Lankesteriana

The elusive Sobralia amabilis (Orchidaceae): a range extension of its distribution to Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, with notes on its habitat

Abstract. We present a range extension for Sobralia amabilis, previously recorded from the southeastern border of Guatemala to Panama and Ecuador. Here, we detail its taxonomic history, description, and geographical distribution, along with photographs of the plants in vivo, habitat notes and recommendations for collecting and preparing herbarium specimens.

Resumen. Presentamos una extensión en el rango de distribución de Sobralia amabilis, la cual solo ha sido registrada desde la frontera suroriental de Guatemala hasta Panamá y Ecuador. Aquí se detalla su historia taxonómica, descripción y distribución geográfica, junto con fotografías de las plantas in vivo, notas sobre su hábitat y recomendaciones para colectar y preparar especímenes de herbario.

Epidendrum curimarcense (orchidaceae), a new species from central Peru

Resumen Una nueva especie de Epidendrum del Perú, Epidendrum curimarcense, es descrita, ilustrada y comparada con la especie similar Epidendrum ampelospathum. El nuevo hallazgo representa un importante registro para la flora asociada a bosques de Polylepis en el centro del Perú. La especie tiene tallos tipo caña producidos de un internodo medio del tallo anterior, una espata en la base de la inflorescencia, con varias brácteas semejantes espaciadas a lo largo del pedúnculo alargado, las flores abren en sucesión, los pétalos son más angostos que los sépalos, labelo 3-lobado, lóbulos redondeadas semejantes, bicalloso; polinios 4, obovoides, lateralmente comprimidos.

Abstract A new species of Epidendrum from Peru, Epidendrum curimarcense, is described, illustrated and compared with the similar species Epidendrum ampelospathum. The new finding represents an important record for the flora associated with Polylepis forests of central Peru. The species has stems produced from a middle internode of the previous cane-like stem, a spathe, an elongate peduncle with several similar spaced bracts, flowers opening in succession, petals narrower than the sepals, a 3-lobed lip which is bicallose with rounded sub-equal lobes, and 4 obovoid, laterally compressed pollinia.

A new golden yellow small-flowered Cyrtochilum species (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae) from Peru

Abstract A new golden yellow small-flowered species of Cyrtochilum is described and illustrated with a line drawing and photographs. It is compared with superficially similar species in the C. aureum complex, in which the new species differs by the lack of lacerate column wings typical for that group. It is distinguished from all other known small-flowered Cyrtochilum species by the golden yellow color in combination with the distinctly pandurate lip lamina where the front lobe is wider than the basal lobes combined.

New combinations in Cyrtochilum (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae)

Abstract Two species, originally described as Odontoglossum amphiglottis and Odontoglossum sodiroi are here transferred to Cyrtochilum (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae), based on molecular data and morphological features, accompanied by brief discussions about their taxonomic background and natural history, and illustrated with line drawings and photographs. Both species were previously considered to be synonyms of C. ramosissimum by the author of this paper and others, due to limited access of type material. But recent field discoveries reveal that a much stouter growth habit and distinctly corymbose inflorescences distinguish O. amphiglottis from C. ramosissimum. In the case of O. sodiroi the smoothly rounded pair of basal lip calli, which are marginally covered externally by the ventral flanks of the column, distinguish this species from C. ramosissimum, which has more or less denticulate basal callus keels on the lip, and where the ventral columnar flanks are marginally placed between these keels.

New records of Bulbophyllum in the flora of Vietnam

Abstract Bulbophyllum leysianum (sect. Hyalosema) and B. ovalifolium (sect. Macrocaulia) are recorded as new for the flora of Vietnam. Both species originate from the Hon Ba Nature Reserve (Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam). The first was found as an epiphyte on fallen branch in riparian lowland forest, while the second was recorded on small branches in a canopy tree at about 1500 m a.s.l.

