Journal of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Eria mêdogensis, a Probably Peloric Form of Eria Coronaria, with a Discussion on Peloria in Orchidaceae

Chen Sing-Chi, Tsi Zhan-Hue

1987, 25 (5): 329-339.

Abstract ( 0 )

Eria mêdogensis S. C. Chen et Tsi was recently found in southeastern Tibet, se-

veral specimens of which have been collected by various botanists since 1980. This is a “normal”

entity with its habit very similar to that of Eria coronaria, from which it differs by having a

regular perianth and longer bracts. We think it probable that this new entity is a peloric form

of Eria coronaria.

Peloria (or pelory) is a type of floral abnormality, which is found in many zygomorphic-

flowered taxa. It was first detected by Linnaeus (1744) in Linaria vulgaris, and then by others

in Labiatae, Orchidaceae, etc. However, it is still an open question how to explain it theoretical-

ly and how to treat it taxonomically.

In Orchidaceae, so far as our knowledge is concerned, peloria has been encountered in no

less than 21 genera. In most cases, peloric flowers are found sporadically on an occassional plant,

as seen in Cypripedium reginae and Eria oblitterata. Sometimes, however, peloric form may occur

coexisting with normal-flowered form in one and the same species, as seen in Dendrobium tetro-

don and Epipogium roseum. They are both abnormally peloric forms. It would not result in

naming or renaming a plant taxonomically, whether the appearance of abnormally regular flo-

wers on a normal-flowered inflorescence, or of abnormal-flowered individuals in normal-flower-

ed species. In Phragmipedium lindenii, however, the case is different. It is quite “normal” and

even of wider distribution than its nonpeloric allies P. wallisii and P. caudatum, from which

it has once been considered to be derived. This is a normally peloric form. Whether it is a

reversal or not, the appearance of a “normally” peloric taxon may be taken for a leap in the

process of evolution. Taxonomically, we had better treat it as a separate species, especially when

its origin is uncertain. For example, the entity just mentioned had been treated as a peloric va-

riety of Phragmipedium caudatum (var. lindenii) until 1975, when Dressler & Williams recogniz-

ed it as an independent species based on the fact that its nonpeloric flowers occassionally found

in a peloric population in Jungurahua of Ecuador are dissimilar in lip to those in P. cauda-

tum. Garay (1979) considered it to be a peloric form of P. wallisii but maintained it at the

specific level. This is indeed a good example of taxonomic treatment of normally peloric form.

On the other hand, however, most of the regular-flowered entities in Orchidaceae are not

peloric but rather primitive forms, such as Neuwiedia, Apostasia and Thelymitra, of which no

less than 50 species have been reported since the eighteen century. They have never been regarded

as peloric forms. Unfortunately, this has been neglected by some botanists. For instance, a hypo-

thetically primitive orchid flower designed by Pijl & Dodson (1966) has a distinctly specialized

lip with a short spur. In fact, in addition to the aforementioned genera we have some more ex-

amples of normally regular-flowered orchids. Among them Archineottia is the most interesting.

This is a genus of four species, two of which are regular-flowered. Of special interest is that in

this genus and its ally, Neottia, one can find all steps of column evolution from a simple form

with stamen and style not fully united to a most complicated form in which they have well fused.

Archineottia has a very primitive column, on which neither rostellum nor clinandrium is found

but a terminal and undifferentiated stigma (Fig.2: 2, 4, 6, 8). In addition, there exists on the

back of the column a thick ridge with its upper end joining the filament with which it is of

same texture. It is obviously the lower part of the filament which has been adnate to the style

(column). In Neottia, however, the column is much more advanced and very typical among the

family. It has a very large rostellum and most complicated stigma structure (Fig. 10, 12, 14, 16,

18). One of the most interesting examples is Neottia acuminata, in which the stigma even

becomes lamellate and almost backwards clasps the erect rostellum, but the perianth is more or

less regular with its lip entire and somewhat similar to, but shorter and wider than, the petals.

In these two genera there are altogether three species, namely Archineottia gaudissartii, A mic-

roglottis and Neottia acuminata, possessing regular or nearly regular perianth (Fig. 2: 1, 3, 17).

