Orchid Digest Manipur PDF

Rheedea
Vol.15 (1)
1-70
2 0 0 5
An Orchid Digest of Manipur,

Northeastern India
C. Sathish Kumar and P. C. Suresh Kumar
Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
Palode, Thiruvananthapuram 695 562, Kerala, India.
Abstract
All orchids so far recorded from Manipur, Northeastern India are presented. This update has 280 species in 86 genera. It
includes a new genus Luisiopsis Sathish & Suresh, one new species Bulbophyllum manipurense Sathish & Suresh, two new
records for India – Bulbophyllum propinquum Krzl. and Phalaenopsis fasciata Rchb.f., one new combination Luisiopsis
inconspicua (Lindl.)Sathish & Suresh and several new state records. Dendrobium is the largest genus with 49 species
followed by Coelogyne (20 spp.), Cymbidium (15 spp.), Bulbophyllum (14 spp.), Eria (14 spp.), Oberonia (10 spp.), Vanda
(8 spp.), Liparis (8 spp.), Habenbaria (7 spp.), Peristylus (6 spp.) and Paphiopedilum (5 spp.). A brief historical account of
orchid collections in Manipur since George Watt’s pioneer attempt of 1881-1882 is provided. The looming slash-and-burn
cultivation practice prevalent in Manipur is the main threat to orchid flora. All the new and interesting taxa are illustrated
and described.
Keywords: Orchids, New genus, New species, Country and state records, Manipur.
Introduction
Manipur is a small state (23° 83´ N latitudes and 93 ° Geographic position, varying altitudes, presence of
03´ - 94 ° 78´ E longitudes) in the Northeastern India innumerable water bodies and the consequent micro-
(Fig. 1). It is bordered on the north by Nagaland, south climates have jointly contributed to the richness of
by Mizoram and part of Myanmar, west by Assam vegetation in Manipur. Sadly, the slash-and-burn
and east again by part of Myanmar. It has a total cultivation in practice has already destroyed much
geographical area of 22,327 sq. km with a central of the primary forests of the state. The accounts of
valley of 2,238 sq. km and is fortified on all sides by forests given by Watt (1888) and Keith (1936) are the
lofty mountains, the highest being Mount Tenupi of things of the past.
Iso which is 2999 m (9,822ft) above sea level. The
valley is thickly populated by the Meities and the hills The Earlier Collectors
sparsely by the Nagas and Kukis. The recent spurt of
violence by different insurgent outfits is making George Watt (1851-1930) was the first European to
Manipur an unsafe place for field studies. Leaving collect plants (1881-1882) from Manipur. His
this apart, Manipur is a botanical paradise and for collections included orchids and most of them are
orchid lovers, it is Nature’s treasure trove opened. now available at CAL and K. Watt did not publish
any taxonomic account of plants of Manipur but his
Geologically, Manipur is made of Cretaceous lime collections were studied by others, notably J. D.
stones on the eastern side with tertiary rocks and Hooker who immortalized Watt through Dendrobium
alluvium in the valleys. Average annual rainfall varies wattii and Impatiens wattii, both based on Watt’s
from 122 (Imphal) to 398 cm (Tamenglong). collections from Manipur.
Temperature often goes down to -1°C in January and
gradually rises to 30°C in September. Relative Charles Baron Clarke (1832-1906), a British botanist
Humidity is the lowest in March (47%) and the while working as Inspector of Schools at Shillong,
highest in August (81%). explored Manipur in 1885 and made important
2 An Orchid Digest of Manipur
93
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94
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Post independent India witnessed a few publications
NAGALAND on orchids of Manipur. Important among them are
those of Mukerjee (1953), Deb ( 1956, 1957, 1960, 1961),
Chauhan (249 spp. in 60 genera: 2001) and Phukan
Senapati
ASSAM (2002) (Fig. 2). State’s website (www.manipur.com)
contains many orchid photographs by Ranjan
O
(Runjohn) Laishram.
25
Ukhrul
Tamenglong Imphal
Materials and Methods
Jiribam
The senior author collected over 120 species of orchids

Bishenpur
l
from Manipur during a one month long expedition
ba
ou
in 1996. These live specimens were brought down to

Th
Churachandpur TBGRI and reared. As and when flowered, they were

Chandel
MYANMAR critically studied, compared with authentic
24
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specimens at CAL and identified. Experts like the late
MIZORAM
Gunnar Seidenfaden and Paul Ormerod were
consulted, if found necessary. All the specimens cited
Collection locality
are deposited at TBGT unless otherwise mentioned.
Spirit samples of flowers have also been maintained.
In this enumeration, detailed descriptions and
illustrations are provided only for new and interesting
O
taxa. The alphabetical enumeration part has the genus
23
followed by a short paragraph on the general
distribution, key features, number of species in the
world, in India and Manipur. This is accompanied by
Figure 1. Map of Manipur key to species when there are more than one. Species
enumeration has three components: nomenclature
collections. In 1889, he published an exhaustive list of citation, a general statement indicating historical
‘plants from Kohima and Muneypore’ which included collections of species from Manipur and other details
Liparis spathulata Lindl., L. longipes Lindl., Agrostophyllum containing flowering & fruiting, habitat, occurrence
khasianum Griff., Pholidota calceolata Lindl., Aerides within Manipur, general distribution, specimens
vandarum Rchb.f., Saccolabium ampullaceum Lindl., examined and a note on key character of species, if
Zeuxine nervosa Benth. ex Hook. f. and Goodyera procera any. If a species is included on the authority of an
Lindl. from Manipur. Clarke’s specimens are at K. Alfred earlier worker it is cited. Artificial keys, analytical
Karl Meebold (1863-1952) was a German world traveller sketches, and photographs are given for easy
who botanized Manipur during 1906-1907. His identification.
collections are available at CAL. Norman Loftus Bor Detailed study at CAL and TBGT, besides
(1893-1972), an agrostologist of Irish origin, was another consultation of available literature on Manipur
botanist who visited Manipur several times between orchids, enabled us to enumerate 281 species in 86
1938 and 1945. His orchid collections, however, were genera.It included the following:
studied by others like Summerhayes et al. New genus: Luisiopsis Sathish et Suresh
Francis (Frank) Kingdon-Ward (1885-1958) was a New combination: Luisiopsis inconspicua (Hook. f.)
British traveller and ‘plant hunter’ who visited Sathish et Suresh
Manipur in 1927, 1946 and 1948 and made a very large
New species: Bulbophyllum manipurense Sathish et
collection of orchids and seeds, besides bulbs of other Suresh
plants. Most of his collections are located at many
European herbaria but a few stray collections are New records for India: 1. Bulbophyllum propinquum
available at CAL. Like the earlier collectors, Kingdon- Krzl., 2. Dendrobium parcum Rchb. f. and 3.
Ward did not publish any scientific account on his Phalaenopsis fasciata Rchb. f.
vast collections but wrote prolific travel accounts. New records for Manipur: 1. Cleisostoma discolor
‘Plant Hunter in Manipur’ (1952) is one of his famous Lindl., 2. Cleisostoma williamsonii (Rchb. f.) Garay,
works. Summerhayes commemorated Kingdon- 3. Eria globulifera Seidenf. , 4. Vanda pumila Hook. f.
Ward by the orchid Paphiopedilum wardii. and 5. Vanilla parishii Rchb. f.
C. Sathish Kumar & P. C. Suresh Kumar 3
George Watt J. D. Hooker C. B. Clarke
© Hunt Institute, 1999

F. Kingdon-Ward S. K. Mukerjee N. L. Bor
D. B. Deb S. J. Phukan A. S. Chauhan
Figure 2. Pioneer orchid collectors of Manipur

Key to Genera 12a. Lip spurred at base ……………. Anoectochilus

1a. Flowers with two anthers; lip slipper shaped; 12b. Lip spurless, saccate at base …… Odontochilus
lateral sepals fused to form a synsepal 13a. Floral bracts larger than the flowers
..............….................................... Paphiopedilum ………………………...………… Brachycorythis
1b. Flowers with single anther; lip not slipper 13b. Floral bracts smaller than the flowers ………14
shaped; lateral sepals either free or if fused
partially, not forming a synsepal………………2 14a. Anther erect …………………………......…… 15
2a. Leaves spirally arranged, convolute or 14b. Anther bent back from column ………Satyrium
altogether absent; pollinia soft and mealy, sectile 15a. Stigmalobes free, each on a stigmaphore
or not ...............………………………………….3 extending from the column ….......…Habenaria
2b. Leaves in two rows or rarely absent; pollinia 15b. Stigmalobes not free ....……………………….16
hard and waxy, 2-8 ………...............………… 18 16a. Thecas at their base extending from column,
3a. Plants with root-stem tuberoids; rostellum rostellum forming a broad band above the
shorter than the anther …………........……… 13 coherent stigmalobes ………….....….. Pecteilis
3b. Plants without root-stem tuberoids; rostellum 16b. Stigmalobes not freely extending in front of
subequal to the anther ……...........…………….4 column ………….......................………………..17
4a. Flowers on a twisted spike; pollinia not sectile 17a. Stigmalobes connate with or adpressed to
…………………….................……….. Spiranthes hypochile of lip and staminodes, with short
spur, ovary usually erect close to rachis
4b. Flowers not on twisted spike; pollinia sectile …………........................……………….Peristylus
………………………................………………… 5
17b. Stigmalobe not connate with base of lip, no spur,
5a. Stems woody; leaves plicate ….............……… 6 staminodes raising free above anthers
5b. Stems fleshy, herbaceous; leaves conduplicate ……………………....………………Herminium
…………………….................………………….. 7 18a. Anther erect in early bud, later becoming
6a. Stems branched; inflorescence unbranched; lip operculate; pollinia without stipes….....…….19
widest at base …………................……. Tropidia 18b. Anther usually operculate; pollinia with a stipes
……………………….............................………….60
6b. Stems unbranched; inflorescence branched; lip
widest at apex ……............………Corymborkis 19a. Large vines; stigma emergent ………… Vanilla
7a. Lip hairy or setose within …….. ……Goodyera 19b. Small herbs; stigma not emergent ……………20
7b. Lip papillate within ...………………………….8 20a. Leaf solitary, appearing after flowering
………………...........…………………… Nervilia
8a. Saprophytes; flowers in axillary racemes or
fascicle……………..............…………… Cyrtosia 20b. Leaves many, appearing together with flowers
...............................................................................21
8b. Autophytes; flowers in terminal racemes ..…. 9
21a. Inflorescence terminal with large flowers; dorsal
9a. Leaves dark greenish-brown with golden or
sepal 3.5-4 cm long…............................………. 22
silver veins……………..............……………….12
21b. Inflorescence lateral with medium sized
9b. Leaves uniformly green without coloured veins flowers, if terminal the flowers smaller; dorsal
………………………......................…………… 10 sepal less than 3.5 cm long ……….………… 24
10a. Tubers present, cylindric or ellipsoid 22a. Leaves conduplicate in bud ....……………… 23
............................................................ Neottianthe
22b. Leaves convolute, plicate in bud..................
10b. Tubers absent ..………………………………. 11 ....................................................…Cephalanthera
11a. Lip with a long claw, stigmas on short processes; 23a. Pollinia elongate, soft and mealy; plants
1-or 2-flowered……........................… Myrmechis epiphytic or lithophytic ……..........…… Thunia
11b. Lip with a short claw, stigma sessile 23b. Pollinia clavate, hard or relatively soft; plants
inflorescence many flowered ……...…. Zeuxine terrestrial ……………................…….. Arundina
24a. Epiphytic plants with 2, 4 or 8 pollinia; leaves 38b. Saprophytes ……………………………. Yoania
not equitant ……….......................…………….25
39a. Sidelobes of lip produced backwards on both
24b. Terrestrial plants with 4 or 8 pollinia or sides of the column …...................… Crepidium
epiphytic plants with equitant leaves and 4
39b. Sidelobes altogether lacking ………….. Dienia
pollinia...................................................................36
40a. Pollinia 4 ……………………....………………41
25a. Pollinia 8……………………………….....…….26
40b. Pollinia 8……………………….………………42
25b. Pollinia 4 ……………….....……………………29
41a. Pollinia with caudicle, stipes and viscidium
26a. Sepals joined into a tube; inflorescence usually
……......…..................……………. Anthogonium
of one flower ……….......................……………27
41b. Pollinia without caudicle, stipes or viscidium
26b. Sepals not joined into a tube; Inflorescence of ……………….........................…………… Liparis
many flowers……......................……………….28
42a. Stems 1 leaved ………………….……………. 43
27a. Pseudobulbs discoid, flowers 1-3....……Porpax
42b. Stems many leaved ……………………………44
27b. Pseudobulbs ovoid to cylindric; flowers many,
second …….................................….. Cryptochilus 43a. Leaves long petioled, plicate, elliptic-lanceolate
………………….................................…… Tainia
28a. Pollinia joined by a long thin common caudicle
……………........................…………….. Thelasis 43b. Leaves sessile, cordate ……… Nephelaphyllum
28b. Pollinia not with any long common caudicle 44a. Sepals fused to form a jug shaped body, free at
…………………............................…………. Eria top; lip mobile........................ Acanthephippium
29a. Pollinia joined by caudicles ………………….30 44b. Sepals not forming as above; lip firmly attached
to column ……......................................……… 45
29b. Pollinia without caudicles ..…………………..36
45a. Plants with subterranean rhizome and grass like
30a. Lip saccate at base ……………................…… 33 leaves ……................................……. Pachystoma
30b. Lip not saccate at base ………………….......….31 45b. Plants without subterranean rhizome; leaves not
31a. Lip base sigmoidally curved…….…… Panisea grass like ................................………………….46
31b. Lip base not sigmiodally curved…………… 32 46a. Lip with a pair of calli at base …… Spathoglottis
32a. Inflorescence single flowered; lip convolute 46b. Lip without such pair of calli at base ………. 47
around column ……......................………Pleione 47a. Column margins nearly the entire length
32b. Inflorescence many flowered; lip not convolute connate with lip base .....................…. Calanthe
around column .................................. Coelogyne 47b. Column margins free, lip connate only at or near
33a. Column short ………………………… Pholidota base of column…….....................................…… 48
33b. Column long ………………....………………..34 48a. Pollinia 8 ……………………...……………… 49
34a. Pseudobulbs produced singly on a creeping 48b. Pollinia 4 ……………………………………… 50

