nomenclature notes

Cremastra By Stig Dalström, Ngawang Gyeltshen and Thomas Höijer Little Known and Confusing, Hence a Botanist’s Delight

The was estab- lished by J. Lindley (1833) based on a collected by N. Wallich from Nepal. This plant had previously been described by D. Don (1825) as Cymbidium appendiculatum. Lindley apparently did not agree with the placement of this orchid in the ge- nus Cymbidium and renamed the spe- cies as Cremastra wallichiana. The nomenclatural rules were different in Stig Dalström those days, which allowed Lindley to do this, but today the correct name is Cremastra appen- diculata (D. Don) Makino. The history of this genus is elo- quently covered by Seidenfaden (1988), Ngawang Gyeltshen but is nevertheless rather confusing. There exist some conflicting opinions m

regarding where to Ö place this genus, how many species a lst r 1 exist and how to st i g d define them from each other. Having few without collection information [1] growing in Thomas Höijer limited experience already in cultivation at the botanical garden humus-rich sandy soil under shady with Cremastra throughout its impressive at Serbithang, near Thimphu. Most plants conditions. geographical distribution from Nepal in the produce a round, walnut-shaped (or Stan- west to Japan in the east, the authors will hopea-like) pseudobulb, carrying a single, The plants collected in Bhutan all had flow- try to refrain from adding more controversy occasionally two, plicate and rather broad ers with a column that displayed short but to the debate. Some points will be made, leaves, but at least one field-collected plant broad apical lobelike “wings.” These wings however, based on observations recently had an elongate stemlike pseudobulb. The are visible in a fresh state, particularly made in Bhutan that may help straighten flowers were similar to other specimens, from a ventral view, but become difficult out some of the question marks. though, and appeared inseparable after a to distinguish on dried flowers. The wings Cremastra appendiculata is a rather brief examination. It is unclear whether the can, therefore, easily be considered absent attractive orchid with a cluster of pale “stem” was just the immature shape of the by mistake, or by a differing definition pinkish to yellowish flowers. The general forming pseudobulb, or whether it repre- of what a column “wing” really is. The appearance places Cremastra close to Eu- sented the fully mature shape. It is important illustration of this species in The Orchids lophia, although Lindley (1833) placed the to note that if the former case is true, then of Bhutan (Pearce and Cribb 2002) shows genus in his Vandeae, between Acropera this particular plant had a different growth a ventral view of the column lacking any (today Gongora) and Grammatophyllum. pattern, flowering on immature growths. signs of wings. There are several morphological oddities, The flower shape in general is unique The peculiar callus structure near the however, that make Cremastra an intrigu- and different from any other species in base of the front lobe of the lip of this ing genus. The vegetative parts seem to be Bhutan. The elongate and narrow column, orchid can also cause some confusion. On rather variable, particularly the length and parallel with the equally narrow and slightly most flowers examined by us, this callus shape of the pseudobulbs. During a trip to U-shaped lip gives flowers a rather “primi- consists of a raised flap that is strongly ver- Bhutan in May 2009, plants were found tive” look where the “pistil” is clearly rucose (warty) on the apical side. On at least in two different locations, aside from a visible inside the column in a certain light. one flower from one of the inflorescences

