南岭头蕊兰 nan ling tou rui lan

Plants leafy, autotrophic, 13-24 cm tall. Stem slender, somewhat flexuous, with a few basal sheaths, 3-6-leaved. Leaves elliptic to lanceolate, 3-5 × 0.8-1.2 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence ± laxly 3-5-flowered; rachis 3.2-5 cm, ridged; floral bracts triangular, 2-3 mm. Flowers suberect, weakly spreading or not opening at all, white; pedicel and ovary 8-11 mm. Sepals suboblong, cymbiform, 7-8 × 2-2.5 mm, 3- or 5-veined, apex obtuse. Petals obovate, 5-6.5 × 1.7-2 mm, 4- or 5-veined, apex obtuse; lip similar to petals, without a spur. Column ca. 5 mm, without wings; anther ovoid, ca. 1.5 mm; rostellum absent. Fl. Apr-May.

● Edge of evergreen broad-leaved forests; 700-1500 m. N Guangdong.

The actinomorphic perianth of Cephalanthera nanlingensis indicates that it is a peloric form. On account of habit, flower color, and leaf shape and size, and given its occurrence in Guangdong, it seems probable that it is derived from C. erecta.