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Issue: Vol. 267 No. 3: 7 July 2016
Type: Article
Published: 2016-07-07
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.267.3.1
Page range: 165–186
Abstract views: 26
PDF downloaded: 1

Synoptic revision of the genus Cyrtorchis Schltr. (Angraecinae, Orchidaceae) in Central Africa, with the description of a new species restricted to submontane vegetation

Plant Systematics and Ecology Laboratory, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 047, Yaoundé, Cameroon. Laboratoire de Botanique Appliquée, Département de Biologie Végétale, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Missouri Botanical Garden, Africa & Madagascar Department, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, Missouri 63166-0299, U.S.A. Herbarium et Bibliothèque de Botanique africaine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus de la Plaine CP 265, Boulevard du Triomphe 1050 Brussels, Belgium. Agentschap Plantentuin Meise, Domein van Bouchout, Nieuwelaan 38, B-1860, Meise, Belgium.
Plant Systematics and Ecology Laboratory, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 047, Yaoundé, Cameroon. Missouri Botanical Garden, Africa & Madagascar Department, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, Missouri 63166-0299, U.S.A. Herbarium et Bibliothèque de Botanique africaine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus de la Plaine CP 265, Boulevard du Triomphe 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
Plant Systematics and Ecology Laboratory, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 047, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Laboratoire de Botanique Appliquée, Département de Biologie Végétale, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Plant Systematics and Ecology Laboratory, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 047, Yaoundé, Cameroon. Missouri Botanical Garden, Africa & Madagascar Department, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, Missouri 63166-0299, U.S.A. Herbarium et Bibliothèque de Botanique africaine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus de la Plaine CP 265, Boulevard du Triomphe 1050 Brussels, Belgium. Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Unité Mixte de Recherche AMAP (Botanique et Modélisation de l’Architecture des Plantes et des végétations), Boulevard de la Lironde, TA A-51/PS2, F-34398 Montpellier Cedex5, France.
Angraecoid orchids Central African rainforest Homocolleticon new records shadehouses network taxonomy Monocots

Abstract

As a preliminary step to the taxonomic revision of the genus Cyrtorchis, a synoptic revision of the species occurring in Central Africa was undertaken. Based on a detailed examination of 1,039 herbarium specimens, including nomenclatural types, we have recognized 14 species in Central Africa (one of which is divided into two subspecies), including one new species that the study brought to light, described here as Cyrtorchis submontana. The new species closely resembles C. guillaumetii and C. brownii in general aspect, but differs from them in having thinner, small elliptic leaves and shorter, fewer-flowered, more lax inflorescences with shorter bracts. The species is restricted to submontane vegetation of Central Africa and is assessed as Endangered following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Cyrtorchis latibracteata and C. subcylindrifolia are lectotypified, and the latter is placed as a synonym under C. henriquesiana. Many new records are reported, and for each taxon the distribution, habitat and ecology are given. An identification key for the Central African taxa is also provided.