They are obviously not peloric forms. We can not imagine, indeed, that a complicated form

like Neottia acuminata or its allies would degenerate step by step into a simple form, and finally

into a peloric form. Archineottia belongs to the subtribe Listerinae, which is closely related to

Limodorinae, a rather primitivs subtribe with some genera possessing single pollen grain, relati-

vely few and long chromosomes and monocotyledonous habit. Apparently, there is nothing sur-

prising in the occurrence of some normally regular-flowered taxa, such as Archineottia, Diplan-

drorchis, Tangtsinia and Sinorchis, in these two primitive subtribes.

Another instance is Aceratorchis, a genus formerly included in Orchis, from which it is dis-

tinguished by the entire lip which is more or less similar to the petals. Strictly speaking, howe-

ver, its flowers are not truly regular. Two species have been described in this genus, but they

were recently considered as conspecific. Aceratorchis tschiliensis is widely distributed from

Hebei through Qinghai and Sichuan to northwestern Yunnan. It is cross-pollinated and produces

seeds efficiently. All these indicate its normally primitive taxon, instead of peloria. It may be

noted here that Asia is rich in members of Orchidioideae, as well as its primitive representatives.

The occurrence of a normally regular-flowered form in Asia, whether representing primitive

form of Orchis or Orchidioideae, is imaginable.

In Orchidaceae, as mentioned above, regular flowers are not only found in some primitive

taxa and peloric forms, but also in a few advanced groups. For example, a close investigation

by the senior author (Chen 1979) on Satyrium ciliatum revealed that this species has hermap-

hrodite, staminate and pistallate forms, for which no less than nine names have been published.

The flowers of its pistallate form are almost regular, in which nothing is found but three

similar petals and an elongate style with three stigmatic lobes at its top (Fig. 2: 19).

It is interesting to note that floral reversions in Orchidaceae are not always in connection

with peloria. For example, Epidendrum triandrum of North America represents another kind

of reversion. It is a reversal to abnormal polymery of stamens and not to abnormal regularity

of perianth. Like Phragmipedium lindenii, it is also hereditary. We may give it a new name

“Polyandrism” or something else, but, in fact, there is no essential distinction of this kind of re-

version from peloria.

It deserves mentioning that most of the regular-flowered entities, including primitive, ad-

vanced and peloric ones, occur in Asia and Australasia, where the Orchidaceae may have ori-

ginated as pointed out by some botanists. We have good reason to verify the primitiveness and

normality of many regular-flowered entities, but there exists no sufficient evidence for the im-

possible existances of normally regular-flowered species in those like Dendrobium, Eria, Lecanor-

chis, etc. For instance, Lecanorchis javanica, Dendrobium atavus and the new species described

here are considered to be peloric forms, but it is only a conjecture, for no reason can be given

for it. It is not impossible that some so-called peloric forms may prove to be truly primitive ones

in the future. Of course, a closer investigation is needed.

Summarizing the above, we may come to the following conclusions:

1. Regular or nearly regular perianth is a normal characteristic of orchids. It is chiefly

found in some primitive taxa and sometimes also in certain peloric forms and advanced groups.

Regular-flowered entities may not necessarily be peloric forms.

2. There exist two different types of peloria in Orchidaceae. One is abnormal form, with

its peloric flowers appearing at random. The other is “normal” form, with its individuals all

possessing peloric flowers. The latter is inheritable and can produce seeds efficiently, It would

be best to treat it as an independent species taxonomically, especially when its origin is uncertain.

3. Although peloria has been considered to he a reversal as a whole, conditions vary from

plant to plant. Some peloric forms have petal-like lip, and others have labellum-like petals.

Sometimes the same plant produces different kinds of peloric flowers in different years, sometimes

peloric flowers do not reappear upon the same plant. A few species can produce both peloric

and normal individuals, but others produce peloric forms only. Peloria is in fact a term only

used to cover the phase in which lip becomes similar to the petals. It is never all-embracing.

We recognize the existance of peloria in Orchidaceae, but great care must be taken to distinguish

truly peloric form from normally primitive one. It must be admitted that what causes peloria

and even what is peloria are still problems awaiting solution.

