Rheedea Vol. 23(2) 86-97 2013 A brief account of the genus Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae) in Manipur, India Krishna Chowlu*, A. Nageswara Rao, N. Angela and S. P. Vij1 Centre for Orchid Gene Conservation of Eastern Himalayan Region, KVK-Sylvan Campus, Hengbung – 795 129, Manipur, India. 1 Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Panjab, India. *E-mail: krishnachowlu@gmail.com Abstract The paper deals with 24 species of Bulbophyllum reported so far from Manipur. A key to the identification of the taxa in Manipur, brief description, phenology, short note on ecology and distribution for each species are provided. Colour plate for 10 taxa is provided for easy identification. Keywords: Orchidaceae, new record, identification key, NE India, Bulbophyllum Introduction Manipur, one of the biodiversity rich states of North Eastern India is located between 23° 68’ N 25° 68’ N and 93° 03’ E - 94° 78’ E spreading over an area of about 22,327 km2. The state is fortiied on all sides by lofty mountains, the highest being Mount Tenupi of Iso which is 2999 m above sea level. There are about 284 species of orchids belonging to 87 genera reported so far from the state (Sathish Kumar & Suresh Kumar, 2005; Kishor et al., 2012; Chowlu et al., 2012; Nanda, 2012). Bulbophyllum Thouars with about 1900 species is one of the largest genera of the family Orchidaceae. They are distributed mainly in tropical regions of both old and new worlds (Chen & Vermeulen, 2009). A review of literature (Hooker, 1890; Mukerjee, 1953; Pradhan, 1979; Seidenfaden, 1979; Ghatak & Devi, 1986; Kataki, 1986; Hyniewata et al., 2000; Sathish Kumar & Suersh Kumar, 2005; Rao, 2007; Lucksom, 2007; Mishra, 2007) reveals that the genus Bulbophyllum is represented by c.100 species in India, of which c. 75 species and 3 varieties are distributed in NE India and about 14 species are found in Manipur. Explorations in various districts of Manipur by the team of Scientists from the Centre for Orchid Gene Conservation of Eastern Himalayan Region (COGCEHR), Henngbung could collect many interesting orchid species which were not reported from the state including nine species and one variety of Bulbophyllum, viz. B. aine Lindl., B. carinilorum Rchb.f., B. hirtum (Sm.) Lindl., B. polyrrhizum Lindl., B. retusiusculum Rchb.f., B. ruinum Rchb.f., B. scabratum Rchb.f., B. secundum, Hook.f., B. trichocephalum (Schltr.) Tang & F.T. Wang var. capitatum Lucksom and B. xylophyllum C.S.B. Parish & Rchb.f. All the 24 taxa of Bulbophyllum represented so far (including the present indings) from Manipur are enumerated below in alphabetical order along with identiication key, brief description and distribution details. Colour photos of all new additions to the state are provided to facilitate easy identiication of the taxa. The herbarium specimens of various species mentioned in the following text are deposited in the Herbarium of Centre for Orchid Gene Conservation of Eastern Himalayan Region (COGCEHR), Hengbung, Senapati district of Manipur. Key to the species 1. Leaf solitary ......................................................... 2 1. Leaves two ......................................................... 21 2. Pseudobulbs absent or indistinct ...................... 3 2. Pseudobulbs present ........................................... 4 3. Inlorescence 15–30 cm long, 30–40 lowered, Spike cylindric .............................. B. khasyanum 3. Inlorescence 5–6 cm long, 12–14 lowered, capitates ...................................... B. xylophyllum K. Chowlu et al. 87 4. Flowers solitary ................................................... 5 4. Flowers many ...................................................... 8 5. Flowers less than 1.5 cm across ......................... 6 5. Flowers more than 2 cm across ......................... 7 6. Inlorescence 1.5–2.8 cm long; lowers 1.2–1.5 cm across, pale yellow with scarlet spots; sepals leshy ......................................... B. leopardinum 6. Inlorescence c. 1 cm long; lowers 7–9 mm across, yellow with brownish orange stripes; sepals thin .................................. B. moniliforme 7. Leaf oblong, obtuse or notched; lower 2.5–3.0 cm across; lateral sepals straight, without concavity at base .................................... B. aine 7. Leaf narrowly oblong, acute; lower 5–7 cm across; lateral sepals concave at base and falcate .................................................................. B. lobbii 8. Inlorescence elongate raceme; lowers laxly arranged; rachis much longer than peduncle ................................................................................. 9 8. Inlorescence an umbel; lowers densely arranged; rachis shorter than peduncle ........ 12 16.Flowers 1.7–2.5 cm across; lateral sepals 1.0– 1.2 cm long; petals elliptic, shortly apiculate . ........................................................ B. gutulatum 16.Flowers 1.2–1.7 cm across; lateral sepals 1.3–1.8 cm long; petals ovate, obtuse ... B. umbellatum 17.Inlorescence a head, few- lowered (10–15), inlorescence head ............................................ 