Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 750 No. 3: 7 Apr. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-04-07
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.750.3.2
Page range: 157-170
Abstract views: 0
PDF downloaded: 0

Updated morphological description and typification of Aphyllorchis striata and a new variety, Acriopsis densiflora var. subpandurata (Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) from Malaysia

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI)
Faculty of Earth Science, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Kampus Jeli, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia
Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Forest Department Sarawak, Research and Development Division, KM10 Jalan Datuk Amar Kalong Ningkan, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Pahang Tingkat 5, Kompleks Tun Razak, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25990 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Perak, Persiaran Meru Utama, Bandar Meru Raya, 30020 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Achlorophyllous orchids diversity epiphytic orchids Pahang taxonomy Monocots

Abstract

We report new findings on two orchids from protected forests in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia: the mycoheterotrophic Aphyllorchis striata and the epiphytic Acriopsis densiflora var. subpandurata, a newly described variety. Recently collected material enables a reassessment of their morphology and resolution of outstanding taxonomic ambiguities. For A. striata, we provide an updated species description, an identification key for Aphyllorchis in Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand, and designate an epitype to address limitations in earlier type material. For A. densiflora var. subpandurata, we describe the new variety based on its distinct few-flowered inflorescence (8-flowered) and subpandurate labellum and designate its holotype.

References

  1. Bateman, R.M. (2022) Species circumscription in cryptic clades: A nihilist’s view. In: Monro, A.K. & Mayo, S.J. (Eds.) Cryptic species. Morphological stasis, circumscription, and hidden diversity, Systematics Association Special Volume 89. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 36–77. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009070553.003
  2. Beaman, T.E., Wood, J.J., Beaman, R.S. & Beaman, J.H. (2001) Orchids of Sarawak. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu, 548 pp.
  3. Blume, C.L. (1823) Catalogus van eenige der Merkwaardigste Zoo in- als Uitheemse Gewassen te Vinden in’s Lands Plantentuin te Buitenzorg. Landsdrukkerij, Batavia, 112 pp.
  4. Blume, C.L. (1825) Tabellen en platen voor de Javaansche orchideën. Ter Lands, Batavia, t. 16.
  5. Blume, C.L. (1827) Bijdragen tot de flora van Nederlandsch Indië (17de Stuk). Lands Drukkerij, Batavia, 1169 pp.
  6. Chantanaorrapint, A. & Chantanaorrapint, S. (2022) Aphyllorchis periactinantha (Orchidaceae, Neottieae), a new mycoheterotrophic species from peninsular Thailand. PhytoKeys 215: 107–115. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.215.91458
  7. Chase, M.W., Cameron, K.M., Freudenstein, J.V., Pridgeon, A.M., Salazar, G., van den Berg, C. & Schuiteman, A. (2015) An updated classification of Orchidaceae. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 177 (2): 151–174. https://doi.org/10.1111/boj.12234
  8. Comber, J.B. (1990) Orchids of Java. Bentham-Moxon Trust, Richmond, 407 pp.
  9. Comber, J.B. (2001) Orchids of Sumatra. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu, 1026 pp.
  10. Daston, L. (2004) Type Specimens and Scientific Memory. Critical Inquiry 31 (1): 153–182. https://doi.org/10.1086/427306
  11. Holttum, R.E. (1953) A revised Flora of Malaya Vol I: Orchids of Malaya, 1st edition. Government Printing Office, Singapore, 753 pp.
  12. Joffard, N., Buatois, B., Arnal, V., Véla, E., Montgelard, C. & Schatz, B. (2022) Delimiting species in the taxonomically challenging orchid section Pseudophrys: Bayesian analyses of genetic and phenotypic data. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 10: 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.1058550
  13. Lindley, J. (1847) Edwards’s Botanical Register: Ornamental Flower-Garden and Shrubbery. Vol. 33. James Ridgway, London.
  14. Minderhoud, M.E. & de Vogel, E.F. (1986) A taxonomic revision of the genus Acriopsis Reinwardt ex Blume (Acriopsidinae, Orchidaceae). Orchid Monographs 1 (1): 1–16. https://repository.naturalis.nl/pub/508304
  15. POWO (2025) Plants of the World Online. Available from: https://powo.science.kew.org/ (accessed 30 May 2025)
  16. Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.W. & Rasmussen, F.N. (2005) Genera Orchidacearum 4. Epidendroideae (Part One). Oxford University Press, Oxford, 696 pp. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198507123.001.0001
  17. Reichenbach, H.G. (1876) Orchideae Roezlianae novae seu criticae. Linnaea 41: 1–98.
  18. Ridley, H.N. (1893) On the Flora of the Eastern Coast of the Malay Peninsula, Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. 2nd Series. Botany 3 (9): 267–408. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.1893.tb00678.x
  19. Ridley, H.N. (1905) New and little-known Malayan Plant. Series II. Journal of the Strait Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 44: 189–211. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/130379#page/303/mode/1up]
  20. Ridley, H.N. (1907) Materials for a flora of the Malayan peninsula. Part I. Methodist Publishing House, Singapore, 233 pp. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/11237594]
  21. Ridley, H.N. (1924) The flora of the Malay Peninsula, Vol. IV. Monocotyledones. L. Reeve & Co. Ltd., London, 383 pp.
  22. Schlechter, R. (1900) Acriopsis Reinw. Und ihre Stellung zu den Podochilinae. Oesterreichische botanische Zeitschrift 50 (8): 286–290. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/9225531#page/296/mode/1up]
  23. Schlechter, R. (1906) Neue Orchidaceen der Flora des Monsun-Gebietes. Bulletin de l’Herbier Boissier sér. 2, 4: 295–310. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/105785#page/359/mode/1up]
  24. Schlechter, R. (1915) Die Orchideen, ihre Beschreibung, Kultur und Ziichtung. Verlagsbuchhandlung Paul Parey, Berlin, 861 pp.
  25. Schultes, R.E. & Pease, A.S. (1963) Generic names of orchids: their origin and meaning. Academic Press, New York and London, 331 pp.
  26. Seidenfaden, G. & Wood, J.J. (1992) The Orchids of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Olsen & Olsen, Fredensborg, 779 pp.
  27. Suetsugu, K., Suleiman, M., Anthony, F. & Tsukaya, H. (2018) Aphyllorchis maliauensis (Orchidaceae), a new species from the Maliau Basin, Sabah, Borneo. Phytotaxa 367 (1): 85–90. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.367.1.10
  28. Thiers, B. (2025) Index Herbariorum: A global directory of public herbaria and associated staff. New York Botanical Garden’s Virtual Herbarium. Available from: https://sweetgum.nybg.org/science/ih/ (accessed 30 May 2025)

How to Cite

Jabar, Q.A.M., Ghazalli, M.N., Esa, M.I.M., Mohamad, A.L., Pungga, R.S., Jamaluddin, Z., Yapp, E.J., Akeng, G., Go, R. & Besi, E.E. (2026) Updated morphological description and typification of Aphyllorchis striata and a new variety, Acriopsis densiflora var. subpandurata (Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) from Malaysia. Phytotaxa 750 (3): 157–170. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.3.2