LANKESTERIANA is an international scientific journal published by the Lankester Botanical Garden Research Center – University of Costa Rica. The journal is globally recognized for its specialization and contributions to the knowledge of the orchid family. In addition to research articles, LANKESTERIANA is dedicated to facilitating scholarly communication and exchange by publishing a comprehensive array of content, including book reviews, checklists, comments, conference proceedings, correspondence, corrigenda, obituaries, opinions, reviews, and special issue contributions. LANKESTERIANA maintains rigorous academic standards as a peer-reviewed journal, ensuring that only the highest quality research articles are published. Through this rigorous review process, the journal maintains its reputation for excellence and reliability, providing readers with access to credible, authoritative scientific information on orchids. Furthermore, LANKESTERIANA values contributions from authors worldwide, with English as the official language of the journal. Through Early View, LANKESTERIANA is committed to reducing the time to effective publication of scientific, peer-reviewed papers, for the benefit of both authors and the journal's readers. The papers in this section of Lankesteriana receive an individual DOI and are published online as soon as the editorial process is concluded positively. They represent early views of the final papers exactly as they will appear in the hard-printed, complete issue of the journal. The effective date of publication of each paper is established by the date of its first publication online, which is recorded on the front page of the paper, both in its online and hard-printed versions. The printed version of LANKESTERIANA is published periodically in volumes by the Lankester Botanical Garden, University of Costa Rica. Each volume is made up of three issues published in April (covers the period from January to April), August (covers from May to August), and December (covers from September to December). LANKESTERIANA is indexed by Clarivate Biosis, SciELO, Scopus, Scirus, WZB, Redalyc, DOAJ, PERIODICA, BIBLAT, The Latindex Directory, and it is included in databases such as E-journals, Ebookbrowse, FAO Online Catalogues, CiteBank, Mendeley, WorldCat, Core Electronic Journals Library, and Biodiversity Heritage Library, and in the electronic resources of the Columbia University, the University of Florida, the University of Hamburg, and the Smithsonian Institution, among others. The Lankester Botanical Garden is a research center of the University of Costa Rica, LANKESTERIANA´ s publishing institution, which holds the copyright and publishing rights for every contribution under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 3.0 Costa Rica license (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 CR). Postmaster: Lankester Botanical Garden Research Center, University of Costa Rica, P.O. Box 302-7050 Cartago, Costa Rica, C.A. jardin.lankester@ucr.ac.cr ISSN-e: 2215-2067 | ISSN 1409-3871
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The rostellum, a small structure located above the stigma in the gynostemium of monandrous orchid flowers, separates the pollinia from the stigma, can prevent self-pollination, and plays an important role in pol- lination. It secretes a sticky exudate before and after anthesis, to which the pollinia are attached. Additionally,the viscidium, a sticky disk at the base of the stipe, also connects to the rostellum. This structure varies among species and holds taxonomic significance. For example, in Catasetum, the rostellum extends into antennae-like projections. After pollination, emasculation, or injury, the plant hormone ethylene is produced, triggering various post-pollination, post-emasculation, and post-injury processes, including changes in perianth color, senescence, and, ultimately, the death of floral segments that have completed their functions. Although the rostellum plays a significant role, it remains understudied, and many aspects of its function are still unknown. This review high- lights current knowledge and explores speculative hypotheses that may invite differing opinions and perspectives, which will likely be revised as future research deepens our understanding of its biological and ecological roles.
Copyright (c) 2024 Lankesteriana: International Journal on Orchidology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/cr/
Female orchid bee Euglossa dilemma visits the perfume orchid Coryanthes panamensis in Florida
Male orchid bees gather fragrance chemicals from the surfaces of about 700 species of neotropical orchids and pollinate them in the process. The males display the collected chemicals during their courtship, and female orchid bees will mate only with males, displaying a species-specific blend of collected chemicals. Given this reality, the discovery of a female Euglossa dilemma dead in the bucket trap of a flower of the perfume orchid Coryanthes panamensis bearing the orchid’s pollinarium is extraordinary. There are no previous reports of female orchid bees visiting a perfume orchid and picking up pollinia of the orchids. Bearing a pollinarium indicates that this female bee made at least two visits to the flowers and that these visits were unlikely to be accidental. The flower in which the bee was found was on a cultivated plant grown in a residential garden in Coral Gables, Florida. Neither the orchid nor the orchid bee are native to Florida and occur in different areas of tropical America. Why this female orchid bee visited this orchid is considered, including the possibility that it may be a gynandromorph. Despite being a morphological female, the bee may have had neurological anomalies that caused it to exhibit a male-like attraction to this perfume orchid.
