全 文 ：Journal of Systematics and Evolution 46 (4): 622–627 (2008) doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1002.2008.08082
(formerly Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica) http://www.plantsystematics.com
Ypsilorchis and Ypsilorchidinae, a new genus and a new
subtribe of Orchidaceae
1,3,4Zhong-Jian LIU* 2,1,4Sing-Chi CHEN 1,4Li-Jun CHEN
1(The National Orchid Conservation Center, Shenzhen 518114, China)
2(State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China)
3(College of Forestry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China)
4(The Orchid Conservation & Research Center of Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518114, China)
Abstract A new orchid genus, Ypsilorchis Z. J. Liu, S. C. Chen & L. J. Chen, is established based on Ypsilor-
chis fissipetala (Finet) Z. J. Liu, S. C. Chen & L. J. Chen (basionym: Liparis fissipetala Finet). The new genus
differs from Liparis and its allies by having two granular-waxy pollinia each with a somewhat elastic caudicle,
deeply bilobed petals and strongly crisped-margined leaves with an apical awn to 1 mm long. These features are
an indication of its distant relation to the members of the subtribe Liparidinae, and thus a new subtribe, Ypsilor-
chidinae Z. J. Liu, S. C. Chen & L. J. Chen, is proposed.
Key words new combination, new genus, new subtribe, Orchidaceae, taxonomy, Ypsilorchidinae Z. J. Liu, S. C.
Chen & L. J. Chen, Ypsilorchis Z. J. Liu, S. C. Chen & L. J. Chen, Ypsilorchis fissipetala (Finet) Z. J. Liu, S. C.
Chen & L. J. Chen.
Several years ago, when we began working on
the Orchidaceae for the Flora of China, Liparis
fissipetala Finet awakened our interest. It was a little
known species described from northeastern Sichuan
(now northern Chongqing) of China some a century
ago (Finet, 1908). Although it was placed in Liparis,
there are some remarkable characters, such as its
deeply bilobed petals and strongly crisped-margined
leaves, which we have not found in other members of
Liparis Rich. Of course, it needs more materials,
especially living plants, for a further study and evalua-
tion. Unfortunately, no specimen has been collected
since 1890s when P. Farges discovered it and sent the
specimen to the Museum of Natural History in Paris
(P).
Liparis is a large genus of about 250 species. It is
widely distributed in both Old and New World, with
the largest number found in Southeast Asia and New
Guinea (Chen, 1999a). Four genera, namely Liparis,
Malaxis, Oberonia and Hippeophyllum, constitute the
subtribe Liparidinae (Chen, 1999a), which is charac-
terized by having four waxy pollinia without both
caudicle and viscidium. Although Malaxis microta-
tantha (Schltr.) T. Tang & F. T. Wang was reported
having two pollinia (Tang & Wang, 1951), a recent
observation revealed that it has four pollinia (Chen &
Rao, 2007). However, the pollinarium structure of
Liparis fissipetala has not been clear until recently.
Although the type specimen was examined by S. C.
Chen in 2002 when he visited Paris, it was difficult to
clarify the pollinarium structure depending on a dry
specimen.
Fortunately, during a recent botanical trip to
Malipo county in Southeast Yunnan, some individuals
of Liparis fissipetala were collected growing on a
rock in forest in a limestone area. The present paper is
a result of our studies in this interesting species based
on fresh materials. It includes establishing a new
subtribe and a new genus, as well as making a new
combination of species.
1 Material and methods
The living plants of this species were found in
Malipo (ca. 23º N) of Yunnan, China, in autumn of
2007. Six of them were brought back and cultivated in
our nursery (Shenzhen), five of which soon flowered
(November). In the type locality Chengkou (ca. 32º
N), however, it flowered in September in the wild.
The two localities of its growth are far away from
each other, but their floral and leaf features are on the
whole the same. Altogether ten fresh flowers, espe-
cially pollinaria, were minutely examined under
stereoscope (Guiguang XTL-500, China), and their
color photographs, black-white drawings and descrip-
tions were all made in time.
In addition, the dominant trees and shrubs, as
well as some herbs especially orchids, in its Malipo
habitat were collected and identified. The fresh and

———————————
Received: 13 June 2008 Accepted: 22 June 2008
* Author for correspondence. E-mail: .
LIU et al.: A new genus and a new subtribe of Orchidaceae