Acknowledgments: Our heartfelt thanks are due to Dr. Leslie A. Garay, Curator of the

Orchid Herbarium of Oakes Ames, Botanical Museum of Harvard University, for his valuable

suggestions during the preparation of this paper. We are also indebted to the artists, Mrs. Chun-

rung Liu and Mr. Chao-zhen Ji of our department, for their preparing the fine drawings.

Relationships Between the Bryoflora of Mt. Wuyi, SE China, and Those of Neighbouring Mountain Regions

Wu Pan-Cheng, Li Deng-Ke, Gao Cai-Hua

1987, 25 (5): 340-349.

Abstract ( 0 )

Mt. Wuyi, located at 27°37‛-27°54‛ N, 117°27‛-117°51‛ E, is the highest mountain

in South-East China. Its main peak, Huanggangshan, is 2158 m above the sea level. In 1955, P.

C. Chen organized the first expedition to Mt. Wuyi, and the authors investigated the different

ravines and the forests of that area in 1976 and from 1979 to 1984 respectively. Up to now

355 species of the bryophytes have been found in Mt. Wuyi.

I. The influence of the factors of geological history on the bryoflora of Mt. Wuyi

Fujian Province, belonging to Cathaysian, one of three Chinese ancient lands, was a part

of ocean until the end of the lower Tertiary. In the early Devonian, Fujian uplifted above the

sea level, but it submerged in the sea later, and then uplifted above the sea level again in the

upper Triassic.

By the end of the lower Triassic the Himalayan movement influenced the paleogeography

of China deeply, and the eastern and central mountains of Fujian uplifted again. In the Ter-

tiary, Fujian was influenced by the hot maritime weather, so the tropical evergreen forests existed

in southern Fujian at that time. The conclusion was made by Z. B. Zhao in 1983 after his long

period of study on geological history of Fujian Province since the Yanshan movement.

According to the morden geographical distribution of Chinese bryophytes, it seems that the

above influence might be related to the bryophytes of Mt. Wuyi and also the southern part of

Zhejian Province. By the end of the Tertiary the weather became cold in most parts of China.

Since then the cold weather and hot weather alternated several times. One kind of the ende-

mic elements of the bryoflora formed in the area from the south-eastern coast of China to the

southeastern Xizang (Tibet), including Japan. They are not specialized at the family level or

closely related to each other, but they have similar distribution and belong to different families.

In the Quaternary, Mt. Wuyi gradually uplifted following the Himalayan movement. As the

weather cooled down in the upper part of the mountain, deciduous broad-leaved and needle-

leaved trees increased there. Meanwhile, temperate genera and species of the bryophytes spread and

invaded South China and entered Mr. Wuyi. Rhytidiadelphus and Hvlocomium probably be-

gan to grow in Mt. Wuyi at that time, and their distribution is quite different from their pri-

mary one. On the other hand, a part of tropical and subtropical bryophytes might enjoy the

changed weather and environment in the Quaternary and existed in a few small localities of Mt.

Wuyi, and the genera Haplomitrium, Endotrichella and Floribundaria are probably their represen-

tatives. From the point of view of geological history we are now living in the interglacial

period and the present natural conditions will last continuously, so they will steadily influence

the bryoflora of Mt. Wuyi in a long period of time.

2. Essential characteristics of the bryoflora in Mt. Wuyi

Due to the geographical position and the other factors of Mt. Wuyi the bryoflora is repre-

sented by numerous tropical and subtropical elements (34.1%), but the East-Asiatic endemic ones

(79.2%) are characteristic of the bryoflora in Mt. Wuyi (Tab. 1). The tropical and subtropical

families of the bryophytes, found south of Changjiang (Yangtzi) River, are Haplomitriaceae (1

genus, 3 species), Porellaceae (2 genera, 8 species), Frullaniaceae (2 genera, 10 species), Lejeun-

eaceae (21 genera, 35 species), Trachypodaceae (3 genera, 4 species), Meteoriaceae (10 genera, 17

species), Neckeraceae (5 genera, 8 species) and Hookeriaceae (3 genera, 3 species). The above

8 families, including 46 genera and 85 species, represent about 1/4 genera (24.3%) and less than

1/4 species (23.9%) of the bryoflora of Mt. Wuyi.

