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Type: Article
Published: 2016-02-25
Page range: 267–273
Abstract views: 33
PDF downloaded: 1

Studies in Asian Nervilia (Nervilieae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) VI: N. mekongensis, a new species from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, United Kingdom
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, P.O. Box 7, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, 50180, Thailand School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, 111 University Avenue, Suranaree Sub-district, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
259/12 Chokchai-Kornburu Rd., Thoong Aruan, Chokchai, Nakhon Ratchasima 30190, Thailand
Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden, Ban Wat That, PO Box 959, 0600 Luang Prabang, Lao PDR
Komarov Botanical Institute, Russian Academy of Science, Prof. Popov Str. 2, St. Petersburg 197376, Russia
Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Nervilieae Epidendroideae Orchidaceae Monocots Asia

Abstract

A new species of the terrestrial orchid genus Nervilia is described and illustrated from material collected at several localities in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia. The multi-flowered inflorescence bearing relatively large flowers with a pubescent lip, and the many-veined, cordate-reniform leaf blade that is held well above ground level, place N. mekongensis in section Nervilia. Despite being superficially similar to N. aragoana, a widespread species of tropical Asia and Australasia, it is most closely affiliated to N. fordii, a species known from southern China and Thailand. It is distinguished by its stout inflorescence and lip that is broadest midway along the hypochile and which has acute, forward-projecting side-lobes and a short, ovate mid-lobe. A conservation assessment plus taxonomic notes are provided.