A New Variety of Spiranthes hachijoensis (Orchidaceae) from Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

In light of morphological and phylogenetic data, we describe a new variety, Spiranthes hachijoensis (Orchidaceae) var. kumamotoensis Suetsugu, from Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. This variety can be distinguished from S. hachijoensis var. hachijoensis by morphological traits associated with allogamy, including a suborbicular and non-trilobed stigma, a well-developed rostellum that separates the stigma from the pollinaria, and pollinia with a viscidium. Our phylogenetic analyses indicate that while this variety is most closely related to S. hachijoensis var. hachijoensis, it shows moderate genetic differentiation from the latter.