Endophytic fungi associated with roots of epiphytic orchids in two Andean forests in southern Ecuador and their role in germination

Abstract. Orchids are known to establish complex relationships with endophytic fungi throughout their life cycle, and particularly during germination of their reserves-deprived seeds. Characterizing generalist or specialist interactions between orchids and associated fungi is key to supporting orchid conservation efforts. Here, endophytic fungi associated with roots of epiphytic orchids were studied in two montane Andean forests in Southern Ecuador. Orchid root samples were collected from ten ~500 m2 plots distributed between two neighboring forests. Endophytic fungi associated with these roots were then isolated, cultured, and identified by sequencing of rDNA markers. In total, 52 pure isolates were recovered from the roots of 10 orchid species. These isolates were classified into nine taxonomic groups except for one isolate that remained unclassified. Most fungal isolates were found in roots of up to two different orchid species; however, Coprinellus radians was found in the roots of all sampled orchids. The potential of C. radians to promote germination of orchid seeds was tested in a separate assay using seeds from two orchid species different than those found in the experimental forest plots. Of the two C. radians isolates tested, one improved germination in the two orchids evaluated to a level about half of that observed in seeds germinated in nutrient-rich medium (Phytamax) and above the null germination observed in plates without the fungus. Together, these results revealed a generalist relationship between C. radians and all the studied epiphytic orchids and the potential role of this fungus as a promoter of orchid seed germination.

Resumen. Las orquídeas establecen interacciones complejas con hongos endófitos a lo largo de su ciclo de vida, particularmente durante la germinación de sus semillas limitadas de reservas de nutrientes. Caracterizar interacciones generalistas y específicas entre las orquídeas y sus hongos asociados es clave para apoyar esfuerzos para su conservación. En este trabajo se estudiaron los hongos endófitos asociados a raíces de orquídeas epífitas de dos bosques montanos del sur del Ecuador. Se colectaron raíces de orquídeas de diez parcelas de ~500 m² distribuidas en dos bosques cercanos. Los hongos endófitos presentes en estas raíces fueron aislados, cultivados e identificados usando marcadores de ADNr. De un total de 10 especies de orquídeas se obtuvieron 52 aislados. Estos aislamientos se clasificaron en nueve grupos taxonómicos identificados y un grupo de hongos endófitos sin clasificación taxonómica. La mayoría de los grupos taxonómicos aislados estuvieron presentes en no más de dos especies de orquídeas diferentes, no obstante, Coprinellus radians, fue aislado a partir de raíces de todas las orquídeas colectadas. Adicionalmente, en una prueba separada, se evaluó el potencial que tiene C. radians como potenciador de la germinación de semillas de dos orquídeas no presentes en los bosques muestreados. De los dos aislamiento de C. radians probados, uno incrementó la germinación de ambas orquídeas a niveles cercanos a la mitad de lo registrado en semillas cultivadas en medio rico en nutrientes (Phytamax), lo cual fue mayor a la nula germinación observada en semillas cultivadas en placas en ausencia del hongo. Nuestros resultados revelan la asociación de hongos del género Coprinellus en todas las orquídeas epífitas estudiadas y un potencial rol para C. radians como promotor de la germinación de semillas de orquídeas.

The genus Corybas in Vietnam, with two new records

Abstract. An overview of the orchid genus Corybas in Vietnam is presented. It was known to be represented by a single species, C. annamensis. In this article, we report two new records, C. himalaicus, and C. geminigibbus. Detailed descriptions, synonyms, type data, information on ecology and phenology, distribution and color plates are provided for all three species along with the key to their identification.

The orchids of John Henry Lance (1793-1878)

Abstract. John Henry Lance, a British barrister, spent a ten-year term in Surinam as Judge appointed to the ‘Mixed Court’ in Paramaribo, a post created to supervise the compliance of the Dutch authorities with a treaty signed between the Netherlands and England in 1818 prohibiting the slave trade in the Dutch colonies. During his term in Paramaribo, Lance, a friend of Bateman and Lindley, collected several new orchid species. However, his collection of watercolors depicting plants from Surinam, many of them orchids, would appear to be more important. Some of these were painted by himself, others by the Surinamese artist Gerrit Schouten. The orchids of this collection, never published, were supplied by the Lindley Library of the R.H.S. and are reproduced here with its kind permission.

The endangered Daffodil Orchid Ipsea speciosa (Orchidaceae): Population status in unprotected areas in The Central Highlands, Sri Lanka

Abstract. The Daffodil Orchid, Ipsea speciosa, is a rare endemic terrestrial orchid species found in the highland grasslands of Sri Lanka. Due to the restricted distribution range, this species is considered as an endangered taxon. This study aimed to assess the present state of I. speciosa populations outside of protected areas. During field investigations of nine selected grasslands, the abundance of I speciosa and accompanying plant species composition was determined. The abundance of I. speciosa varied from 2 to 23 flowering plants per site. Species composition in study sites consisted of 41 plant taxa that included 12 invasive species. Habitat deterioration, intentional burning, clearing of vegetation, and spread of invasive alien plant species were found to be the most significant threats to highland grasslands and the orchid. During the survey, we observed the rapid spreading of invasive species in most of the sites which suggests that the terrestrial orchid population could shrink further. Apart from intentional burning, other serious threats to the orchids are various anthropogenic activities such as illegal collection for medicinal purposes and establishing timber plantations that negatively impact native grassland flora including terrestrial orchids. Our results suggest that a continuous monitoring program for I. speciosa should be initiated. Additionally, monitoring of potentially adverse anthropogenic activities is considered to be vital for the conservation of valuable grasslands and native flora of Sri Lanka.