Most species of East-Asiatic elements show very close relationships with Japan, and are

widely distributed from the low altitude of Mt. Wuyi to the summit of Mt. Huanggangshan.

However, the Holarctic species (26.8%) are also important elements of the bryoflora in Mt.

Wuyi, showing its transition nature, although it is located in the subtropics. Moreover, the in-

fluence of the Himalayas also exists in Mt. Wuyi, and the Himalayan elements cover 14.4% in

the bryoflora of Mt. Wuyi. The similarity coefficients between the bryofloras of Central and

South America, Africa and Oceania and that of Mt. Wuyi are from 5.0-9.2% respectively. The

endemic species are not very many and cosmopolitan species are only 7 there.

In 1958, P. C. Chen designated Mt. Wuyi as “the transition region of South and North

China rich in East-Asiatic genera and species”. His very important conclusion is essentially in

accordance with the fact of the bryoflora on Mt. Wuyi. Recently, some of the new records fur-

ther show the characteristics of the bryoflora in Wuyi. Two facts are worth being mentioned.

One is that East-Asiatic genera are only five in Mt. Wuyi. However, there are 9 East-Asiatic

genera in Mt. Huangshan more than in Mt. Wuyi; 4 East-Asiatic genera are recorded in Mt.

Shennongjia. The other is that epiphyllous liverworts in Mt. Wuyi, consisting of 7 families, 21

genera and 36 species, are less than on Hainan Island and Xishuangbannan, located in the tro-

pics in China.

3. Comparison between the bryoflora of Mt. Wuyi and those of the neighbouring regions

As China covers a very large area, bryofloristic elements are quite different in the diffe-

rent regions. In this section, we are concentrated on making a comparison between the bryof-

loras of Mt. Wuyi and the regions belonging to the Central China of the bryoflora named by

P. C. Chen.

Huaping Forest Region, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in South China, with both

latitute and altitude very similar to Mt. Wuyi, is included in this comparison (Fig. 1). Accord-

ing to the rough estimation, the similarity coefficient of moss genera between Mt. Wuyi and

Huaping is 56.3%, and those between the mountain and southern Zhejian and Mt. Huangshan,

Anhui, are 62.7% and 51.6% respectively, while the similarity coefficient of the genera of the

mossfloras between Mt. Shennongjia and Mt. Wuyi is 46.8%. Table 2 shows the statistics of

mosses in Mt. Wuyi and the others, but the bryoflora of Huaping needs further study However,

it is very interesting to note that Haplomitrium and Pleurozia of liverworts are both found in

Mt. Wuyi and Huaping Forest Region, and the similarity coefficient between the mossfloras of

Mt. Wuyi and Zhejian Province is also higher than those mentioned above.

Tropical and subtropical elements reduce towards the north in China, and temperate ones

increase. Huaping is located in the south, and, as expected, some tropical and subtropical

genera such as Hookeriopsis and Symphyodon have been found there, but not in Mt. Wuyi; several

temperate genera, such as Schwetschkeopsis and Fauriella, have been recorded in Mt. Huangshan,

but not in Mt. Wuyi. For some unknown reasons, Octoblepharum and Neckeropsis are only

found in southern Zhejiang, but not in Mt. Wuyi. Mt. Shennongjia, with its main peak over

1000 m higher than that of Mt. Wuyi, is located in its northwest, and more than ten temperate

genera, such as, Ceratodon, Aulacomnium Myurella, Bryonoguchia and Abietinella have been

found there.

Generally, Mt. Wuyi belongs to the central subtropical region of China, and East-Asiatic

endemic genera are the main elements of its bryoflora, but the bryoflora also consists of tropi-

cal and subtropical elements with some temperate ones.

4. East-Asiatic endemic genera in the bryoflora of Mt. Wuyi

In the bryoflora of Mt. Wuyi, one of the main elements, East-Asiatic endemic genera, should

not be neglected (Tab. 4). East-Asiatic endemic genera in Mt. Wuyi (five) are less than in Mt.

Huangshan and Mt. West Tianmu, although the positions of the latter two are very close to Mt.

