Lepanthes palmae and Epidendrum palmae, New Orchid Species from a Proposed Nature Reserve in Southern Colombia

Abstract

Two new orchid species, Lepanthes palmae Kolan., Szlach. & Medina Tr. and Epidendrum palmae Kolan., Szlach. & Medina Tr., are described and illustrated. Both were found in a proposed nature reserve in southern Colombia. Lepanthes palmae is similar to L. delhierroi, from which it differs by having flat flowers, narrowly elliptic sepals, an acuminate dorsal sepal, non-tailed petals which are glandular-pubescent only along margins, and a membranaceous, glabrous hook-like appendix. Epidendrum palmae resembles E. tropidioides but differs from it by having a branched inflorescence and a lip that is elliptic and acuminate below the claw. An updated identification key to Colombian taxa of the Epidendrum allenii complex is also presented.