Thrixspermum taeniophyllum (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae), a new species from southwest China, based on molecular and morphological evidence.

Thrixspermum taeniophyllum is described as a new orchid species from Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province of southwest China. It is morphologically similar to T. japonicum, but it differs from the latter in having branched stems, slightly fleshy strapshaped leaves, longer inflorescences with 3–6 flowers and a capitate gynandrium with a lip-shaped mouth opening. Its species status is also supported by molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on nuclear ribosome internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and three chloroplast DNA fragments (matK, psbA-trnH and trnL-F), which showed distinct systematic boundaries from the most morphologically similar T. japonicum and their morphological relatives T. saruwatarii and T. pygmaeum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]