Wuyi. East-Asiatic endemic genera of liverworts are Trichocolea and Macvicaria so far found

in Mt. Wuyi, and the mosses are Myuriopsis, Meteoriella, Pseudospiridentopsis (Fig. 1). Myuriop-

sis is only distributed in Taiwan Province and Mt. Wuyi, and the other four are distributed in Mt.

Huangshan or Mt. West Tianmu, and also in Taiwan, besides in Mt. Wuyi. About thirty East-

Asiatic endemic genera have so far been known in China, which means that about one sixth of

East- Asiatic endemic genera of the bryophytes occur in Mt. Wuyi. We may notice that nine

and seven East-Asiatic endemic genera of the bryophytes have been recorded in Mt. Huangshan

and Mt. West Tianmu respectively. In Mt. Shennongjia, Central China, there are four East

Asiatic endemic genera, but only two have been found in the Huaping Forest Region, South

China. In Mt. Dinghua, located south of Mt. Wuyi, on East-Asiatic endemic genus of the bryop-

hytes has so far been found.

East-Asiatic endemic genera of the bryophytes are mainly limited to China, Korea and Japan,

including the East Himalayas, rarely occur in South Asia, Siberia of the Soviet Union. Therefore,

these genera enjoy a warm and moist environment. In Mt. Wuyi, all the East-Asiatic endemic

genera are monotypic ones with a disjunct distribution. Now in Taiwan Province five of six

recorded East-Asiatic endemic genera are common to Mt. Wuyi. In Japan, about eleven, i.e.

one third of, East Asiatic endemic genera so far found are common to China, which shows a

long history of the phytogeographical relationships between Japan and China. East Asiatic en-

demic genera of the bryophytes might therefore exist on islands of Taiwan Province and Japan

before they were separated from the mainland of Asia. However the fossil evidence is still

lacking in the bryophytes, so we are not able to discuss about the distribution area and the dis-

tribution center of the East-Asiatic bryoflora in detail. The above estimation is more or less

related to geological history, and we assume that the East-Asiatic endemic genera have existed at

least since the end of the Tertiary. Starting from the Quaternary, the climatic change during

glacial epoch has been possibly the most important factor affecting the bryoflora in Asia, and

the upheaval of the Himalayas has stimulated the diversity and the specialization of the bryophy-

tes. Considering these factors, East-Asiatic endemic genera might be the “Tertiary fossil

plants”.

Another problem is difficult to explain, because Mts. Huangshan, West Tianmu and Shen-

nongjia were once influenced by glaciation directly, although Chinese geologists hold different

views. However, no evidence of glaciation has been found in Mt. Wuyi. It is worth to study the

close relationships between Mt. Wuyi, Mt. Huangshan and Mt. West Tianmu, where is the distri-

bution center of the East-Asiatic endemic genera. The above three mountain regions share half

of the East-Asiatic endemic genera, and about 32% genera of the others are found in two of

them (Fig. 2). Myuriopsis, one of the East Asiatic types, was only recorded in Taiwan Pro-

vince, Japan and Korea. Neodolichomitra, occuring in Taiwan Province, is endemic to China.

More or less the differentiation has taken place in Mt. Huangshan, Mt. West Tianmu and Mt.

Wuyi. The number of the East-Asiatic endemic genera is smaller in Mt. Wuyi, so it is possibly

located on the border of the distributional center of the East-Asiatic endemic genera. Moreo-

ver, three of four East-Asiatic endemic genera in Mt. Shennongjia are also found in Mt. Huang-

shan and Mt. West Tianmu, but the other East-Asiatic genus in Mt. Wuyi is common to the

mountain areas in SW China, the Qinglin Range of NW China, and the isolated mountain areas

of NE China. Considering all the characteristics of the bryoflora of Mt. Shennongjia, we assume

that Mt. Shennongjia may belong to another distribution center, including SW part of Sichuan

Province, and the other neighbouring mountains.

Morphological Studies on Circaeaster agrestis Maxim. (1) Process of Embryolo gical Development

Hu Zheng-Hai, Yang Jing

1987, 25 (5): 350-356.

