Scielo RSS http://www.scielo.sa.cr/rss.php?pid=1409-387120180001&lang=pt vol. 18 num. 1 lang. pt http://www.scielo.sa.cr/img/en/fbpelogp.gif http://www.scielo.sa.cr http://www.scielo.sa.cr/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1409-38712018000100001&lng=pt&nrm=iso&tlng=pt Abstract Using the “Seidenfaden collection” in Copenhagen as an example, we address the common view that botanical garden collections of orchids are important for conservation. Seidenfaden collected live orchids all over Thailand from 1957 to 1983 and created a traditional collection for taxonomic research, characterized by high taxonomic diversity and low intraspecific variation. Following an extended period of partial neglect, we managed to set up a five-year project aimed at expanding the collection with a continued focus on taxonomic diversity, but widening the geographic scope to tropical Asia. Since its establishment, the collection has contributed significantly to ex situ conservation and to research-based development of powerful tools for improving in situ conservation-related decisions and priorities. The collection has been, and still is, an important basis for taxonomic and floristic research which has enabled treatment of the Orchidaceae in the Thai red-list. However, the primary focus of our project has shifted to micro-propagation, DNA-barcoding and phylogenetic analysis. The close link between collection-based research and conservation is remarkable and probably applicable to plant collections in botanical gardens in general. Thus, if the collections are managed and used properly, they have great potential for contributing to conservation in many different ways. http://www.scielo.sa.cr/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1409-38712018000100013&lng=pt&nrm=iso&tlng=pt Abstract The anatomical characteristics of leaf, pseudobulb, and root of Bulbophyllum sterile of the subfamily Epidendroideae (Orchidaceae) were investigated. The anatomical investigation involved observing sections after staining with different stains as well as scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the cell dimensions were also measured. The amphistomatic leaves of B. sterile had a thick cuticle, paracytic type of stomata, collateral vascular bundles and starch grains. The rhizome had cuticularized uniseriate epidermis and a single layer of the hypodermis. The parenchymatous stem ground tissue was distinguished into outer and inner regions separated by a band of sclerenchymatous tissue. Collateral vascular bundles were distributed in the inner ground tissue. The size of the vascular bundles generally increased from the periphery towards the center. A sclerenchymatous patch covered the phloem pole, whereas the xylem is covered by thin walled parenchymatous cells. The outer surface of the pseudobulb is covered by a thick cuticle. The parenchymatous ground tissue consisted of starch grains, aeration, water and algal cells and scattered collateral vascular bundles. Sclerenchymatous cells covered the phloem pole, whereas the xylem is covered by thin-walled cells. The velamen in B. sterile is single layered consisting of highly elongated compactly arranged cells. Uniseriate exodermis is dimorphic consisting of long and short cells. Cortical cells are differentiated into exodermis and endodermis. The O-thickened endodermal cell layer is interrupted by thin walled passage cells. Pith is sclerenchymatous. From this study, it can be concluded that B. sterile possess anatomical adaptations to xeric conditions in all the vegetative organs. http://www.scielo.sa.cr/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1409-38712018000100023&lng=pt&nrm=iso&tlng=pt Abstract A checklist of the Orchidaceae of Maharashtra is presented based on herbarium collections and recent botanical explorations. This list comprises 32 genera with 106 taxa. The best represented genus is Habenaria with 23 species, followed by Dendrobium with eleven, Eulophia and Oberonia with seven and Peristylus with six. In Maharashtra, the total endemic orchid species are 41 spread over in 13 genera. Of these 30 species, six species are endemic to Peninsular India and five species are endemic to India. Generally orchids are found in the nine major habitats in Maharashtra of which the best representation was observed in the semi-evergreen forests (55 species) followed by moist deciduous forests (48 species), high altitude rocky plateaus (26 species) and dry deciduous forests (25 species). Flowering, habit, habitat, endemic status and distribution in Maharashtra are presented in the checklist. http://www.scielo.sa.cr/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1409-38712018000100063&lng=pt&nrm=iso&tlng=pt Abstract A new species of Cyrtochilum from the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia is described and illustrated. The new species is most similar to the pink-flowered Cyrtochilum distans but is distinguished by its white and yellow-green flowers with spreading sepals and a pink lip with a basally yellow and apically white callus consisting of two parallel keels (vs. pink lateral sepals that are fused to about half or more of their length and a white callus consisting of two basal and two apical spreading keels). http://www.scielo.sa.cr/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1409-38712018000100069&lng=pt&nrm=iso&tlng=pt Abstract Pelatantheria woonchengii is a new record for the orchid flora of Vietnam. This species was previously misidentified as Pelatantheria ctenoglossum, as both species are present in Vietnam. The illustration, description, distribution and comparison with the closest species in Vietnam are included. An updated identification key for all Vietnamese members of the genus Pelatantheria is presented.