623
dry pollinaria of this species and Liparis assamica
King & Pantl. (Z. J. Liu 3918), a species more or less
related to it, are examined for a critical comparison.
2 Results and taxonomic treatment
2.1 Morphological observation
A careful observation of the fresh materials
shows that the vegetative and floral features are on the
whole the same as being described and illustrated by
Finet (1908), Seidenfaden (1976) and Chen (1999a).
Of course, it is necessary to make an additional de-
scription of its lip and pollinaria.
Its lip is in fact composed of a basal claw, or
hypochile, and an apical portion, or epichile. The claw
is rather short, with a fleshy callus centrally. On both
sides of the callus there are two lamellar appendages
linking up with the auricles of the epichile. The
epichile long-auriculate on both basal sides, centrally
with a fleshy longitudinal band extending from its
base to near the apex (Fig. 1: C, D; Fig. 2: B–D, G).
Liparis fissipetala has only two pollinia, each
with a somewhat elastic caudicle, but there is no clear
demarcation line between pollinium and caudicle. The
pollinium looks waxy, but rather spongy and its
surface is uneven. Although the end of the caudicle
looks like sticky substance, it is not a true viscidium
(Fig. 1: E–G; Fig. 2: H). Liparis assamica has four
waxy pollinia (in two pairs), and lacks a distinct
caudicle (Fig. 1: H). These features suggest that this
entity is quite different from, or distantly related to,
the other members of Liparis.
2.2 Taxonomic treatment
Ypsilorchidinae Z. J. Liu, S. C. Chen & L. J. Chen,
subtrib. nov.
丫瓣兰亚族
Subtribus nova Liparidinis remote affinis, sed
polliniis duobus granulari-ceraceis caudiculis leviter
elasticis praeditis, petalis profunde bilobis ad apicem
vel Y-formibus distinguibilis.
Typus subtribus: Ypsilorchis Z. J. Liu, S. C. Chen
& L. J. Chen.
New subtribe is distantly related to the subtribe
Liparidinae, from which it differs by having two
granular-waxy pollinia each with a somewhat elastic
caudicle, and deeply bilobed or Y-shaped petals.
Ypsilorchis Z. J. Liu, S. C. Chen & L. J. Chen, gen.
nov.
丫瓣兰属
Genus novum insigne Lipari remote affine, a qua
differt polliniis duobus granulari-ceraceis caudiculis
leviter elasticis praeditis, petalis profunde bilobis ad
apicem vel Y-formibus.
Typus generis: Ypsilorchis fissipetala (Finet) Z.
J. Liu, S. C. Chen & L. J. Chen.
Pseudobulbs close, small. Leaves several, termi-
nal and lateral, small, strongly crisped-margined,
aristate apically. Inflorescence terminal, racemose,
many-flowered; flowers small; lateral sepals connate
forming a synsepal; petals deeply bilobed apically; lip
auriculate and shortly clawed basally; column with
two horn-like appendages on both upper sides, foot-
less; pollinia two, granular-waxy, each with a some-
what elastic caudicle, without a true viscidium.
Ypsilorchis fissipetala (Finet) Z. J. Liu, S. C. Chen &
L. J. Chen, comb. nov.——Liparis fissipetala Finet in
Bull. Soc. Bot. France 55: 340, pl. 11 (1–12). 1908;
Schltr. in Fedde Repert. Sp. Nov. Beih. 4: 197. 1919;
S. Y. Hu in Quart. J. Taiwan Mus. 27 (3, 4): 420.
1974; Seidenf. in Dansk Bot. Ark. 31 (1): 86, fig. 57.
1976; S. C. Chen in Fl. Reip. Pop. Sin. 18: 102, fig. 18
(1–4). 1999.
丫瓣兰 Fig. 2
China. Chongqing (重庆): Chengkou (城口), P.
Farges 1553 (holotype, P!)
Epiphytic plants. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 8–10 mm
long, 4–5 mm thick, with 3–4 leaves. Leaves terminal
and lateral, oblanceolate to narrow-obovate, 8–16 mm
long, 2–3.5 mm wide, strongly crisped-margined,
apex with a distinct awn to 1 mm long, base shortly
petioled and sheathing, articulated, deciduous in
winter. Raceme terminal, 5–10 cm long, with 10–15
flowers; bracts ovate-lanceolate, 1.5–3.5 mm long;
pedicel and ovary 4–5 mm long, glabrous; flowers
yellow, 4–5 mm across; dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate,
3–4 mm long, 0.8–1 mm wide, acute at apex,
one-veined; lateral sepals connate from base to apical
two thirds forming a suborbicular or ovate-orbicular
synsepal 2.5–3 mm long and 2.5–3 mm wide; petals
narrow linear, 4–5 mm long, apex deeply divaricate-
or divergent-bilobed, Y-shaped; lobes 1.4–1.7 mm
long; lip composed of a basal claw and an apical
portion (epichile); epichile broadly oblong or sub-
square, 1.5–2 mm long, 1–1.5 mm wide, base with 2
auricles on both sides, adaxially with a fleshy longitu-
dinal band; claw short, with a fleshy callus centrally;
callus linking up with the auricles by two lamellar
appendages on its both sides; column erect, ca. 1.5
mm long, broadly winged in upper part, with two
horn-like appendages on both upper sides, footless;
stigma hollow; rostellum indistinct; pollinia 2, granu-
lar-waxy, narrow-pyriform, each with a somewhat