18 17.Inlorescence a spike, many-lowered (20–40), inlorescence spike ........................................... 19 18.Lateral sepals 6–7 mm long, 3–5 veined; lip with glandular dots ....................... B. odoratissimum 18.Lateral sepals 10–14 mm long, 3-veined; lip without glandular dots ....................................... ...................... B. trichocephalum var. capitatum 19.Inlorescence curved .................... B. careyanum 19.Inlorescence erect ............................................. 20 20.Lateral sepals 3-veined; petals acuminate at apex; lip c. 2.5 mm long .......... B. manipurense 20.Lateral sepals 5-veined; petals acute at apex; lip c. 3.5 mm long ............................... B. propinquum 9. Lip edges hairy ................................ B. secundum 9. Lip edges not hairy ............................................ 10 21.Leaves present during lowering ......................... ....................................................... B. carinilorum 21.Leaves absent during lowering ..................... 22 10.Flowers orange yellow; lip 3-lobed . B. ruinum 10.Flowers yellowish green; lip entire ................ 11 22.Sepals hairy on outer surface ......................... 23 22.Sepals glabrous outside ......................... B. triste 11.Pseudobulbs distant on rhizome; leaf present during lowering ................................ B. reptans 11. Pseudobulbs closed together; leaf absent during lowering ................................... B. polyrrhizum 12. Inlorescence few-lowered, umbel ............... 13 12. Inlorescence many-lowered, spike or capitates ...............................................................................17 13.Lateral sepals conjoined at upper margins to form synsepalum .............................................. 14 13. Lateral sepal not conjoined to form synsepalum .............................................................................. 15 14.Dorsal sepal acute at apex; lateral sepals 9.0–10.5 mm long ........................................ B. scabratum 14.Dorsal sepal obtuse at apex; lateral sepals 15–20 mm long ................................... B.retusiusculum 15.Pseudobulbs c. 6 cm long, smooth; lowers 7–9 mm across ............................................ B. elatum 15.Pseudobulbs less than 6 cm long, ridged; lowers more than 9 mm across .....................................16 23.Lateral sepals less than 7.5–8 mm long ............... ................................................................. B. hirtum 23.Lateral sepals more than 25–35 mm long ............. ........................................... B. reichenbachianum 1. Bulbophyllum aine Lindl., Wall. Cat. 1982. 1829, nom. nud., Gen. & Sp. 1830: 48; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 756. 1890; King & Pantl, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcuta 8: 67. t. 91. 1898. Fig. 1a Pseudobulbs 2–4 cm high, cylindric. Leaf solitary, 7–17 × 1.5–3 cm, oblong, obtuse or notched. Inlorescence 1-lowered. Flowers 2.5–3.0 cm across, yellow orange with purple stripes, glabrous. Sepals sub-equal; dorsal sepal c. 1.5 × 0.6 cm, ovatelanceolate, acute; lateral sepals c. 1.5 × 0.5 cm, straight. Petals c. 1.4 × 0.4 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acute. Column c. 3.8 mm long, yellowish green. Flowering: June. Ecology: Commonly growing on moss covered tree trunks and branches of subtropical forest in association with some Cymbidium and Otochilus species. 88 A brief account of the genus Bulbophyllum in Manipur Specimens examined: INDIA, Manipur, Senapati District, Willong-Khunou, 1028 m, 25° 27.959’ N & 93° 56.926’ E, 15.06.2011, K. Chowlu 00021 (COGCEHR) Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim), Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. 2. Bulbophyllum careyanum (Hook.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 3: 732. 1826; A.S. Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Eds.), Orchi. Sci. Comm.: 86. 2001. Anisopetalon careyanum Hook., Exot. Fl. 2: t. 149. 1825 (‘Anisopetalon’). Pseudobulbs globose-ovoid, base enveloped in ibrous sheaths, borne on woody rhizome at an interval of 5.5–11 cm. Leaf solitary, elliptic-oblong, sub-acute, notched. Inlorescence spike, 10–13 cm long, curved, densely many lowered, arising from base of pseudobulb. Flowers 5–6 mm across, deep maroon. Sepals unequal, with 5 dark purple veins; dorsal sepal 4.0–4.4 × 2.5–3 mm, acute; lateral sepals 7–8 × 3 mm. Petals c. 2 × 1.5 mm, triangular, acute-acuminate, orange-yellow. Lip c. 4.5 × 2 mm, narrowly oblong-ovate, obtuse, 3-lobed. Column slightly curved, glabrous, with pointed forwardly bent arms. Flowering: February – March. Ecology: Abundantly distributed on moss covered tree trunk of tropical forest in association with species of Bulbophyllum, Cymbidium and some species of fern. Specimens examined: INDIA. Manipur, Ukhrul Dristict, Kasom Khullen, 23.03.1996, C. Sathish Kumar 28719 (TBGT); District Tamenglong, Tamenglong, N 24° 48.78’ & E 93° 32.77’, 403 m, 12.03.2011, K. Chowlu 00050; Kwatha, 24° 24.520’ N & 94° 07.064’ E, 402 m, K. Chowlu 00138 (COGCEHR) Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Utarakhand, Utar Pradesh, West Bengal), Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. 