or below-ground) – are incisive, with leaf number and texture apparently correlated. These findings are discussed in the context of an inferred evolutionary history of the subtribe. Although homoplastic at the subtribe level, some floral characters are shown to be useful for resolving identities at the species level. Accordingly, the status of four long-confused species (Crepidium acuminatum, C. allanii, C. purpureum and Microstylis biloba) is resolved.

Bulbophyllum obtusangulum Z.H. Tsi has long been treated as a synonymy of B. lepidum (Blume) J.J. Sm., which is broadly distributed in Southeast Asia. In this paper, based on a re-evaluation of morphological characters and critical study of herbarium specimens and protologue, B. obtusangulum is proposed as a heterotypic synonym of B. tseanum (S.Y. Hu & Barretto) Z.H. Tsi, which was previously regarded as endemic to Hong Kong.

Liparis aureolabella and L. mengziensis, two new species from the karst region of southwestern China, and L. bingzhongluoensis, a new species from montane region in Yunnan, are described and illustrated. L. aureolabella is easily distinguished from its relatives by having abaxially purple leave with purple reticulate veins prominent adaxially, a lip auriculate at base, and falcate-lanceolate pollinia. Liparis mengziensis is closely related to L. petiolata and L. auriculata, but differs from them by having an ovate to broadly ovate leaf, purple lip and apex connate along the margins. Liparis bingzhongluoensis is similar to Liparis nanlingensis, but the new species is characterized by having a lip with two transparent ridges on its disc, longitudinally concave basal callus and triangular column wings. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid matK sequences showed that L. aureolabella and L. mengziensis are nested with L. petiolata or L. auriculata in a monophyletic clade. L. bingzhongluoensis is sister to a clade formed by L. nanlingensis, L. tsii, L. sasakii and L. krameri. Moreover, morphological comparisons strongly support that the three species as separated species newly to science.

The complete plastid genome of Bulbophyllum pingnanense, a critically endangered species, was determined and analyzed in this study. The complete genome was 151,224 bp in length, consisting of a large single-copy region (LSC) of 86,017 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 13,497 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 25,855 bp. The genome contained 127 genes, including 81 protein-coding genes, 38 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that B. pingnanense is sister to B. inconspicuum.

The following 24 new synonyms in the orchid genus Oberonia are proposed, correct name (synonym(s)): O. aporophylla (O. longirepens); O. bertoldii (O. gracillima, O. laeta); O. bifida (O. celebica, O. fissiglossa); O. brunoniana (O. wallichii, O. saintberchmansii); O. costeriana (O. vulcanica); O. ensiformis (O. vesiculifera); O. griffithiana (O. khuongii); O. heliophila (O. asperula, O. rivularis, O. inversiflora, O. hosokawai); O. obcordata (O. menghaiensis); O. pachyphylla (O. janae); O. pachystachya (O. trignonoglossa); O. rhizomatosa (O. repens, O. torana, O. ponapensis, O. chenii, Hippeophyllum microphyllum); O. spathipetala (O. odontopetala, O. pectinata). Oberonia anicpita is not a distinct name introduced by Náves in F.M.Blanco but an orthographic variant of O. anceps, itself a synonym of O. lycopodioides. The spelling of several species epithets in honour of Takahide Hosokawa, a man, are corrected to hosokawai: Carpesium hosokawae (Asteraceae), Glochidion hosokawae (Phyllanthaceae), Pandanus hosokawae (Pandanaceae), Psychotria hosokawae (Rubiaceae), Eria hosokawae, Microtatorchis hosokawae, Habenaria hosokawae, Moerenhoutia hosokawae (all Orchidaceae)

Bulbophyllum gedangense (Orchidaceae), a new species from Tibet, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to B. psychoon and B. levinei, but differs from them by having longer scapes, smaller flowers, sepals subequal in length, ovate dorsal sepal with obtuse apex, obliquely triangular-ovate lateral sepals with acute apex, ovate petals with entire margins and rounded apex.