Abstract ( 0 )

The present paper aims at discovering the characters of embryological development

of Circaeaster agrestis, which makes up a monotypic genus, Circaeaster, to establish the phylo-

genetic relationships of the genus. The different opinions on its systematic position among bo-

tanists are briefly explained.

The embryological studies show that the most important advanced characters of the genus

are as follows. The ovule is amphitropous, unitegmic and tenuinucelar; the embryo sac forma-

tion is in accordance with the Polygonum type; endosperm formation is of the cellular type, the

primary endosperm nucleus dividing to form two cells and the first wall vertical; embryo

formation follows the variation of the Caryophyllad type; at the early stage of development of

embryo, the integument has been already atrophied and at last disappeared, so that the seed coat

is absent in the mature fruit.

On the basis of the embryological and some morphological evidence, the authors consider

that a close relationship between the genus and Ranunculaceae and its related families seems to

be unlikely. The affinities of the genus Circaeaster are still uncertain.

Pollen Morphology of Dioscorea in China

Su Pu

1987, 25 (5): 357-365.

Abstract ( 0 )

This paper deals with pollen morphology of 33 species belonging to 5 sections of

Dioscorea in China. They were examined under both LM and SEM.

The pollen grains of Sect. Stenophora are monocolpate with the size of 17-25.5×26.8-

39.1μm, the exine is reticulate, striate, parforate-reticulate or cerebro-reticulate, while those of the

other sections are bicolpate, reticulate or cerebro- reticulate with the size of 19.2-26.7×13.9-

23.1μm.

Based on palynological data Sect. Stenophora may be considered primitive and Sect.

Enantiophyllum the most advanced in Dioscorea.

Studies on Pollen Morphology and Taxonomy of Lespedeza and Its Allied Genera from NE China

Huang Pu-Hwa, Ma Jin-Shuang

1987, 25 (5): 366-370.

Abstract ( 0 )

The pollen morphology of 11 species and 1 variety in the genus Lespedeza and its

allied genera (Campylotropis, Kummerowia) from NE China was examined under light and

scanning electron microscopes.

1. Lespedeza Michx. (plate 1:1-6; 2:1-6; 3:1-6; 4:1-2)

Pollen grains prolate, rarely subprolate or spheroidal, elliptic or rarely suborbicular in equa-

torial view, 3-lobed-rounded in polar view, tricolporate, colpus margins smooth or jagged. Polar

axis 20.7-33.1μm long, equatorial axis 15.4-20.9 μm long. Exine reticulate or foveolate, lu-

mina verrucose or smooth under SEM.

2. Campylotropis Bge. (plate 4:3-4)

One species in NE China, C. macrocarpa (Bge.) Rehd. Pollen grains prolate, elliptic in

equatorial view, 3-lobed-rounded in polar view, 3-colporate, colpus linear, 25.1μm long, 1.79μm

broad, colpus margins jagged, with a series of verrucae equal in size along one side visible

under SEM. Polar axis 19.7μm long, equatorial axis 14.6μm long. Exine reticulate, lumina

nearly rounded, verrucose at periphery under SEM.

3. Kummerowia Schindl. (plate 4:5-6)

Pollen grains spheroidal, oblate or prolate, elliptic in equatorial view, obtuse-triangular in

polar view, tricolporate, colups linear, 25.1μm long, 2.01μm broad, colpus margins sinuate.

Polar axis 24.7-27.9μm long, equatorial axis 19.7-26.6μm long. Exine reticulate or subreti-

culate, lumina nearly rounded, with verrocae visible under SEM.

According to the pollen morphology of Lespedeza and its allied genera, the division of

Lespedeza (s. lat.) into Lespedeza (S. str.), Campylotropis and Kummarowia by Schindler (1912)

is reasonable. The subdivision of Lespedeza (s. str.) into Sect. Macrolespedeza and Sect. Lespe-

deza by many botanists, and the treatment of Lespedeze juncea (L. f.) Pers. var. inschanica

Maxim. as an independent species (i.e. Lespedeza inschanics (Maxim). Schindl.) are also suppor-

ted by the pollen morphology shown in the present work.

A Revision of Chinese Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae)

Li Ping-Tao

1987, 25 (5): 371-383.