3. Bulbophyllum carinilorum Rchb.f. in Walp. Ann. 6: 253. 1861; Seidenf., Dansk Bot. Ark. 212. Fig. 155. 1979. B. densilorum Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1892: 139. 1892. B. viridilorum sensu Mehra & Kashyap, Taxon 27: 226. 1978. B. pantlingii Lucksom, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 90 (3): 551. 1993 (publ. 1994). Fig. 1b Pseudobulbs 2–3.7 × 1.7–2.4 cm, ovoid to obpyriform, covered with sheath ibres at base. Leaves 2, oblong-elliptic, acute, present during lowering, membranous. Inlorescence 6–8 cm, long erect, arises from the base of young pseudobulbs. Flowers 5–6 mm across, fragrant, yellowish-green. Sepals sub-equal, 3-nerved; dorsal sepal 4.5–4.6 × 2.7–3.2 mm; lateral sepals 5.5–6.0 × 2.5–3.0 mm. Petals c. 3 × 1.2 mm, triangular, minutely dentate at margins, one-nerved. Lip c. 3 × 1.8 mm, ovateoblong, obtuse, slightly delexed from the middle, entire at margins, orange. Column c. 1.5 mm long, minutely winged at margins. Flowering: June – July. Ecology: Rarely found growing on moss covered tree branches in subtropical forest. Specimens examined: INDIA. Manipur, Ukhrul District, Kamjong, 24° 49.754’ N & 94° 31.287 E’, 1289 m, 16.07.2013, K. Chowlu 00381 (under cultivation in the orchidarium of COGCEHR, Hengbung, Manipur). Distribution: India (Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Utarakhand), Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Nepal. 4. Bulbophyllum elatum (Hook.f.) J.J. Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, ser. 2, 8: 23. 1912. Cirrhopetalum elatum Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India. 5: 775. 1890 & in Oliv. (Ed.), Ic. Pl. 21: t. 2052. 1891; King & Pantl., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcuta 8: 93, t. 130. 1898; A.S. Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Eds.), Orchi. Sci. & Comm. 86. 2001. Pseudobulbs c. 6 cm long, cylindric, tapering towards apex, smooth, base covered with ibrous sheaths. Leaves solitary, narrowly-oblong, obtuse, slightly notched at apex, with petiolate base. Inlorescence umbel, 25–35 cm long, densely many lowered, from base of pseudobulbs. Flowers 7–9 mm across, pale greenish-yellow. Sepals sub-equal, 5-veined; dorsal sepal 1.0–1.2 × 0.5 cm, ovate, acute, arched over the column; lateral sepals 1.5–2.0 × 0.5 cm, narrowly oblong-lanceolate, acute, curved inside along margins. Petals 3.4–3.6 × 1.5–2.0 mm, ovate-oblong, sub-acute. Lip oblong, sub-acute, decurved with a groove at base. Column c. 3.5 mm long, shortly winged at apex. Flowering: June – July. Habitat: Grows on moss covered branches in tropical forest. K. Chowlu et al. 89 Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, West Bengal), Bhutan, China, Nepal and Vietnam. Note: Sathish Kumar & Suresh Kumar (2005) reported this species as under cultivation in Thoubal district of Manipur. 5. Bulbophyllum gutulatum (Hook.f.) N.P. Balakr., J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 67: 66. 1970; Shukla & Baishya, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 76. 227. 1979; Garay et al., Nord J. Bot. 14 (6): 631. 1994. B. umbellatum sensu Lindl., Bot. Reg. 31: t. 44. 1845, non Lindl. 1830. Cirrhopetalum gutulatum Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 776. 1890. Pseudobulbs ovoid, tapering towards apex. Leaves solitary, oblong-elliptic, acute, notched at apex, petiolate. Inlorescence umbel, erect, from base of pseudobulb. Flowers 1.7–2.5 cm across, pale yellow with purple spots. Sepals sub-equal; dorsal sepal 0.8–1.0 × 0.5–0.7 cm, oblong-ovate, acute, arched over column; lateral sepals 1.0–1.2 × 0.5–0.6 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acute, minutely falcate, incurved along margins. Petals c. 0.5 × 0.3 mm, elliptic, shortly apiculate. Lip 3.0–3.5 × 2.5–3.5 mm, oblong with broad base, much delexed from middle, keeled at base. Column c. 3.5 mm long, stout, winged at apex. Flowering: July – September. Ecology: Grows on moss covered branches in tropical forests at an elevation of 1500 m in association with some species of Coelogyne, Dendrobium and Pholidota. Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, West Bengal), Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam. Specimens examined: INDIA, Manipur, Tamenglong District, Tipaimukh, 1350 m. 6. Bulbophyllum hirtum (Sm.) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchi. Pl. 51. 1830. B. suave Grif., Not. Pl. Asiat. 3: 292. 