rhizome ………....................................…………35 49a. Lip spurred …………………………….. Phaius
34b. Pseudobulbs forming a chain, joined from apex 49b. Lip not spurred …………… Cephalantheropsis
to base …….................................……… Otochilus
50a. Lip with a transversal ridge between hypochile
35a. Flowers funnel shaped at base ……… Neogyna and epichile; inflorescence of many small
35b. Flowers not funnel shaped at base....Dickasonia flowers in a head …………….. Agrostophyllum
36a. Leaves laterally compressed........……Oberonia 50b. Lip with no such transversal ridge; inflorescence
not a head ………….................................……. 50
36b. Leaves not laterally compressed ……………..37
51a. Pollinia joined by a long thin caudicle ......… 52
37a. Flowers resupinate …………………..………..38
51b. Pollinia not joined by caudicle ......………….. 53
37b. Flowers non resupinate; column very short,
straight ……………...................………………39 52a. Column foot distinct, short; operculum
horizontal on top of column not beaked
38a. Green plants …………………………………. 40 ……..……………...............……………. Phreatia
52b. Column foot absent; operculum vertical below 66b. Plants leafless during flowering; operculum
column, beaked …................................. Thelasis with a lateral pair of fine threads.....Chiloschista
53a. Column with vertical arms or lobules containing 67a. Lip adnate to the column, immovable ……. 68
the stigmata ....................................… Ceratostylis
67b. Lip not adnate to the column, movable …... 70
53b. Column without vertical arms ………….... Eria
68a. Lip with distinct spur or sac ………………….69
54a. Pseudobulbs uninodal …………..……………55
68b. Lip without spur or sac ……………. Vandopsis
54b. Pseudobulbs plurinodal …………………….. 58
69a. Midlobe of lip fringed or dentate............
55a. Stipes two ……………………………… Sunipia .......................................................... Ornithochilus
55b. Stipes nil ……………………………………… 56
69b. Midlobe of lip not as above …………………. 72
56a. Inflorescence 1 flowered; lateral sepals attached
70a. Sac of lip hairy within ………………… Acampe
to the apex of column foot....…………Drymoda
70b. Sac of lip not hairy .……………. …………….71
56b. Inflorescence many flowered; lateral sepals
attached to the lateral sides of the column 71a. Flowers red; lip much shorter than the dorsal
foot…………………..........…………………… 57 sepal ………............................…….. Renanthera
57a. Lateral sepals elongate, involute, firmly united 71b. Flowers white with purple markings; lip as long
along both margins forming a horn or pouch or longer than the dorsal sepal..... Schoenorchis
like structure………..…………. Rhytionanthos
72a. Sepals and petals broad, ovate, fleshy ..…… 73
57b. Lateral sepals not elongate and free along the
margins …..............................….. Bulbophyllum 72b. Sepals and petals narrow, spathulate, not fleshy
………….................................………………… 74
58a. Stems branched; flowers last only a day
………………...................…………. Flickingeria 73a. Long-stemmed plants; stipes very broad
……………….......................…………. Esmeralda
58b. Stems unbranched; flowers long lasting
…………………......................…………………59 73b. Short-stemmed plants; stipes narrow,
spathulate ………............………… Hygrochilus
59a. Flowers solitary from between leaves
……………….............…………….. Epigeneium 74a. Spur short, conical …………………… Arachnis
59b. Flowers many on a raceme or a fascicle 74b. Spur long, cylindrical …………….. Armodorum
………………...............………..…Dendrobium
75a. Pollinia whole, not cleft, split or porate............
60a. Plants always monopodial ………………….. 61 ………………………....................…… Luisiopsis
60b. Plants sympodial ……………..…………….... 85 75b. Pollinia more or less but not completely cleft or
61a. Pollen masses completely divided ..…………62 split or porate ………..............................……. 76
61b. Pollen masses not so ...………………………..75 76a. Pollinia porate ………........……………………77
62a. Column foot distinct …………………………. 63 76b. Pollinia cleft or split ……………..……………80
62b. Column foot absent ...…………………………67 77a. Leaves terete ………………....…………. Luisia
63a. Lip with a distinct spur or sac………………..64 77b. Leaves dorsiventral ………………………….. 78
63b. Lip with no distinct spur or sac …………….. 65 78a. Spur short, saccate; epichile margined with hairs
64a. Spur with a longitudinal septum.....Cleisostoma …….….....................................…… Gastrochilus
64b. Spur without a septum …………… Kingidium 78b. Spur long, cylindric or extinctoriform ..……. 79
65a. Plants terrestrial or lithophytic; lip with a long 79a. Midlobe ligulate ………………..... Ascocentrum
claw at base ……..............................……. Doritis
79b. Midlobe more or less elliptic …. Holcoglossum
65b. Plants epiphytic; lip without claw …………. 66
80a. Column foot short, distinct ..…………………81
66a. Plants leafy during flowering; operculum
without any fine thread…..........Thrixspermum 80b. Column foot absent or indistinct ……………83
81a. Leaves terete ..………………….. Papilionanthe Reg. 28: misc. 2.1842; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India
81b. Leaves dorsiventral ...................……………… 82 6:62.1890.
82a. Flowers arranged on four sides; spur very 2. Acampe papillosa (Lindl.) Lindl., Fol. Orch.
conspicuous ……..........................…….. Aerides Acampe 2.1853; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN
Orch. Cong. Sing. 74. 1984; Ghatak & Devi in Vij
82b. Flowers distichously arranged; spur lacking (Ed.), Biol. Cons. Cult. Orch. 358. 1986; Seidenfaden,
……………….............................…..Phalaenopsis Opera Bot. 95:49.1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
83a. Stipes short and broad; viscidium broadly Orch. Sci. & Com. 85. 2001. Saccolabium papillosum
orbicular ……..............................…………. Vanda Lindl., Bot. Reg., 18:T. 1552.1833 (excl.syn.); Hook.
f., Fl. Brit. India 6:63. 1890 (excl. syn. Sarcochilus
83b. Stipes linear, often widening apically ……… 84
praemorsus Spreng.); King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot.
84a. Large plants with broad and fleshy leaves Gard. Calcutta 8:219. Pl. 290. 1898.
having many light coloured veins ……….
.........................................................Rhynchostylis Devi and Ghatak reported of this species in Sadar
hills.
84b. Small plants with small leaves and no light
coloured veins ….................................… Uncifera 3. Acampe rigida (Buch.-Ham. ex J. E. Sm.) Hunt,
Kew Bull. 24: 98.1970; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot.
85a. Inflorescence terminal, often branching
95:45.1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci.
……………….......................………. Polystachya
& Com. 85. 2001. Aerides rigida Buch.-Ham. ex J. E.
85b. Inflorescence lateral, always unbranched Sm. in Rees, Cyclop. 39. 1819. Vanda longifolia Lindl.,
…………………...............................………….. 86 Gen. Sp. Orch. 215. 1833. Acampe longifolia
86a. Pollinium with short strap shaped stipes (Lindl.)Lindl., Fol. Orch. Acampe 1.1853; Devi &
………………...............................…………….. 87 Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.74.1984;
Ghatak & Devi in Vij (Ed.), Biol. Cons. Cult.
86b. Pollinium without stipes.................. Cymbidium Orch.358. 1986: Saccolabium longifolium
87a Raceme erect; operculum with two small (Lindl.)Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:62. 1890; King &
processes at apex ….........................… Eulophia Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 220, Pl.
202. 1898. Fig. 3a
87b. Raceme nodding; operculum with no such
processes …….............................…… Geodorum Devi and Ghatak collected this species from Mao in
Northern Manipur. We collected it at Saikul and it
Enumeration flowered subsequently under cultivation at TBGRI.
Acampe Lindl. Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Saikul, flowered
under cultivation 20 June 1996 C. Sathish Kumar 28750
An Old World genus of about 6 epiphytic or
(TBGT!).
lithophytic species characterized by woody habit,
thick and fleshy leaves and brittle flowers marked
by reddish brown stripes. Five species are known Acanthephippium Blume
from India with three in Manipur. An Indo-Malesian genus of a dozen terrestrial
1a. Leaves 4-6 cm broad; spur short, conical............... species characterized by ovoid to clavate, fleshy
..................................................................A. rigida pseudobulbs bearing more than 2 large elliptic-ovate
leaves and a lateral raceme of large strikingly
1b. Leaves less than 2.5 cm broad; spur long, coloured, often jug-shaped flowers. Three species
cylindrical ………………….....……………….. 2 are known from India and one in Manipur.
2a. Inflorescence much branched, as long as or even Acanthephippium sylhetense Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch.
longer than leaves …................…… A. ochracea 117.1833; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 815.1890; Chauhan
2b. Inflorescence unbranched, much shorter than in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 85. 2001.
the leaves …………............………. A. papillosa
Aerides Loureiro
1. Acampe ochracea (Lindl.) Hochr., Bull. N. Y. Bot.
Gard. 6:270.1910; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. An Indo-Malesian genus of about 20 epiphytic species
95:48.1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. with fairly stout stems, thick, fleshy, loriform leaves
& Com. 85. 2001. Saccolabium ochraceum Lindl., Bot. and lateral, simple or branched racemes of large,
usually much showy, variously coloured, often sweet Bot. 89:127.1986; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
scented, long lasting flowers. Eight species are known Sci. & Com. 85. 2001.
to occur in India. Two species are available in
Clarke’s report of this species was from Kohima,
Manipur.
Nagaland. Mukerjee collected it from Lamlang at 2000
1a. Flowers white to white suffused with pink; m. on 21 April 1948. Deb (1961) says it is common at
midlobe turning upwards, much smaller than 1050-2400m.
sidelobes …………...………………...A. odorata
Specimens Examined: Manipur: 11.2.1954 D. B. Deb 1528 &
1b. Flowers purple or pink; midlobe forward 1894 (CAL!); 9.6.1948 Dr S K Mukerjee 3000 (CAL!);
pointing, larger than sidelobes...… A. multiflora December 1907 A. Meebold 6904 (CAL!).
1. Aerides multiflora Roxb., Pl. Corom. 3:68. pl. 2. Agrostophyllum planicaule (Wallich ex Lindl.)
271.1819; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:47. 1890; King & Rchb.f., Walp. Ann. 6:909. 1864; Seidenfaden in Opera
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 212. Pl. Bot. 89:128.1986. Eria planicaulis Wallich ex Lindl.,
283.1898; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Bot. Reg. 28:8. Misc. 4.1840. Agrostophyllum khasianum
Cong. Sing.74. 1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:249. Griffith, Calc. J. Nat. Hist. 4: 378. T.19, 1844; Hook. f.,
1988. Fig. 3b Fl. Brit. India 5: 824.1890; Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25: 72.
Devi and Ghatak reported this species from Imphal. 1889; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta
8: 154. Pl. 210 1898; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):126.
Specimens Examined: INDIA: Manipur: Kangla C. Sathish 1961; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com.
Kumar 28712(TBGT!) 85. 2001.
2. Aerides odorata Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 2: 525.1790; Clarke collected it from the western part at 350 feet.
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 47. 1890; King & Pantling,
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 212. Pl. 282.1898; Anoectochilus Blume
Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. An Indo-Malesian genus of about 35-40 species of
74. 1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95: 242.1988; ground orchids with very attractive foliage and a
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 85. terminal raceme of a few to many flowers. Thirteen
2001. species are known from India with one in Manipur.
Devi and Ghatak recorded this species from Chandel. Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wallich) Lindl., Gen. Sp.
We collected it from Imphal and Thoubal. This Orch. 499.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 95.1890;
species flowered many times under cultivation at Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25:73. 1889; King & Pantling, Ann.
TBGRI. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 293. Pl. 390. 1898; Deb,
Specimens Examined: INDIA:Manipur: Kangla, flowered on Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):126. 1961; Seidenfaden,
24.05.1996 C. Sathish Kumar 28739 (TBGT!) Dansk Bot. Ark. 32(2): 52.1978; Chauhan in Pathak et
al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 85. 2001. Chryopaphus
Agrostophyllum Blume roxburghii Wallich, Tent. Fl. Nepal. 37. fig. 27. 1826.
A genus of about 100 epiphytic species distributed Clarke recorded this species from west Manipur at
from Seychelles through Indo-Malesia to the islands 1000 ft. Pradhan (1976) also tells of its occurrence in
of the Pacific and characterized by long, flattened Manipur.
stems with 2-ranked leaves and terminal heads of
small flowers with sac-shaped lip. Five species are Anthogonium Wallich ex Lindl.
known from India. Two species occur in Manipur.
An interesting monotypic genus represented by A.
1a. Leaves 15-25 mm broad; petals 3 veined............ gracile Wallich ex Lindl. found only in Asian mainland
……….........................…………… A. planicaule from India to China through Nepal, Bhutan,
1b. Leaves to 10-11 mm broad; petals 5 veined...... Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. It is a ground
………………...........………………. A. callosum orchid with tuberous rhizome bearing two plicate
leaves, basally forming a long pseudostem and a long
1. Agrostophyllum callosum Rchb.f. in Seem. Fl. Vit. raceme of a few very attractive, deep pink to white
296. 1868; Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25:72. 1889; Hook. f., flowers.
Fl. Brit. India 5: 824, p. p. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann.
Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 155. Pl. 212.1898; Mukerjee, Anthogonium gracile Wallich ex Lindl., Gen. Sp.
Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):150.1953; Deb, Orch. 426.1840; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:822. 1890;
Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2): 126; Seidenfaden, Opera King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:
b e
Figure 3. a. Acampe rigida (Buch.-Ham. ex J.E. Sm.) Hunt ; b. Aerides multiflora Roxb.; c. Ascocentrum ampullaceum (Roxb.) Schltr.; d. Bulbophyllum
manipurense Sathish & Suresh; e. Cymbidium tigrinum Rchb. f.
96.Pl. 134. 1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Arundina Blume
Edinburgh 21(3):150. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India
3(2):126.1961; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 89:67.1986; Arundina is a monotypic Indo-Malesian genus of
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 85. ground orchids with reedy habit, grass like leaves
2001. and a terminal raceme of large, showy, pinkish-purple
flowers. It enjoys wide distribution in India.
Recording this species from Ukhrul at 2000 m,
Mukerjee commented ‘I saw flowers varying in Arundina graminifolia (D. Don) Hochr., Bull. N. Y.
colour from deep purple to pure white’. Deb Bot. Gard. 6: 270. 1910; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot.
collected it from East Manipur. We collected it in Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):150. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv.
fruits and dried up condition in April at Kasom India 3(2): 126.1961; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to
Khullen, East Manipur and it flowered under Iden. Cult. 439. 1979; Seidenfaden in Opera Bot.
cultivation at TBGRI. 89:16.1986; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci.
& Com. 85. 2001. Bletia graminifolia D. Don, Prodr. Fl.
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Ukhrul S. K. Mukerjee
Nepal. 29. 1825. Arundina chinensis Blume, Bijdr. 402.
5303 (CAL!); East Deb 2530 (CAL!); Khasom Khullen C.
1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 857. 1890. Arundina
Sathish Kumar 28763 (TBGT!).
bambusifolia Lindl., Bot. Reg. 27. misc.2.1841; Hook.
Arachnis Blume f., Fl. Brit.India 5: 857.1890; Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25:
73. 1889; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard.
An Indo-Malesian epiphytic genus of about a dozen Calcutta 8: 113. Pl. 156. 1898.
species characterized by Vanda like habit, fairly long
Clarke’s report was actually from Kohima, Nagaland.
simple or branched racemes of stunningly coloured
Mukerjee recorded this from Ukhrul and said it was
flowers, popularly known as spider orchids. Two
common at lower elevations.
species are believed to occur in India and one in
Manipur. Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur, Kangchup 26.11.1959
D. B. Deb 94 (CAL!); Imphal 16.1.1952 D. B Deb 306 (CAL!);
Arachnis labrosa (Lindl. & Paxt.) Rchb.f., Bot.
Mongonyung 2.8.1953 D. B. Deb 806 (CAL!); Shunju
Centralbl. 28:343. 1886; Tan, Selbyana 2: 367. 1976;
12.9.1956 D. B. Deb 2665 & 26668 (CAL!); Kachching hills
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:140. 1988. Arrhynchium
D. B. Deb 1234 (CAL!); Carong 3500 ft., 16 May 1882 G. Watt
labrosum Lindl. & Paxt., Paxton Fl. Gard. 1:142. 1850.
Renanthera bilinguis Rchb.f., Bonplandia 2:93.1854. 7135 (CAL!); Laireain 5 April 1882, G. Watt 6257 (CAL!);
Arachnanthe bilinguis (Rchb.f.) Benth., J. Linn. Ukhrul 1700 m. 25.6. 1948 Dr S K Mukerjee 3121 (CAL!).
Soc.18:332.1881; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India6:28. 1890; Ascocentrum Schltr.
King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 210.
A small Indo-Malesian genus of about 8 epiphytic
Pl. 280. 1898: Armodorum labrosum (Lindl. & Paxt.)
Schltr., Fed. Repert. 10:197. 1911; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. species characterized by compactly arranged and
Guide to Iden. Cult. 571.1979. exceedingly beautiful flowers with along cylindrical
spur on lip. Three species are known from India. Two
We collected this species from Imphal and it flowered species and a distinct variety are found in Manipur.
under cultivation at TBGRI, one inflorescence lasting
over two years. 1a. Leaves flat, usually dark spotted; spur equalling
ovary .……..…...............………A. ampullaceum
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Imphal C. Sathish
Kumar 28747 (TBGT!). 1b. Leaves terete, unspotted; spur twice as long as
ovary ……………................…… A. himalaicum
Armodorum Breda 1. Ascocentrum ampullaceum (Roxb.) Schltr., Fed.
An Indo-Malesian epiphytic genus of 3 species closely Repert. Beih. 1: 975.1913; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide
related to Arachnis and characterized by narrow and to Iden. Cult.560.1979; Christenson, Amer. Orch.
often spathulate sepals and petals with a long Soc. Bull. 55(2):106. 1986; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot.
cylindrical spur. Only one species is found in India 95: 314.1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
recorded only from Manipur. Sci. & Com. 85. 2001. Aerides ampullacea Roxb., Fl.
Ind. 3: 476. Saccolabium ampullaceum (Roxb.)Lindl.,
Armodorm senapatianum Phukan & Mao, Orch. Rev.
Sert. Orch. T. 17.1838; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 64.
110: 298. 2002.
1890; Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25: 173. 1889; King &
Phukan and Mao described this new species. We Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 220. pl.
haven’t seen any specimen of it. 293. 1898; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):129.1961;
Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Bulbophyllum Thouars
Sing.74. 1984. Fig. 3c
A pantropical genus of about 900 epiphytic or
Clarke collected this species from west Manipur lithophytic species with long, creeping rhizomes
(3000 ft.). Devi and Ghatak found it at Tengnoupal. bearing a series of variously shaped, 1 or 2-leaved
We got specimens from H. B. Singh, the then pseudobulbs having a lateral raceme or umbel of
Orchid Development Officer at Khongapatt. This small but pretty flowers. Eighty six species are
is believed to be a variable species. Pradhan (1979) known from India. Fourteen occure in Manipur
reported a deep orange red form from Nagaland including a new species and a new record for
and Manipur which he called A. ampullaceaum var. India.
aurantiacum.
1a. Flower large, solitary…………...........…………2
Specimens Examined: INDIA: Manipur: Khongapatt
29.03. 1996 C. Sathish kumar 28732 (TBGT!). 1b. Flowers small in raceme or umbel …….........…..4
2. Ascocentrum himalaicum (Deb, Sengupta & 2a. Leafy during flowering………………......……..3