A new species, Bulbophyllum lingii (Orchidaceae: Epidedroideae: Malaxideae) from Hainan, China, is described and illustrated. Detailed morphological comparisons indicate that B. lingii is similar to B. catenarium, but differs in having oblong petals, lip margins from base of side-lobes to lip tip recurved, adaxial surface of top part glabrous, stigma with a rather distinct basal callus, foot with about 1/3 free part. The conservation status of B. lingii is assessed and taxonomic notes are provided.

A new orchid species, Dendrobium yongjiaense, from Zhejiang, China, is described and illustrated here. Detailed morphological study indicates that D. yongjiaense is similar to D. monticola and D. strongylanthum, but it differs in the shape and size of leaf, flower size, and a mid-lobe of the lip with densly distinct crystalline papillae and wrinkled 3–5 crest lines in middle. Molecular phylogeny analyses based on the nrITS and plastid DNA (matK and trnL-F) reveal that D. yongjiaense is a member of sect. Stachyobium, and genetically similar to D. monticola.

A new species, Liparis mai (Malaxidinae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae), from Guangxi, China, is illustrated and described based on morphological and molecular analyses. This new species is similar to L. nervosa but differs by the older pseudobulb often bearing bulbil, larger revolute lateral sepals, obovate-elliptic lip and caniniform callus. Molecular analyses of nuclear (ITS) and plastid (matK) DNA support L. mai as a distinct species, which forms an independent lineage sister to L. nervosa and its allies.

We have described and illustrated a new species, Bulbophyllum linzhiense (Malaxideae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae), from Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China. The size and overall floral morphology of the new species are similar to those of B. rubrolabellum, a species endemic to Taiwan island on the southeast coast of China, but is different by apart pseudobulbs, lower flowers, ovate-lanceolate bracts, longer pedicel and ovary, yellow-green flower, and lanceolate lateral sepals. A cladistic analysis based on the nuclear (ITS) and plastid (matK, trnL-F, and atpI-atpH) DNA sequences supported the new species is sister to B. rubrolabellum.

Following a historical outline, the methods and results of a taxonomic revision of Liparis in Thailand are presented. Applying the traditional methods and techniques of morphology-based botanical revision work, the revision mainly relied on examination of dried and liquid-preserved specimens from 13 herbaria. However, the herbarium studies were supplemented with observations of live plants made during 24 field trips to five of the seven floristic regions of Thailand. The taxonomic value of selected morphological characters is assessed, and ecological aspects are surveyed together with occurrence patterns in Thailand and the overall geographic affinities of the Liparis species represented in the Thai flora. Thirty-seven species are accepted, whereas reports of L. distans and L. kwangtungensis from Thailand are treated as dubious. One new species, L. buddhawongii, is described as new, based on material from Doi Ang Khang in Chiang Mai province. Full taxonomic accounts are provided for the genus and species, including a dichotomous key to the species. Whereas the synonymies are intended to be complete, all morphological descriptions have been prepared exclusively from Thai material. The accepted names L. balansae and L. resupinata are lectotypified, whereas a neotype is designated for L. ferruginea; L. downii and L. melanoglossa are proposed as new taxonomic (heterotypic) synonyms. All accepted species are illustrated by line drawings, and references are provided to additional good illustrations in the literature.

A previously unrecognized species represented by six spirit samples in the collection of the late Gunnar Seidenfaden, pioneering Danish explorer of the Thai orchid flora, is newly described. It is evident that Seidenfaden was perplexed by the material, as three different species names can be observed on the labels (often accompanied by question marks or indications such as “probably”): D. fimbriatum, D. gibsonii and D. chryseum. In our view, the new species has the strongest morphological resemblance to D. fimbriatum, but it differs in characters of the stems, leaves, lateral sepals, petals and labellum. We describe the new species as D. perplexum, the epithet referring to the previously perplexing properties of the material. So far, D. perplexum is only known from NE Thailand, but as the confirmed Thai localities are close to the Laotian border, future finds in Laos might be expected.

