Botanical Sciences
ISSN 2007-4476 ISSN 2007-4298
SALAZAR, Gerardo A.; EDQUEN, José D. TRUJILLO, Delsy. Liparis inaudita (Orchidaceae, Malaxidinae), a new species from the Bosque de Protección Alto Mayo, San Martín, Peru. Bot. sci []. 2022, 100, 2, pp.506-514. 22--2022. ISSN 2007-4476. https://doi.org/10.17129/botsci.2999.
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.
: Andes; leaf blade; labellum morphology; Liparis section Decumbentes; wet montane forest.