Goodyera araneosa: a new species of Orchidaceae from Sichuan, China and its affinities

Abstract

Goodyera araneosa, a new species of Orchidaceae from Wanglang National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, is described and illustrated. It shows close morphological affinity to G. marginata and G. wuana, but can be distinguished from the former on the basis of smaller plant stature and presence of regular white reticulation on the leaves, and from the latter in having regular white reticulation on the leaves and two pairs of papillae on each side of the hypochile. Molecular studies based on ITS, accD-psaI, matK, trnK-rps16 and trnL-F, also support the separation of these species.