Diphylax contigua (Tang & F. T. Wang) Tang, F. T. Wang & K. Y. Lang, Vasc. Pl. Hengduan Mts. 2: 2526. 1994.长苞尖药兰 chang bao jian yao lan

Platanthera contigua Tang & F. T. Wang, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. 10: 28. 1940.

Plants 20-24 cm tall. Stem sometimes slightly curved, ca. 2 mm in diam., with up to 5 tubular sheaths at base and (1 or)2 or 3 leaves above. Leaves spatulate to lorate-spatulate, 7-13 × 1.2-2.2 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence with more than 10 often secund flowers; foliaceous sterile bracts 2 or 3, lanceolate, 1.5-5 × 0.4-0.7 cm, apex acuminate; rachis to 5.5 cm; floral bracts lanceolate, longer than ovary, apex acuminate. Flowers greenish white, medium-sized; ovary fusiform, 8-10 mm including pedicel, glabrous. Sepals lanceolate, 1-veined, apex acuminate; dorsal sepal ca. 8 × 2.5 mm; lateral sepals slightly oblique, ca. 8.5 × 2.8 mm. Petals ± connivent with dorsal sepal and forming a hood, obliquely lanceolate, ca. 7.5 × 2 mm, 1-veined, apex subacute; lip slightly decurved, linear-oblong, ca. 8 × 2 mm, fleshy, lateral margins above middle to apex involute and forming a tube, slightly dilated at base, apex subacute; disk pubescent on central veins; spur ellipsoid, ca. 5 × 2.5 mm, inner surface densely pubescent, apex obtuse. Column ca. 3 mm; anther ca. 2 mm; apex of connective oblong, protruding from anther; rostellum very small; lateral appendages oblong, short, terminating below apex of anther locules. Fl. Sep.

● Bamboo forests; ca. 3200 m. NW Yunnan.