Copyright (c) 2026 Lankesteriana: International Journal on Orchidology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/cr/
Notes on the correct identity of Ceratostylis siamensis (Epidendroideae: Podochileae) from India
While conducting taxonomic studies on the tribe Podochileae (Orchidaceae) for the Flora of India, two species, Ceratostylis siamensis and Ceratostylis himalaica have been examined using types, protologues, fresh specimens, and authentic herbarium collections. Ceratostylis siamensis was previously reported and documented in Arunachal Pradesh, India. However, we determined upon closer examination that this record was based on erroneous identification. The correct identity of this species is C. himalaica. Consequently, Ceratostylis siamensis is excluded from the flora of India.
Notes on australasian orchids 8: Eight new species of Hymenochilus (Cranichideae: Pterostylidinae) and clarification of two previously described species
Eight new species of Hymenochilus from Australia are described and illustrated. Six of the new species have affinities to (and are here compared with) H. cycnocephalus: H. anemophilus, H. calcicola, H. cymbellus, H. longipes, H. nemoralis and H. pachylus. Hymenochilus anemophilus is shorter (2–8 cm), with dark green strongly veined rosette leaves, crowded dark green flowers, oblong to obovate labellum lamina and, a broader blunter beak on the labellum appendage; H. calcicola is shorter (3–12 cm), crowded green flowers with prominent dark green stripes, ovate petals with a strongly developed basal flange on the anterior side and narrow elliptic labellum lamina with a broad pointed beak on the labellum appendage; H. cymbellus differs by its sparser basal rosette with narrower rosette leaves, thinner scapes, flowers with distinct darker green stripes and shallowly saccate lateral sepals that narrow inwards to a distinctly pointed apex; H. longipes differs by its thin-textured rosette leaves, widely spaced darker green flowers with darker green veins, elliptic-obovate labellum lamina and a longer labellum basal appendage which protrudes prominently from the flower in side view; H. nemoralis has longer rosette leaves, thicker scape and darker green flowers with prominent narrow dark green stripes; H. pachylus has thicker rosette leaves, taller, thicker scape, flowers prominently striped, elliptic-obovate labellum lamina and labellum appendage with a short thick beak. Two of the new species have affinities (and are here compared) with H. muticus: H. pagophilus and H. pisinnus. Hymenochilus pagophilus differs by its moderately crowded to crowded flowers, broader, shinier flowers and rectangular-obovate labellum and H. pisinnus differs by its smaller rosette with smaller, narrower leaves, thinner scape, smaller flowers, that are often on long pedicels, shorter, shallowly saccate lateral sepals, smaller rhomboid petals and, smaller obovate labellum. In addition, Hymenochilus cycnocephalus and H. muticus, are characterised in the strict sense with full descriptions, distribution, and habitat.
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A new species of Epidendrum (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae) of the Incomptum group from the north of Antioquia, Colombia
A new species of Epidendrum of the Incomptum group is described and illustrated, so far found only from the type locality. Information is provided to separate between the species belonging to the Arbuscula and Incomptum groups. Moreover, the new taxon described here, Epidendrum pembertonii, is thoroughly compared with the four most morphologically similar species (E. brenesii, E. bisulcatum, E. foldatsii, E. sotoanum), showing notable differences in the number and shape of leaves, inflorescence length, color of flowers, sepals venation, shape and ornamentation of the lip and column.
A new species of Maxillaria (Maxillariinae) from the northern Andes and a new synonym of Maxillaria floribunda
Maxillaria andina, a new orchid species from high-Andean ecosystems of southwestern Colombia and northern Ecuador, is described. The new species is distinguished by having long and narrowly linear white sepals and petals with revolute margins, lip with mucronate epichile, and callus without hairs or trichomes. Distinguishing characters are provided to differentiate it from morphologically similar species, along with ecological and taxonomical notes. Additionally, Maxillaria sibundoyensis is synonymized with Maxillaria floribunda.