Mallick) Christ., Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 2b. Leafless during flowering……..B. moniliforme
44(2): 256.1987; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
Sci. & Com. 86. 2001. Saccolabium himalaicum Deb, 3a. Pseudobulbs distantly arranged; lateral sepals
Sengupta & Mallick, Bull Bot. Soc. Bengal 22: falcate, sigmoid ………..............……… B. lobbii
213.1968(1970). Holcoglossum junceum Tsi, Acta 3b. Pseudobulbs closely arranged; lateral sepals not
Phytotax. Sin. 20:442. 1982. falcate …………..................……B. leopardinum
This was first collected from Manipur by Kingdon- 4a. Flowers on a raceme ……………………………5
Ward during his 1946 expedition when his trip was
jointly sponsored by the New York Botanic Garden 4b. Flowers on an umbel ………….…………….. 10
and the U. S. Army. This specimen is deposited in
5a. Pseudobulbs 2-leaved ..……….……….B. triste
the Herbarium of New York Botanic Garden. At
CAL there is an old collection from Sima, Kachin 5b. Pseudobulbs 1-leaved …………………....…….6
Hills, Upper Burma (at 6000’ December 1899 Shaik
6a. Flowers 2-3 on a loose inflorescence...................
Mokim 71, CAL!, paratype) and another one from
………………….......…………………. B. reptans
Shemganga, Bhutan (18.11.1964 D. B. Deb 424,
CAL!). 6b. Flowers many on a thick inflorescence ……… 7
Brachycorythis Lindl. 7a. Pseudobulb much reduced…….B. khasyanum
An Old World genus of 33 terrestrial species 7b. Pseudobulbs normal …………………………. 8

(Summerhayes, 1955) characterized by small 8a. Petals triangular acute with irregular edges
tuberoids, long leafy stems which gradually …………………..........…………. B. propinquum
transform into an inflorescence of brightly coloured
flowers. Eight species are known from India. Only 8b. Petals aristate or subulate or with a long thread
one species occurs in Manipur. at apex ……………...............………………….. 9
Brachycorythis galeandra (Rchb. f.) Summerh., Kew 9a. Inflorescence long peduncled; stelidia triangular
Bull. 2:242. 1955; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 114: 42. 1992 ………………..................……….B. manipurense
& Contr. Orch. Fl. Thailand XIII: 9. 1997. Platanthera
9b. Inflorescence short peduncled; stelidia not
galeandra Rchb. f., Linnaea 25: 266. 1852. Habenaria
triangular, forwards curved, more or less obtuse
galeandra (Rchb. f.) Benth., Fl. Hongkong. 363. 1861;
at apex ………………………….. B. careyanum
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:163. p. p. 1890. Habenaria
galeandra var. major Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 164. 1890. 10a. Flowers sweet scented; petal 1-veined.............
Phyllomphax galeandra (Rchb. f.)Schltr., Fed. Repert. ……………………....………. B. odoratissimum
4: 199.1919; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
10b. Flowers not scented; petal 3-veined ………... 11
Edinburgh 21(3): 154. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India
3(2):129.1961. 11a. Lateral sepals more than 25 mm long; stelidia
spathulate …….............…B. reichenbachianum
Mukerjee says this species decorates the open slopes
of Ukhrul at 1800-2100 m. Deb tells us of its occurrence 11b. Lateral sepals less than 20 mm long; stelidia
in Nongmaiching. narrow pointed ……...........…………………. 12
12a. Petals cuspidate.………………… B. guttulatum et al., Threat. End. Orch. Northeast Ind. 10.1984;
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 86.
12b. Petals obtuse………………………...……….. 13
2001.
13a. Scape ± 10 cm long, shorter than the leaves........
7. Bulbophyllum manipurense Sathish et Suresh, sp.
…………………..............…….….B. umbellatum
nov. Figs. 3d, 4
13b. Scape above 20 cm long, longer than the leaves
Pertinens sectorum Careyana Pfitz. e Bulbophyllum.
……………….....................…………….B. elatum
Affinis Bulbophyllum careyanum, B. crassipes et B.
1. Bulbophyllum careyanum (Hook.) Spreng., Syst. nesiotes sed differt a omnis pedunculis longioribus
3: 732.1826; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 760. 1890; King (ad 7 cm), rhachis erectus, sepala dorsalis breviter et
& Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 71. Pl. obtusa, petala ovata vel triangularis et margine erosa,
97. 1898; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(3):145.1979; ad apicem aristata, labium auriculae acuteque
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 86. triangularis et stelidia triangularis et acuminata.
2001. Anisopetalon careyanum Hook., Exot. Fl. 2:Pl. 149.
Type: INDIA, Manipur; East; Kason Khullen. 700 m.
1825.
18 April 1996. C. Sathish Kumar 28751 (Holotype and
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Kasom Khullen Isotypes, TBGT). Flowered under cultivation at
23.03.1996 C. Sathish Kumar 28719 (TBGT!). TBGRI on 12 June 1997.
2. Bulbophyllum elatum (Hook. f.) J. J. Smith, Bull. Belonging to Sect. Careyana Pfitz. of Bulbophyllum and
Buitenz. 2. s. 8:23.1912; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot.Ark. allied to B. careyanum, B. crassipes and B. nesiotes
29(1): 210.1973; Garay et al., Nord. J. Bot. 14(6):628. Seidenf. but differing in the longer peduncled
1994. Cirrhopetalum elatum Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: inflorescence, erect rachis, much shorter and blunter
775. 1890 & Ic. Pl. 21:T. 2052. 1891; King & Pantling, dorsal sepal and triangular, 2 mm long stelidia.
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 93.Pl. 130.1898;
Pseudobulbous herbs. Rhizome 4-5 mm thick, plurinodal
and nodes ensheathed. Pseudobulbs 4.5-5 x 2-2.5 cm,
2001.
ellipsoid, slightly laterally compresed, 4 angled, 1
We found this species under cultivation at Thoubal. leaved. Leaves oblong, shortly petioled, 20-20.5 x 2.5-
3. Bulbophyllum guttulatum (Hook. f.) Balakr., J. 3 cm, unequally and obtusely 2-lobed at apex.
Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 67: 66.1970; Shukla & Baishya, Inflorescence a lateral erect raceme of dense flowers;
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 76: 227.1979; Garay et al., scape 7 cm long, subtended by copular bracts below.
Nord. J. Bot. 14(6): 631.1994. Bulbophyllum umbellatum Flowers orange yellow to brown with dirty smell;
Lindl., Bot. Reg. 31: t. 44. 1845, not Lindl. 1830. floral bracts 5 x 2.8-3 mm, ovate, gland-dotted, 3-
Cirrhopetalum guttulatum Hook. f., F. Brit. Ind. 5: 776. veined and acute at apex; dorsal sepal 3.5 - 4 x 2 mm,
1890. oblong-ovate, obtuse, 3-veined, gland dotted; lateral
sepals 5 x 3 mm, elliptic ovate, boat-shaped, 4 veined,
Shukla and Baishya reported this species as occurring gland dotted, acute at apex; petals triangular ovate,
in Tipaimukh road at 1350 m. on Albizzia sp. 2.2 x 1.5 mm, 1-veined, margins erose, aristate at apex;
4. Bulbophyllum khasyanum Griffith, Not. 3:284. lip thick and fleshy with two triangular auricles at
1851; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(3): 180. 1979. base; auricles 2.5 x 2 mm, medianly grooved, obtuse
B. cylindraceum var. khasyanum Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India at apex; column 2 mm long with 1 mm long stelidia
5:765. 1890. B. cylindraceum auct. non Lindl.; King & above and 2 mm long column foot below to which
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 70. Pl. 96. lateral sepals, petals and lip are attached; operculum
1898. 1 mm, 2-celled with 2 pollinia. Fruits not observed.
5. Bulbophyllum leopardinum (Wallich) Lindl., Gen. Flowering: May-June
Sp. Orch. 48.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 756. 1890; Habitat: Evergreen forests at 700 m.
Pl. 92. 1898; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(3): 28. Occurrence: India, Manipur, Kasom Khullen.
1979; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. Distribution: Endemic.
86. 2001. Dendrobium leopardinum Wallich, Tent. Fl.
Nepal. 1: 39. t. 28. 1824. Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur, Kasom Khullen:
Flowered under cultivation on 12 June 1997, C. Sathish
6. Bulbophyllum lobbii Lindl., Bot. Reg. sub T. Kumar 28751 (holo and iso, TBGT!).
29.1847; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 755. 1890;
Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(3):21.1979; Kataki Note: We sent a series of sketches, photographs and
observations on our collection to Paul Ormerod 8. Bulbophyllum moniliforme Parish & Rchb. f.,
(Australia) who discovered the novelty and Trans. Linn. Soc.30:151.1874; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India
commented on the affinities in 1999. 5:757. 1890; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(3):
4 mm
2 mm
2 mm
b
c d
3 mm
2 mm
f
2 mm
5 cm
2 mm
a
h
Figure 4. Bulbophyllum manipurense Sathish & Suresh. – a. Habit; b. Floral bract; c. Dorsal sepal; d. Petal; e. Lateral sepal; f. Lip; g. Flower, side view
(sepals & petals removed); h. Column (after CSK 28751).
49.1979; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & identification of this species was confirmed by Paul
Com. 86. 2001. Ormerod who studied Hosseus’ type from Doi
Suthep, Thailand preserved at C. We checked at BKF
This species is leafless during flowering with closely
arranged glossy green pseudobulbs, solitary flower but there was no specimen of this species available
having a fat blunt nose and a red lip. there.
9. Bulbophyllum odoratissimum (J. E. Sm.) Lindl., 11. Bulbophyllum reichenbachianum Krzl., Bot.
Gen. Sp. Orch. 55.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India5:758. Jahrb. 17:49. 1893; Garay et al., Nord. J. Bot. 14(6):
1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 627.1994. Bulbophyllum mannii Rchb. f., Flora 55:
8: 79. Pl. 109.1898; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(3): 275.1872, non Hook. f. 1864. Cirrhopetalum mannii
76.1979; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & (Rchb. f.) Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh
Com. 86. 2001. Stelis odoratissima J. E. Sm. in Ress 21(3):151. 1953.
Cyclop. 34:12. 1814. Garay et al. found this species distinct from B.
Flower has an orange lip. delictescens Hance in which it was synonymized.
Mukerjee found this species in Ukhrul at 1500 m.
10. Bulbophyllum propinquum Krzl., Orchis 2:62.
1908; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(3): 123. 1979. 12. Bulbophyllum reptans (Lindl.)Lindl., Gen. Sp.
Fig. 5 Orch. 51.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:768. 1890; King
& Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 78. Pl.
Pseudobulbous epiphytes. Pseudobulbs conical, pale 106. 1898; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(3):
green, 2.7 x 1.7 cm, 1-leaved. Leaves oblong, 14.2 x 1.8 109.1979; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. &
cm, obtusely bilobed at apex. Inflorescence a lateral Com. 86. 2001. Tribrachia reptans Lindl., Coll. Bot. T.
raceme; scape about 4 cm long, pale green, lower 41 a. 1826.
portion covered with 3-4 cupular bracts, fairly densely
flowered, reddish brown in colour; bracts 5 x 2.5 cm, Flowers are 2-3 on a loose raceme.
3-veined, gland dotted, ovate, pale green with light 13. Bulbophyllum triste Rchb. f., Walp. Ann. 6: 253.
brown at base; dorsal sepal 4.5 x 3 mm, 5-veined, 1861; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:768. 1890; King &
thickly gland dotted, oblong-ovate with acute apex Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 73. Pl. 98
having deep violet striations on the dorsal side; lateral
1898; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(3): 213.1979;
sepals 6.5 x 3.5-4 mm, 5-veined, sparingly gland
dotted, widely obovate with rounded apex, joined at
2001.
the apices; petals 1.2 x 2 mm, triangular, broader than
long, 1veined, gland dotted, slightly oblique at base, This is a two-leaved species.
acuminate at apex; lip thick and fleshy, 3.5 x 2 mm,
14. Bulbophyllum umbellatum Wallich ex Lindl.,
auricled at base, papillate at the median region,
Gen. Sp. Orch. 56.1830; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot.Ark.
papillae small, auricles with irregular edge, obtuse
29(1):178.1973; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
at apex; column 2.5 mm long, stelids 1 mm long with
Sci. & Com. 86. 2001. Cirrhopetalum maculosum Lindl.,
irregular edge, column foot 2 mm long to which lateral
Bot. Reg. 27, misc. 81.1841; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:
sepals and lip are attached; operculum less than 1
776. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard.
mm, grooved at apex, 2-celled with 2 pairs of pollinia.
Calcutta 8: 95. Pl. 132. 1898.
Fruits not seen.
Flowering: February-March Calanthe R. Br.
Habitat: In evergreen forests at 700 m. Calanthe is a pantropical genus of about 150 species
of large terrestrial or rarely epiphytic orchids with or
Occurrence: India, Manipur, Kasom Khullen without pseudobulbs bearing large plicate leaves and
Distribution: India and Thailand a lateral raceme of large showy and variously
coloured flowers. Twenty five species are known from
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur, Kasom Khullen: India. Seven species occur in Manipur.
Forest near a military camp, C. Sathish Kumar 28755 (TBGT!).
1a. Bracts caducuous...............................C. densiflora
Note: This was originally described by Kraenzlin
based on Hosseus collection from Thailand where it 1b. Bracts persistent ……………………………….2
was until now believed to be endemic. Our collection 2a. Spur nil or minute ……………………………. 3
from Manipur is thus a new record for India. It was
introduced into TBGRI where it flowered in 1998. Our 2b. Spur 4 mm or more long ………………………5
c d
h
2 mm 2 mm 1 mm
2 mm
3 mm
5 cm
2 mm
a j
1 mm i
Figure 5. Bulbophyllum propinquum Krzl. – a. Habit; b. Floral bract; c. Dorsal sepal; d. Petal; e. Lateral sepal; f. Lip (side view); g. Lip front view; h. Flower
(sepals and petals removed); i. Column; j. Operculum with pollinia (after CSK 28755).
3a. Lip with sidelobes ………….………………… 4 5. Calanthe mannii Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:850.1890;
3b. Lip without sidelobes…………….….C. biloba
2001.
4a. Disc with 3 small conical lamellae................
J. D. Hooker based his description of this species on
…………………………C. brevicornu var. wattii
specimens collected by Duthie from Kumaon and
4b. Disc with 3 large crenulate fleshy ridges Mann and Clarke from Meghalaya.
………………........……………… C. tricarinata
6. Calanthe sylvatica (Thouars) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch.
5a. Spur short, conical, pubescent ………C. mannii 250.1833; Seidenfaden & Wood, Orch. Penin. Mal.
5b. Spur long (10-50 mm), terete, glabrous ………..6 Sing. 167. 1992; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 124:17. 1995.
Centrosis sylvatica Thouars, Iles. Aust. Afr. T. 35,
6a. Flowers white; sidelobes and lobules of midlobe 36.1822. Bletia masuca D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 30.
subsimilar …………….....................…….angusta 1825. Calanthe masuca (D. Don) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch.
6b. Flowers mauve to purple/rose; midlobe much 249.1833; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:850.1890;
larger than sidelobes…...............….. C. sylvatica Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot.Ark. 29(2):19.1975; Chauhan
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 86. 2001.
1. Calanthe angusta Lindl., Fol. Orch. Calanthe 7.1854;
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India5:849. 1890; King & Pantling, This is a species widespread from Africa to Asia.
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8::171. Pl. 232.1898; 7. Calanthe tricarinata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 252.
Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): 1833; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:847.1890; Chauhan in
150.1953; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot.Ark. 29(2):12.1975; Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 86. 2001.
Kataki et al. Threat. End. Orch. Northeast Ind. 13.1984;
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 86. Lip of this species is brown purple with disc bearing
2001. 3 large crenulate fleshy ridges.
Watt collected this species in 1882 at an altitude of Cephalanthera L. C. Rich.

