Lankesteriana

First record of a natural hybrid of the genus Gongora (Stanhopeinae) and comments on the parent species

Abstract The first natural hybrid of the genus Gongora is described for the department of Copán, Honduras, between Gongora truncata and Gongora batemanii (=Gongora cassidea). The nothospecies described here presents intermediate characteristics between both species, such as setaceous projections on the lip, a large callus, spatulate epichile, and a cucullate hard dorsal sepal. The identity of a specimen from the Herbarium Jany Renz Botanical Institute, University of Basel, Switzerland, corresponds to the same hybrid described here. It was erroneously determined as Gongora saccata (=Gongora seideliana). The clarification of the synonymy of Gongora saccata and relevant aspects regarding the pollination mechanisms and reproductive barriers of both parent species are also discussed.

Resumen Se describe el primer híbrido natural del género Gongora, entre Gongora truncata y Gongora batemanii (=Gongora cassidea). La notoespecie que aquí se describe presenta caracteres intermedios entre ambas especies, como las proyecciones setáceas en el labio, un callo grande, el epiquilo espatulado y el sépalo dorsal fuertemente cuculado. También se discute la identidad de un ejemplar del Herbarium Jany Renz Botanical Institute, University of Basel, Suiza, el cual corresponde al mismo híbrido aquí descrito. Fue erróneamente determinado como Gongora saccata, (=Gongora seideliana). Se discute también la sinonimia de Gongora saccata, y aspectos relevantes en cuanto a los mecanismos de polinización y barreras reproductivas de ambas especies parentales.

Orchids of the Southern Cone (1830-2000) - Part II. The Philippi dynasty: Plantarum Novarum Chilensium and Catalogus Plantarum Chilensium

Abstract Bernhard Eunom Philippi (1811-1852), his brother Rudolph Amandus Philippi (1808-1904), and the latter’s son Federico Philippi (1836-1910) must be considered the main actors in the history of the natural sciences in Chile between 1840 and 1910. While Bernhard was responsible for convincing the rest of his family to emigrate to Chile (and in fact, became the initiator of German immigration to southern Chile), Rudolph became the leading Figure in Chile’s scientific community, becoming the first director of the National Museum of Natural History, a post he held from 1853 to 1897. The description of many new orchid species in the series Plantarum novarum Chilensium (1856-1864) during this time is only one of his merits. His son Federico took over the direction of the Museum after his father’s retirement until he died in 1910. Catalogus plantarum Chilensium (1881) stands out among his numerous publications.

Two new species of Pleurothallis (Pleurothallidinae) subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae from the central Andes of Colombia

Abstract Two new species of Pleurothallis subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae are described and illustrated. Both species were found in the central Andes of Colombia in the department of Tolima. The two species are compared and discussed with Pleurothallis applanata, Pleurothallis ariana-dayanae, Pleurothallis paquishae, and Pleurothallis scabrilinguis, which are the morphologically closest species. The two new species differ from their congeners mainly by lip morphology. Pleurothallis franciana is distinguished by having an oblong-lanceolate, acute, vesiculous lip with an obovate glenion, and Pleurothallis petroana is distinguished by the ovate-lanceolate, verrucouse-papillose, slightly pilose lip, with a spathulate glenion.

Resumen Se describen e ilustran dos nuevas especies de Pleurothallis subsección Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae, encontradas en los andes centrales de Colombia en el departamento de Tolima. Las dos especies se comparan y discuten con Pleurothallis applanata, Pleurothallis ariana-dayanae, Pleurothallis paquishae, y Pleurothallis scabrilinguis, que son las especies morfológicamente más cercanas. Se diferencia de sus con géneres principalmente por la morfología del labelo, Pleurothallis franciana se distingue por tener el labelo oblongo-lanceolado, agudo, vesiculoso, con un glenion obovado y Pleurothallis petroana se distingue por el labelo ovado-lanceolado, verrucoso-papiloso, ligeramente piloso, con un glenion espatulado.

A checklist to the orchids of biligiri rangaswamy temple tiger reserve, western ghats, India

Abstract This paper provides a comprehensive account of the orchid diversity in the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRTTR), Karnataka, India. A total of 97 orchid species belonging to 33 genera were documented. This includes 50 terrestrial and 47 epiphytic orchids, including one mycoheterotrophic orchid, Epipogium roseum, and a climbing leafless Vanilla walkerae. Additionally, 39 endemic orchids were documented during the study. The evergreen forests provide the most habitable conditions for the orchids in BRTTR. The present study adds 26 species to the orchid flora of BRTTR. About 49% of the orchid flora of Karnataka state and 32% of orchids of Western Ghats is found in BRTTR, making this area a microcenter for orchid diversity.

