Vanilla shenzhenica Z. J. Liu & S. C. Chen, the first new species of Orchidaceae found in Shenzhen, South China

Abstract

Vanilla shenzhenica Z. J. Liu & S. C. Chen, a new species of Orchidaceae, is described and illustrated. This is the first new species of Orchidaceae found in Shenzhen, South China. It is akin to Vanilla somai Hayata, from which it differs by having 4-flowered inflorescences, not fully opening flowers with their unlobed lip joined 3/4 of its length to the column, and a retrorse tuft of fimbriate appendage in the upper part of the lip.