Abstract ( 0 )

The present paper is the outcome of a taxonomic study of Chinese Phyllanthus plants

in our flora. Phyllanthus is one of the largest genera in Euphorbiaceae, and is distributed in

whole China except for the northwest, extending from 92° to 124° E and 18° to 41°N. It inclu-

des 6 subgenera, 7 sections, 33 species and 4 varieties, of which 1 subgenus and 5 species are

described as new, and 1 new name and 9 synonyms are proposed.

A preliminary Study on Dichroa Lour.

Hwang Shu-Mei

1987, 25 (5): 384-389.

Abstract ( 0 )

Dichroa Lour., a small genus of Saxifragaceae, contains about 12 species,

ranging from the mainland of S. E. Asia southward to Pacific islands. But most of

the species are more restricted in distribution. Of the 12 recognized species, six are

known from South China and Indochina; three are confined to west and northwest

New Guinea; two are endemic to the Phillipines. Only one species is widely distributed

in S. E. Asia. In the present paper, the genus is divided into two sections and two

series based on the number of stamens and the characteristics of the ovary. One spe-

cies is described as new.

On the Difference Between Elachanthemum Y. Ling et Y. R. Ling and Stilpnolepis Krasch.

Ling Yeou-Ruenn

1987, 25 (5): 390-392.

Abstract ( 0 )

It is quite unreasonable reducing Elachanthemum Y. Ling et Y. R. Ling into

Stilprolepis Krasch. and it is so wrong idea attributing the achenes and cupuliform corolla (as

a matter of fact, the cupuliform corolla is originally from the Stilpnolepis Krasch., not from

Elachanthemum Y. Ling et Y. R. Ling) of Elachanthemum Y. Ling et Y. R. Ling to “earlier

Development” in the paper published in Act. Phytotax. Sin. 23(6): 470-472. 1985.

In Elachanthemum Y. Ling et Y. R. Ling, bracts of capitula herbaceous, obviously floccose

on the abaxial surface and membranaceous only on the margin, corolla of bisexual florets tubu-

lar, achenes oblique, obovoid, and the exine of pollen grains minutespinulate, but in Stilpnole-

pis Krasch., on the contrary, whole bracts membranaceous, glabrous, corolla of hermaphrodite

florets cupuliform or campanulate, achenes long-clavate or fuciform and the exine of pollen grains remarkably spiny.

Sinobacopa Hong—A New Genus of Scrophulariaceae from China

Hong De-Yuan

1987, 25 (5): 393-395.

Abstract ( 0 )

New Species of Liliaceae From Guangxi

Wan Yu

1987, 25 (5): 396-400.

Abstract ( 0 )

New Species of Orchidaceae from Sichuan and Yunnan, China

Lang Kai-Yung

1987, 25 (5): 401-404.

Abstract ( 0 )

Two New Species of Santalaceae from Yunnan

Tao De-Ding

1987, 25 (5): 405-407.

Abstract ( 0 )

A New Species of Michelia from Guizhou

Li Yong-Kang, Wang Xue-Ming

1987, 25 (5): 408-409.

Abstract ( 0 )

A New Species of Hydrangea from Gansu

Gao Wei-Heng

1987, 25 (5): 410-411.

Abstract ( 0 )

A New Species of Lindera from Henan

Tsui Hung-Pin

1987, 25 (5): 412-413.

Abstract ( 0 )

A New Combination of the Genus Remusatia of Araceae

Li Hen

1987, 25 (5): 414-416.

Abstract ( 0 )

Gonatanthus (?) ornatus was described by Schott in 1858. Until recently, however,

its exact systematic position has not been clear, because no inflorescence has been found on either

the type or other specimens. After having examined all the morphological characters of spa-

the and spadix of the plant, which was collected from the Shizi Mountain of Wuding County in

Yunnan in 1986 and then cultivated in Kunming. It is found that the species is best transferred

to the genus Remusatia Schott. Its ovoid tube of spathe, the unilocular ovaries with parietal pla-

centas and many hemiorthotropous ovules all fall into the circumscription of Remusatia. Thus

a new combination, Remusatia ornata (Schott) H. Li et Q. F. Guo, is made here in the present

paper.

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