1851 Fig 1c, 2a Pseudobulbs ovate-cylindric, slightly ridged. Leaves 2, oblong-lanceolate, sub-acute, absent during lowering. Inlorescence racemose, arising from base of pseudobulb. Flowers 5–7 mm across, fragrant, white with yellow-orange lip. Sepals subequal, hairy externally, white with green tinge at base, with scatered black spots at margins; dorsal sepal 7.0–7.5 × 2.0–2.4 mm, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, concave; lateral sepals 7.5–8.0 × 3.0– 3.2 mm, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, minutely falcate. Petals 2.2–2.5 × 1.0–1.2 mm, ovate, obtuse, ciliolate at margins. Lip 4.5–4.7 × 1.4–1.6 mm, narrowly oblong, minutely notched at apex, yellow-orange, emarginate. Column white with green tinge at apex. Flowering: November – December. Ecology: Found growing in tropical forest on moss covered branches in association with some ferns and species of Bulbophyllum, Dendrobium and Pholidota. Specimens examined: INDIA, Manipur, Senapati District, Hengbung, 25° 13.82 N’ & 94° 00.21 E’, 1168 m, 12.11.2012, K. Chowlu 00020 (COGCEHR) Distribution: India (Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Utar Pradesh, West Bengal), China, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam. 7. Bulbophyllum khasyanum Grif., Not. Pl. Asiat. 3: 284. 1851. B. cylindraceum Lindl. var. khasyanum Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 765. 1890. B. cylindraceum sensu King & Pantl., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcuta 8: 70. t. 96. 1898, non Lindl. 1830. Pseudobulbs absent. Leaf solitary, oblonglanceolate, obtuse, tapering towards long petiolate base. Inlorescence 15–30 cm long, spike, 30–40lowered. Flowers 4–5 mm across, reddish purple. Sepals unequal; dorsal sepal 3.4–3.8 × 2–3 mm, lanceolate, acute; lateral sepals 3.6– 4.0 × 1.5–2.0 mm, oblong-ovate, acute. Petals 1.5–2.0 × 1.0–1.1 mm, ovate-lanceolate, acute, minutely denticulate. Lip c. 2.7 × 1 mm, oblong, obtuse, decurved. Column c. 1 mm long, erect; foot curved, pale yellow. Flowering: November – December. Ecology: Grows on the branches of the moss covered tree in subtropical forest. Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, West Bengal), China, Thailand and Vietnam. Note: Sathish Kumar & Suresh Kumar (2005) reported this species from Manipur. 8. Bulbophyllum leopardinum (Wall.) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchi. 48. 1830; A.S. Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Eds.), Orchi. Sci. & Comm. 86. 2001. Dendrobium leopardinum Wall., Tent. Fl. Napal. 1: 39. t. 28. 1824. Pseudobulbs cylindric-ovoid, compressed, covered with sheaths. Leaves solitary, elliptic-oblong, 90 A brief account of the genus Bulbophyllum in Manipur obtuse. Inlorescence 1.5–2.8 cm long. Flowers solitary, 1.2–1.5 cm across, pale yellow with scarlet spots. Sepals sub-equal, leshy; dorsal sepal 1.5–1.8 × 1.0–1.2 cm, ovate-lanceolate, sub-acute, concave; lateral sepals 2.0–2.2 × 1.0–1.2 cm, oblong-ovate, acute. Petals c. 1 × 0.8 mm, oblong, acute. Lip 1.4–1.6 × 0.7–0.8 cm, ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, pale white. Column c. 0.7 cm long, winged at margins, yellow. lowered. Flowers 5–6 mm across, reddish brown. Sepals unequal; dorsal sepal 3.4–4 × 2.0–2.1 mm, oblong-ovate, obtuse; lateral sepals 4.6–5 × 2.5–3.0 mm, veins 3, elliptic-ovate, acute, boat-shaped. Petals c. 2 × 1.5 mm, triangular ovate, acuminate. margin erose. Lip 2.5 × 2.0–2.3 mm, oblong, obtuse, leshy, 3-lobed. Column c. 2 mm long. Flowering: July – August. Ecology: Grows abundantly on moss covered trunk and rocky clifs in association with some species of Coelogyne, Bulbophyllum, Pholidota and some ferns in sub-tropical forest. Ecology: Grows in tropical forests on moss covered branches in association with some ferns and species of Pholidota and some ferns. Distribution: India (Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, West Bengal), Bhutan, China, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. Note: We have mentioned this species as it is being reported by Sathish Kumar & Suresh Kumar (2005). 9. Bulbophyllum lobbii Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 33: sub t. 29. 1847; Kataki et al., Threat. End. Orch. Northeast India 10. 1984; A.S. Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Eds.), Orchi. Sci. & Comm. 86. 2001. Pseudobulbs ovoid-lanceolate, base covered with ibrous sheaths. Leaves 10–13 × 1.8–2.3 cm, narrowly oblong, acute. Flowers 5–7 cm across, solitary, yellow with purple nerves. Sepals subequal, 2.1–2.4 × 0.8–1.2 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acute, concave at base and falcate. Petals 2.1–2.4 × 0.7–0.8 oblong, acute. Lip broadly ovate, obtuse. Column with column foot. Flowering: February – April. Specimen examined: INDIA. Manipur, Nralum, Senapati District, 1526m, 25° 23.582 N’ & 94° 00.057 E’, 06.02.2013, K. Chowlu 00332 (COGCEHR) Distribution: India (Manipur). 11. Bulbophyllum moniliforme Parish & Rchb.f., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 30: 151. 1874; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India. 5: 757. 1890; Seidenf., Dansk Bot. Ark. 33 (3): 49. 1979; A.S. Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Eds.), Orchi. Sci. & Comm. 86. 