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| Pinalia campanulata Saavedra & Pitogo, in Saavedra, Pitogo et Boos, 2023. |
Abstract
We present the first orchid species described from the Mount Busa Key Biodiversity Area (KBA 196) in southern Mindanao, Philippines. The new species was discovered growing on moss-covered tree trunks in the upper montane forest. It is primarily distinguished among the genus Pinalia by its very short inflorescence that bears few, closely spaced and relatively large campanulate flowers with trilobed, weakly keeled labellum and a dentate callus on disc. The discovery of this species brings the total number of Pinalia in the Philippines to 39. More importantly, it highlights the need for more field-based research on the flora of southern Mindanao to alleviate knowledge shortfalls that continue to limit our understanding of the region’s biodiversity.
Key words: Allah Valley Protected Landscape, Philippine biodiversity, Orchids, Malesia, Mount Busa
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| Pinalia campanulata Saavedra & Pitogo. A. Underside view of a flowering plant. B. Top view of labellum. C. Column (with the pollinia, left). D. Front view of flower. E. Lateral view of flower. F. Petals, sepals, and labellum (flattened). Illustrated by Larie Dianco. |
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| Colored photos of Pinalia campanulata Saavedra & Pitogo. A. Flowering plant. B. Inflorescence. C. Lateral view of the flower showing its campanulate shape. D. Column (with the pollinia, left). E. Labellum (flattened). F. Labellum with column (natural form). G. petals and sepals. |
Pinalia campanulata Saavedra & Pitogo sp. nov.
Diagnosis:—The new species is related to Pinalia polyura (Lindl.) Kuntze in Ames (1905: 95) but with a much shorter inflorescence (1–4 vs. 10–14 cm) bearing fewer flowers (10–18 vs. up to 40), oblong-elliptic sepals and petals (vs. ovate- to triangular-lanceolate lateral sepals and cordate petals), trilobed labellum (vs. unlobed) that is weakly keeled (vs. bicarinate) and having a deltate callus on disc (vs. purple tubercle). The new species is also distinguished by its prominently campanulate flowers.
Etymology:—The specific epithet, campanulata, is reminiscent of the prominently bell-shaped flowers of this species that do not open widely. To our knowledge, the shape of P. campanulata flowers is quite unique among Pinalia species.
Aljohn Jay L. Saavedra, Kier Mitchel E. Pitogo, Ronny Boos. 2023. A New Species of Pinalia (Orchidaceae) with bell-shaped flowers from the Mossy Forest of southern Mindanao, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 626(2); 93-100. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.626.2.2
