Lankesteriana

Amended description of the Sumatran endemic Dendrobium bandii (Orchidaceae) with notes on its conservation status and ecology

Abstract. Dendrobium bandii is a poorly known species endemic to the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. We studied living specimens and we provide here an amended description of the species, colour photographs, as well as information on distribution, ecology, and its provisional conservation status.

A new Pseudolepanthes (Pleurothallidinae: Orchidaceae) from Northwest Ecuador

Abstract. A new species of the genus Pseudolepanthes discovered in Carchi province, northwest Ecuador, is described here. The new species is compared with P. zunagensis from which it is distinguished by a longer inflorescence with successive vinaceous or pale-yellow flowers, an elongate arcuate column, and a lip with an erect, thick, widely rectangular central callus.

Resumen. Una nueva especie del género Pseudolepanthes descubierta en la provincia del Carchi, noroccidente de Ecuador, es descrita aquí. La especie nueva se compara con P. zunagensis de la cual se distingue por tener una inflorescencia más larga con flores sucesivas, vináceas o amarillo pálido, la columna alargada, arqueada y el labelo con un callo central erecto, grueso y ampliamente rectangular.

First record of a wild population of Laelia dawsonii f. dawsonii (Orchidaceae) for the state of Jalisco, Mexico

Abstract. The existence of a wild population of Laelia dawsonii f. dawsonii is recorded for the first time in the Mexican State of Jalisco. Laelia dawsonii has a wide geographical distribution throughout the Sierra Madre del Sur (Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Jalisco); however, the populations are very isolated, and each one has very few individuals. Until now, no wild populations of this species had been registered outside of the State of Oaxaca. The population found in Jalisco is composed of about 100 plants. Due to its horticultural importance, L. dawsonii has been frequently extracted from the field, and its Oaxacan populations have been decimated since the end of the 19th century. Currently, this species is considered endangered in Mexico.

Resumen. Se registra por primera vez la existencia de una población silvestre de Laelia dawsonii f. dawsonii en el estado de Jalisco. Laelia dawsonii tiene una amplia distribución geográfica a lo largo de la Sierra Madre del Sur (Oaxaca, Guerrero, y Jalisco); sin embargo, sus poblaciones están muy aisladas y cada una cuenta con muy pocos individuos. Hasta ahora, no se habían registrado poblaciones silvestres de esta especie fuera del estado de Oaxaca. La población encontrada en Jalisco cuenta con alrededor de 100 ejemplares. Debido a su importancia hortícola, L. dawsonii ha sido frecuentemente extraída del campo y sus poblaciones oaxaqueñas fueron diezmadas desde finales del siglo XIX. Actualmente, esta especie se considera en peligro de extinción en México.

Comparative floral surface micromorphology helps to discriminate between species of Paphiopedilum (Orchidaceae: Cypripedioideae) from peninsular Malaysia

Abstract The floral micromorphology of critically endangered Paphiopedilum Pfitzer [P. barbatum (Lindl.) Pfitzer, P. callosum var. sublaeve (Rchb.f.) P.J.Cribb and P. niveum (Rchb.f.) Stein] were analyzed concerning either infrageneric taxonomy or physioecological demands. The first two species are phylogenetically close and superficially identical but occur with distinct phytogeographical distributions in the region. The third species is a phylogenetically distant congener that inhabits limestone areas in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we investigated the surface of the dorsal sepal, synsepal, lateral petals, pouch or labellum, and staminode. Amongst the investigated features were epicuticular waxes, epicuticular ornamentation, trichome distribution and type, pustular glands, and papillae. Our study supports the distinction of P. barbatum from P. callosum var. sublaeve, which belong to subgenus Paphiopedilum, and from P. niveum, a species belonging to subgenus Brachypetalum, a separated monophyletic clade. Comparatively, P. barbatum has Type III non-glandular trichomes on the margin of its lateral petals, which are absent in P. callosum var. sublaeve. Paphiopedilum callosum var. sublaeve and P. niveum are distinguishable from P. barbatum by a confined distribution of papillae. The epicuticular ornamentation and distribution of trichomes on staminode discriminate between P. barbatum and P. callosum var. sublaeve and differentiates them from P. niveum. Compared to P. barbatum and P. niveum, stomata in P. callosum var. sublaeve were superficial with prominently raised guard cells. From the physioecological view, the absence of glandular trichomes, and the low occurrence of papillae and stomata on the floral parts explain the unscented flowers of P. barbatum and P. callosum var. sublaeve. A combination of the features examined is taxonomically valuable for delimitation of the species at the infrageneric level, although the diagnostic characters are far inadequate for a generic taxonomic revision. A study with a more extensive sampling from the three subgenera of Paphiopedilum, including subgenus Parvisepalum, is anticipated to elucidate the level of variation of the analyzed microcharacters.

Two new species of Octomeria (Pleurothallidinae) from cordillera del Cóndor, Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador

Abstract. Two new species of orchids, Octomeria pacii, and O. panguiensis are described and illustrated from Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador; likewise, information is provided on their distribution, habitat, and conservation status. These species differ from other species in the genus by their floral and vegetative characteristics and their apparent reproductive strategy of cleistogamy. Octomeria pacii is similar to Octomeria deceptrix, but differs in the caespitose habit, the ramicauls compressed along their entire length, the narrowly elliptical leaves, the autogamous flowers, the translucent white sepals suffused with magenta and the obovate, white lip, marked with magenta. Octomeria panguiensis is similar to O. werneri, but differs by the larger, shortly repent plants with lanceolate leaves, the cleistogamous flowers, the translucent white-colored sepals, the 5-veined lateral sepals and the oblong-trilobed lip with the apical lobe tridentate.

Resumen. Dos nuevas especies de orquídeas, Octomeria pacii y O. panguiensis, se describen e ilustran de la Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador; así mismo, se brinda información sobre su distribución, hábitat y estado de conservación. Estas especies difieren de otras en el género por las características florales y vegetativas y por la aparente estrategia reproductiva de cleistogamia. Octomeria pacii es similar a Octomeria deceptrix, pero difiere en el hábito cespitoso, los ramicaules comprimidos en toda su longitud, las hojas estrechamente elípticas, las flores autógamas, los sépalos blancos translúcidos y teñidos de magenta y el labio blanco obovado, manchado con magenta. Octomeria panguiensis es similar a O. werneri pero se diferencia por las plantas más grandes y repentes, con hojas lanceoladas, las flores cleistógamas, los sépalos translúcidos de color blanco, los sépalos laterales con 5 nervaduras y el labelo oblongo trilobulado con el lóbulo apical tridentado.

A new species of Eurystyles (Orchidaceae) is exposed by a fierce hurricane in Puerto Rico

Abstract. A new species of Eurystyles (Orchidaceae: Orchidoideae, Cranichideae, Spiranthinae) is proposed, E. luisortizii Ackerman sp. nov., which is most similar to E. ananassocomos (Rchb.f.) Schltr. from which it differs by a suite of floral traits. This species represents the first confirmed record of the genus for the island of Puerto Rico, bringing the Eurystyles species count for the West Indies to four.

Resumen. Se propone una nueva especie de Eurystyles (Orchidaceae: Orchidoideae, Cranichideae, Spiranthinae), E. luisortizii Ackerman sp. nov., la cual es similar a E. ananassocomos (Rchb.f.) Schltr., de la que se diferencia por un conjunto de rasgos florales. Esta especie representa el primer registro confirmado del género para la isla de Puerto Rico, lo que eleva el recuento de especies de Eurystyles para las Indias Occidentales a cuatro.