Monday, January 8, 2024

[Botany • 2022] Thrixspermum patkaiensis (Orchidaceae: Vandeae: Aeridinae) • A New Species from Assam, northeast India


Thrixspermum patkaiensis K.Gogoi,

Abstract
A new species of orchid, Thrixspermum patkaiensis from the tropical evergreen forest in Dehing Patkai National Park, Assam, India, is described. It is morphologically similar to T. musciflorum and T. formosanum but distinct from these species by the inflorescence 12–18 cm long; the lip with purplish bands and glandular hairy both side of the side lobes and the epichile forming a rim of glandular hairs.

Keywords: Dehing Patkai, Flora of India, plant taxonomy, Thrixspermum formosanum, Thrixspermum musciflorum, Thrixspermum pygmaeum, Thrixspermum section Dendrocolla





Thrixspermum patkaiensis K.Gogoi, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: The present new species is morphologically similar to Thrixspermum musciflorum A.S.Rao & Joseph, Tformosanum (Hayata) Schltr., and T. pygmaeum (King & Pantl.) Holttum, but differs from these species by the 12–18 cm long inflorescence with 2.5–5.0 cm long rachis; yellow or pale-yellow flowers; lip yellow with white or pale yellow in-front, streaked with purplish stripes and glandular-hairy on both sides of the lateral lobes; epichile forming a glandular hairy rim and the disk with long hairs.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the Dehing Patkai National Park, Assam in Northeast India where from the plant was collected.

 
Khyanjeet Gogoi. 2022. Thrixspermum patkaiensis sp. nov. (Vandeae: Aeridinae) from Assam, northeast India. Lankesteriana: International Journal on Orchidology. 22(1); 9–16.