2001. Pseudobulbs slightly oblique, glossy. Leaves fall of during lowering. Inlorescence c. 1 cm long, 1-lowered. Flower c. 1 cm long ,7–9 mm across, yellow with brownish-orange stripes. Sepals subequal, thin, oblong-lanceolate, acute, 5-nerved; dorsal sepal 3.5–3.9 × 2.0–2.3 mm; lateral sepal 3.7– 4.5 mm. Petals c. 1 × 0.4 mm, 1-nerved. Lip c. 2.5 × 1.5 mm, with blunt nose, red, sides forming a brim of equal width nearly to the apex. Flowering: August – September. Flowering: March. Ecology: Grows on the branches of moss covered tress in subtropical forest. Ecology: Grows on the branches of moss covered tropical forest. Distribution: India (Manipur, Mizoram), Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines. Distribution: India (Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Note: We were not able to collect this species during our ield trips. This is included here on the basis of report by Sathish Kumar & Suresh Kumar (2005). Note: During our ield trips we have not collected this species so far. This is included here based on the report by Sathish Kumar & Suresh Kumar (2005). 10. Bulbophyllum manipurense Sathish & Suresh, Rheedea 15 (1): 12. 2005. Fig. 2b Pseudobulbs ellipsoid, base enveloped in sheath ibres. Leaf solitary, oblong, obtuse, notched at apex. Inlorescence cylindric, densely many 12. Bulbophyllum odoratissimum (J.E. Sm.) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchi. 55. 1830; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 758. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Culcuta 8: 79, t. 109.1898; Seidenf, Dansk Bot. Ark. 33 (3): 76. 1979; Stelis odoratissima J.E. Sm. in Rees, Cyclop 34: 12. 1814. K. Chowlu et al. 91 Pseudobulbs cylindric, erect, glabrous, obscurely ribbed. Leaf solitary, oblong, acute, notched, tapering towards base into 1.0–1.5 cm long petiole. Inlorescence 8–14 cm long, densely many lowered. Flowers 5–7 mm across, white with bright orange-yellow, fragrant. Sepals oblong-lanceolate, sub-acute, margins inside; dorsal sepal 4.8–5.3 × 2 mm; lateral sepals 6.0–7 × 1.5–2.0 mm, 3–5-veined. Petals 1.3–1.5 × 0.5–0.6 mm, ovate, acute, white. Lip 4–5 × 2–2.1 mm, oblong-ovate, sub-acute, orangeyellow, with glandular dots. Column c. 1 mm long, white, glabrous. Flowering: May. Ecology: Grows on moss covered trunk and rocky mountains in association with some species of Coelogyne, Dendrobium, Pholidota and some ferns in tropical forest. Specimen examined: INDIA. Manipur, Senapati District, 1298 m, 25° 13.71’ N and 94° 00.12’ E 23.05.2012, K. Chowlu 00221 (COGCEHR) Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim), Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. 13. Bulbophyllum polyrrhizum Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchi. Pl. 53. 1830; Phyllorchis polyrrhiza (Lindl.) Kunze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 677. 1891 Fig. 1d, 2c Himachal Pradesh, Utarakhand), Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand. Bhutan, 14. Bulbophyllum propinquum Krzl., Orchi. 2: 62. 1908; Seidenf., Dansk Bot. Ark. 33 (3): 23. 1979. Pseudobulbs ellipsoid to conical, green. Leaves solitary, oblong, obtuse, apex bilobed. Inlorescence c. 4 cm long, pale green, arising from the pseudobulbs. Flowers 5–7 mm across, reddish brown, Sepals sub-equal, 5-veined, with glandular dots; dorsal sepal 4.5–4.6 × 3.0–3.2 mm, obtuse at apex; lateral sepal 6.5–6.7 × 3.5–4.0 mm, 5 vein. Petals 1–1.5 × 2.0–2.3 mm, triangular, acute, broader than long. Lip 3.5–4.0 × 2.0 mm, leshy, oblong, obtuse, papillose on the disc. Column 2.3– 2.5 cm long. Flowering: February – March. Ecology: Found growing on the moss covered tree trunks in subtropical forest. Specimen examined: INDIA. Manipur, Kasom Khullen, Ukhrul District, Sathish Kumar 28755 (TBGT). Distribution: India (Manipur) and Thailand. 15. Bulbophyllum reichenbachianum Krzl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst.17: 49. 1893; Garay et al., Nordic. J. Bot. 14 (6): 627.1994. Bulbophyllum mannii Rchb.f., Flora 55: 275. 1872, non Hook.f. 1864, Cirrhopetalum mannii Mukerjee (Rchb.f.), Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21 (3): 151. 1953. Pseudobulbs close together, globular-ovoid. Leaf absent during lowering. Inlorescence arising from base of pseudobulbs, erect. Flowers c. 8 mm across, yellowish green, partially opening. Sepals sub-equal; dorsal sepal 5.0–5.3 × 2.0–2.5 mm, ovate, concave, acute, 3-veined; lateral sepals 5.0–5.5 × 2.1–2.5 mm, oblong-lanceolate, acute. Petals c. 2 × 1 mm, triangular, acute, 1-veined. Lip 3.5–3.7 × 1.5–1.7 mm, oblong, delexed from base, entire. Column 2.5–3.0 mm long including the column foot, yellow. Pseudobulbs ovoid. Leaves 2. Inlorescence raceme, iliform. Flowers minute, sub-globose. Dorsal sepal 0.7–1.0 cm, oblong, acute; lateral sepals 2.5–3.5 × 2.0–2.2 cm, oblong-laceolate, acuminate, 3-nerved. Petals c. 0.8–1.0 cm, linear, obtuse, 1-nerved. Lip 0.9–1.1 cm long, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, subsessile. Column c. 1.5 cm long; column foot 0.5 cm long. Flowering: April. Flowering: February. Ecology: Commonly found growing on moss covered tree trunk and branches in association with species of Coelogyne, Bulbophyllum, Pholidota and some ferns in tropical forest. Ecology: Found growing on moss covered tree trunk in semishady areas exposed to semi sunlight in subtropical forest. Specimen examined: INDIA. Manipur, Kamjong, Ukhrul District, 1480 m, 24° 53.733’ N & 94° 29.531’ E; 04.04.2011, K. Chowlu 00019 (COGCEHR) Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, West Bengal, Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur), Myanmar. Note: We have not collected this species but Sathish Kumar & Suresh Kumar (2005) reported this species as under cultivation in Ukhrul district (1500 m) of Manipur. 