Bulbophyllum fierenanaense G.A.Fisch. & Hermans

Hermans, J., Gamisch, A., Rajaovelona, L. et al. New species and nomenclatural changes in Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae) from Madagascar. Kew Bull 76, 1–38 (2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-021-09922-x

Type

Madagascar, Toamasina prov., near Fierenana, 1264 m, 17 Dec. 2008, Fischer & Andriantiana FS5152 (holotype SZU!, isotype K!).

Morphology General Habit

Slender epiphytic plant up to 15 cm tall excluding the inflorescence, scrambling on a long rhizome with the pseudobulbs c. 2.5 cm apart, at an almost 45 degree angle to the substrate, 2 – 3 mm in diam., partly covered by thin scales: roots wiry, c. 1 mm in diam. Pseudobulbs bifoliate, cylindrical, a little widened at the base, longitudinally ridged, 3.5 – 8.5 cm × 5 – 9 mm, purple-brown, with 2 – 3 membranous tubular basal sheaths, attenuate at the tip, 10 – 20 mm long

Morphology Leaves

Leaves obliquely erect, narrowly ligulate, flat to somewhat revolute, subsessile to shortly petiolate, 5 – 7 cm × 8 – 12 mm, apex unequally incised with one part rounded, the other dentate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence pendent to arching, somewhat curved, 9 – 18 cm long, with up to 16 flowers but generally fewer, pinkish-purple

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Peduncles

Peduncle slender, becoming a little thicker towards the apex, about half the length of the inflorescence, with 4 – 6 thin scarious bracts c. 5 mm long

Morphology Leaves Rachis

Rachis a little thicker than the peduncle, loosely racemose, the flowers 4 – 7 mm apart

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Floral bracts triangular, attenuate, 2.5 – 4 × 1.2 – 2 mm, a little rugose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers spreading, opening basipetally, c. 15 × 16 mm, the dorsal sepal creamy-white with 5 burgundy red longitudinal bands along the veins, lateral sepals creamy-white splashed with burgundy, creamy-white with 3 broad longitudinal deep burgundy bands along the veins, lip reddish pink, the upper surface darker, the epichile verrucae brownish green

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicel and ovary ovoid, slightly grooved, a little punctate, 1.5 – 3 × 1.2 – 3 mm, pink

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Lateral sepals ovate-lanceolate, strongly acuminate to caudate at the tip, 7.3 – 8.3 × 3.2 – 4 mm Dorsal sepal lanceolate, attenuate, obtuse at the base, 7.7 – 10 × 2.1 – 3.1 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals elliptic, truncate at the apex, somewhat curved, 3.1 – 4.1 × 1.3 – 1.9 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip very motile, attached with a thin filament to the column foot, narrowly lingulate, 5.8 – 6.5 × 1.5 – 2.1 mm, narrowed towards the base with 2 auriculate lobes, epichile concave, hollowed, minutely verrucose, the margins rounded-incurved, convex-rounded underneath, densely verrucose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column short 3.2 – 4 × 2.3 – 3 mm, with c. 1.5 mm long, subulate stelidia, triangular at the base, falcate at the tip, foot recurved

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther semi-globose, c. 0.7 × 0.6 mm, with a small conical appendage

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pollinia

Pollinia ovoid, c. 0.3 × 0.2 mm.

Note

This species, characterised by its long cylindrical pseudobulbs, two narrowly ligulate leaves, a long pendent inflorescence, and flowers with lanceolate to ovate lanceolate sepals, blunt elliptic petals, a long lingulate lip (at least three times longer than wide). Named for the area where the species was discovered.

Distribution

Endemic to Madagascar, Toamasina province only.

Ecology

Humid evergreen forest. 1128 – 1264 m.

Conservation

This species is endemic to Madagascar, distributed in Atsinanana region, Toamasina province. It is known from four herbarium specimens collected in 2008 representing four subpopulations in unprotected areas. This species is considered to be threatened by habitat destruction due to grazing and frequent fires. Based on two defined threat locations, the area of occupancy AOO is likely less than 500 km2, the extent of occurrence EOO estimated to be less than 5,000 km2 and the continuing decline in the EOO, AOO and the habitat quality, this species is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) under criterion B1ab(i,ii,iii)+B2ab(i,ii,iii).

Phenology

December.