Journal of Systematics and Evolution Vol. 46 No. 4 2008 624


































































Fig. 1. A–G, Ypsilorchis fissipetala (Finet) Z. J. Liu, S. C. Chen & L. J. Chen. A, Habitat. B, Flowering plants. C, Flower, front view. D, Flower,
side view. E, Anther cap. F, Pollinia from a fresh flower. G, Pollinia from a dry flower. H, Liparis assamica King & Pantl. Pollinia in 2 piars, from a
fresh flower (Z. J. Liu 3918, collected from Malipo, NOCC). Left: a pair of close pollinia; right: a pair of separate pollinia.
LIU et al.: A new genus and a new subtribe of Orchidaceae

625


Fig. 2. Ypsilorchis fissipetala (Finet) Z. J. Liu, S. C. Chen & L. J. Chen. A, flowering plant; B, flower, front view; C, flower, side view; D,
column and lip, longitudinal section; E, column, front view; F, dorsal sepal, petal and synsepal; G, lip; H, pollinaria. Drawn by X. H. Kong from Z. J.
Liu 3760.

elastic caudicle, without a true viscidium.
Flowering period: September in the wild in
Chengkou of North Chongqing, and November in
cultivation in Shenzhen.
Distribution: China. North Chongqing (ca. 32º N)
and Southeast Yunnan (ca. 23º N)(Fig. 3) .
Etymology: Ypsilorchis means “Y-shaped or-
chid”, referring to the deeply bilobed or Y-shaped
petals.
Specimens examined:
China. Chongqing (重庆): Chengkou (城口), P. Farges
1553 (holotype, P!). Yunnan (云南 ): Malipo (麻栗坡 ),
Jinchangxiang ( 金厂乡 ) (23º7′ N,104º8′ E), 2007-11-05
(flowering in November in cultivation), alt. 1590 m, Z. J. Liu
3760 (NOCC*!).

*NOCC=Herbarium, the National Orchid Conservation Center,
Shenzhen, China.
Journal of Systematics and Evolution Vol. 46 No. 4 2008 626



Fig. 3. Ypsilorchis fissipetala distributed in Chengkou of Chongqing
and Malipo of Yunnan, China (The map from State Bureau Surveying
and Mapping, China. www.sbsm. gov.cn/mcp/index.asp).


2.3 Ecological environment
The type locality of this species is in Chengkou
of North Chongqing, where we failed to collect it
again. The only information we have is that the spe-
cies grew on trees in a forest at an elevation of 1200
m, and flowered in September (Finet, 1908).
In Malipo of Southeast Yunnan, however, the
plants with flower buds were collected in early No-
vember of 2007. They flowered in our nursery a few
days later. The plants were found growing on a
slightly sunny rock in an evergreen broad-leaved
forest at an elevation between 1500 and 1600 m in a
limestone area (Fig. 1: A). The forest was dominated
by Quercus engleriana Seem., Lithocarpus kontumen-
sis A. Camus, Castanopsis platyacantha Rehd. &
Wils., Cinnamomum pingbienense H. W. Li and
Manglietia grandis Hu & W. C. Cheng. The under-
story was dominated by Miliusa balansae Finet &
Gagnep., Uvaria tonkinensis Finet & Gagnep., Ficus
trivia Corner, Ilex micrococca Maxim. f. and Euony-
mus rehderianus Loesen. Some orchids were found
growing abundantly in the forest. They were Den-
drobium moniliforme (L.) Sw., Cymbidium aloifolium
(L.) Sw., Eria coronaria (Lindl.) Rchb.f., Liparis
assamica King & Pantl., Bulbophyllum retusiusculum
Rchb. f., Cheirostylis chinensis Rolfe and Cypri-
pedium lentiginosum P. J. Cribb & S. C. Chen.
In Malipo, the average yearly temperature is 17.6
℃, and the average temperature in the coldest month
and the hottest month is 10.1 ℃ and 23 ℃ respec-
tively. The dry season begins in December and lasts
until March of the next year. The wet season ranges
from April to November, and the habitats are covered
by heavy fog in early morning and evening during this
period. The major soil type is limestone, and the soil
is rather shallow. The vegetation in the area consists
of broad-leaved forests, narrow-leaved forests, shrub-
bery and hassock; forest community types include
montane humid broad-leaved forests and narrow-
leaved forests (Liu et al., 2008).
3 Discussion
In Orchidaceae only a few groups, such as the
subtribes Limodorinae, Galeolinae, Vanillinae, Le-
canorchidinae and Pogoniinae, have two granular (not
sectile) pollinia, and one, Collabiinae, has two waxy
pollinia, and lacks viscidium. The former five are
considered to be rather primitive groups (Dressler,
1993).
The narrow-pyriform pollinia in Ypsilorchis are
two in number. They are not typically waxy nor
granular in texture. Each pollinium has a true, even if
not typical, caudicle, which is somewhat elastic but
slightly spongy. Although its end becomes deeper in
color and thicker in texture, it is not a true viscidium.
This type of pollinaria, to our knowledge, has not been
found in any other group of orchids. Both pollinarium
structure and floral morphology, as well as its vegeta-
tive characters, show little relationship to the subtribes
mentioned above.
Finet (1908) placed this entity in Liparis proba-
bly based on the similarity in habit and floral mor-
phology between it and some species of Liparis, such
as L. assamica King & Pantl. and L. resupinata Ridl.
His treatment has been followed by many succeeding
botanists. However, the pollinia in Liparis and its
allies are four in number, which are waxy in texture
and lack a true caudicle. Liparis and other five genera:
Hippeophyllum Schltr., Malaxis Soland. ex Sw.,
Oberonia Lindl., Orestias Ridley and Risleya King &
Pantl. were treated by Dressler (1993) as belonging to
the tribe Malaxideae. However, Chen (1999a) recog-
nized two subtribes: Liparidinae, composed of
Liparis, Malaxis, Oberonia and Hippeophyllum, and
Risleyinae, including only Risleya, but did not men-
tion the tribe Malaxideae. According to Chen’s opin-
ion, it is rather easy to group allied genera into a
subtribe, but to recognize a tribe needs wider and
LIU et al.: A new genus and a new subtribe of Orchidaceae

