 |
| Habenaria pubescens var. nepalensis Raskoti, in Raskoti & Ale, 2023. |
Abstract
A new variety of Habenaria that is Habenaria pubescens var. nepalensis (Orchidaceae) is described from Nepal, which is similar to typical Habenaria pubescens but can be distinguished by having a much more vigorous stature, a spur equal or longer than the ovary (including pedicel) and deeply bifurcated lateral lobes of the lip. A detailed description of the new variety with illustrations, photographs of dissected parts, key to the allied species and preliminary conservation status are provided. Additionally, we report four new records of orchids for the flora of Nepal.
Keyword: Habenaria pubescens var. nepalensis, new variety, Herminium, Nephelaphyllum, Zeuxine, taxonomy, Nepal
 |
| Habenaria pubescens var. nepalensis. A, Flowering plant; B, Flower (side view); C, Flower (front view); D, Floral bract; E, Spur; F, Petal; G, Dorsal sepal; H, Lateral sepal; I, Lip; J, Column (front view); K, Column (side view); L, Pollinia (all drawn by Neera joshi Pradhan from the holotype). |
 |
| Habenaria pubescens var. nepalensis. A, Flowering plant; B, Flower (side view); C, Flower (front view); D, Floral bract; E, Spur; F, Petal; G, Dorsal sepal; H, Lateral sepal; I, Lip; J, Column (side view); K, Column (front view); L, Pollinia (dissected from the type specimen and all photographs by the first author). |
Habenaria pubescens var. nepalensis Raskoti, var. nov.
Diagnosis: Habenaria pubescens var. nepalensis is close to typical Habenaria pubescens Lindl., but the former differs by having a more vigorous stature, a spur equal to or longer than the ovary (including pedicel), and deeply bifurcated (vs. slightly notched) lateral lobes of the lip.
Distribution and habitat: Habenaria pubescens var. nepalensis is a terrestrial orchid on grassland slopes or at the margins of broad-leaved forest. It grows in shaded and moist areas having humus-rich soil at an elevation of around 800 m.
Etymology: The epithet ‘nepalensis’ is derived from the name of the country Nepal where the type specimen was collected.
Bhakta Bahadur Raskoti and Rita Ale. 2023. A New Variety of Habenaria (Orchidaceae; Orchideae; Habenariinae) and New Records of Orchids from Nepal. Taiwania. 68(1); 122-128. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2023.68.122