180 Orchids march 2012 www.AOS.org examined, however, the verrucosity was ab- sent and instead the flap was rather smooth and simple on both sides. Pearce and Cribb (2002) describe the callus on the lip as “a large warty process,” although the accom- panying illustration show what looks like a smooth callus. This “discrepancy” may be caused by the illustrator using an immature or poorly developed, or poorly rehydrated, flower. A similar scenario could also ex- plain the callus described as “glabrous” for Cre. appendiculata var. variabilis by Lund (Seidenfaden 1988). This could be a result of viewing the callus from above (dorsal m m view) on a dried and pressed flower where Ö Ö the “callus-flap” is pressed against the lip a lst r and the verrucosity is hidden underneath a lst r 2 3 st i g d the flap. This is also what the illustration of st i g d the only specimen reported from Thailand shows (Seidenfaden 1988). The only part Cremastra appendiculata is found [2] Cremastra appendiculata flower details of the callus visible on the drawing is seen growing terrestrially in seasonally very have a “primitive” look where the “pistil” is from a dorsal view. This plant is determined wet deciduous forests in Bhutan, at eleva- clearly visible inside the column. as Cre. appendiculata var. variabilis, and tions of 6,560–7,220 feet (2,000–2,200 m). [3] The column of Cre. appendiculata flowers which is reported mainly from China, but The plants grow in rather shady conditions display short but broad apical lobelike also from Japan and Thailand. where the pseudobulbs are mostly hidden “wings.” In summary, this gives us one species; in the sandy soil, which is rich in decom- Cre. appendiculata, with two “varieties.” posed organic material. This orchid grows together with several terrestrial species of “Variety” appendiculata, with a “wing- of Costa Rica, Cartago, Costa Rica; and Calanthe, Liparis and Pleione. Epiphytic less” column and warty callus included National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang, species of Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne, in The Orchids of Bhutan (although no Bhutan. Dalström is also an AOS taxo- Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Eria, Otochilus, warts can be seen in the illustration), and nomic authority. 2304 Ringling Boulevard, Pholidota, etc. are also common in the “variety” variabilis, with column wings Apartment 119, Sarasota, Florida 34237 same habitat. and a “glabrous” (smooth) callus. If we (email [email protected]; website take into consideration the natural vari- www.wildorchidman.com). ability of this orchid as observed by us, it References Don, D. 1825. Prodromus Florae Nepalensis. R. Wilks, Ngawang Gyeltshen is assistant bio- seems more plausible that we are dealing London. diversity conservation officer with the with only one variable and widespread Lindley, J. 1833. The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang, entity. The morphological features may Plants; Vandeae. Treultel and Co., London. Pearce, N.R., and P.J. Cribb. 2002. The Orchids of Bhutan. Bhutan, and the Ministry of Agriculture, have been misinterpreted due to incom- Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, and Royal Govern- Thimphu, Bhutan. He received his diploma plete rehydration of herbarium specimens ment of Bhutan. in forestry from the College of Natural or poorly developed flowers, which may Seidenfaden, G. 1988. Orchid Genera in Thailand: Fifty- Resources, Lobesa, Punakha, Bhutan, and explain why different authors “see” dif- Nine Vandoid Genera. Opera Botanica 95. World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 2012. The received his postgraduate diploma in agro- ferent species (which is very easily done Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. biosystems, Khon Kaen University, Thai- when only limited material is at hand). This http://apps.kew.org/wcsp. Acessed January 2012. land. In addition, he has training in plant does not mean that there definitely are no and herbaria with experience other species in the genus. Photographs Acknowledgments The authors thank the Government of Bhutan, at the Royal Botanic Garden, Peradeniya, of plants in flower from China and Japan the Departments of Agriculture and Forestry, Pro- Sri Lanka, and the Royal Botanic Garden, suggest that additional species may indeed grams Director Tashi Yangzome Dorji and the staff Edinburgh, Scotland. Gyeltshen has a spe- exist. Currently the World Checklist of at the National Biodiversity Center in Serbithang for cial interest in the flora of Bhutan with a Selected Plant Families (2012) recognizes administrative and logistic support and Pep Ruddi- recent focus on the . Wildlife man and the Sarasota Orchid Society for funding four species: Cremastra aphylla, Cremastra part of the project. Conservation Division, Forest Department, appendiculata, Cremastra guizhouensis Bhutan. and Cremastra unguiculata. Unfortunately, Stig Dalström is a watercolor artist, bo- Thomas Höijer, COO at Sollentuna there are only a limited number of preserved tanical illustrator and experienced orchid Recycling, received his training in park specimens available for detailed studies, taxonomist, specializing in the Andean and market garden management. He is the and we may have to wait and see what genera Cochlioda, Cyrtochilum and Odon- former COO of the Edvard Andersson Con- happens when, and if, additional material toglossum, among others. Recently, he has servatory, The Bergius Botanical Garden, from the extensive distribution of this genus extended his field of interest to Southeast Stockholm. Among Höijer’s interests are (species complex?) becomes available. An Asia, with a focus on the orchids of Bhutan. tropical plants, with a focus on orchids and effort will also be made during upcoming He is a research associate with Centro de aroids, and the development of sustainable field trips by the authors to learn more about Investigación en Orquideas de los Andes and environmentally friendly waste man- the natural variation of this fascinating “Angel Andreetta” Gualaceo, Ecuador; agement methods and recycling. Däckelvä- orchid in Bhutan. Lankester Botanical Garden, University gen 59 A, 17758 Järfälla, Sweden.

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