细茎柱兰 xi jing zhu lan

Basionym: Eria tenuicaulis S. C. Chen & Z. H. Tsi, Guihaia 15: 109. 1995 ["tennicaulis"]; E. gracilicaulis S. C. Chen & Z. H. Tsi (1988), not Kraenzlin (1910).

Rhizome often slightly flexuous. Stem ± flexuous, terete, 1-2 mm in diam., noded, usually with 3 or 4 leaves at apex. Leaves oblong or lanceolate-oblong, 4-5 × 0.6-1 cm, apex acuminate; petiole 2-4 cm, articulate. Inflorescence arising from axil of apical leaf or a lower node, 5-6 mm, 2- or rarely 1-flowered; floral bracts broadly elliptic, cuspidate-acuminate. Flowers small, 4-5 mm in diam., glabrous; pedicel and ovary ca. 3 mm, glabrous. Dorsal sepal oblong-ovate or suboblong, 3-3.5 × ca. 1.2 mm, acute; lateral sepals broadly triangular-ovate, oblique, ca. 4 × 2 mm, subacute. Petals subovate, slightly shorter than dorsal sepal, acute; lip subovate in outline, ca. 3.5 mm, base subcuneate, 3-lobed; lateral lobes ca. 1.5 mm, ovate; mid-lobe subquadrate, ca. 1 × 1 mm, crisped and apiculate, with a central suborbicular lamella ca. 0.5 mm high; disk with 2 suborbicular lamellae ca. 0.6 mm high. Column slightly arcuate, ca. 1.7 mm, apex slightly enlarged; foot ca. 1.5 mm. Fl. Apr.

● Epiphytic on tree trunks in evergreen forests; 1500-2200 m. SE Xizang.