Potential drivers of spatial distribution of the ghost orchid, Dendrophylax lindenii, in a south Florida Cypress strand: a preliminary study

Abstract This study examined a population of ghost orchids (Dendrophylax lindenii) in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park in Collier County, Florida, to determine if they exhibit host species preference, vertical stratification, substrate diameter stratification, or a distribution pattern similar to their host plants. Twenty-five ghost orchids were found on three host plant species: 20 (80%) were on pop ash (Fraxinus caroliniana), four (16%) on arthritis vine (Hippocratea volubilis), and one (4%) on pond apple (Annona glabra). Our analysis indicated a statistically significant occurrence of ghost orchids on pop ash relative to other woody plant species in the study area. Although most orchids were found below 3 m from the forest floor, this was not staistically significant when compared to orchids above 3 m. A weak trend (p=0.06) for increasing occurrence was observed in the next to largest (14.1 cm to 17.2 cm diameter at breast height) size class among the five size classes of pop ash in this study. The spatial analyses indicated that both the stems of pop ash and ghost orchids demonstrate non-random clumping on the landscape. In addition, the presence of an individual orchid increases the probability of multiple ghost orchids on a stem. These results further emphasize the importance of pop ash as a host species in Florida’s ghost orchid populations and add to the list of hosts (arthritis vine) in the literature. Continuing to study the vertical position of ghost orchids will be important as climate change has the potential to alter humidity patterns and the occurrence of both low temperature events and hurricanes. Improved understanding of host plant preference, microhabitat requirements, spatial distribution, and continued long-term monitoring of population dynamics are critical for the conservation of the ghost orchid.

A new Masdevallia (Pleurothallidinae) from the Huanuco Region in Peru

Abstract. A new Masdevallia from the cloud forests of Huanuco, Peru, is described and illustrated. It is mor- phologically similar to what is considered to be its closest relatives, the sympatric Masdevallia fenestralis and Masdevallia fenestrellata, but differs from both by the lack of translucent fenestrations (“window-like” areas) near the base of the sepals, and by the presence of distinct external ridges of the sepals.

Resumen. Una nueva Masdevallia de los bosques nublados de Huánuco, Perú, es descrita e ilustrada. Se compara con las que son consideradas sus parientes más cercanas, las simpátricas Masdevallia fenestralis y Masdevallia fenestrellata, pero difiere de ambas por la falta de áreas transparentes cerca de la base de los sépalos, y por la presencia de distintivas crestas externas en los sépalos.

Pachygenium muyscarum (Spiranthinae), a new overlooked species from the subxerophytic enclaves from the Eastern Range of Colombia

Abstract. Pachygenium muyscarum, a new species from Colombia, is described, illustrated, and aspects related to its distribution, ecology, conservation status, and relationships with morphologically similar species are discussed. This species is characterized by flowering without leaves, labellum 1.4-1.6 cm long, with the apex trilobulate and labellum nectar glands 0.2-0.4 cm long, subulate and uncinate. To date, this is the only species of the genus present in Colombia, being endemic to the subxerophytic enclaves of Cundinamarca.

Resumen. Pachygenium muyscarum, una especie nueva de Colombia, es descrita, ilustrada y se discuten aspectos relacionados con su ecología, estado de conservación y relaciones con especies morfológicamente similares. Esta especie se caracteriza por florecer sin hojas, labelo de 1.4-1.6 cm de longitud, de ápice trilobulado y glándulas de néctar del labelo de 0.2-0.4 cm de longitud, subuladas y uncinadas. A la fecha, esta especie es la única representante del género en Colombia y es endémica de los enclaves subxerofíticos de Cundinamarca.

Two new species of Bulbophyllum from Bhutan

Abstract Two new species of Bulbophyllum, namely, B. gurungianum (sect. Biseta) and B. punakhaense (sect. Brachyrantha) are described and illustrated. Bulbophyllum gurungianum is similar to B. brevispicatum and B. sonii but differs strikingly by having pseudobulbs placed distantly on the rhizome, a shorter peduncle, and oblong petals with a ciliated margin. Bulbophyllum punakhaense is morphologically similar to B. farreri,B. thaiorum, and B. mamillatum, but can be easily distinguished by its larger leaves, pseudobulbs distantly placed on the rhizome, longer peduncle, and oblong-lanceolate petals with shortly papillate margin towards the apex. We provide a detailed description of each species, and information on their distribution, ecology, and conservation status.