Tuesday, August 21, 2018

[Botany • 2018] Silvorchis vietnamica (Orchidaceae, Orchidoideae, Vietorchidinae) • A New Miniature Mycotrophic Species from southern Vietnam


Silvorchis vietnamica Aver., Dinh & K.S. Nguyen

in Averyanov, Nguyen, Nguyen, Dinh & Maisak, 2018. 

Abstract
A second species of Silvorchis, until now considered to be a presumably extinct monotypic genus endemic to western Java has been discovered in southern Vietnam. The species, here named as Silvorchis vietnamica, is described and illustrated, with data on its distribution, ecology, phenology and estimated conservation status. A key for identification of the two known species of the genus is also provided. The taxonomic affinities and phylogenetic placement of the newly discovered plant are briefly discussed.

Keywords: Flora of Vietnam, plant diversity, Silvorchis


Silvorchis J. J. Sm. 
(Smith 1907, p. 2, Comber 1990, p. 60) 

Type: S. colorata J. J. Sm. 
2 species in western Java and southern Vietnam.

Silvorchis colorata J. J. Sm. 
(Smith 1907, p. 3, Comber 1990, p. 60)
 Described from Java.  

Distribution, habitat and conservation status: Small achlorophyllous terrestrial herb. Only found once in western Java and only known from the type specimen. Endemic. Humid evergreen montane forests. Around 1600 m a.s.l. 
 Presumably ‘Extinct’ (EX).


Figure 1. Silvorchis vietnamica sp. nov. Flowering plant in its natural habitat.

Photos by Van Dzu Nguyen and Quang Diep Dinh,
correction and design by L. Averyanov.

Silvorchis vietnamica Aver., Dinh & K.S. Nguyen sp. nov.

Etymology: Species name refers to country of its origin.



Leonid V. Averyanov, Van Dzu Nguyen, Khang Sinh Nguyen, Quang Diep Dinh and Tatiana V. Maisak. 2018. Silvorchis vietnamica (Orchidaceae, Orchidoideae, Vietorchidinae), A New Miniature Mycotrophic Species from southern Vietnam. Nordic Journal of Botany.  e01883. DOI: 10.1111/njb.01883