92 A brief account of the genus Bulbophyllum in Manipur 16. Bulbophyllum reptans (Lindl.) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchi. 51. 1830; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Eds.), Orchids. Sci. & Comm. 86. 2001. Tribrachia reptans Lindl., Coll. Bot. t. 41 a. 1826. Pseudobulbs distant on rhizome, obpyriform, glossy, base covering with sheath ibres. Leaf solitary, present during lowering, linearlanceolate, acute. Inlorescence raceme, 1 or 2 per pseudobulb, 5–8 cm long, sub-erect. Flowers 0.8– 1.0 cm across, yellowish-green. Sepals sub-equal, 3-nerved, spreading; dorsal sepal 8–9 × 2.0–2.5 mm; lateral sepals 9–11 × 2.5–3.0 mm. Petals 3.0– 3.5 × 1.0–1.5 mm, oblong, obtuse, 1-nerved. Lip 3–4 × 1.2 mm, green with pink base. Column 1.5–2.0 mm long. Flowering: January – February. Ecology: Found growing commonly on moss covered tree trunk of tropical forest in association with Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne and ferns. Specimen examined: INDIA, Manipur, Nepali, Senapati District, 28.02.2011, K. Chowlu 00212, 00213 (COGCEHR) N & 93° 56.926’ E, 12.08.2012. K. Chowlu 00018 (COGCEHR) Distribution: India (Manipur, Sikkim, West Bengal, Nagaland), Combodia, China, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Taiwan and Vietnam. 18. Bulbophyllum ruinum Rchb.f. Xenia. Orchi. f., 3: 44, t. 219.1881 Fig. 1f, 2d Pseudobulbs ovoid-ellipsoid, tapering towards apex, glabrous or ribbed. Leaf solitary, oblong, obtuse with minutely notched tip. Inlorescence raceme, 12–25 cm long, longer than the leaves. Flowers 3–4 mm across, orange yellow, glabrous. Sepals unequal, glabrous, orange-yellow; dorsal sepal 4.0–4.5 × 2.0–2.5 mm, ovate-elliptic, acute, hooded over the column; lateral sepals 7–8 × 2.4–3.0 mm, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, falcate. Petals c. 4 × 2.5 mm, ovate-triangular, acuminate, pale yellow. Lip 4.0–5.0 × 1.5–2.0 mm, dark orange, oblong, auricles present, 3-lobed. Column c. 3 mm long, curved, greenish-yellow. Flowering: September – October. Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh), Myanmar, China, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. Ecology: Found growing on main mossy tree trunks dense subtropical forest. This species is found to be very rare in distribution. 17. Bulbophyllum retusiusculum Rchb.f, Gard. Chron. 1182. 1869; Cirrhopetalum wallichii Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchi. 59. 1830; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 776. 1890; King & Pantl, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcuta 8: 88. t. 121. 1898 (non Lindl., 1839). Bulbophyllum wallichii auct. non Rchb.f. Tuyama in Hara, Fl. E. Himalaya. 1: 428. 1966 Fig. 1e Specimen examined: INDIA, Manipur, Hengbung, Senapati District, 1298 m 25° 13.71’ N and 94° 00.12’ E, 22.11.2012, K. Chowlu 00014 (COGCEHR) Pseudobulbs distant, ovoid, one-leaved. Leaf oblong-lanceolate, notched at apex. Inlorescence 6–9- lowered, 5–9 cm long. Flowers c. 2.5 cm broad, 5 cm long, brownish violet. Sepals sub-equal; dorsal sepal c. 0.4 × 0.2 cm, oblong-ovate, obtuse, brownish violet; lateral sepals 1.5–2.0 × 0.4–0.7 cm, ovate-oblong, obtuse, connate in middle, brownish maroon. Petals c. 0.3 × 0.17 cm, broadly linearelliptic, acute, brownish-maroon. Lip c. 0.2 × 0.1 cm, greenish brownish, oblong-obtuse, recurved. Column brownish purple. Flowering: August. Ecology: Found growing on the branches of tree of moss covered subtropical forest. Specimen examined: INDIA, Manipur, Willong Khunou, Senapati District, 1028 m, 25° 27.959’ Distribution: India (Manipur), Combodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. 19. Bulbophyllum scabratum Rchb.f. in W.G. Walpers, Ann. Bot. Syst. 6: 256. 1861. Cirrhopetalum caespitosum Wall. ex Lindl, Bot. Reg. 24: misc. 35, no. 53. 1838. Bulbophyllum confertum Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 5 (2): 757. 1890; Icon. Pl. 21: pl. 2035. 1890 Fig. 1g Pseudobulb ovoid, broader at base, cespitose, base enveloped with sheaths. Leaf solitary, linearlanceolate, acute. Inlorescence umbel, 3.0–4.5 cm long, erect, from the base of the pseudobulb. Flower 1.1–1.3 cm across, yellow, glabrous. Sepal sub-equal, yellow, 3-nerved; dorsal sepal 5–6 × 3–3.5 mm, ovate-lanceolate, acute; lateral sepals 9.0–10.5 × 2.5–3.0 mm, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, minutely falcate. Petals 4.5–4.8 × 2 mm, ovatelanceolate, acute, margin dentate. Lip c. 3 × 1.5 mm, triangular-oblong, acute to sub-acute, entire, concave at base. Column c. 1 mm long, stout, foot c. 1.2 mm long, much curved. K. Chowlu et al. 93 Fig. 1. a. Bulbophyllum affine Lindl.; b. B. cariniflorum Rchb.f.; c. B. hirtum (J.E. Sm.) Lindl.; d. B. polyrhizum Lindl.; e. B. retusiusculum Rchb.f.; f. B. rufinum Rchb.f.; g. B. scabratum Rchb.f.; h. B. secundum Hook.f.; i. B. trichocephalum (Schltr.) Lucksom var. capitatum Lucksom; j. B. xylophyllum C.S.P. Parish & Rchb.f. 94 A brief account of the genus Bulbophyllum in Manipur Flowering: April. Ecology: Found growing on the moss covered branches of trees in subtropical forest. Specimen examined: INDIA, Manipur, Tamenglong District, 1303 m, 25° 00.80’ N & 93° 32.62’ E, 15.04.2011, K. Chowlu 00145 (COGCEHR) Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Utrakhand), China, Nepal, Bengladesh, Bhutan, Thailand and Vietnam. 