627
deeper studies. Ypsilorchis seems to be more related to
Liparis than to any other orchid genus, even though
the relation between them is rather distant based on
their pollinarium structure. On this basis, a new
subtribe is proposed here. Of course, it is still an open
question that whether it is an independent tribe or
belongs to the tribe Malaxideae together with the
subtribe Liparidinae.
It is interesting that this entity is discontinuously
distributed in Chengkou of North Chongqing and
Malipo of Southeast Yunnan. The two localities are
nearly 1000 km apart (Fig. 3). As we know, there is
another epiphytic orchid, Gastrochilus fargesii
(Kraenzl.) Schltr., that has such a pattern of discon-
tinuous distribution. However, more orchids found
both in Chengkou and Malipo are of wide distribution
in the subtropical regions of China, including Sichuan,
Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan or even
Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Taiwan and Xizang. Examples are
Dendrobium hancockii Rolfe, Epigeneium fargesii
(Finet) Gagnep., Calanthe mannii Hook. f. and C.
davidii Franch.
Ypsilorchis fissipetala is a small epiphytic plant,
and very easy to grow in garden. It is probably also
widely distributed in the subtropical regions of China,
but we fail to collect it. As a new genus, its special
pollinaria, Y-shaped petals, strongly crisped-margined
leaves and other features interest us greatly. How does
it adapt to ecological environment and to insect polli-
nation? What is the significance of its vegetative and
floral structure? These will be the next target of our
study.
Acknowledgements The project was financially
supported by the National Program for Wild Life
Conservation and Nature Reserve Construction,
China; and by the Science & Technology Plan of
Shenzhen, China (No. 2006-464). We express our
deep gratitude to X. H. CHEN, W. R. LIU, Y. H.
KONG, Y. Y. ZHENG and W. H. RAO for their kind
help in the course of our study and preparing this
article.
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兰科一新属和新亚族——丫瓣兰属和丫瓣兰亚族
1,3,4刘仲健* 2,1,4陈心启 1,4陈利君
1(全国兰科植物种质资源保护中心 深圳 518114)
2(中国科学院植物研究所系统与进化植物学国家重点实验室 北京 100093)
3(华南农业大学林学院 广州 510642)
4(深圳市兰科植物保护研究中心 深圳 518114)

摘要 基于丫瓣兰Ypsilorchis fissipetala (Finet) Z. J. Liu, S. C. Chen & L. J. Chen(基名为裂瓣羊耳蒜Liparis fissipetala Finet)建
立了兰科新属——丫瓣兰属Ypsilorchis Z. J. Liu, S. C. Chen & L. J. Chen。新属与羊耳蒜属Liparis的区别点为: 新属有两个粉蜡
质花粉团; 每个花粉团具1个多少有弹性的花粉团柄; 花瓣二深裂; 叶具强烈波状的边缘, 其先端有一个长达1 mm的芒尖。这
些特征表明了其与羊耳蒜亚族Liparidinae有明显的差别, 为此, 建立了一个新的亚族——丫瓣兰亚族Ypsilorchidinae Z. J. Liu,
S. C. Chen & L. J. Chen。
关键词 新组合; 新属; 新亚族; 兰科; 分类; 丫瓣兰亚族; 丫瓣兰属; 丫瓣兰