Monday, December 2, 2024

[Botany • 2024] Malaxis susanae (Orchidaceae: Malaxidinae) • A New Species of Malaxis with white flowers from Colombia


Malaxis susanae Sierra-Ariza, J.S. Moreno, & Chinchilla, 

in Sierra-Ariza, Moreno et Chinchilla, 2024. 
 
Abstract
Malaxis susanae from the Colombian Andes is described and illustrated as a new species of orchid. It resembles Malaxis carpinterae (Schltr.) Ames, but differs by the flowers that have a white (vs. green) lip and the disc cavity with the margin inconspicuously raised (vs. conspicuously raised in a retuse margin) at the apex. Notes on its distribution, habitat, floral phenology, etymology, related taxa, and conservation assessment are provided.

Keywords: Andes orchids, Malaxis caracasana, Malaxis carlos-parrae, Malaxis excavata, Malaxis lobulata, Malaxis pittieri 

Lankester Composite Digital Plate of Malaxis susanae Sierra-Ariza, J.S. Moreno, & Chinchilla.
 A, Habit; B, leaves; C, floralbract; D, flower, oblique view; E, Dissected perianth (lip to the right); F, Pedicel and ovary, lip and column, frontal (left) and lateral(right) views; G, Column, dorsal (top) and ventral (bottom) views.; H, operculum (left) and pollinia (right).
LCDP by M. A. Sierra-Arizafrom the holotype (sierra ariza & albino Bohórquez 99, TOLI) 

Flowers of Malaxis susanae Sierra-Ariza, J.S. Moreno, & Chinchilla. from left to right:
front, oblique, lateral and back views.
By M. A. Sierra-Ariza from the holotype (sierra ariza & albino Bohórquez 99, TOLI) 


Comparison of flowers of Malaxis susanae Sierra-Ariza, J.S. Moreno, & Chinchilla from different locations in Colombia.
A,Valle del Cauca Department, 2 May 2015 by C. Alzate; B, Tolima, 18 December 2018 by M. A. Sierra-Ariza; C, Santander, 24 September2018 by H. López.
Prepared by M. A. Sierra-Ariza. 

Malaxis susanae Sierra-Ariza, J.S. Moreno, & Chinchilla, sp. nov. 

The new species is similar to Malaxis carpinterae (Schltr.) Ames, but is distinguished from it by the flowers that have a white (vs. green) lip, and the disc cavity that has an inconspicuously raised margin (vs. conspicuously raised in a retuse margin) at the apex.

Eponymy: Named in honor of María Susana Muhamad González, a distinguished Colombian political scientist and environmentalist, who currently serves as the Minister of Environment of Colombia. She is celebrated for her unwavering commitment to the care, restoration, and conservation of Colombia’s environment. In 2023, she was recognized by euters Impact as one of the top 25 female leaders globally in the fight against climate change. Additionally, in 2024, the omen Economic orum honored her as the oman of the Decade in Colombia for her exceptional efforts. Her achievements include securing significant resources to combat deforestation in the Amazon and leading Colombia’s successful bid to host CP16 on biodiversity in 2024.



Mario Alexei Sierra-Ariza, Juan Sebastián Moreno, and Isler F. Chinchilla. 2024. A New Species of Malaxis (Malaxidinae: Orchidaceae) with white flowers from Colombia. Harvard Papers in Botany. 29(1), 147-152. (30 June 2024) DOI: doi.org/10.3100/hpib.v29iss1.2024.n16

Malaxis susanae de los Andes colombianos es descrita e ilustrada como una nueva especie de orquídea. Se asemeja a Malaxis carpinterae (Schltr.) Ames, pero se diferencia por tener flores con el labio blanco (en comparación con verde) y la cavidad del disco con el margen discretamente elevado (en comparación conspicuamente elevado en un margen retuso) en el ápice. Se proporcionan notas sobre su distribución, hábitat, fenología floral, etimología, taxones relacionados y evaluación de conservación.

🌍 ¡Increíbles noticias desde la COP16!🌿
.... 🌱✨
- 🌟 Pleurothallis petroana, en honor a nuestro presidente Gustavo Petro
- 🌟 Pleurothallis franciana, en homenaje a nuestra vicepresidenta Francia Márquez
- 🌟 Malaxis susanae, en reconocimiento a nuestra Ministra de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, Susana Muhamad 
Además, la cuarta especie, Pleurothallis cop-biodiversitatis,  fue nombrada en conmemoración de la histórica #COP16 celebrada en Cali en 2024. 📅✨