18 Jul 2 Species of Orchids Found in Northern Mindanao Which Were First Described in Other Asian Countries
Last month, on June 24, 2016, conservationists were able to find 5 new species of orchids in the remote mountains of Mindanao. Such species were described and identified as pure white and red-lipped white Dendrobium, a green slipper orchid with red stripes, dark red Epicrianthes and the Epicrianthes aquinoi which was named after former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III with its dazzling yellow bloom flecked with brown spots. Meanwhile, they were also able to find species of orchids in the Philippines which were first described in other Asian countries years ago.
2 of the species were found in Northern Mindanao. Such species were the following:
Bulbophyllum macranthum
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The said species has been found in countries Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, throughout Indonesia, New Guinea, Borneo and Vietnam. In the Philippines, the specimens of Bulbophyllum macranthum were recorded from the east coast of Luzon and northern Mindanao. Its flowers are brightly colored and are non-resupinate, meaning the labellum is uppermost.
Aeridostachya robusta
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Based on records, Aeridostachya robusta has been found in Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Borneo, Samoa in the Pacific Ocean, Java and eastwards of Fiji. In the Philippines, it was recorded from northern Mindanao and from the mountains of central Luzon. Though having flowers that are small with a dull red color, it is being considered as the most magnificent species.
Other species of orchids which were found in other parts of the Philippines which were also found in other Asian countries include:
Dendrobium erosum
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This very species is widely distributed throughout southeast Asia, in which in the Philippines, it was recorded to have been found in the mountains of central Luzon and the east coast of Mindanao. Reaching 60cm in length is its plant which is a pendulous grower, with its delicate pink flower that is not large yet are produced in good numbers and are long-lasting. Belonging to the section Calyptrochilus, the species and the said section are new to the Philippine records.
Dendrobium parthenium
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First recorded in Borneo, Dendrobium parthenium is only known from the island of Palawan which is one of the most dazzling of all the Dendrobium species. 90cm tall, it produces stately white flowers with purplish blotches on the side lobes.
Pholidota articulata
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Known to be found in Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Sulawesi, Borneo, India, Vietnam, China, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Cambodia, this very species was also recorded from the island of Negros in the Visayan Sea of the Philippines. Its pseudobulbs grow from the top of the previous pseudobulb making it an interesting species with its flowers having a shade of fleshy pink.
Malleola baliensis
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Specimens of Malleola baliensis in the Philippines have been recorded from central Luzon, which was previously found in Bali and Java. Being small and of vandaceous growth habit, its flowers are most attractive hinted with shades of yellow and pink with its inflorescence pendulous.
Bulbophyllum ecornutum
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Recorded to have been found in Singapore, southern Thailand, New Guinea, Peninsular Malaysia and throughout Indonesia, Bulbophyllum ecornutum was also discovered in the east coast of Luzon at mid-range elevations. It usually grow on the branches and trunks of trees and its plants are medium in size with a rhizome of about 5cm between each pseudobulb. The flowers can be of various colors approximately 2.5cm long and exude fruity fragrance.
Bulbophyllum lemniscatoides
Found in Vietnam, Java, Sumatra and Thailand, this species was also recorded from islands in the Visayan Sea. It is considered to be a unique species since the tips of its sepals have an appendage attached which will then blow all around even in the slightest breeze.
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