Corybas geminigibbus, a new addition to the orchid flora of Sumatra
Corybas is an orchid genus of 154 species distributed from India to South China, the Western Pacific, and New Zealand. Sumatra is home to eight species, five of which are endemic. However, the true diversity is likely underestimated due to limited exploration in some parts of the island. During a recent exploration in the northern Gayo Plateau near the northern tip of the island, a Corybas species was discovered that did not match any previously known species. Further identification through specimen comparison and literature review confirmed that the species is Corybas geminigibbus. It was found growing in montane bogs. This discovery marks the second bioregion in Indonesia where this species has been recorded and the ninth Corybas species on the island. The finding also provides additional evidence of floristic similarities, suggesting past geological connections between northern Sumatra and mainland Asia. A detailed description, discussion, and photographs are provided.
A new green-flowered Aa (Cranichideae) from Peru
A new species from the Peruvian Andes, Aa olivacea, is described and illustrated. Information concerning distribution, habitat, ecology, and conservation status is provided. The new species is similar to A. hieronymi by its dense spikes of dark green and brown flowers with translucent whitish floral bracts; but differs from it by its elliptic to lanceolate leaves, 60 to 100-flowered spikes, glabrous rachis, lateral sepals with the margin entire to occasionally minutely erose near the apex, petals with slightly erose to sinuate apical margin, lip unlobed with lacerate to erose margin, and ovary with scarce hairs. Furthermore, A. tenebrosa is proposed as a synonym of A. hieronymi, A. nigrescens is recognized as a distinct species from A. leucantha, and A. lehmannii is confirmed to be an illegitimate, superfluous name for A. leucantha.
new species Telipogon (Oncidiinae) from Bolivia
Telipogon minutus, from the Carrasco National Park in the Bolivian Yungas, is proposed as a new species. Plants of T. minutus, which reach up to 4 cm in height, are the smallest known Bolivian Telipogon. The new species is characterized by its oblong to ovate labellum, which is weakly sub-auriculate and retuse at the base, with a semi-circular stigma, a column with two lateral lobes and a mammillary protuberance at the apex, and two tufts of setae with trifurcate apices. A description, figures, and a distributional map of the new taxon are provided, along with a discussion of the differences between the new species and morphologically similar Telipogon species.
Mormodes benelliana (Catasetinae), a new species from Mato Grosso, Brazil
In the present study, we describe and illustrate Mormodes benelliana, a new species found in the southwest region of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. This species occurs as an epiphyte in the transition between the Amazon and Cerrado domains. Mormodes benelliana is similar to M. hoehnei, but differs by having smaller pseudobulbs, inflorescences longer than the pseudobulbs, conspicuous peduncle, yellowish-brown and brown-vinous striped flowers, with a large-elliptic to ovate, glabrous lip.
Pleurothallis cop-biodiversitatis (Pleurothallidinae), a new species from Colombia
A new species, Pleurothallis cop-biodiversitatis, belonging to Pleurothallis subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae, from the Central Andes of Colombia, is described and illustrated. This new species is compared with Pleurothallis matudana and Pleurothallis tandapiensis, the most morphologically similar species. Pleurothallis cop-biodiversitatis primarily differs from these species in having a lip with erose margins, more pronounced basal lobes, a rounded, apiculate apex, and a sulcate blade with a lanceolate, strongly vesiculate concavity.
Addition of five orchid species to the flora of Bhutan
Bhutan, situated in the eastern part of the Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot, is renowned for its rich flora and fauna. This biodiversity is attributed to the country’s multiple biogeographic origins, diverse topo- graphy, ecological complexity, and varied climatic and soil conditions. However, much of the flora remains under-collected, with many taxa yet to be discovered. From June 2022 to March 2024, floristic studies were conducted in Bhutan, leading to the discovery of five orchid species not previously recorded in the country: Bulbophyllum crabro, B. rigidum, Cymbidium tortisepalum var. longibracteatum, Galeola cathcartii, and Liparis kumokiri. These species are scientifically documented for the first time in Bhutan. Detailed descriptions, type information, updated global distribution, ecology, and colour plates of the recorded species are provided.
