Through field observations, studies of herbarium specimens and relevant literature, Ophiorrhiza exigua and O. michelloides, two long-controversial species are shown to be two different species. Meanwhile, our results supported O. nanlingensis L. Wu & Q. R. Liu as a new species, previously confused with O. exigua. Ophiorrhiza nanlingensis is morphologically similar to O. exigua and O. michelloides, but differs from the former in its monostylous flowers and corolla tube without a ring of hairs inside, and from the latter in pubescence of most vegetative organs with unicellular trichomes which are generally shorter than 0.3 mm and inflorescence nutant when young and then erect. We provide a detailed morphological and habitat description, as well as colour photographs and illustrations of the new species.

中文翻译：

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用新种描述探讨甜菜根与茜草科（茜草科）的关系

通过实地观察、植物标本室标本和相关文献研究，Ophiorrhiza exigua和O. michelloides，两个长期存在争议的物种被证明是两个不同的物种。同时，我们的结果支持O. nanlingensis L. Wu 和 QR Liu 作为一个新物种，以前与O. exigua混淆。Ophiorrhiza nanlingensis在形态上与O. exigua和O. michelloides 相似，但与前者的不同之处在于其单柱花和花冠筒内没有毛环，而后者的区别在于大多数营养器官的短柔毛具有单细胞毛状体，通常短于0.3毫米，花序幼时垂体，然后直立。我们提供详细的形态和栖息地描述，以及新物种的彩色照片和插图。