The Chloraea from Lima, a little-known species but described several times

Abstract. During the botanical expedition carried out in Peru by Ruiz and Pavón, later by Raimondi’s explorations and finally by Weberbauer’s, specimens of a Chloraea species were collected in localities around Lima and used to describe Chloraea pavonii, C. undulata and C. peruviana. In this study we reviewed original materials, protologues, drawings, additional herbarium specimens and living material to clarify the taxonomic status of C. pavonii. A description, illustration, photographs, and distribution of the species are provided. We also point out the morphological features that distinguish C. pavonii from C. densipapillosa and C. septentrionalis. Lectotypes for C. undulata and C. peruviana are here designated.

Resumen. Durante la expedición botánica realizada en el Perú por Ruiz y Pavón, luego por las exploraciones de Raimondi y finalmente por las de Weberbauer, especímenes de una especie de Chloraea fueron colectados en localidades alrededor de Lima y usados para describir Chloraea pavonii, C. undulata y C. peruviana. En este estudio, hemos revisado los protólogos, material original, ilustraciones, material adicional de herbario y material vivo para clarificar el estado taxonómico de C. pavonii. Se presentan una descripción, ilustración, fotografías y distribución de la especie. También señalamos los caracteres morfológicos que permiten distinguir C. pavonii de C. densipapillosa y C. septentrionalis. Asimismo, se designan los lectotipos para C. undulata y C. peruviana.

Root endophytic fungi promote in vitro seed germination in pleurothallis coriacardia (orchidaceae)

Abstract Seeds of many orchids rely on the presence of fungi to trigger the germination process and even to initiate the full development of protocorms. While attention has been directed towards the study of mycorrhizal fungi, the diversity and functions of endophytic fungi from orchid roots remain underexplored, and few studies have verified their ecological role. This is the case of Pleurothallis coriacardia, an endemic green Neotropical orchid with both epiphytic and lithophytic habits growing in High-Andean montane forests. In the present study, we screened the cultivable fraction of the endophytic fungi colonizing the roots of mature plants of P. coriacardia using ITS rDNA markers. We also tested the potential of these endophytic fungi to improve embryo development and seed germination. Most of the isolated endophytes were classified within Psathyrellaceae. Some isolates, identified as members of the Ilyonectria and Coprinellus genera, significantly promoted embryo development in vitro in P. coriacardia seeds, a result that highlights the ecological roles these endophytic fungi may play in nature.

Resumen Las semillas de la mayor parte de orquídeas dependen de la presencia de hongos para desencadenar el proceso de germinación e incluso el desarrollo de protocormos. Mientras la atención se ha dirigido hacia el estudio de los hongos micorrícicos con este fin, la diversidad y las funciones de otros hongos endófitos que habitan las raíces de orquídeas siguen siendo poco conocidas, y pocos estudios han verificado un rol ecológico en beneficio de la planta. Este es el caso de Pleurothallis coriacardia una orquídea endémica de bosques montanos de los Andes, con hábitos epífitos y litófitos. En el presente estudio, se aisló la fracción cultivable de hongos endófitos de especímenes maduros de P. coriacardia, mediante amplificación por PCR y secuenciación de la región ITS. Además se evaluó el potencial de 15 aislados seleccionados en ensayos preliminares como promotores de la germinación, analizando la tasa de cada estado de desarrollo de las semillas en presencia de cada hongo. Se logró identificar 134 cepas de hongos endófitos, con una elevada frecuencia de géneros pertenecientes a la familia Psathyrellaceae. En los ensayos de germinación, cepas identificadas como Ilyonectria sp. y Coprinellus sp., promovieron significativamente el desarrollo embrionario in vitro en semillas de P. coriacardia, un resultado que resalta uno de los posibles roles ecológicos que estos hongos endófitos pueden jugar en la naturaleza.