20. Bulbophyllum secundum Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 5 (2): 764. 1890; Phyllorchis secunda (Hook.f.) Kunze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 678. 1891. Pseudobulbs broader than long, compressed, turbinate, very crowded. Leaf solitary, narrowly oblong, sub-acute, tapering towards petiole. Inlorescence 7–12 cm long, raceme, erect, from the base of the pseudobulb, upto 13 lowers in one inlorescence, laxly arranged. Flowers 4.8– 5.0 mm across, creamy purple. Sepals sub-equal, spreading; dorsal sepal 2.4–2.7 × 1.5–1.6 mm, ovate, acute, single, ciliate margin; lateral sepals 2.5–2.7 × 1.5–1.9 mm, triangular-ovate, acute, minutely falcate. Petals 1.5–1.8 × 0.6–0.9 mm, narrowly elliptic-oblong, sub-acute, concave with upper surface ciliolate. Lip 5–6.8 × 0.6–0.9 mm, oblong, obtuse, margin hairy edges. Column c. 1 mm long, glabrous, pale yellow; column foot 1 mm long. Flowering: June – August. Ecology: Found growing on the branches of trees in shady areas of subtropical forest. Common. c. 1.5 × 1.2 mm, ovate-oblong, acute, 1-nerved. Lip c. 2.4 × 1.5 mm, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, broad at base. Column 1.5–1.7 mm long, much curved; column foot 0.7–0.9 mm long. Flowering: April – May. Ecology: Found growing on moss covered main tree trunks in subtropical forest. Very rare in distribution. Specimen examined: INDIA, Manipur, Kamjong, Ukhrul District, 1480m, 24° 53.733’ N & 94° 29.531’ E, 12.05.2011, K. Chowlu 00052 (COGCEHR) Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Utrakhand, West Bengal), Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand. 22. Bulbophyllum trichocephalum (Schltr.) Tang & Wang var. capitatum Lucksom, Orchi. Sikkim & N E Himalaya 695 t. 425. Pl. 31. 2007 Fig. 1i Pseudobulbs 30–40 × 5–7 mm, one-leaved. Leaf 7–9.5 × 1.5–1.8 cm. Inlorescence 9–13 cm long, capitate, from the base of the pseudobulbs. Peduncle with 2–3 bracts. Flowers c. 9 mm across, creamy, fragrant. Floral bract c.1.2 × 2.5 mm, acute, 1 mid vein. Dorsal sepal c. 9–10 × 2 mm, acute apex. Lateral sepal 10–14 mm long, acuminate at apex, 3-veined. Petals 2 × 1 mm, triangular, acute, translucent. Lip c. 2 × 1 mm, triangular, acute, orange. Column c. 1 × 0.5 mm, very short. Flowering: August. Ecology: Grows in the branches of mossy trees of subtropical forest. Common. Specimen examined: INDIA, Manipur, Sadim, Senapati District, 1512 m, 25° 22.294’ N & 94° 02.547’ E, 22.06.2012, K. Chowlu 00107 (COGCEHR) Specimens examined: INDIA, Manipur, Kamjong, Ukhrul District, 1460 m, 24° 50.573’ N & 94° 30.875’ E, 20.09.2011, K. Chowlu 00017, 00040, 00041 (COGCEHR) Distribution: India (Aruachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim), Bhutan, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Distribution: India (Sikkim, Manipur, Meghalaya), Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Laos, Nepal and Thailand. 21. Bulbophyllum triste Rchb.f., W.G. Walp. Ann. 6: 253. 1861; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Eds.), Orchi. Sci. & Comm. 86. 2001. Note: In Flora of China (2009) this species has been treated as a synonym of B.odoratissimum. However, considering the distinct longer and caudate lateral sepals, we have followed Seidenfaden (1979) in treating this species as distinct from B. odoratissimum (Sm.) Lindl. Pseudobulbs ovoid, latened. Leaves two, narrowly oblong, acute, absent during lowering. Inlorescence erect, terete, glabrous. Flowers 3–4 mm across, dark maroon. Sepals sub-equal, ovateoblong, acute; glabrous. dorsal sepal 2.5–3.0 × 1.1– 1.5 mm; lateral sepals 4.0–4.5 × 1.4–1.7 mm. Petals 23. Bulbophyllum umbellatum Wall. Lindl. Gen. Sp. Orchi. 56. 1830; A.S. Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.) Orchi. Sci. & Comm. 86. 2001. Cirrhopetalum K. Chowlu et al. 95 Fig. 2. a. Bulbophyllum hirtum (J.E. Smith) Lindl.: A. Plant; B. Floral bract; C. Flower; D. Dorsal sepal; E. Lateral sepal; F. Petal; G. Lip front view; H. Lip side view; I. Column; J. Anther cap. K. Pollinia; b. B. manipurense Sathish & Suresh: A. Plant; B. Bract; C. Flower; D. Dissected parts; E. Lip front view; F. Lip side view; G. Colunm; H. Anther cap; I. Pollinia; c. B. polyrhizum Lindl.: A. Plant without leaf; B. Plant with leaf; C. Bract; D. Flower; E. Dorsal sepal; F. Lateral sepal; G. Petal; H. Lip front view; I. Lip side view; J. Column; K. Anther cap; I. Pollinia; d. B. rufinum Rchb.f.: A. Plant; B. Flower; C. Floral bract; D. Dissected parts; E. Lip; F. Column; G. Anther cap; H. Pollinia. 96 A brief account of the genus Bulbophyllum in Manipur maculosum Lindl. Bot. Reg. 27, misc. 81. 