Bulbophyllum reflexipetalum, a new species from Motuo County, Southeast Xizang, China, is described and illustrated here. This new species belongs to Bulbophyllum sect. Umbellata Bentham & J. D. Hooker, and it is morphologically similar to B. umbellatum Lindley, B. guttulatum (J. D. Hooker) N. P. Balakrishnan and B. salweenensis X.H. Jin, but is distinguished from them by having reflexed petals, base of dorsal sepal with 1 dentate on each side, lip with significantly revolute margin, adaxially with dark brown spots or patches and one longitudinal groove.

Liparis popaensis, a new species of Orchidaceae, is described from Popa Mountain National Park, central Myanmar. Liparis popaensis is morphologically similar to L. odorata but it differs from the latter by having oblong-lanceolate dorsal sepal, column with two triangular wings and lip with a pair of subconical and basally adjoining calli at its base. Identification key and colour photographs are provided. A preliminary conservation assessment according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria is given for the new species.

Embryogenesis of the plant Liparis parviflora, a representative of the tribe Malaxideae (Orchidaceae), was studied. The multivariance of the first cell divisions in embryos belonging to different species and genera of the Malaxideae tribe was considered. All the cells of the embryo proper were shown to originate from the apical (ca) cell of the two-celled proembryo. The basal (cb) cell of the embryo does not undergo division over the entire embryogenesis. The suspensor remains unicellular but changes its shape upon development by forming several elongated lobes and is eliminated at later stages of the globular embryo. Thus, the embryonic development of this species generally obeys the Dienia type that was earlier described. It should be noted that the lobe-shape suspensor, firstly found in L. parviflora, had never been reported in any representative of the Malaxideae tribe.

Liparisnapoensis, a new orchid species belonging to section Cestichis from Guangxi, China is described and illustrated. It occurs in the karst limestone forest. The new species is morphologically similar to L.viridiflora and L.somae, but can be readily distinguished by having narrowly oblong-falcate petals; flabellate-quadrate lip distinctly concave at base and emarginate at apex; conspicuously arcuate column with a pair of wedge-shaped wings.

A new Philippine endemic species, Stichorkis davidlohmanii, is herein described and illustrated. This new species is comparable to S. compressa but distinct by its obovate, slightly conduplicate labellum with a blunt, obtusely rounded when flattened apex.

The original version of this article unfortunately contains an error. Figure 6 on page 28 and Figure 64 on page 140 were missing from the published version of the papers.

Molecular studies have shown that Liparis s.l. is polyphyletic, with the epiphytic Liparis alliance well separated from the clade representing Liparis in its restricted sense and further forming a phylogenetically heterogeneous assemblage. The generic status of Cestichis, as the key member of the epiphytic Liparis alliance, remains contentious, and the relationships between Cestichis, Stichorkis and Platystyliparis are still unclear and in need of further studies. We herein employ DNA sequence data from nuclear ITS and plastid matK regions to clarify the generic boundaries of Cestichis and its relationship to the allied genera. Results from both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analysis congruently indicate that Cestichis as currently circumscribed is not monophyletic. The Blepharoglossum clade, corresponding to commonly recognized sect. Blepharoglossum, forms a monophyletic lineage closely related to the genus Oberonia instead of the core Cestichis clade. A re-evaluation of the diagnostic morphological characters reveals that this lineage represents a morphologically distinct group. Based on these results, Blepharoglossum is removed from Cestichis and elevated to generic status. Our study also sheds light on the homoplastic nature of some diagnostic morphological characters used traditionally in the taxonomy of the Malaxidinae.

Summary.The tribe Malaxideae (Orchidaceae, subfamily Epidendroideae) (sensuPridgeonet al. 2005: 453) in Madagascar and adjacent archipelagos is revised. In this region it comprises the four genera:Liparis, Malaxis, OberoniaandStichorkis. All of the species are described and their typification, history, identification, distribution and habitat are discussed. Conservation assessments and distribution maps are included. A checklist of the genera and species and a key to their identification are provided. Six new species:Liparis bemarahensis, L. bosseri, L. chantaliae, L. laurentii, L. magnificaandL. superclareaeare described.