3500 ft. Mukerjee recorded it from Ukhrul at 1700 m. A Eurasian terrestrial genus of 14 temperate species
2. Calanthe biloba Lindl., Fol. Orch. Calanthe 3.1854; characterized by creeping rhizome, conduplicate
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:848. 1890; King & Pantling, leaves and glabrous raceme of many white flowers.
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 169.Pl. 228.1898; Three species are known from India and only one
Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): species occurs in Manipur.
150. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):126.1961; Cephalanthera longifolia (L.) Fritsch in Oest. Bot.
Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 29(2):11.1975; Chauhan Zeitschr. 38: 81. 1888; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 86. 2001. Orch. Sci. & Com. 86. 2001. Serapias helleborine var.
Mukerjee recorded this species from Ukhrul. longifolia L., Sp. Pl. 950. 1753. Cephalanthera ensifolia
L. C. Rich. in Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat. 4: 60.1818; Hook.
3. Calanthe brevicornu Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:125. 1890.
251.1830; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh
21(3): 150. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India This is a widely distributed species from temperate
3(2):126.1961; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. and Mediterranean Eurasia to the Himalayas.
Sci. & Com. 86.2001.
Cephalantheropsis Guillaumin
Mukerjee found this species at Sirohee, while Deb
recorded it both from Sirohee and Koupru. J. D. An Indo-Malesian genus of 5 species (Ormerod, 1998)
Hooker (1890) described a var. wattii under this of terrestrial orchids characterized by elongate, laxly
species based on Watt’s collection from Manipur. This leaved stems and axillary inflorescence of small
specimen is available at CAL. Mukerjee collected this flowers. Two species are known to occur in India and
variety also from Tuishar at 1800. both are found in Manipur.
4. Calanthe densiflora Lindl., Gen.Sp.Orch. 250. 1833; 1a. Sidelobes of lip falcate to uncinate, acute;
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:855. 1890; Chauhan in Pathak midlobe emarginate ……....……..C. obcordata
et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 86.2001; Ormerod, Oasis 1b. Sideloboes of lip truncate, rounded, crenate;
Suppl. 2: 7. 2001. midlobe flabelliform …......……… C. longipes
Ormerod added Phaius epiphyticus Seidenf. from 1. Cephalantheropsis obcordata (Lindl.) Ormerod,
Thailand as a synonym of this species. Orch. Dig. 62(4): 157. 1998. Bletia obcordata Lindl., Gen.
Sp. Orch. 128. 1831. Calanthe gracilis Lindl., Gen. Sp. 1a. Leaves dorsiventral………………….............… 2
Orch. 251. 1833; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 855. 1890;
1b. Leaves terete ………………………...........……. 3
Pl. 222. 1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. 2a. Leaf tip triangular, acuminate acute; scape pink
Edinburgh 21(3): 151. 1953. Calanthe tubifera Hook. in colour …….................……………..C. discolor
f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 855. 1890.
2b. Leaf tip broad obtuse; scape light yellow in
Ormerod who made a detailed study of the genus colour …………............…………C. racemiferum
found that the oldest name which could be applied
3a. Stipes of pollinia mitre-shaped....C. williamsonii
for the plant recorded from northeastern states was
Bletia obcordata Lindl. originating from Sylhet in 3b. Stipes of pollinia not mitre-shaped, linear.........4
Bangladesh and accordingly effected its transfer to
4a. Backwall callus nearly pentagonal or heart-
Cephalantheropsis.
shaped .. ……………........…………. C. filiforme
2. Cephalantheropsis longipes (Hook. f.) Ormerod,
4b. Backwall callus with side horns.........................5
Orch. Dig. 61(4):156. 1998. Calanthe longipes Hook. f.,
Fl. Brit. India 6:195. 1890. Phaius longipes (Hook. f.) 5a. Backwall callus sagittate, lower end bilobed
Holtt., Gard. Bull. Str. Settl. 11:286. 1947; Deb, Bull. with spiny projections …..........….. C. rolfeanum
Bot. Surv. India 3(2): 129. 1961.
5b. Backwall callus diamond shaped ................
Deb reported two collections from Lamdom and ..................................................C. appendiculatum
Koupru.
1. Cleisostoma appendiculatum (Lindl.) Benth. &
Ceratostylis Blume Hook. f. ex Jacks., Ind. Kew. 1: 555. 1895; Seidenfaden,
Dansk Bot. Ark. 29(2):58.1975; Chauhan in Pathak et
An Indo-Malesio-Polynesian genus about 100 al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 87. 2001. Aerides
epiphytic species with densely tufted stems bearing appendiculata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 242. 1833.
thick and fleshy linear-lanceolate leaves and small Sarcanthus appendiculatus (Lindl.) Parish in Mason,
flowers. Three species are known from India. Only Burma 2:181.1883; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 67. 1890
one species has been recorded from Manipur. & Ic. Pl. 2136. 1893.
Ceratostylis himalaica Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:826. 2. Cleisostoma discolor Lindl., Edward’s Bot. Reg.
1890 & Ic. Pl. T. 2101.1892; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide
31: misc. 59.1845; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:75. 1890;
to Iden. Cult. 431. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 89:
Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 29(2):12. 1975.
117.1986. Ritaia himalaica (Hook. f.)King & Pantl., Ann.
Sarcanthus termissus Rchb. f., Hamb. Gartenz. 16: 15.
Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:157. Pl. 214. 1898; Chauhan
1860; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 75. 1890. Sarcanthus
macrodon Rchb. f, Gard. Chron. 1555. 1875.
Chiloschista Lindley Saccolabium rostellarum Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 59.
1890 & Ic. Pl. T. 2132. 1893. Sarcanthus auriculatus
An Indo-Malesian genus of about 20 epiphytic species Rolfe, Kew Bull. 1895: 9. 1895. Fig. 6
with a bunch of green, often flattened roots on a small
central stem bearing one or more clusters of attractive Epiphytes with 7 cm long stem. Leaves flat, 9.5-17 x
flowers. Leaves precede flowering. Four species are 1.5-19 cm, unequally bilobed at apex with a mucro in
known from India. Only one species occurs in between, lobes acute or acuminate at apex.
Manipur. Inflorescence 9.5-28.5 cm long, branched, arising from
the base of the stem, deep purple in colour. Flowers
Chiloschista parishii Seidenf., Opera Bot. yellow, 7 mm across sidelobes; floral bracts 1.25x 1
95:176.1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. mm, triangular, pale brown; sepals and petals greyish
& Com. 86. 2001. yellow; dorsal sepal 4-4.5 x 2-2.25 mm, ovate, 3-
veined, gland dotted, lateral sepals 4-4.25 x 2-2.25
Cleisostoma Blume mm, 3-veined, ovate, gland dotted; petals 3.25-4 x 2
An Indo-Malesian genus of about 100 epiphytic species mm, ovate, 3-veined, gland dotted, obtuse at apex;
characterized by the presence of variously ornamented lip off white in colour, 3-lobed, sidelobes oblong with
backwall callus in the lip of flowers. Nineteen species dentate margin and a callus plate within, midlobe
are known from India. Four species are recorded earlier triangular, folded upward towards the column; spur
from Manipur. We add two more, Cleisostoma discolor off white, 4.5 mm long, completely septate inside,
Lindl. and C. williamsonii (Rchb. f.) Garay. backwall callus slightly bilobed at apex having
minute papillae; column 2 mm long, rostellum conical This is a new record for the state. We collected this
pink in colour, operculum 2 celled with a deep pink species from Tupul and introduced it into TBGRI. It
line, 1.75 x 1.25 mm; pollinia 4 in two equally divided frequently flowers in the garden. Peduncle of the
halves, stipe 1.25 mm long, spathulate and inflorescence is characteristically deep purple in
transparent. Fruits not observed. colour, flimsy and often branched with creamy
3 mm
2 mm
1 mm
h j
1 mm
c
5 cm
4 mm
Figure 6. Cleisostoma discolor Lindl. – a. Habit; b. Flower (front view); c. Floral bract; d. Dorsal sepal; e. Petal; f. Lateral sepal; g. Flower (cut through
column and lip); h. Column and lip (cut through spur) showing backwall callus (after CSK 28743).
yellow flowers. Ormerod sent us a series of sketches with tubular sheaths at the base. Flowers 7 mm in
after types proving C. discolor Lindl. as the oldest length and 5 mm across; ovary with pedicel 7 mm
name. long, light purple; floral bract triangular, 1.5 x 1mm,
1-veined; dorsal sepal 3 x 2 mm, 3 veined, entire,
Flowering: May-June (under cultivation).
gland dotted, oblong, reflexed; lateral sepals 4 x 2.5
Habitat: Evergreen forests at 800 m. mm, reflexed, 3 veined, gland dotted, oblong, entire,
Occurrence: India, Manipur, Tupul. dark purplish brown; petals 2.5 x 1 mm, linear, obtuse
at apex, one veined, reflexed, dark purplish brown;
Distribution: India, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaya, lip 5 mm long, 3 lobed, white; sidelobes oblong with
Sumatra and Java. upper margins wavy, converging; midlobe triangular,
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Tupul. Flowered 3 lobulate, sidleobes small and less than 1 mm, middle
under cultivation 3 June 1996 C.Sathish Kumar 28743 lobule 1.5 mm, inwardly folded towards the column,
(TBGT!); 2 June 1997, C. Sathish Kumar 28762 (TBGT!). tinged with light purple; backwall callus sagittate,
broader than long, the lower end bilobed with small
3. Cleisostoma filiforme (Lindl.) Garay, Bot. Mus. spiny projections, a pair of papillate structures occur
Leafl. Harv. Univ. 23(4):171.1972; Seidenfaden, Dansk behind the backwall callus near the septum; septum
Bot. Ark. 29(2):55; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. near the base of the spur; spur 2-lobed, globose, 2
Sci. & Com. 87. 2001. Sarcanthus filiformis Lindl., Bot. mm long; column short, white, 3 mm long with
Reg. 28, misc. 61.1842; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 66. distinct column foot having small papillae;
1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta operculum 2-celled, 1.5 x 1.25, purple, acute at apex;
8: 240. Pl. 319. 1898. pollinia 4 in two unequal pairs, stipe 1 mm long,
Devi and Ghatak reported one ‘Sarcanthus filiformis transparent, mitre shaped, viscidium pink. Fruit not
Wight’ from Khongampatt. Wight’s type was from observed.
Southern India and it now belongs to a genus of its This species was reported as a new record for India
own called Seidenfadeniella, found only in Southern from Manipur by Phukan and Mao (2004). It was
India and Sri Lanka. Devi and Ghatak’s plant could originally described by King and Pantling based on
be C. filiforme (Lindl.) Garay, recorded from the Peche’s collection from Moulmein, Myanmar.
neighbouring states. We have not seen their specimen. Seidenfaden (1975) recorded it from Thailand, its
4. Cleisostoma racemiferum (Lindl.) Garay, Bot. Mus. eastern limit. This species is very characteristic with
Leafl. Harv. Univ. 23(4): 173. 1972; Seidenfaden, its very peculiar backwall callus. We collected this
Dansk Bot. Ark. 29(3): 16.1975; Chauhan in Pathak et species from Kasom Khullen.
al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 87. 2001. Saccolabium Flowering: May-June
racemiferum Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 224. 1833.
Sarcanthus pallidus Lindl., Bot. Reg. 27, misc. 78.1840; Habitat: Evergreen forests at 700 m.
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:68. 1890; King & Pantling, Occurrence: India, Manipur, Kasom Khullen.
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 241. Pl. 320. 1898.
Sarcanthus lorifolius Parish ex Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India Distribution: India, Myanmar and Thailand.
6: 69. 1890 & Ic. Pl. T. 2139. 1893. Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur, Kasom Khullen:
We couldn’t collect this species from Manipur and is Cultivated at TBGRI, 3 June 1996 C. Sathish Kumar 28742
included on the authority of Chauhan. We have a (TBGT!); Senapati Hills, A. A. Mao 68282 (ASSAM).
collection at TBGRI from Arunachal Pradesh MYANMAR: Moulmein: Peche s. n. (CAL!, type).
flowering frequently. 6. Cleisostoma williamsonii (Rchb. f.) Garay, Bot.
5. Cleisostoma rolfeanum (King & Pantl.) Garay, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 23(4): 176.1972; Seidenfaden,
Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 23(4):174.1972; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot.Ark. 29(2):50.1975. Sarcanthus williamsonii
Dansk Bot.Ark. 29(2):57. 1975; Phukan & Mao, Orch. Rchb.f., Hamb. Gaertnez. 21:353. 1865.
Rev. 112:115. 2004. Sarcanthus rolfeanus King & Pantl., Pendulous epiphytes. Stems 20 cm long and 0.3 cm thick,
Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 66(3): 594. 1897. Fig. 7 cylindrical, internodes 1.5-2.5 cm apart. Leaves 4.5-8
Pendulous epiphytes. Stem slender, 6-30 cm long, 0.18- cm long, terete, rounded at apex. Inflorescence 12 cm
0.25 cm thick, internodes 1.5- 3 cmm long, deeply long arising from the middle of the internode, many
purple dotted. Leaves terete, acute, 8-16 x 0.2-0.25 cm, flowered; floral bracts shorter than the ovary, ovate-
green with purple spots. Inflorescence above the axil, lanceolate. Flowers white, 5 mm across; sepals ovate-
opposite to the leaves, 5 cm long; peduncle purple oblong; petals smaller, oblong; lip 3-lobed, sidelobes
erect, oblong-obtuse, subfalcate, midlobe incurved We found this species at Kasom Khullen near the
fleshy, thickly clawed, spur globose, backwall callus Army Camp, growing pendulosly on lofty trees. This
bilobed at both ends having small papillae at the is a new state record.
distal lobes; pollinia 2, minute, subglobose, unequally
divided. Fruit not seen. Flowering: April-May
a 3 mm
c d
1 cm
4 mm
e b
3 mm
f
CSK 28742
1 mm
4 mm
1 mm
i
h
Figure 7. Cleisostoma rolfeanum (King & Pantl.) Garay – a. Flower (side view); b. Floral bract; c. Dorsal sepal; d. Lateral sepal; e. Petal; f. Column with spur
mouth showing the backwall callus; g. Operculum; h. Pollinarium; i. Section of spur showing backwall callus and lateral calli.
Habitat: Evergreen forests 9b. Flowers mostly yellow to yellowish green

