海南沼兰 hai nan zhao lan

Basionym: Malaxis hainanensis Tang & F. T. Wang, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 12: 37. 1974.

Plants epiphytic or lithophytic. Stem cylindric, ca. 2 cm, 4-5 mm in diam., fleshy, attenuate toward apex, ± enclosed in sheaths. Leaves 4 or 5, ascending; petiole 2.5-3.5 cm, sheathlike, amplexicaul; blade oblong, 6-8 × 1.5-2.5 cm, apex subacuminate. Inflorescence erect, ca. 11 cm, with very narrow wings; rachis ca. 4.5 cm, laxly 6- or 7-flowered; floral bracts often reflexed, lanceolate, 4-5 mm. Flowers pale yellow; pedicel and ovary 5-6 mm. Dorsal sepal oblong, ca. 3.5 × 1.2 mm, apex obtuse; lateral sepals nearly broadly oblong or broadly ovate-oblong, ca. 3 × 1.5-1.8 mm, apex obtuse. Petals narrowly linear, ca. 3.5 × 0.5 mm; lip superior, subovate in outline, 5-6 × ca. 3.5 mm, apex deeply 2-lobed, with sinus 1-1.5 mm deep; auricles subovate, ca. 2.5 × 1.5 mm, decurrent backward embracing column. Column ca. 1 mm, stout. Fl. Jul-Aug.

● On damp rocks; ca. 600 m. S Hainan.