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| Scaphosepalum tarantula Baquero & Hirtz, in Baquero, Hirtz et Iturralde. 2018. [A1, B1, C2, D1] S. fimbriatum |
Abstract
A new species, Scaphosepalum tarantula, is described. It is recognized by the medium-sized plants with grey-green leaves suffused with red-brown to purple stains at the petioles; densely fimbriated, red-brown to sanguine flowers, spiky tails of the lateral sepals and a dark sanguine, wingless lip. It is here compared to Scaphosepalum fimbriatum with which it shares similarities.
Keywords: new species, Pichincha, Scaphosepalum fimbriatum, sympatric species
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| Scaphosepalum tarantula in situ. A. Plant and habit. B. Flower in situ. C. Close-up of the apiculate apex of thedorsal sepal. Photos by L. E. Baquero. |
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| Scaphosepalum tarantula. A. Habit. B. Flower. C. Dissected perianth. D. Lip extended. E. Lip and column. Drawn by L. E. Baquero from the holotype. |
Scaphosepalum tarantula Baquero & Hirtz, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Species similar to Scaphosepalum fimbriatum, from which it differs by triangular osmophores of the lateral sepals instead of quadrilateral osmophores; the pandurate, dark sanguine lip, with a rhomboid epichile instead of an elliptical-subpandurate, three-lobed, purple lip; and the rhomboid petals versus the subquadrate, oblique petals of S. fimbriatum.
Eponymy: Named for the large, hairy spiders of which this orchid flower is reminiscent because of the spiky tails of the sepals and dark color.
Diagnosis: Species similar to Scaphosepalum fimbriatum, from which it differs by triangular osmophores of the lateral sepals instead of quadrilateral osmophores; the pandurate, dark sanguine lip, with a rhomboid epichile instead of an elliptical-subpandurate, three-lobed, purple lip; and the rhomboid petals versus the subquadrate, oblique petals of S. fimbriatum.
Eponymy: Named for the large, hairy spiders of which this orchid flower is reminiscent because of the spiky tails of the sepals and dark color.
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| Comparison between Scaphosepalum tarantula and S. fimbriatum. A. Frontal view of the flowers: 1. S. fimbriatum,2. S. tarantula. B. Lateral view of the flowers: 1. S. fimbriatum, 2. S. tarantula. C. Lateral view of dorsal sepals, column, u petals and lip: 1. S. tarantula, 2. S. fimbriatum. D. Frontal view of the epichile of the lip: 1. S. fimbriatum, 2. S. tarantula. Photos by L. E. Baquero. |
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| Comparion of the flowers of Scaphosepalum fimbriatum and Scaphosepalum tarantula. A. S. fimbriatum form from Esmeraldas province. B. S. fimbriatum form from Imbabura province. C–D. Scaphosepalum tarantula. Photos by A. Hirtz (A–C) and L. E.Baquero (D). |
Luis E. Baquero, Alexander Hirtz and Gabriel Iturralde. 2018. Scaphosepalum tarantula (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae), A New Species from Ecuador. Lankesteriana: International Journal on Orchidology. 18(3); 231–237. DOI: doi.org/10.15517/lank.v18i3.35605
https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/lankesteriana/article/view/35605