……………………..........…………… C. prolifera
Occurrence: India, Manipur, Sikkim.
10a. Midlobe margins fimbriate; keels 2 or 3
Distribution: India, Bhutan, Thailand, China, Malaya,
………………………….........…………………..11
Sumtra, Java, Borneo.
10b. Midlobe margins undulate; keels 3 or 4
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur, Kasom Khullen:
..…………………...…….………… C. micrantha
Flowered under cultivation on 6th May 1996, C. Sathish
Kumar s. n. (TBGT!). 11a. Lip fimbriate……………………….. C. fimbriata
Coelogyne Lindley 11b. Lip margined with black hairs …….... C. ovalis
12a. Ovary hairy or papillate …………. C. pulverula
An Indo-Malesian genus of about 200 species
(Clayton, 2002) of epiphytic or lithophytic orchids 12b. Ovary glabrous ………………………………..13
with variously shaped and clustered, 2-leaved
13a. Sepals, petals and lip margins generally
pseudobulbs on a thick rhizome and bearing terminal
undulate ……………......……………C. cristata
raceme of very showy flowers. India is known have
35 species. Twenty are found in Manipur. 13b. Sepals, petals and lip margins not undulate
……………………...............……………..……..14
1a. All flowers opening at the same time
……………………………………..……………. 2 14a. Petals and sepals of equal width ………..…...15
1b. All flowers not opening at the same time 14b. Petals always narrower than sepals ……..…..17
…………………………………….........……….12
15a. Inflorescence hysteranthous ……..C. punctulata
2a. Scape with imbricating sterile bracts at the
15b. Inflorescence proteranthous to synanthous......16
junction of peduncle and rachis …….....…….. 3
16a. Pseudobulbs 7.5-10 cm long ………… C. nitida
2b. Scape with imbricating sterile bracts mainly at
the base of the peduncle……............…………10 16b. Pseudobulbs 2.5-4 cm long …… C. corymbosa
3a. Rachis producing single set of flowers ……….4 17a. Lip with thin membraneous margins.........
…………….....…………………… C. suaveolens
3b. Rachis extending with new imbricating bracts
to produce further annual sets of flowers.........8 17b. Lip with firm edges…………………..………. 18
4a. Lip with 5 keels …………………….C. griffithii 18a. Inflorescence heteranthous ………. C. flaccida
4b. Lip with 2 or 3 keels …………………....………5 18b. Inflorescence proteranthous to synanthous......19
5a. Dorsal sepal more than 1.5 cm long ........…….6 19a. Leaves lanceolate-linear with 3 very prominent
veins …………...........................…….. C. trinervis
5b. Dorsal sepal less than 1.5 cm long......C. ghatakii
19b. Leaves linear, finely nerved ………. C. viscosa
6a. Lip with fimbriate keels…....……… C. barbata
1. Coelogyne barbata Griffith, Itin. Not. 3: 280.1851;
6b. Lip with crenulate or dentate keels ………….. 7
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:839.1890; Mukerjee, Notes
7a. Midlobe of lip broadly ovate, 3 lobulate with 3 Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): 151. 1953; Deb, Bull.
minute dentate to entire and undulate keels near Bot. Surv. India 3(2):126.1961; Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl.
the base, keels becoming irregular papillae India 5: 7.1980; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
……..................................................... C. holochila Sci. & Com. 87. 2001 Clayton, The Genus Coelogyne
32. 2002.
7b. Midlobe of lip suborbicular or cordate, margin
erose, 2 crenulate keels terminating at the base Griffith’s type originated in Mawsmai, Meghalaya.
of the midlobe …………………………C. stricta George Watt was the first to collect this species from
Manipur (George Watt 7452, CAL!) followed by
8a. Pseudobulbs ovoid or ellipsoid ........................ 9
Meebold in December 1907 (Meebold 6926, CAL!) and
8b. Pseudobulbs cylindric or narrowly Mukerjee (Dr S. K. Mukerjee 3238, CAL!). Deb also
ovoid……………………………........C. longipes collected this species.
9a. Flowers white to brown, sidelobes of lip 2. Coelogyne corymbosa Lindl., Fol. Orch. Coelogyne
brown…………………........………. C. schultesii 7.1852; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 831. 1890; King &
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 134. T. J. D. Hooker described this species based on Watt’s
185.1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh collection (6780, CAL!) from Khongui Valley in
21(3): 161. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):126. Manipur and Griffith’s collection from Patkoye Mts
1961; Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl India 5: 9. 1980; Chauhan in (5091, K), Upper Assam.
Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 87. 2001; Clayton,
8. Coelogyne holochila P. F. Hunt & Summerh.,
The Genus Coelogyne 187. 2002.
Kew Bull. 20:52. 1966; Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl India 5:
Mukerjee recorded this species from Ukhrul at 15. 1980; Clayton, The Genus Coelogyne 35. 2002. C.
2000 m. elata W. J. Hook., Bot. Mag. 83:t.5001.1857, non Lindl.
1830.
3. Coelogyne cristata Lindl., Coll. Bot. sub t. 33.1821;
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 829. 1890; King & Pantling, This species was described by Hunt and
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 133. Pl. 184.1898; Das Summerhayes who found that one of the Coelogynes
& Jain, Fasc. Fl. India 5:9.1980; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. drawn in Karenzlin and Pfitzer’s monograph did not
5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 74.1984; Ghatak & Devi represent the true C. elata Lindl. Kew had several
in Vij (Ed.) Biol. Cons. Cult. Orch. 358.1986; Chauhan collections of this species which Hunt and
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 87. 2001; Summerhayes used for drawing up a description.
Clayton, The Genus Coelogyne 173. 2002.
9. Coelogyne longipes Lindl., Fol. Orch. Coelogyne
Devi and Ghatak reported this species from Ukhrul 10.1954; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:839.1890;
at 1900 m. Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 29(2):80.1975; Das &
4. Coelogyne fimbriata Lindl., Bot. Reg. 11: Jain, Fasc. Fl. India 5: 16.1980; Ormerod, Austr. Orch.
T.868.1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:836.1890; Rev. 62(1): 22. 1997; Clayton, The Genus Coelogyne
Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): 44. 2002.
151. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):126.1961; Slender cylindric to very narrowly ovoid
Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl.India 5: 10.1980; Chauhan in pseudobulbs, lemon yellow flowers with lip broadly
Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 87. 2001; Clayton, margined brown on sidelobes and epichile are very
The Genus Coelogyne 51. 2002. characteristic of this species. Mukerjee collected it
Mukerjee recorded this species from Khangkhui at from Ukhrul at 1900 m. on 4.9.1948 (Dr S. K. Mukerjee
2300 m. 3439, CAL!). Sinha reported it in 1954 from Mao at
8000’ (S. C. Sinha 1893, CAL!)
5. Coelogyne flaccida Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 39.1830;
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 829.1890; King & Pantling, 10. Coelogyne micrantha Lindl., Gard. Chron.
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 133. Pl. 183. 1898; 173.1855; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 836.1890 &
Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 29(2):38. 1975; Das & 6:194.1890; Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl. India 5: 16. 1980.
Jain, Fasc. Fl. India 5: 10.1980; Chauhan in Pathak et Flowers of this species are pale brown, c. 1 cm across;
al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 87. 2001; Clayton, The lip has a broadly oblong and retuse midlobe, pale
Genus Coelogyne 51. 2002. brown with dark brown spots.
Das and Jain included this species in the revision as 11. Coelogyne nitida (Wallich ex D. Don) Lindl.,
occurring in Manipur. Coll. Bot. Sub T. 33.1822; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot.
6. Coelogyne ghataki Paul, Basu & Biswas, J. Bombay Ark. 29(2):53.1975; Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl. India 5:
Nat. Hist. Soc. 86(3):425. 1989; Clayton, The Genus 19.1980; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. &
Coelogyne 34. 2002. Com. 87. 2001; Clayton, The Genus Coelogyne 189.
2002. Cymbidium nitidum Wallich ex D. Don, Prodr.
This species was described based on Dr J. N. Ghatak’s Fl. Nepal. 35. 1825. Coelogyne ochracea Lindl., Bot.
collection from Imphal Valley. It is related to C. Reg. T. 69, 1846; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:831. 1890;
griffthii Hook. f. but differs in having a shorter King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:
inflorescence bearing yellow flowers, 3 veined sepals, 132. Pl. 182. 1898:
smaller petals and lip with ovate-oblong sidelobes
and 2 keels. Devi and Ghatak reported this species from Mao at
1757 m. We got our specimens from Khongampatt.
7. Coelogyne griffithii Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 838.
1890 & Ic. Pl. t. 2108.1894; Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl. India Specimens Examined: INDIA: Manipur; Kason Khullen,
5: 12.1980; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. flowered under cultivation 25.11.1996 C. Sathish Kumar
& Com. 87. 2001; Clayton, The Genus Coelogyne 35. 2002. 28752 (TBGT!).
12. Coelogyne ovalis Lindl., Bot. Reg. 24:91, misc. 33. 1975. C. flavida auct. non Lindl.:Seidenfaden,
171.1838; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:836. 1890; King & Dansk Bot.Ark. 29(2):82, p. p. fig. 37 & 38. 1975.
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 135. Pl.
This was described by Jain and Das who sorted out
the allied species around C. prolifera Lindl. At CAL
21(3):151.1953; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot.Ark.
there is a specimen collected by Meebold (4766, CAL!)
29(2):23.1975; Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl. India 5: 23.1980;
from Laimatak (5000’) in February 1906 and
determined by S. J. Das as belonging to this species.
2001; Clayton, The Genus Coelogyne 53. 2002.
Ormerod clarified further that several authors have
Mukerjee recorded it from Ukhrul. wrongly called C. schultesii as C. prolifera following
an early misidentification. The flowerless type
13. Coelogyne prolifera Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch.
specimen of C. prolifera even has a sketch of a labellum
40.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 838. 1890; King &
representing C. schultesii glued on to it by Lindley.
190.1898; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 29(2):78.1975; 17. Coelogyne stricta (D. Don) Schltr., Fed. Repert.
Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl. India 5: 23.1980; Devi & Ghatak Beih. IV. 184.1919; Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl. India 5:
Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.74.1984; Ghatak 28.1980; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. &
& Devi in Vij (Ed.), Biol. Cons. Cult. Orch. 358. 1986; Com. 87. 2001; Clayton, The Genus Coelogyne 204.
Ormerod, Austr. Orch. Rev. 62(1):21.1997; Chauhan 2002. Cymbidium strictum D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 87. 2001; 35. 1825. Coelogyne elata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 40.1830;
Clayton, The Genus Coelogyne 44. 2002. C. flavida Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 838. 1890; King & Pantling,
Lindl., Fol. Orch. Coelogyne 10. 1854. Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 136. Pl. 188. 1898.
S. J. Das determined an old specimen (A. Meebold 9219, 18. Coelogyne suaveolens (Lindl.) Hook. f., Fl. Brit.
CAL!) from Lubza as belonging to this species from India 5: 832.1890; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 29(2):
Manipur. Devi and Ghatak reported it from 52.1975; Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl. India 5: 29. 1980; Clayton,
Chinanlong at 1054 m. The genus Coelogyne 204. 2002. Pholidota suaveolens
Lindl., Gard. Chron. 372. 1856.
14. Coelogyne punctulata Lindl., Coll. Bot. Sub t. 33.
1821; Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl. India 5: 24. 1980; Chauhan Seidenfaden cited Clarke’s collection from Manipur.
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 87. 2001; 19. Coelogyne trinervis Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch.
Clayton, The genus Coelogyne 191. 2002. Cymbidium 41.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 832.1890;
nitidum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3:612.1832, non Wallich ex D. Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 29(2): 44.1975; Chauhan
Don 1825. Coelogyne nitida (Roxb.) Hook. f., Fl. Brit. in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 87. 2001;
India 5:837. 1890. Clayton, The Genus Coelogyne 214. 2002.
Das and Jain segregated two forms under this with This is a Burmese species.
the typical one occurring in Manipur.
20. Coelogyne viscosa Rchb. f., Berl. Allg. Gartenz.
15. Coelgyne pulverula Teijsm. & Binnend., Nat. 24: 218. 1856; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 832.1890;
Tijdschr. Ned. Ind. 24:300. 1862. C. dayana Rchb. f., Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 29(2):37.1975; Das &
Gard. Chron. 2: s. 21:826.1824; Seidenfaden, Dansk Jain, Fasc. Fl. India 5: 30.1980; Chauhan in Pathak et
Bot.Ark. 29(2):65.1975; Ghatak & Devi in Vij (Ed.) Biol. al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 87. 2001; Clayton, The
Cons. Cult. Orch. 360. 1986; Clayton, The Genus Genus Coelogyne 215. 2002. Coelogyne graminifolia
Coelogyne 145. 2002. Parish & Rchb. f., Trans. Linn. Soc. 30: 146.1874; Hook.
Ghatak and Devi reported the occurrence of this f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 831.1890.
otherwise Malayan species from Ukhrul. Flowers white with brown streaks on sidelobes and
16. Coelogyne schultesii Jain & Das, Proc. Ind. Acad. a yellow patch on the midlobe.
Sci. 87 B(5):119.1978; Das & Jain, Fasc. Fl. India 5: 28.
Corymborkis Thouars
1980; Ormerod, Austr. Orch. Rev. 62(1):21.1997;
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 87. A pantropical genus of about 5 species (Rasmussen,
2001; Clayton, The Genus Coelogyne 46. 2002. C. 1977) of tall, woody ground orchids with a tuft of
prolifera auct. non Lindl.: Lindl., Fol. Orch. Coelogyne vermiform roots, a long reed like unbranched stem
10.1854 p.p.; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 838.1890. p. p.; bearing narrow elliptic to ovate, leathery leaves and
King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 137, an axillary panicle of white, fragrant flowers. Only
T. 190.1898; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot.Ark. 29(2):78, f. one species occurs in India including Manipur.
Corymborkis veratrifolia (Reinw.) Blume, Col. Orch. 1. Cryptochilus lutea Lindl., J. Linn. Soc. 3: 20.1838;
Arch. Ind. 125, pl. 42-43.1859; Rasmussen, Bot. Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25: 72. 1889; Hook. f., Fl. Brit.
Tidsskr. 71:170. 1977; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. India 5: 827.1890; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
32(2):114.1978; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 87. 2001.
Sci. & Com. 87. 2001. Hysteria veratrifolia Reinw., Nov.
Clarke collected this species from Kohima, Nagaland.
Pl. Ind. Gen. Syll. Pl. Nov. 2:15. 1825-26. Corymbis
veratrifolia (Reinw.) Rchb. f. in Flora 48:184.1885; 2. Cryptochilus sanguinea Wallich, Tent. Fl.Nepal.36.
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 91. 1890. t. 26.1822; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 827.1890; King &
Crepidium Blume 220.1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh
21(3): 151.1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):
An Indo-Malesian genus of over 200 species of
126.1961; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. &
ground orchids formerly included under Malaxis
Com. 87. 2001.
(Microstylis) and characterized by lip auricles
stretching backwards on both sides of the Mukerjee recorded this species from Khayang at
gynostemium. Fourteen species are known to occur 2,300m.
in India. Two species have been recorded from
Manipur. Cymbidium Sw.
1a. Lip divided into sidelobes and midlobe by an An Indo-Malesio-Australian genus of 44 species (Du
indentation …………............…….. M. purpurea Puy & Cribb, 1988) of both terrestrial and epiphytic
orchids characterized by clustering pseudobulbs
1b. Lip not divisible by indentation.....M. acuminata
bearing thick and fleshy, loriform leaves and
1. Crepidium acuminatum (D. Don) Szlach., Syst. drooping or erect racemes of strikingly colourful and
Orch. 123.1995. Malaxis acuminata D. Don, Prodr. Fl. showy flowers. Twenty four species and three
Nepal. 29. 1825; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. subspecies are known from India. Manipur is known
Edinburgh 21(3):153. 1953; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. to have 15 species.
Ark. 33(1):55.1978; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2001. Microstylis wallichii Lindl., 1a. Pollinia 2………………………..……………….2
Gen. Sp. Orch. 20.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:686. 1b. Pollinia 4…………………………………………9
1890. Malaxis wallichii (Lindl.)Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv.
India 3: 128. 1962. 2a. Lip attached to base of column only or to a short
column foot, hinged, moveable…..................…3
Mukerjee recorded this species from Chammu at
1000 m. growing near bamboo groves. 2a. Lip attached to base and sidelobes, not
moveable …………………......………………….5
2. Crepidium josephianum (Rchb. f.)Marg., Ann. Bot.
Fenn. 39(1): 65.2002. Microstylis josephiana Rchb.f., Bot. 3a. Leaves linear or ligulate; column without
Mag. 103: T. 6325.1877; Ridley, J. Linn. Soc. 24: 336.1887; foot………………………............……………….4
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 687. 1890. Malaxis josephiana 3b. Leaves broad lanceolate stoutly petiolate;
(Rchb. f.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 2:673. 1891; Matthew, column with a small foot …...... C. devonianum
Kew Bull. 34(21): 76. 1979, nom. superfl. Chauhan in
Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2001. 4a. Midlobe of lip with pink to purple longitudinal
stripes ………………...............……… C. bicolor
This species with its short, broad and rounded basal
auricles, as per Szlachetko’s characterization, comes 4b. Midlobe of lip with purple spots....C. aloifolium
within the genus Crepidium. 5a. Pseudobulbs fusiform or subcylindric; flowers
white or light greenish yellow with a median
Cryptochilus Wallich yellow line on disc…………………. C. mastersii
A Himalayan genus of two epiphytic species 5b. Pseudobulbs ovoid; flowers of different colour
characterized by pseudobulbous stems and erect with two prominent keels on lip……............…6
scape bearing brightly coloured tubular flowers. Both
the species are found in India extending from North 6a. Leaves less than 20 cm long; petals porrect
West Himalaya to Manipur through Nepal. forming a hood over column …....... C. tigrinum
1a. Flowers red ……………………….C. sanguinea 6b. Leaves more than 25 cm long; petals spreading
1b. Flowers yellow ………………………....C. lutea not forming a hood………..............……………7
7a. Inflorescence erect; sepals and petals white or Cymbidium 173.1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
rose, dotted or lined with purple near base Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001.
..........................................……………. C. insigne
Devi and Ghatak reported this species from
7b. Inflorescence arcuate; sepals and petals yellow Tamenglong.
to green …………….................…………………8
4. Cymbidium devonianum Paxt., Bot. Mag. 10:
8a. Sepals and petals apple green; lip with red dots 97.1843; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 10. 1890; King &
on sidelobes…….................……C. hookerianum Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 190. Pl.
8b. Sepals and petals yellow to greenish yellow; lip
Com. 88. 2001. C. sikkimense Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:
unspotted on sidelobe ................... C. lowianum
9. 1890 & Ic. Pl. T. 2117. 1892.
9a. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate..……..C. lancifolium
Lip is obscurely 3 lobed ; disc with 2 ridges ending in
9b. Leaves linear or narrowly oblong…………….10 2 calli.
10a. Inflorescence usually 1 flowered....C. eburneum 5. Cymbidium eburneum Lindl., Bot. Reg. 33:t.
10b. Inflorescence more than 1 flowered …………..11 67.1847; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 11. 1890; King &
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 133. 1898;
11a. Lip saccate at base ……………………………. 12 Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.
11b. Lip not saccate at base………………………….13 74. 1984; Du Puy & Cribb, The Genus Cymbidium 133.
1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com.
12a. Flowers pendent, companulate....................... 88. 2001.
........................................................C. longifolium
Devi and Ghatak recorded this species from
12b. Flowers erect, not campanulate.........C. iridoides Tamenglong at 1278 m.
13a. Leaves 2-4 from each psuedobulb..................... 6. Cymbidium ensifolium (L.) Sw., Nov. Act. Soc.
.....................................................C. munronianum Sci. Upsal. 6:77. 1799; Du Puy & Cribb, The Genus
13b. Leaves 5-10 from each pseudobulb ...……….14 Cymbidium 156.1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001. Epidendrum ensifolium L.,
14a. Floral bracts equalling or exceeding the ovary
Sp. Pl. 2: 954. 1753.
……………...............……………C. cyperifolium
Ghatak and Devi reported this from Tamenglong at
14b. Floral bracts shorter than the ovary...........
1274 m.
……………………………………. C. ensifolium
7. Cymbidium hookerianum Rchb. f., Gard. Chron.7.
1. Cymbidium aloifolium (L.) Sw., Nov. Act. Soc. Sci.
1866; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 72: 89. 1984; Du Puy
Upsal. 6: 73. 1799; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:10. 1890 p.
& Cribb, The Genus Cymbidium 119. 1988; Chauhan
p.; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001. C.
189. t. 252. 1898; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot.72: 77. 1983;
grandiflorum auct. non Sw.: Griffith, Notulae
Du Puy & Cribb, The Genus Cymbidium 62. 1988;
3:342.1851; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 12. 1890; King &
2001. Epidendrum aloifolium L., Sp. Pl. 2:953. 1753.
A widespread species of Indo-Malesia, this occurs 21(3): 151. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):126.
