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| Dendrobium gopalanii M.Sulaiman & Murugan, in Sulaiman & Murugan, 2021. |
Abstract
Dendrobium gopalanii (Orchidaceae), a new lithophytic species from Agasthyarkoodam in the Western Ghats of Kerala (India), is described and photographed. It differs from similar species of Dendrobium heyneanum Lindl., D. panduratum Lindl., D. panduratum subsp. villosum Gopalan & A.N.Henry and D. wightii A.D.Hawkes and A.H.Heller have a cylindrical stem, leathery leaves, obliquely acute apex, 1–4 flowers, sepals and petals apex obtuse, minutely crenulate margin of petals, lip midlobe orbicular, margin undulated, retuse apex with minutely mucronated in middle, bilobed callus of disc, and obtuse apex.
Keyword: Agasthyamala, D. heyneanum, Dendrobium panduratum, D. wightii, orbicular lip, Stachyobium
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| Dendrobium gopalanii M.Sulaiman & Murugan sp. nov. A. Habit; B. Natural Habitat; C. Flower; D. Dorsal sepal; E. Lateral sepal; F. Petal; G. Lip (ventral view); H. Lip (dorsal view); I. Lip (spread out); J. Column (dorsal view); K. Stigma; L. Column with mentum; M. Peduncle with bract; N. Anther; O. Pollinia. |
Dendrobium gopalanii M.Sulaiman & Murugan, sp. nov.
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| The morphological differences of flower. A. Dendrobium gopalanii M.Sulaiman & Murugan; B. D. heyneanum; C. D. panduratum subsp. panduratum; D. D. panduratum subsp. villosum; E. D. wightii. |
Habitat: The lithophytic orchid mostly grows along the moist dripping rocks of mixed evergreen forests of Agasthyarkoodam, Thiruvananthapuram at about 1,601 meter elevation.
Distribution: The species has so far only been found at its type locality (Fig. 3).
Etymology: The specific epithet is named after Dr. R. Gopalan, Scientist-C (Rtd.), Botanical Survey of India, Coimbatore, for his noteworthy contribution to Indian Botany, in particular the Flora of Agasthyamalai.
M. Sulaiman and Chidambaram Murugan. 2021. Dendrobium gopalanii (Orchidaceae): A New Species from Kerala, Western Ghats, India. Taiwania. 66(4); 557-560. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2021.66.557