1841; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 776. 1890; King & Pantl., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcuta 8: 95. t. 132. 1898. Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Meghalaya), China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Pseudobulbs ovoid-cylindric, tapering toward apex, many ridged, sheath ibrous. Leaf solitary, narrowly oblong, notched apex, petiolate. Inlorescence 6–12 cm long, umbel, smooth, arising from the base of pseudobulb. Flowers 1.2–1.7 cm across, pale yellow-creamy with reddish purple spots. Sepals unequal, 5-nerved; dorsal sepal 8–9 × 4–5 mm, oblong-ovate, acute, concave; lateral sepals 13–18 × 5–6 mm, ovate-lanceolate, acute, minutely falcate. Petals c. 6 × 4 mm, ovate-oblong, obtuse. Lip 5–6 × 3 mm, oblong, obtuse, delexed, green. Column c. 2 mm long, winged; column foot c. 6 mm long. Acknowledgements Flowering: March – April. Ecology: Commonly found growing on the moss covered branches of trees in subtropical forest in association with Coelogyne, Pholidota, Dendrobium and some ferns. Specimen examined: INDIA. Manipur, Laimaton, Bishnupur District, 1621 m, 24° 37.379’ 10’’ N & 93° 42.063’ E, 30.03.2012, K. Chowlu 00124 (COGCEHR) Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim), Bhutan and Nepal. 24. Bulbophyllum xylophyllum Parish & Rchb.f., in Trans. Linn. Soc. London 30: 151. 1874 Fig. 1j Pseudobulbs absent. Leaf broadly elliptic or orbicular, obtuse, very thick, smooth, directly arising from the rhizome with petiole. Inlorescence 5–6 cm long, capitate, leshy. Flowers 3–4 mm across, maroon blackish. Floral bracts very small. Sepals sub equal; dorsal sepal 2.5– 3.2 × 0.8–0.9 mm, 3-nerved, ovate-obtuse, sub-acute; lateral pairs 2.6–3.3 × 1.1–1.5 mm, broadly oblong, subacute, falcate. Petals c. 1.5 × 0.4 mm, oblong, acute. Lip c. 2 × 0.6 mm, oblong, obtuse. Column c. 1 mm long, dark maroon. Flowering: January. Ecology: Found on the moss covered branches of trees in dense tropical forest. Rare. Specimen examined: INDIA, Manipur, Kwatha, Chandel District, 490 m 24° 19.5’ N & 94° 13.7’ E, 26.01.2011, K. Chowlu 00016 (COGCEHR) Sincere thanks are due to Mr. H. Kipgen, President, Foundation Economic Environmental Development Services, Hengbung, for facility and encouragement; to the SERB division of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi for inancial support to carry out the study on orchids of the Eastern Himalayan Region and to Bishwajit, Ngapui, Thithila, Inbeng and Atan. Literature cited Chauhan, A.S. 2001. A conspectus of orchids of Manipur: Their status and conservation. In Pathak, P., Sehgal, R.N., Shekar, N., Sharma, M. & A. Sood (Eds.) Orchids: Science and Commerce. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun. pp. 81-99. Chen, X & J.J. Vermeulen 2009. Bulbophyllum In: Wu, Z.G., Raven, P. & D.Y. Hong (Eds.), Flora of China. Vol. 25. Science Press Science, Beijing & Missouri Botanic Garden, St. Louis. pp. 404444. Chowlu, K., Nageswara Rao, A. & S.P. Vij 2012. Oberonia jenkinsiana Griith ex Lindley (Orchidaceae) - an addition to the lora of Manipur, India. Pleione 6(2): 406 - 408. Deb, D.B. 1961. Monocotyledonous plants of Manipur Territory. Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3: 126129. Ghatak, J. & R.K.J. Devi 1986. Orchids of Manipur. In: Vij, S.P. (Eds.) Biology, Conservation and Culture of Orchids. East West Press Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. pp. 357-362 Hooker J.D. 1890. Orchidaceae In: Flora of British India 5: 667-858 & 6: 1-198. Asford, Kent. Hynniewata, T.M., Kataki, S.K. & B.M. Wadhwa 2000. In: Hajra, P.K. & U. Chaterjee (Eds.), Orchids of Nagaland. Botanical Survey of India, Calcuta. pp. 51-80. Kataki, S.K. 1986. Orchids of Meghalaya. Govt. of Meghalaya, Shillong. Pp 65-80. K. Chowlu et al. 97 Kishor, R.K., Chowlu, K. & S.P. Vij 2012. Ione kipgenii (Orchidaceae), a new species from Manipur, India. Kew Bull. 67: 517-519. Lucksom, S.Z. 2007. The Orchids of Sikkim and North East Himalaya, Spectrum House, Siliguri 688772. Misra, S. 2007. Orchids of India. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun 279-320. Mukerjee, S.K. 1953. An enumeration of the orchids of Ukhrul, Manipur. Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21: 149-154. Rao, A.N. 2007. Orchid Flora of North East IndiaAn Up Date Analysis. Bull. Arunachal For. Res. 23 (1 & 2): 6-38. Nanda, Y. 2012. Dendrobium bicameratum Lindley (Orchidaceae) – an addition to the lora of Manipur, India. Pleione 6(2): 450-452. Pradhan, U.C. 1979. Indian Orchids: Guide to Identiication and Culture, Vol. 2. Self Published, Kalimpong. 2: 371-429. Sathish Kumar, C. & P.C. Suresh Kumar 2005. Orchid digest of Manipur, Northeastern India. Rheedea 15 (1): 1-74. Seidenfanden, G. 1979. Orchid Genera in Thailand VIII: Bulbophyllum Thou. Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(3): 1-228. Shukla, U. & A.K. Baishya 1979. A contribution to the lora of Manipur. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 76: 224-229. Received: 08.04.2013 Revised & Accepted: 13.06.2013