commonly in Imphal Valley forming large clumps. 1961.
Devi and Ghatak recorded it from Moreh. Mukerjee recorded it from Chammu at 1300 m. Deb
2. Cymbidium bicolor Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. collected it from Lamdam.
164.1833; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 11. 1890. p. p. excl. 8. Cymbidium insigne Rolfe, Gard. Chron. 2:
syn.; Du Puy & Cribb, The Genus Cymbidium 67. 1988. 387.1904; Kingdon-Ward, J. Roy. Hort. Soc. 73: 43.
This species has purple spotted flowers and is often 1948; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 72: 90. 1984; Du Puy
mixed with C. aloifolium in herbaria. & Cribb, The Genus Cymbidium 128. 1988.
3. Cymbidium cyperifolium Wallich ex Lindl., Gen. 9. Cymbidium iridoides D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.
Sp. Orch. 163.1833; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:13. 1890; 36. 1825; Hook. f. Fl. Brit. India 6: 14. 1890; Du Puy &
King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 186. Cribb, The Genus Cymbidium 115.1988; Chauhan in
t. 248.1898; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001. C.
Cong. Sing.74. 1984; Du Puy & Cribb, The Genus giganteum Wallich ex Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 163.1833;
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:12. 1890; King & Pantling, Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 72: 90. 1984; Du Puy & Cribb,
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:191.1898; Devi & The Genus Cymbidium 154. 1988. Fig. 3e
Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 74. 1984.
We got our specimens from Khongampatt.
Devi and Ghatak reported this species from Ukhrul.
Specimens Examined : INDIA: Manipur: Khongapatt C.
10. Cymbidium lancifolium Hook., Exot. Fl. 1: T. Sathish Kumar 28733 (TBGT!)
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 185. Pl. 247. Cyrtosia Blume
1898; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 72: 68.1984; Chauhan An Asian saprophytic genus of about 7 species
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001. characterized by delicate habit and terminal
11. Cymbidium. longifolium D. Don, Prodr. Fl. inflorescence of gamotepalous flowers, succulent
Nepal. 36. 1825. C. elegans Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 163. indehiscent fruits and wingless seeds. It was
1833; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta reinstated by Garay (1986). Three species are known
8: 1898:194. t. 259; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. from India. One is recorded from Manipur.
Edinburgh 21(3): 151. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India Cyrtosia lindleyana Hook. f. & Thoms., Illustr.
3(2):126.1961; Ghatak & Devi in Vij (Ed.) Biol. Cons. Himalayan Plants t. 22. 1855. Galeola lindleyana
Cult. Orch. 35. 1986; Du Puy & Cribb, The Genus (Hook. f. & Thoms.)Rchb. f., Xen. Orch.2:78. 1862;
Cymbidium 145.1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 88. 1890; Chauhan in Pathak
Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001. Cyperorchis elegans et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 91. 2001.Erythrochis
(Lindl.)Blume, Rumphia 4:47.1848; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. lindleyana (Hook. f. & Thoms.) Rchb. f. in Bonplandia
India 6: 14. 1890. 5:37.1857.
Mukerjee collected this species from Ukhrul at 1600 This is a large saprophyte growing over trees and
m. Ghatak and Devi reported it from Jiribam at 50 m. shrubs.
12. Cymbidium lowianum Rchb. f., Gard. Chron.
n.s.11:332, 404. t. 56.1879; Seidenfaden. Opera Bot. 72: Dendrobium Sw.
86. 1984; Du Puy & Cribb, The Genus Cymbidium 123. An Indo-Malesio-Australian genus of about 900
1988. C. giganteum var. lowianum (Rchb. f.) Rchb. f., species of mostly epiphytic, but occasionally
Gard. Chron. n. s. 7: 684. 1887. lithophytic orchids with plurinodal pseudobulbous
We saw a specimen under cultivation at Thoubal. This stems and bifarious, variously shaped leaves and
species is quite likely to be found in Manipur. variously coloured flowers. India is known to have
102 species and two subspecies. Forty nine species
13. Cymbidium mastersii Griffith ex Lindl., Bot. Mag. have been reported from Manipur.
31:t. 50. 1845; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard.
Calcutta 8: 195. t. 261.1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide 1a. Leaves with distinct sheaths, often covering
to Iden. Cult. 478. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 72: most of the internodes…………..........………..2
91. 1984; Du Puy & Cribb, The Genus Cymbidium 1b. Leaf sheaths insignificant ....…………………39
Com. 88. 2001. Cyperorchis mastersii Benth., J. Linn. 2a. Stems wiry, leaves laterally compressed ……3
Soc.18:318.1881; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:15. 1890. 2b. Stems with atleast some of the internodes fleshy
Pradhan recorded this species from Manipur. and swollen; leaves not laterally compressed....4
14. Cymbidium munronianum King & Pantling, J. 3a. Stems with an upper floriferous part; flowers
As. Soc. Bengal 64:338.1895; Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. white ………..............………….D. acinaciforme
Calcutta 8:187. t. 249.1898; Du Puy & Cribb, The genus 3b. Stems not as above, inflorescence lateral; flowers
Cymbidium 166. 1988: Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), yellow to greenish yellow................. D. anceps
Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001.
4a. Leaf sheaths and flowering region with black
Ghatak and Devi recorded this species from hairs ……………...............…………….………..5
Tamenglong at 1274 m. as a new record for Manipur.
4a. Leaf sheaths and flowering region without black
15. Cymbidium tigrinum Parish ex Hook., Bot. Mag. hairs …………….........................……………… 12
90: T. 5457.1864; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 9. 1890;
Krishna & Sastry, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 14(1- 5a. Mentum saccate …………………D. bellatulum
4):179.1975; Hynniewta, Orch. Rev. 87:219. 1979; 5b. Mentum extinctoriform……......….……………6
6a. Width of epichile about equal to the width of 17b. Fimbriae on edges of lip long, distant
sidelobes when flattened ………...............……..7 ……………………....………….D. brymerianum
6a. Width of epichile less than width of sidelobes 18a. Sepals and petals deep orange to coral
when flattened ………............…………………9 red…………………......………..…D. dickasonii
7a. Apical lobe of lip fimbriate………D. longicornu 18b. Sepals and petals bright yellow …………….19
7b. Apical lobe of lip not fimbriate ……….....…….8 19a. Edges of lip incurved so as to form a............
pouch…………......………………D. moschatum
8a. Epichile of lip triangular, acute at apex
.............................................................D. draconis 19b. Edges of lip not incurved……....……………..20
8b. Epichile of lip orbicular, retuse at apex 20a. Flowers many (4-15) in lax raceme …………...21
……………………….....………… D. formosum
20b. Flowers a few (1-5) subfascicled on a short
9a. Petals ovate, much broader than the dorsal sepal raceme………………..............…………………22
…………………….......................………………10
21a. Leaves obtuse to emarginate; lip lacking distinct
9b. Petals ovate-lanceolate, not much broader than blotches ……….......................…….. D. chryseum
the dorsal sepal ……......................…………… 11
21b. Leaves acuminate; lip with 2 purple blotches
10a. Epichile truncate with only an indistinct sinus, ………………....................………….. D. gibsonii
usually minutely mucronulate ........... D. wattii
22a. Flowers after shedding the leaves; lip pubescent
10b. Epichile with a deep V-shaped sinus on veins and centre above, no dark
…..............................………….. D. infundibulum blotch………….………………D. heterocarpum
11a. Midlobe obovate or rounded, crisped papillose, 22b. Flowers and leaves together; lip with very short
disk fimbriate............................... D. cariniferum and fat papillae and with a central dark blotch
above ……….………………………………… 23
11b. Midlobe orbicular ciliate, disk obscurely 3
ridged …………..........………… D. williamsonii 23a. Lip with a central dark blotch; operculum warty
………………............................. D. chrysanthum
12a. Large plants; sepals and petals greenish yellow;
hypochile with some purple spots......D. parcum 23b. Lip with two dark blotches; operculum glabrous
……….................................……….D. ochreatum
12b. Small plants; sepals and petals deep orange to
bright yellow; hypochile without purple 24a. Stems with swollen nodes or internodes
spots……………………………………………13 alternating with constrictions …..........……….24
13a. Lip with or without sidelobes, usually with 24b. Stems without swollen nodes or internodes and
varying ornaments …..........………………….43 alternating constrictions…...................……….25
13b. Lip without sidelobes, upper surface papillous 25a. Stems branching, thin wiry, swollen at nodes,
to pubescent, without ornaments except for atleast on branches…....................... D. falconeri
callus at base…………………………………..14
25b. Stems not branching, fleshy….....……………26
14a. Sepals and petals strong yellow to copper or
26a. Column foot with a distinct nectar cavity at
coral red……………................………………..15
distal end……………....................…………….27
14b. Sepals and petals purple or white with purple
26b. Column foot without any distinct nectar
tips, rarely pure white or cream….............…..28
cavity……………….................……D. pendulum
15a. Lip strongly plumose (branched)-fimbriate at
27a. Lip longer than dorsal sepal, upper surface
edges………………...................……………….16
finely papillose, lower surface only papillous at
15b. Lip erose to finely dentate on margin .............17 edges ……………..……….. D. gratioitissimum
16a. Lip with a single purple blotch…......………..18 27b. Lip shorter than dorsal sepal, both surfaces
papillose except at base............... D. wardianum
16b. Lip with two purple blotches....D. hookerianum
28a. Petals finely ciliate or serrulate on margins.....29
17a. Fimbriae on edges of lip short, dense
.........................................................D. fimbriatum 28b. Petals entire on margins ……………..………30
29a. Lip longer than dorsal sepal, edges long- 41b. Stems fusiform tapering towards apex or nearly
ciliate………………..........……D. devonianum cylindrical…………......................…………..….42
29b. Lip shorter than dorsal sepal, edges short-ciliate 42a. Inflorescence leaf opposed, axillary, 10- to many
………………..........................……….. D. parishii flowered with long narrow sepals and petals;
dorsal sepal more than 1.5 cm..........D. denudans
30a. Scape long (2-10 cm); lip with two dark blotches
……….…….......................…….….D. pulchellum 42b. Inflorescence lateral and terminal, 7-10 flowered
30b. Scape short (1-1.5 cm); with no or a single dark with sepals and petals not as above ; dorsal
blotch ………….......................………..……….. 31 sepal less than 1 cm ……………… D. eriiflorum
31a. Basal callus of lip divided into three keels........32 43a. Pseudobulbs 1-leaved ……………...…………44
31b. Basal callus of lip, if any, fading into lip…….33 43b. Pseudobulbs 2-5 leaved …………..………….45
32a. Petals broader than the dorsal sepal................ 44a. Inflorescence many flowered; lip pubescent only
.............................................................D. aphyllum at base and centre, margins glabrous
................................................................. D. lindleyi
32b. Petals and sepals similar ……… D. primulinum
44b. Inflorescence 1-2-flowered; lip pubescent
33a. Inflorescence one flowered; lip longer than throughout ………….........……….. D. jenkinsii
dorsal sepal…….............…………. D. cretaceum
45a. Sepals and petals white with a flash of yellow,
33b. Inflorescence more than one-flowered; lip violet or rose…………..................……………. 46
shorter than dorsal sepal ……….......………. 34
45b. Sepals and petals yellow ……....……………..47
34a. Petals twice as broad as the dorsal sepal or more
…………………………......................………… 35 46a. Stems with many ridges; flowers in dense
inflorescence……….........…….. D. thyrsiflorum
34b. Petals not twice as broad as the dorsal sepal.....36
46b. Stems 4 angled; flowers in lax raceme......
35a. Lip 3-lobed or obscurely so………….....…….37 ……………………......……………… D. farmeri
35b. Lip simple………………….........……………..38 47a. Flowers on a dense inflorescence; dorsal sepal
36a. Lip with a purple patch at base....D. transparens about 15 mm long …...............… D. densiflorum
36b. Lip without any purple patch at base......... 47b. Flowers on a lax inflorescence: dorsal sepal
..............................................................D. candidum about 18-20 mm long …………..........………. 48
37a. Sepals and petals usually purple or purple 48a. Stems much laterally compressed; petals with
tinted; lip with a papillous callus on claw entire edges…….........................….. D. sulcatum
..................................................................D. nobile 48b. Stems not laterally compressed; petals minutely
37b. Sepals and petals pure white; without any dentate along edges .................. D. chrysotoxum
papillous callus on claw….........….. D. bensonae
1. Dendrobium acinaciforme Roxb., Hort. Beng. 63.
38a. Lip with a basal papillous callus; dorsal sepal 3 1814, nom. nud.; Fl. Ind. 3:487.1832; Hook. f., Fl. Brit.
cm or more long …..............……. D. lituiflorum India 5: 723. 1890; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:209.
38b. Lip without basal callus; dorsal sepal less than 1985; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com.
2 cm long ………...............……… D. crepidatum 88. 2001. D. spatella Rchb. f., Hamb. Gartenz. 21:298.
1865; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:725. 1890.
39a. Inflorescence 2-6 flowered………………….....40
2. Dendrobium anceps Sw., Kgl. Sv. Vet. Nya Handl.
39b. Inflorescence of many small flowers……....…41 21:246. 1800; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India5:724. 1890; King
40a. Lip with a fat pubescent transverse wall & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 41. Pl.
separating hypochile from epichile; flowers 4 54. 1898; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:222. 1985.
per scape …………………….......… D. linguella We have seen a specimen under cultivation at
40b. Lip not as above; flowers two per scape Thoubal.
………………….........…………… D. stuposum Characteristic of the section Aporum to which the
41a. Stems pseudobulbous, ovoid to conical above two species belong, they have leaves laterally
...………….........……………D. porphyrochilum flattened and arranged bifariously on the stem.
3. Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb.)Fischer in Gamble, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):151.1953; Deb,
Fl. Madras 8:1416. 1928; Seidenfaden 1985:70. Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3 (2):126. 1961; Seidenfaden,
Limodorum aphyllum Roxb., Corom. Pl. 1, 2: 34. T. 41. Opera Bot. 83: 120.1985. Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
1795. Dendrobium pierardii Roxb. ex Hook., Ex. Fl. 1:T. Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001.
9.1822; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:738. 1890; King &
Watt collected this species on 13 April 1882 from
Sirohi forests where it was growing on rocks in open
72.1898; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch.
places (G. Watt 6500, CAL!). A duplicate of this
Cong. Sing.75.1984; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
collection is available at Kew.
Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001.
9. Dendrobium chrysanthum Lindl., Bot. Reg. 15:T.
This is a very common species. We found it at
Thoubal, Saram, Tupul and Moreh. Roxburgh
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 55. T.
published two binomials – Limodorum aphyllum and
77.1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 322.
Dendrobium pierardii – for the same species originating
1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 53.1985; Chauhan
from two different localities at different times and
hence, there is a lot of confusion around this species.
We do not agree with Christenson in merging it under This species is common in Manipur.
D. macrostachyum Lindl., an entirely different species.
10. Dendrobium chryseum Rolfe, Gard. Chron.
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Tupul 18.03.1996 C. 1:233.1888; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:748. 1890.
Sathish Kumar (TBGT!). Dendrobium clavatum Lindl., Wall. Cat. No.2004. 1829
4.Dendrobium bellatulum Rolfe in Forbes & nom. nud.; Paxt. Fl. Gard. 2:104. T. 189, non Roxb;
Hemsley, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 36:10.1903; Pradhan, Ind. Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:746. 1890; King & Pantling,
Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.330. 1979; Seidenfaden, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 53.Pl. 60.1898;
Opera Bot. 83: 103. 1985; Chauhan in Pathak et al. Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:43.1985; Chauhan in
(Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001. Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001.
Pradhan recorded this species from Manipur. This species has a simple lip narrowed and clawed
at base, orbicular–reniform, concave, minutely
5. Dendrobium bensonae Rchb. f., Bot. Zeit. 25:230. pubescent to tomentose with shortly fimbriate
1867; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:739.1890; Kataki & margin.
Krishna, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 12: 260. 1970:; Pradhan,
Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 314. 1979; Devi & 11. Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl., Bot. Reg. 33,
Ghatak Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.74. 1984; sub T. 19 and T. 36.1847; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 86.1985; Chauhan in 5:750.1890; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001. Edinburgh 21(3):151. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India
3(2):126.1961; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.
Pradhan and later Devi and Ghatak recorded this 305.1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 19.1985; Devi
species from Manipur; the latter reported the variety & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.74.
xanthinum Rchb. f. from Tengnoupal. 1984.
6. Dendrobium brymerianum Rchb. f., Gard. Chron. This is fairly common in Manipur. Mukerjee collected
2: 323.1875; Hook. f. in Bot. Mag. T. 638. 1878 & Fl. it from Ukhrul at 1700 m. on 22.5. 1948 (S K Mukerjee
Brit. India 5: 745. 1890; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 2908, CAL!). Devi and Ghatak recorded it from Sirohi
36. 1985: Hill, Chakpikarong and Imphal. We collected it from
7. Dendrobium candidum Wallich ex Lindl., Bot. Reg. Tupul, Thoubal and Moreh where it was plenty.
Misc. 36.1838; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:735.890; Specimens Examined: INDIA: Manipur; Khongtheng beyond
Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): Tengnoupal 25.03.1996 C. Sathish Kumar 28727 (TBGT!).
151. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):126.1961;
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 12. Dendrobium crepidatum Lindl. & Paxt., Paxt. Fl.
2001. Gard. 1:63. fig. 45.1850; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:740.
1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta
There is a specimen at CAL collected by Dr S K
8:48.Pl. 66.1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden.
Mukerjee (2855, CAL!) on 10 May 1948 from
Cult. 319. 1979; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN
Phungum at 2000 m.
Orch. Cong. Sing.74.1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot.
8. Dendrobium cariniferum Rchb. f., Gard. Chron. 83: 80.1985; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci.
611.1869; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 720.1890; Mukerjee, & Com. 88. 2001.
Devi and Ghatak record this species from ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 75. 1984; Seidenfaden,
Chakpikarong. Opera Bot. 83:110.1985; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
Orch. Sci. & Com. 89. 2001
13. Dendrobium cretaceum Lindl., Bot. Reg. 33:T. 62.
1847; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India5:736.1890; Pradhan, Ind. Devi and Ghatak found it at Tengnoupal. Pradhan
Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 708. 1979; Seidenfaden, recorded it from Manipur.
Opera Bot. 83: 75.1985; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
19. Dendrobium eriiflorum Griffith, Not. 3:316. & Ic.
Orch. Sci. & Com. 88. 2001.
T. 307.1851; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:715.1890 & Ann.
Deb collected this species from Mao at 7000’ on 11 Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 5:5. T.7.1895; King &
February 1954 (D. B. Deb 1891, CAL!). Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 1898:44. T.
61; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh
14. Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl. in Wallich, Pl.
21(3):151. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India
As. Rar. 1:34:T. 40. 1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India
1890:748 (excl. syn.); King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot.
1:338. 1976; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 149.1985;
Gard. Calcutta 8: 56. T. 79. 1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch.
Guide to Iden. Cult.305. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera
2001.
Bot.83: 23. 1985; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
Sci. & Com. 89. 2001. Mukerjee found this species in Ukhrul at 1800 m.
This is a species fairly common in Manipur. 20. Dendrobium falconeri Hook., Bot. Mag. T.
4944.1856; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 742. 1890;
15. Dendrobium denudans D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.
Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.1:318.1976;
34. 1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 715. 1890; King &
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot.83:55.1985; Chauhan in
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 1898:45.
Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89. 2001.
Pl. 62; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh
21(3):151. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India It was J.D. Hooker who first cited its occurrence in
3(2):127.1961; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. Manipur.
338. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:148.1985;
21. Dendrobium farmeri Paxt., Paxton’s Bot. Mag.
15:241.1849; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:750. 1890; King
2001.
& Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 57. Pl.
Mukerjee recorded this species from Ukhrul. 80. 1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden.
Cult.2:306.1979; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN
16. Dendrobium devonianum Paxt., Bot. Mag.
Orch. Cong. Sing.75.1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot.
7:169.1840; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:743.1890;
83: 24.1985; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci.
Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide Iden. Cult.1: 318.1976;
& Com. 89. 2001.
Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.
74. 1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:64.1985; Devi and Ghatak reported this species from Jiribam.
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com.
22. Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook., Exot. Fl.
89.2001.
1:T.71.1823; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:745. 1890; King
Devi and Ghatak reported this species from & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:58. 1898;
Khudenthabi at 1342 m. Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 36. 1985. D. fimbriatum
var. oculatum Hook., Bot. Mag. T. 4160.1845; Hook. f.,
17. Dendrobium dickasonii L. O. Williams, Bot. Mus.
Fl. Brit. India 5: 745. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy.
Leafl. Harv. Univ. 8:107.1940; Seidenfaden, Opera
Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 59. T. 82.1898; Pradhan, Ind.
Bot.124:24. 1995. D. arachnites Rchb. f., Gard. Chron.
Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 309. 1979; Devi & Ghatak
2:354.1874, non Thouars; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India
Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 75. 1984; Chauhan
5:734.1890; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden.
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89. 2001. Fig. 9a
Cult.1:313. 1976. D. seidenfadenii Senghas &
Bockemuhl, Die Orchidee 29(5): C.II.1978; This is fairly common in Manipur.
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 41.1985; Chauhan in
Specimens Examined: INDIA: Manipur: Thoubal 25.03.1996
C. Sathish Kumar 28735 (TBGT!).
Pradhan recorded this species from Manipur.
23. Dendrobium formosum Roxb. ex Lindl. in
18. Dendrobium draconis Rchb. f., Bot. Zeit. 214. Wallich, Pl. As. Rar. 1:24. T. 29.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit.
1862; Hook. 1890:722; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to India 5:721. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot.
Iden. Cult.1:330.1976; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th Gard. Calcutta 8: 47. Pl. 65.1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch.
Guide to Iden. Cult. 328. 1979; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89. 2001. D.
5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.75.1984; Seidenfaden, jamesianum Rchb. f., Gard. Chron. 554. 1869. D.
Opera Bot.83:111.1985; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), infundibulum Lindl. var. jamesianum (Rchb. f.)Veitch,
Orch. Sci. & Com. 89. 2001. Orch. Man. 50.1837; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 721.
1890. Fig. 8
Churachandpur.
24. Dendrobium gibsonii Lindl., Paxt. Bot. Mag. 5:
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 58. T.
81.1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 47.
1979; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong.
Sing. 75. 1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:47.1985;
2001.
Devi and Ghatak reported it from Laimakhong.
25. Dendrobium gratiotissimum Rchb. f., Bot. Zeit.
23:99. 1865; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:743.1890;
Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 314. 1979;
Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.
75. 1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 58.1985;
2001. D. boxallii Rchb. f., Gard. Chron. 1:5.1874; Devi
& Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 74.
1984.
Figure 8. Dendrobium infundibulum Lindl. - Flower showing lip details
Devi and Ghatak recorded this species from (after CSK 28726).
Laimaton.
Devi and Ghatak reported this species and its variety
26. Dendrobium heterocarpum Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. from Tengnoupal. We got a plant from near Moreh
73.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India5:737. 1890; King & growing on open rocks.
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:53. T. 74.
1898; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Specimens Examined: INDIA: Manipur: 4 Kms ahead of
Sing.75.1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 50.1985; Tengnoupal 25.03.1996 C. Sathish Kumar 28726 (TBGT!).
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89. 29. Dendrobium jenkinsii Wallich ex Lindl., Bot. Reg.
2001. 25:T. 37.1839; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.
Devi and Ghatak reported this species from Imphal. 303.1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:17.1985;
We collected it from between Saram and Kasom Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89.
Khullen. 2001.D. aggregatum Roxb. var. jenkinsii (Wallich ex
Lindl.)King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta
Specimens Examined: INDIA: Manipur, Ukhrul 8: 6. T. 85. 1898.
District:About 20 Kms before Kasom Khullen C. Sathish
Kumar 28722 (TBGT!) 24.03.1996. 30. Dendrobium lindleyii Steud., Nomencl. Bot. 2.
ed. 2: 490.1840; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden.
27. Dendrobium hookerianum Lindl., J. Linn.Soc. 3: Cult. 303.1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:16.1985;
8.1859; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:745.1890; Chauhan Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89.
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89. 2001. 2001. D. aggregatum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2 Ed. 3:477.1832,
Lip is orbicular with a cuneate base, deeply fringed non HBK; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:749.1890; King &
with two purple blotches. Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 60. PL. 85.
1898.
28. Dendrobium infundibulum Lindl., J. Linn. Soc.3:
16.1859; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:721.1890; Pradhan, Devi and Ghatak reported this species from
Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden.Cult. 330.1979; Devi & Tengnoupal.
Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.75.1984; Specimen Examined: INDIA: Manipur, Thoubal: C. Sathish
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 117.1985; Chauhan in Kumar 28735 (TBGT!)
31. Dendrobium linguella Rchb. f., Gard. Chron. H. B. Singh showed a pure alba form of this found in
n.s.18:552.1882; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:90. 1985; Manipur.
Ghatak & Devi in Vij (Ed.), Biol. Cons. Cult. Orch.
36. Dendrobium ochreatum Lindl., Bot. Reg. 21: sub
360. 1986.
T 1756.1835; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:747. 1890;
Ghatak and Devi reported it from Jiribam at 50 m. Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):152.
1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):127.1961; Devi
32. Dendrobium lituiflorum Lindl., Gard. Chron.
372.1856; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 740.1890; Mukerjee,
1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:55.1985; Chauhan
Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): 151.1953; Deb,
Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2): 127.1979; Pradhan, Ind.
Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.316. 1979; Devi & Ghatak Mukerjee recorded this species from Phungum at
Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.:75. 1984. 1800 m.
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 81.1985; Chauhan in
37. Dendrobium parcum Rchb. f., Gard. Chron.
1042.1866; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:720. 1890;
Fig. 9b
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:158. 1985.
Specimen Examined: INDIA; Manipur, Khongampatt
Epipytic herbs. Stems 50 cm or more, usually thin,
23.03.1996 C. Sathish Kumar 28736 (TBGT!).
purple and furrowed when old, sheaths grey, often
33. Dendrobium longicornu Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. branching. Infloresecnce very short subterminal and
80.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 720. 1890; Mukerjee, at nodes, with 2-5 creamy yellow flowers; dorsal sepal
Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):151. 1953; Deb, 4-5 mm, 3-veined; petals linear-spathulate; lip nearly
Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):127.1961; Devi & Ghatak, twice as long, spathulate, slightly retuse at apex
Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.75.1984; Chauhan without sidleobes, the base fleshy with two ridges;
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89. 2001. hypochile green with dark purple spots, epichile pure
yellow; mentum sac-shaped; column very broad with
Watt collected this species from Manipur in 1881 and
a much concave front side, rostellum rather large with
J.D. Hooker described a variety hirsuta under it.
sqaurish front edge; operculum triangular, conical.
34. Dendrobium moschatum (Buch.-Ham.)Sw., Fruits not seen.
Schrader Neues Journ. 1:94. 1805; King & Pantling,
Flowering: March-April
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 60. T. 84.1898;
Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): Habitat: Evergreen forests at 800 m.
152. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2): 127.1961; Occurrence: India, Manipur, Thoubal.
Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Distribution: India, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
Sing.75.1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:43.1985; Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur, Thoubal: 22 March
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com.89. 1996, C. Sathish Kumar 28708 (TBGT!).
2001. Epidendrum moschatum Buch.-Ham. in
Symes:Emb. Kingd. Ava 1 Ed. 478. 1800. Dendrobium Note: Type of this species was from Tenasserim,
calceolaria Carey ex Hook., Exot. Fl. 3:T. 184.1827; Myanmar. A few samples we could collect are not
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:744. 1890. Fig. 9c good for illustration. It is a new record for India.
Lip of this species is very peculiar in being calceolar 38. Dendrobium parishii Rchb. f., Bot. Zeit. 21. no.
pyriform or hemispheric with broadly incurved 31: 237.1863; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:740.1890;
fimbriate margins. Pradhan Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden.Cult.62.1979; Devi
35. Dendrobium nobile Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:62.1985; Chauhan
34.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:740. 1890; King & in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89. 2001.
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 51, T.
71.1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh Devi and Ghatak reported it from Ukhrul at 1900 m.
21(3):152. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2): Pradhan also recorded it from Manipur.
127.1961; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 39. Dendrobium pendulum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2 Ed. 3:
315. 1979; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. 484.1832; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:741.1890 (excl. syn.
Cong. Sing. 75. 1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: D. wardianum); Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden.
83.1985; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Cult. 319. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 60.1985;
Com. 89. 2001. Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89.
c d
Figure 9. a. Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook. ; b. Dendrobium lituiflorum Lindl. ; c. Dendrobium moschatum (Buch.-Ham.) Sw.; d. Dendrobium thyrsiflorum
Rchb. f.
2001. D. crassinode Benson Rchb. f., Gard. Chron. the basis of its laterally compressed stems and petals
164.1869; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. with entire edges.
Cong. Sing. 74. 1984.
45. Dendrobium thyrsiflorum Rchb. f. in André, Ill.
Devi and Ghatak reported it from Tengnoupal. Hort. 22:88. T. 207. 1875; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy.
Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 52.1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch.
40. Dendrobium porphyrochilum Lindl., J. Linn. Soc.
Guide to Iden. Cult. 306. 1979; Devi & Ghatak, Proc.
3:18.1858; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:716. 1890; King &
5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 75. 1984; Seidenfaden,
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 44.Pl.
Orch. Sci. & Com. 90. 2001. D. densiflorum var.
21(3):152. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India
albolutea Hook. f., Bot. Mag. 3: s. 25:5780.1869; Hook.
f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 748. 1890. Fig. 9d
340. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:138.1985;
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89. Mukerjee recorded this species from Ukhrul.
2001.
46. Dendrobium transparens Wallich ex Lindl., Gen
Mukerjee recorded this species from Ukhrul. Sp. Orch. 79.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:738. 1890;
King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 50
41. Dendrobium primulinum Lindl., Gard. Chron.
T. 70.1898; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci.
223.1858; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:735.1890; Pradhan,
& Com. 90. 2001.
Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 320. 1979; Devi &
Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 75. 1984; Wallich’s type was from Nepal. Lip of this species is
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83:69.1985; Chauhan in broadly elliptic-obovate to sagittate and obscurely 3
Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89. 2001. lobed, clawed at base and pubescent.
We collected this species from Thoubal. 47. Dendrobium wardianum Warner, Sel. Orch. 1:T.
19.1862; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:742.1890; Pradhan,
42. Dendrobium pulchellum Roxb. ex Lindl., Gen.
Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 319. 1979; Seidenfaden,
Sp. Orch. 82.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:186.1890;
Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):152.
Orch. Sci. & Com. 90. 2001.
1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):127.1961; Devi
& Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 75. Pradhan recorded this species from Manipur.
1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 65.1985; Chauhan
48. Dendrobium wattii (Hook. f.)Rchb. f., Gard.
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 89. 2001. D.
Chron. 2:724.1888; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:721. 1890;
dalhousieanum Wallich, Paxt. Bot. Mag. 11: T. 145.1844;
Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):127. 1961; Seidenfaden,
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 743. 1890. p. p.
Opera Bot. 83:113. 1985 & Opera Bot. 124: 29.1995;
Mukerjee reported this species from Ukhrul. Pradhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 90.
2001. D. cariniferum var. wattii Hook. f., Bot. Mag. Pl.
43. Dendrobium stuposum Lindl., Bot. Reg. 24:52.
6715. 1883.
misc. 94. 1838; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:186.1890; Ann.
Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 5: 13. T. 20; King & Pantling, The original specimen collected by Watt (G. Watt 5944,
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:54. T. 75.1898; CAL! K) from ‘on ascent to Suripheri at 9000 ft’. in
Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 324. 1979; January 1882 was the basis for J.D. Hooker’s
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 93.1985; Chauhan in description of eponymous variety under Dendrobium
Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 90. 2001. cariniferum. This was elevated to the rank of a species
by Reichenbach f., a view immediately accepted by
This species has characteristically two flowered
Hooker. On the type sheet at CAL Pantling remarked
inflorescences; flower is pure white with a yellow
‘very doubtfully D. wattii as figured in the Bot. Mag.
patch on lip.
t. 6715. The Bot. Mag. shows a small oblong anterior
44. Dendrobium sulcatum Lindl., Bot. Reg. 24:T. lobe of the lip, whereas in this specimen it is large,
65.1838; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:749. 1890; King & bifid with cucullate margin. Watt 5944 does not agree
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 55. T. with any species described in the FBI’ – RP April 1897.
78.1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 304. This is a very rare species and poorly represented in
1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 83: 19.1985; Chauhan herbaria.
49. Dendrobium williamsonii Day & Rchb. f.,
This species is closely related to D. chrysotoxum Lindl. Gard.Chron.78.1869; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 721.
also found in Manipur but can be distinguished on 1890; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 326.
1979; Shukla & Baishya, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. column and four pollinia. Christenson (2001) prefers
76:221.1979; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. to keep this under Phalaenopsis. Only one species is
Cong. Sing. 75. 1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. known from India, which is also recorded from
83:121.1985; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. Manipur.
& Com. 90. 2001.
Doritis pulcherrima Lindl., Gen Sp. Orch. 178.1988;
Shukla and Baishya recorded this species from Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:31. 1890; Seidenfaden, Opera
Manipur. Bot. 95: 31.1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
Specimens Examined:INDIA: Manipur: Imphal 30.03.1996 C. Sci. & Com. 90. 2001. Phalaenopsis mastersii King &
Sathish Kumar 28734 (TBGT!). Pantl., J. As. Soc. Beng. 66:591. 1897.
King and Pantling described their novelty based on
Dickasonia L. O. Williams Masters’ collection made at the Nambur Falls in
A monotypic epiphytic genus with clustered 1-leaved Assam made February 1845.
pseudobulbs and lateral racemes of 3-7 white flowers
originally described from Myanmar. Drymoda Lindley
Dickasonia vernicosa L. O. Williams, Bot. Mus. Leafl. An Indo-SE Asian genus of three epiphytic species
Harv. Univ. 9: 37.1941; Deori, Bull. Bot. Surv. India characterized by small discoid pseudobulbs and one-
26(1-4):230.1984 (1986). Kalimpongia natarajitii flowered inflorescence on a thin scape from the base;
Pradhan in Orchid Dig. 41(5):172.1977; Devi & column-foot long with lateral sepals attached to it at
Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 75. 1984. the end. Only one species occurs in India including
Manipur.
Pradhan’s original record was from Manipur without
precise locality. Devi and Ghatak reported it from Drymoda gymnopus (Hook. f.) Garay, Hamer &
Laimaton. Pradhan who had a collection of this from Siegerist, Nord. J. Bot. 14(6):641. 1994. Bulbophyllum
Manipur wrongly believed it to represent a new genus gymnopus Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:764. 1890.
which he called Kalimpongia. Deori (1986) found it This species has pale greenish white flowers with an
congeneric. obtuse yellow lip.
Dienia Blume
Epigeneium Gagnepain
An Indo-Malesian genus with one highly variable
An Indo-Malesian genus of about 35 species of
species characterized by 3 lobed lip with transverse
epiphytic orchids with elongated stems bearing 1 or
callus. This genus was till recently merged under
2 leaved pseudobulbs and 1 to many medium sized
Malaxis and was resurrected by Szlachetko (1995).
to large, showy flowers. Six species are found in India.
This is the only species under this genus and it is
Two occur in Manipur.
found in Manipur. It is a terrestrial herb with many
plicate leaves around a thick stem having a terminal 1a. Dorsal sepal 3.5-6.5 cm long …….... E. amplum
inflorescence bearing congested reddish flowers.
1b. Dorsal sepal less than 3 cm long......E. fuscescens
Dienia ophrydis (Koenig) Ormerod & Seidenf., Contr.
Orch. Fl. Thailand 13:18. 1997. Epidendrum ophrydis 1. Epigeneium amplum (Lindl.) Summerh., Kew Bull.
Koenig in Retz., Obs. 6:46. 1771. Malaxis latifolia J. E. 2:260. 1957; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 34(1):71.
Sm. in Rees Cyclop. 22. 1812; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. 1980. Dendrobium amplum Lindl. in Wallich, Pl. As.
Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):153. 1953; Seidenfaden, Rar. 1:25. T. 29.1829; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:711.
Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(1): 45. 1978. Dienia congesta Lindl., 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta
Bot. Reg. 10 sub t 825. 1824. Microstylis congesta 8: 63. T. 89. 1898. Dendrobium coelogyne Rchb. f.,
(Lindl.)Rchb. f., Walp. Ann. 6:206.1861; Hook. f., Fl. Gard.Chron.136.1871; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:712.
Brit. India 5: 689. 1888. Malaxis congesta (Lindl.)Deb, 1890.
Bull. Bot. Surv. Ind. 3:123. 1961. Type specimens were gathered from Nepal and
Mukerjee reported this species from Ukhrul. Bangladesh.
2. Epigeneium fuscescens (Griffth) Summerh., Kew
Doritis Lindley
Bull. 2:262. 1957. Dendrobium fuscescens Griffith, Not.
An Indo-Malesian genus of two lithophytic species Pl. Asiat. 3: 308.1851; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:712.
characterized by a long column foot equalling the 1890.
Griffith collected the type from Churrapunji in 12a. Leaf acute at apex; sepals and petals whitish
Meghalaya. with purple lines ……...........………… E. amica
Eria Lindley 12b. Leaf obtuse at apex or emarginate; sepals and