A new species of Dendrobium sect. Crinifera (Dendrobieae) from Thailand
A new species of Dendrobium sect. Crinifera is described from Thailand. The late Peter O’Byrne is appropriately credited for his important preparatory work for our study and for coining the name of the new species, D. krabiense. Apparently endemic to southern Thailand, D. krabiense is similar to D. pardalinum but differs in the lip mid-lobe being distinctly clawed and in the lip ornaments only consisting of two lateral keels that extend from near lip base to claw of mid-lobe. Dendrobium krabiense is also similar to D. phuketense but differs in having larger, spotted flowers with a proportionally longer mentum. The material here referred to D. krabiense was previously misidentified as Flickingeria pallens (now considered a synonym of D. pardalinum).
Bulbophyllum lampadion (section Monanthes), a new species from New Guinea
Bulbophyllum lampadion from New Guinea is herein described and illustrated based on herbarium specimens and cultivated material. This high-elevation species belongs to section Monanthes, of which sect. Oxysepala is here considered to be a synonym.
New species and records of Orchidaceae from Costa Rica. IV.
The fourth release of the series “New Species and Records of Orchidaceae from Costa Rica” documents and illustrates 17 taxa of the Costa Rican orchid flora. The new species records belong to the subtribes Pleurothallidinae (9 spp.), Maxillariinae (3 spp.), and Oncidiinae (2 spp.), including the description of two new species in Pleurothallis and Telipogon. Two new forms are described for Isochilus latibracteatus (Ponerinae) and Masdevallia striatella(Pleurothallidinae), and their differences from the typical forms are discussed. Additionally, the first record of a naturalized population of Phalaenopsis stuartiana(Aeridinae) in Costa Rica is discussed. Detailed descriptions, based on selected Costa Rican material, are included for all taxa, along with illustrations and/or Lankester Composite Digital Plates (LCDP). Information on their etymology, distribution, habitat, phenology, and distinguishing features compared to morphologically similar species is also provided. Finally, following the publication of the most recent Costa Rican orchid catalogue, we have identified some omissions and other new species described, which are discussed here. The orchid flora of Costa Rica now includes 1695 species and nine forms.
Lepanthes chalalensis (Pleurothallidinae), a new species endemic to the Santander department in Colombia
We propose Lepanthes chalalensis as a newly identified species confined to the north-east Andes of Colombia. We randomly placed 341 sampling plots across the Eastern Cordillera, including transformed and natural habitats. Here, we provide a detailed description, illustrating images, ecological discussions, a taxonomic key for the new entity, and a conservation status analysis. The species is highly geographically restricted (in 2 out of 341 sampling plots) and has a low population size (26 adult individuals). While L. chalalensis shows a resemblance to L. velosa from Ecuador, it can be distinguished by the wide lower lobe of the petals, which is long ciliated, the lip laminae, which are reduced and bear stiff cilia, and the appendix length, which appear to be twice as long as the lip blades. The species should be considered a conservation concern due to its high rarity.
Sarcoglottis wernerherzogii (Spiranthinae), a new species from Cusco, Peru: addenda
A comparative table between Sarcoglottis wernerherzogii, S. fasciculata, and other species of the genus present in Peru, is included.
Host suitability for germination differs from that of later stages of development in a rare epiphytic orchid
We explore phorophyte suitability for germination and establishment of the epiphytic orchid, Psychilis kraenzlinii. We found that the orchid grows on a subset of the available tree species and shows preference for the endemic Machaonia portoricensis (Rubiaceae). The orchid preferred trees with smoother bark with high water holding capacity and low water retention capacity. Microclimatic conditions under which embryos began pre-germination stages mirrored that of the adult orchid, but germination did not, suggesting that suitable germination sites are not necessarily the best sites for later stages of development.