41 new combinations, two synonyms and three lectotypifications from the genus Stichorkis are proposed. This work aimed to solve taxonomic ambiguity and nomenclatural crisis for Malesian Stichorkis. 41 new combinations, two synonyms and three lectotypifications from the genus Stichorkis are proposed. This work aimed to solve taxonomic ambiguity and nomenclatural crisis for Malesian Stichorkis.

A new Dienia type of the embryogenesis of orchid plants differing from the Liparis type, earlier observed for the tribe Malaxideae, has been described in Dienia ophrydis (J. Koenig) Seidenf. (Orchidaceae). The Dienia-type embryogenesis is characterized by the following features: (1) development of a single-celled suspensor formed by a cb-derivative, (2) linear arrangement of embryo cells at the tetrad stage, (3) atypical origin of some tiers, and (4) no divisions of the ci and cb cells. A hypothesis about the convergent similarity between the Dienia and Caryophyllaceae types of embryogenesis has been proposed. A number of embryo sac and embryo structures typical for D. ophrydis, including “petassum,” “fitting,” and “suspensor mantle,” have been first described. A “petassum” represents the remains of cell walls of the pollen tube and probably the filamentous apparatus of synergids sealing the micropyle side of a fertilized embryo sac. The sole suspensor cell has a special appendix (“fitting”), which connects it to the embryo. The suspensor and the fitting are surrounded by a special envelope (“suspensor mantle”), which does not cover the basal cell of the embryo (ci).

Bulbophyllumchrysolabium, a new species belonging to section Racemosae from Yunnan, China is described and illustrated. The species is related to B.orientale and B.morphologorum, but differs by having the following set of characters: obliquely broadly-based triangular petals with a long filiform apex; lip densely glandular papillose and conspicuously ciliolate along margins; lip auricles well developed, narrowly falcate, tapering to a long sharp point at the apex; stelidia subulate and twisted inwards, slightly exceeding operculum. The conservation status of B.chrysolabium is assessed and taxonomic notes are provided.

Liparis tsii, a new orchid from Guangdong, China, is described and illustrated. It is compared with its closest allies: L. sasakii Hayata, L. nanlingensis H.Z. Tian & F.W. Xing, L. krameri Franch. & Sav., L. reckoniana T.C. Hsu and L. brunnea Ormerod belonging to section Liparis. Further phylogenetic study based on combined molecular data from nrITS and plastid trnL-F ascertained its phylogenetic position as L. tsii being sister to L. sasakii and L. nanlingensis. A key to identification with the allied species is provided.

Studies of the Neotropical orchid genus Crossoglossa reveal seven new species and a new synonym. Discussion is also provided on some prior misidentifications, and some emended descriptions are provided to clarify the characters of previously published taxa. The novel taxa are C. boekeana, C. dressleri, C. kolanowskae, C. oliveirae, C. pellucida, C. sprucei, and C. tetraphylla. Crossoglossa dodsonii is considered a synonym of C. dalstroemii.

A new species from Panama, Malaxis panamensis, is described and illustrated. So far this orchid is known exclusively from the Panamanian Cordillera Central. Malaxis panamensis seems to be related to M. woodsonii but the species are easily distinguished by the lip form.

Bulbophyllum yarlungzangboense, a new species of Orchidaceae from Tibet, China is described and illustrated, it is morphologically similar to B. gamblei and B. shweliense, but can be easy distinguished from the later by petals ovate-oblong, stelidis triangular, base of column foot with V-shape cushion. The new species is tentatively assigned to sect. Desmosanthes based on morphological characters.

Oberonia orbicularis (Orchidaceae, Malaxideae) has been treated as the synonym of O. pachyrachis, O. obcordata and O. maxima, respectively. Our critical examination of protologues and type materials of these four names demonstrates that they are morphologically distinct from each other. We therefore reinstate the independent specific status of O. orbicularis. A detail description of this species was also provided.

Liparis aphylla G.A.Romero & Garay was previously known only from two herbarium specimens collected in 1945 and 1977 in Ecuador and Colombia, respectively. This little-known species is hereby reported for the first time for Peru. An updated description, line illustration, color photographs and distribution map of Liparis aphylla, as well as an identification key to the Peruvian species of Liparis are provided.