Studies in Asian  Nervilia (Orchidaceae) VII: Nervilia kasiensis, a new Lao endemic

S.W Gale,T Phaxaysombath

doi:10.3767/000651917x694732

Abstract

A new species belonging to the terrestrial orchid genus Nervilia is described from Kasi District, Vientiane Province, northern Laos. Referable to the widespread and species-rich N. adolphi/punctata alliance on account of its solitary flower, slender white and violet-marked labellum and glabrous, angular leaf, N. kasiensis is morphologically most closely allied to N. muratana of southern China and northern Vietnam. As in that species, the flowering and leafing phases overlap, an unusual feature among members of the genus. The new species can be distinguished from N. muratana by its shorter inflorescence, its weakly spreading perianth with beige sepals, its narrower labellum with a central pubescent strip on the epichile, its arched column, and by its faintly tessellated leaf. A morphological description, line drawing and notes on the species’ ecology and conservation status are presented.

Highlights

The Old World terrestrial orchid genus Nervilia continues to grow, with the addition of at least one new species per year for the last five years (Averyanov 2011a, Hsu et al 2012, Jalal et al 2012, Gale et al 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, Lin & Chang 2013, Lin 2014)
In a cladistic analysis focusing on African members of the genus, Pettersson (1991) circumscribed an alliance of closely related one-flowered species unified by the combination of an elongating fruiting scape, a glabrous, angular leaf and a pubes cent column, as epitomised by the African N. adolphi Schltr. and the Indonesian N. punctata (Blume) Makino
Lamb 2089/2011, SAN) and for N. muratana S.W.Gale & S.K.Wu in humid broadleaved forest in South China and northern Vietnam (Gale & Wu 2008, Averyanov 2011b); all three of these species belong to the N. adolphi/punctata alliance

Summary

Introduction

The Old World terrestrial orchid genus Nervilia continues to grow, with the addition of at least one new species per year for the last five years (Averyanov 2011a, Hsu et al 2012, Jalal et al 2012, Gale et al 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, Lin & Chang 2013, Lin 2014). Lamb 2089/2011, SAN) and for N. muratana S.W.Gale & S.K.Wu in humid broadleaved forest in South China and northern Vietnam (Gale & Wu 2008, Averyanov 2011b); all three of these species belong to the N. adolphi/punctata alliance. During a recent survey of remnant primary forest fragments in the north of the country, the present authors discovered an unidentified member of the N. adolphi/ punctata alliance that was striking for its unusually large, faintly tessellated leaf.

Results

Conclusion