 |
| Liparis inaudita Salazar, Edquén et D.Trujillo, in Salazar, Oblitas et Trujillo, 2022. Photographs by José D. Edquén. |
Abstract
Background: During an ongoing inventory of the orchids of the Bosque de Protección Alto Mayo, northern Peru, a population morphologically assignable to Liparis section Decumbentes was found. This is a little-known group restricted to wet montane Andean forests and consists of four species, from which the BPAM populations differs in leaf and labellum morphology.
Hypotheses: The features of the plants led us to hypothesize that it represents an unknown species, which can be distinguished morphologically from its congeners.
Taxon: Liparis section Decumbentes, Liparis sp. nov.
Study site and dates: Peru, department of San Martín, Rioja province, Pardo Miguel Naranjos district, Bosque de Protección Alto Mayo, sector Venceremos.
Methods: The unknown entity was studied in detail using fresh, pressed, and alcohol-preserved specimens. We also compared it to type specimens, other specimens of Liparis section Decumbentes housed in herbaria in Peru and abroad, and with descriptions from specialized literature.
Results: A leaf feature and the unique labellum morphology of the unknown entity permit it to be distinguished clearly from all other species of Liparis section Decumbentes.
Conclusions: The new species shares with L. sessilis the sessile leaf blades and the convex labellum, but differs from it and all other species of the section in its saddle-shaped labellum, which when spread out is narrowly obtrapezoid, with minute basal auricles, laciniate distal margins, and the apex projected into a narrowly triangular lobe.
keywords: Andes, leaf blade, labellum morphology, Liparis section Decumbentes, wet montane forest
 |
| Liparis inaudita (from Edquén 1937). A. Inflorescence. B. Flower, front view. C. Flower, side view. D. Floral bract. E. Ovary and column, bottom view. F. Dissection of the perianth with sepals and petals partially spread out. G. Anther, bottom view. H. Pollinaria, side view. Bars: A = 3 cm, B, C = 4 mm, D, F = 5 mm, E = 3 mm, G = 0.5 mm, H = 0.3 mm. Photographs by José D. Edquén. |
 |
| Liparis inaudita (from Edquén 1937). A. Plant in situ. B. Plant removed from the ground showing the branching stems. C. Portion of stem with leaves, top view. D. Portion of stem with three branches arising from a leaf axil, top view. E. Portion of stem with clumps of white trichomes. F. Underside of leaves showing the decurved, crispate margins. G. Stem apex and base of the peduncle of the inflorescence showing the irregularly dentate-crenate keels of the peduncle. Bars: A, B = 10 cm, C = 5 cm, D-G = 2.5 cm. Photographs by José D. Edquén. |
Liparis inaudita Salazar, Edquén et D.Trujillo, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Similar to Liparis sessilis Damián, Salazar & Rimarachín in the sessile leaf blades but differing from that and all other species of the sect. Decumbentes in the saddle-shaped, narrowly obtrapezoid labellum with minute basal auricles, laciniate distal margins, and prominent, narrowly triangular apical lobule.
Etymology. From Latin inauditus, unheard of, new, in reference to the peculiar morphology of the labellum, which sharply differs from that of all previously known members of Liparis sect. Decumbentes.
Gerardo A. Salazar, José Dilmer Edquén Oblitas and Delsy Trujillo. 2022. Liparis inaudita (Orchidaceae, Malaxidinae), A New Species from the Bosque de Protección Alto Mayo, San Martín, Peru. Botanical Sciences. 1(1); DOI: 10.17129/botsci.2999