Two new species of Telipogon (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae) from Costa Rica
The Neotropical genus Telipogon (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae), comprising approximately 250 species, exhibits remarkable species diversity in the humid, montane forests of southern Central America and the Tropical Andes. Telipogon, when broadly defined, encompasses both the large-flowered species that mimic tachinid flies and the small-flowered species formerly classified under Stellilabium. In Costa Rica, this genus includes 55 species, with 16 classified as small-flowered species. While the large-flowered species of Telipogon (in the strict sense) have been taxonomically revised, the small-flowered species have yet to be the subject of a thorough taxonomic revision. Our research aims to partially fill this gap by focusing on a comparative morphological analysis of two novel small-flowered Telipogon species. We describe and illustrate Telipogon lateritius and T. muntzii, both discovered in the humid mid-elevation forest of the Caribbean watershed in Cordillera de Talamanca, Costa Rica. Telipogon lateritius is notable for its distinctive brick-colored flowers, featuring sepals, petals, and lips striped in chestnut brown; the lateral sepals connate into a triangular-ovate synsepal, complemented by sparse, stiff pubescence at the base of the lip. Telipogon muntzii, although closely resembling T. anacristinae, differs in its unique olive-green flowers, sparse trichomes on the lip, narrowly oblong lateral lobes of the column, and a helmet-shaped median lobe of the column exclusively covered by simple trichomes. This study provides new additions for a future taxonomic revision of Telipogon in Costa Rica.
Dendrobium derryi (Epidendroideae: Malaxideae): an addition to the flora of India
Dendrobium derryi has been added to the orchid flora of India from Karbi Anglong district of Assam. This article provides an updated description of the species, accompanied by detailed photos and line drawings based on material collected within the country.
Copyright (c) 2024 Lankesteriana https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/cr/
Malaxis engelsii (Malaxidinae), a new species from the upper montane forest of the Atlantic Rainforest in southern Brazil
Malaxis engelsii is a newly discovered orchid found in the upper montane forests of the Atlantic Rainforest in Paraná, Brazil. This species is characterized by its small size, elliptic leaves, flowers with partially connate sepals at the base, trilobate lip with four cavities, and a longitudinal keel on the adaxial surface of the lip apex. A detailed description, photographs, drawings, and comparison with similar species, Malaxis cipoensis, M. sertulifera, and M. ybytus, are provided. Currently, it is classified according to the IUCN guidelines as “Endangered (EN)’’.
Two new species of Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae) from cloud forest remnants in the eastern Andes of Colombia
Two new pleurothallid species of the genera Lepanthes and Pleurothallis, native to cloud forest remnants of the Eastern Andes of Colombia, are described and illustrated. Lepanthes pseudoabitaguae is compared with Lepanthes abitaguae, from which it differs by the color of the flowers and by the oblong and biglandular appendix. Pleurothallis falcata is similar to Pleurothallis suspensa, but can be recognized by the falcate to lanceolate leaves, denser inflorescences, longer sepals, and the lip completely recurved with erose apical margins. We also provide comparisons with similar species and offer comments on their ecology. Furthermore, we discuss the significance of this highly anthropized region and its richness in orchid species.
