Gastrochilus prionophyllus
Gastrochilus prionophyllus H.Jiang, D.P.Ye & Q.Liu
Gastrochilus prionophyllus is an epiphytic orchid species from Yunnan Province, China, described in 2019 by H. Jiang, D.P. Ye, and Q. Liu. It belongs to the Orchidaceae family and is characterized by its pendulous stem, small ovate leaves with serrated margins, and yellow-green flowers with reddish-brown spots. The species is distinguished by its thick fleshy leaves, smaller flowers, and unique lip morphology, including a reniform epichile with a thickened central cushion and a subconic hypochile.
Description
Gastrochilus prionophyllus is an epiphytic herb with a slender, pendulous stem measuring 10–15 cm long and 1.25 mm in diameter, marked with tiny red-purple spots. The alternate, distichous leaves are ovate (0.9–1.3 x 0.3–0.5 cm) with significantly serrated margins and acuminate apexes bearing two unequal awns. The purple-spotted leaves are arranged opposite to the subumbellate, 2–3-flowered inflorescences. Flowers are yellow-green with reddish-brown spots. The dorsal and lateral sepals are oblong-elliptic, while the petals are subobovate. The lip consists of an epichile and a saccate hypochile; the epichile is nearly reniform with a central cushion and two conic calli, and the hypochile is subconic and laterally compressed. The column is stout, and the rostellum is bilobed with horn-like awns. The species is named for its serrated leaf margins.
Distribution
China South-Central