LANKESTER CATALOGUE OF COSTA RICAN ORCHIDACEAE
This study presents an updated comprehensive catalogue of the Costa Rican orchid flora. We have documented 1684 species, four subspecies, 14 natural hybrids, and seven forms across 201 genera and two nothogenera, × Bensteinia and × Cochlezella. All Orchidaceae subfamilies are represented except for Apostasioideae. The subtribe Pleurothallidinae accounts for about 35% of all the species, followed by Laeliinae (20%) and Oncidiinae (+12%). The most species-rich genera in Costa Rica are Epidendrum (245 spp.), Lepanthes (163 spp.), Stelis (109 spp.), and Pleurothallis (63 spp.). About 30% of all the species are endemic, primarily concentrated in Lepanthes (109 spp. = 67%), Epidendrum (76 spp. = 31%), Stelis (40 spp. = 37%), Telipogon (35 spp. = 88%), and Pleurothallis (31 spp. = 46%). All species are vouchered by specimens housed in major public herbaria, including CR, JBL, and USJ in Costa Rica, as well as AMES, K, SEL, US, and W, on the international scale, among others. The catalogue includes 5300 orchid names at the specific and subspecific ranks, nearly 70% of which are treated as synonyms. The new catalog presents an increase of 324 species compared to its predecessor, published twenty years ago, a net increment of almost 24%. The rise in the recorded richness of the Costa Rican orchid flora is mainly attributed to the discovery of species new to science and a lesser extent, taxa newly recorded for the country as the result of the systematic explorations carried out in Costa Rica during the present century. A phylogenetic arrangement of the genera recorded in Costa Rica, from the rank of subfamily to that of subtribe, is presented, including a synopsis of the diversity recorded for each genus. An enumerated checklist of the accepted species and a comprehensive index of accepted names and synonyms are also provided. The index is cross-referenced with both the checklist and the main catalogue. New combinations for Andreettaea fimbriata and Camaridium muscoides are proposed. Photographs of representative species from the majority of genera, based on Costa Rican vouchers, are included. We expect that this catalogue will inspire orchidological and botanical research in Costa Rica and other Neotropical regions, leading to additional discoveries in the upcoming years
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The genus Anathallis (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) in Mexico
Anathallis encompasses nearly 120 species of neotropical orchids, with Mexico representing the northernmost limit of its distribution. During the current century, up to fifteen Mexican species have been classified in Anathallis. However, in recent years, several of them have been reclassified into Lankesteriana, Specklinia, and Stelis. Currently, Anathallis in Mexico includes A. greenwoodii, A. lewisiae, A. minutalis, A. oblanceolata, A. sertularioides, and A. yucatanensis. This work presents the taxonomic treatment for these species, the modeling of their potential distribution, and the assessment of their conservation status in Mexico. For this, specialized literature, living and herborized specimens, and online databases were examined. For each species, a description, drawing, photograph, and distribution map were prepared; additionally, information regarding nomenclature, habitat, phenology, comparison with similar species, and an assessment of its risk status is provided. Mexican Anathallis plants are characterized by their diminutive habit, rhizomatous growth, semi-open flowers with acute sepals and petals, free lateral sepals, mobile lip, and winged column. The genus includes five Mexican species: A. lewisiae, A. minutalis, A. oblanceolata, A. sertularioides, and A. yucatanensis. Anathallis greenwoodii exhibits a morphology more similar to Lankesteriana and it was transferred accordingly. Anathallis oblanceolata was previously known only from the type locality and is redescribed based on specimens previously confused with A. minutalis. Both species are endemic to the mountainous regions of Mexico. Anathallis lewisiae, A. sertularioides, and A. yucatanensis grow in warm, lowland areas along the Gulf of Mexico coast and Yucatan Peninsula. Lectotypes are designated here for Pleurothallis minutalis, P. tenuissima, and P. trichopoda.
Copyright (c) 2023 Lankesteriana: International Journal on Orchidology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/cr/
Odontoglossum crispum: a tale of love, loss and scientific discovery
This is the story of Odontoglossum crispum (Oncidium alexandrae), from the 19th century to the present day. It is a love story because Odontoglossum crispum was considered by many to be the most beautiful of all orchid species. It was collected by the hundreds of thousands from the cloud forests of its native Colombia and exported to Britain, the rest of Europe and the USA. Vast numbers were lost in transit. When they arrived many perished due to a lack of understanding of its needs in cultivation. Only the ‘best’ forms were grown, and the remainder discarded. Today much of its native habitat has either disappeared or been despoiled due to human actions. Few plants remain in cultivation in the UK. It was one of the first species to be grown commercially from seed, most notably in the UK by Charlesworth & Co., following the scientific discovery by Noël Bernard that orchid seeds required the participation of a suitable fungus to germinate under natural conditions.
Studies on Costa Rican Vanilloideae: the return of Cleistes rosea and a reaffirmation of Epistephium ellipticum
Subfamily Vanilloideae represents a small fraction of the orchid flora of Costa Rica, and yet our knowledge of this predominantly South American group has significantly increased in the last two decades. Until recently, Vanilloideae was represented in Costa Rica by just two genera: Cleistes and Vanilla, with one and seven species, respectively. Today, up to 13 species of Vanilla are shown to occur in the country, we evidence the presence of a second species of Cleistes and confirm the presence of a third genus Vanilloideae in Costa Rica: Epistephium. The rare Cleistes rosea and Epistephium ellipticum are fully illustrated on the basis of Costa Rican materials with Lankester Composite Digital Plates (LCDP). The typification of Cleistes rosea is discussed and a color illustration is provided of C. costaricensis for comparison.
Sarcoglottis wernerherzogii (Spiranthinae), a new species from Cusco, Peru
A new species of Sarcoglottis from the department of Cusco, Peru is described and illustrated as S. wernerherzogii. It is similar to eastern South American S. fasciculata but distinguished by its contrasting habitat (high-Andean montane cloud forest as 2050−2500 m a.s.l. vs. Atlantic rain forest near sea level), flowering after the shedding of the leaves (vs. flowering with leaves present); homogeneous green or yellow flowers (vs. whitish or pale green with contrasting reddish veins); rigidly conduplicate-concave lateral sepals that, when spread out are strongly falcate (vs. slightly concave, not rigid, obliquely lanceolate lateral sepals); strongly cymbiform, obovate hypochile as wide as long when spread out (vs. broadly channeled, oblanceolate hypochile about twice longer than wide or longer when spread out); ovate, strongly deflexed epichile provided with a central longitudinal thickening throughout its length (vs. erect or gently arcuate epichile with a thickening only at the apex); and apical anther beak truncate (vs. apical anther beak rounded). The strongly cymbiform hypochile that, when spread out is as wide as long, is unique in the genus. The differences between S. fasciculata, the new species, and other Peruvian species of Sarcoglottis are contrasted in a table. Sarcoglottis wernerherzogii is known from less than a dozen plants in two populations, both under nominal protection in the Machupicchu Historical Sanctuary and the Area of Conservación Regional Choquequirao, respectively. The status “DD” (data deficient) is suggested until an objective assessment of its risk status can be carried out.
Orchids of the Southern Cone (1830–2000) – Part IV. Maevia Noemí Correa’s Flora Patagonica
Maevia Noemí Correa (1914–2005) will always be remembered as the director and editor of an outstanding work, Flora Patagonica, in which she assumed the treatment of several plant families, among them the Orchidaceae. Published between 1969 and 1999, the work was the product of 30 years of dedicated research and fieldwork, resulting in the publication of eight volumes and extraordinary plant collections, now housed in Argentinian and foreign herbaria. Popularly known as The Dame of the Orchids, Correa must be considered one of the most relevant Argentinian botanists of the 20th century. In honor of her birth on February 14th, the day has been designated as "The Day of the Orchidophile”.
Telipogon pillaropatatensis (Oncidiinae): a new species from the East-Central Andes of Ecuador
A new species, Telipogon pillaropatatensis, is described from the highlands of east-central Ecuador. It is morphologically similar to T. octavioi but differs by having a corolla with longitudinal thick vein lines without reticulations and a column with three dense bundles of equally sized setae. Also, our phylogenetic analyses suggest that they are not closely related. Interestingly, among the analyzed taxa, T. pillaropatatensis appears to have a closer phylogenetic relationship with the highly distinct T. pulcher and T. hausmannianus than with the morphologically similar T. octavioi. The new species has been found in a relatively small area, covering just a few square kilometers in east-central Ecuador. Additionally, we documented remarkable variation in the coloration and size of the corolla. Information regarding the species' habitat, ecology, phylogenetic relationships, and conservation status is also provided.
A new endemic species of Polystachya (Polystachyinae) from eastern Tanzania
Polystachya nguruensis, a new endemic species from the isolated Nguru Mountains of eastern Tanzania, is described here, and its affinities and conservation status are discussed. Polystachya nguruensis differs from P. lukwangulensis in having much longer, more obviously several-noded pseudobulbs, shorter, narrowly oblong-elliptic, coriaceous leaves, and a longer, more densely many-flowered, branching inflorescence with smaller flowers and ecallose lip with a narrowly oblong a midlobe with a broadly obovate to subcircular, apiculate, lip midlobe. Unlike most allied species, it is a lithophyte, growing on sloping slabs of crystalline rock, a highly vulnerable habitat that has already been partly destroyed by fire. Consequently, it is assessed to be Critically Endangered and in need of immediate conservation attention.