petals white tinged with green ....... E. acervata
1. Eria acervata Lindl., J. Hort. Soc. 6:57. 1851; Hook.
epiphytic or lithophytic orchids with pseudobulbous
f., Fl. Brit. India 5:796. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann.
stems bearing 1 to many leaves and axillary or
Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 123: Pl. 170. 1898; Pradhan,
terminal racemes or fascicles of small or medium
sized flowers. India is known to have 55 species and
Opera Bot. 62: 106. 1982; Chauhan in Pathak et al.
2 varieties. Fourteen species are known from
(Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 90. 2001. Fig. 10
Manipur.
1a. Stems consisting of one distinct internode only 1 cm
................................................................................2
1b. Stems consisting of several internodes………. 6 5 mm
2a. Leaves plicate ……………………… E. javanica

2b. Leaves conduplicate, sometimes terete ………3
b c
3a. Small plants with less than 1 cm high
a
pseudobulbs ………………………E. muscicola
3b. Large plants with tall pseudobulbous stems......4
4a. Lip simple, unlobed …………………. E. vittata
5 mm
5 mm
4b. Lip 3 lobed …………………………………….. 5
d e
5a. Flowers white to pale purple; lip flushed with
purple …….....................…………… E. coronaria
Figure 10. Eria acervata Lindl. - Flower showing lip details; a. Flower;
5b. Flowers pale cream; lip with yellow red b. Dorsal sepal; c. Petal; d. Lateral sepal; e. Lip (after CSK 28745).
markings ………….........………….. E. excavata
6a. Plants reed like; stems more than 7 leaved ….. 7 We got our specimens from Tupul which later
flowered under cultivation at TBGRI.
6b. Plants pseudobulbous; stems less than 7 leaved
................................................................................ 8 Flowering: April-June
7a. Inflorescence densely flowered......E. paniculata Habitat: Primary forests at Tupul at 760 m.
Occurrence: Manipur: Tupul
7b. inflorescence laxly flowered.......E. bambusifolia
Distribution: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia,
8a. Leaves terete .........................……… E. pannaea
Vietnam and China.
8b. Leaves flat, dorsiventral ……………......…….. 9
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Tupul C. Sathish
9a. Inflorescence glabrous …………………......….10 Kumar 28745, 28758 (TBGT!).
9b. Inflorescence woolly, tomentose or pubescent 2. Eria amica Rchb. f., Xen. Orch. 2:162. T. 168 III, 6-9,
................................................................................11 1870; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:800. 1890; Pradhan,
10a. Flowers cream coloured; lip with a broad Opera Bot. 62: 115. 1982; Chauhan in Pathak et al.
orbicular midlobe……….......…….E. globulifera (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 90. 2001. E. confusa Hook. f.,
10b. Flowers white with a purplish flash; lip with a Ic. Pl. T. 1850, 1889 & Fl. Brit. India 5: 796. 1890; King
triangular midlobe ……................…….E. spicata & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:122 Pl.
169. 1898. E. andersonii Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:795.
11a. Inflorescence densely or softly tomentose 1890 & Ic. Pl. T. 2069. 1891.
……………………............………….. E. discolor
Type of this species was procured by John Day from
11b. Inflorescence pubescent, not tomentose…….12 Assam.
3. Eria bambusifolia Lindl., J. Linn. Soc.3:61.1859; Naithani, Nageswara Rao & Haridasan, Ind. J. For.
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 805. 1890; King & Pantling, 8(4): 333. 1985. Fig. 11
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:119.Pl.163.1898;
Epiphytic herbs. Stems usually plurinodal, close
together, 10-15 x 1-2 cm, cylindrical with broad
transparent acute sheaths. Leaves 3-5, oblong-
2001.
lanceolate, 10-22 x 2-3.5 cm, 11-veined, midvein
Types were collected from Khasia hills of Meghalaya. prominent having distinct sheathing leaf base.
3. Eria coronaria (Lindl.)Rchb. f. in Walp. Ann. 6:272. Inflorescence 3.5-4.5 cm long, 2-3 together arising from
1861; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta the axil of the leaf behind the apex, curved towards
8: 124. Pl. 172.1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. one side, many flowered and densely packed,
Edinburgh 21(3): 152. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India globular; floral bracts white and petaloid, 5-8 x 2.5-
3(2):127.1961; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 4.5 mm, 5-veined, ovate-oblong, margin slightly
357. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 62:40. 1982; erose, acute at apex; ovary + pedicel 4 mm long and
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 90. faintly pubescent. Flowers white or off white, 9 mm
2001. Coelogyne coronaria Lindl., Bot. Reg. 27:178. misc. long and 8 mm broad with spreading lateral sepals;
83. 1841. Trichosma suavis Lindl., Bot. Reg. 28:T. dorsal sepal 6 x 3.5-4 mm, ovate, 3-veined, gland
21.1842; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 827.1890 & 6:193. dotted, obtuse; lateral sepals broadly ovate, 5-5.5 x
1890. 3.5-4 mm, 3-veined, acute; petals 4-4.5 x 2-2.5 mm,
oblong-lanceolate, 1-veined, obtuse;lip 3-lobed, 2 x 3
Mukerjee reported this species from Khangkhui at mm across the sidelobes, 3-veined; sidelobes folded
1300 m. upwards, white semicircular, midlobe broad,
5. Eria discolor Lindl., J. Linn. Soc. 3:51. 1859; Hook. orbicular, broad at base, strongly yellow and cushion
f., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 5:21. 1985; like; column 1 mm long with a distinct thickening on
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 62:49. 1982. Tylostylis discolor either side; column foot 2 mm long, attaching lateral
(Lindl.)Hook. f., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 5:22. sepals and lip; operculum 1.5 mm broad, 8-celled,
1895 (in syn.); King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. pollinia 8 in two packets of four each. Fruits not seen.
Calcutta 8: 130. Pl. 180. 1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch.
Flowering: August
Guide to Iden. Cult. 341. 1979. Eria pulchella auct. non
Lindl.: Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 801. 1890 Habitat: Evergreen forests at 800 m.
We got our specimens from Thoubal. Occurrence: India, Manipur, Tupul; Arunachal
Pradesh.
6. Eria excavata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 67. 1830; Hook.
f., Ic. Pl. t. 1846. 1889 & Fl. Brit. India 5: 795. 1890; Distribution: India, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Tupul 18
21(3):152.1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):127.
March 1996 C. Sathish Kumar 27362 (TBGT!); flowered
under cultivation on 21 August 1996 C. Sathish Kumar
90. 2001.
28748 (TBGT!).
Mukerjee reported this species from Sirohi at
Note: Naithani et al. reported this species first time
2600 m.
for India from Arunachal Pradesh. This ia s new
7. Eria javanica (Sw.)Blume, Rumphia 2:23.1836; record for Manipur. Our identification was confirmed
Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 352. 1979; by Paul Ormerod who studied Seidenfaden’s type
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 62: 26. 1982. Dendrobium from Thailand.
javanicum Sw., Kgl. Sv. Vet. Akad. Nya Handl. 21:247.
9. Eria muscicola (Lindl.)Lindl., J. Linn. Soc.3:47.1859;
1800. Eria fragrans Rchb. f., Bot. Zeit. 22:415. 1864;
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 117. Pl. 159. 1898;
Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):127. 1961; Seidenfaden,
Shukla & Baishya, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 76: 227.
Opera Bot. 62:32.1982; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
1979.
Orch. Sci. & Com. 90. 2001. Dendrobium muscicola
Shukla and Baishya recorded this species from Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 75. 1830.
Moreh.
Deb reported this species from Kangpokpi (Maohing
8. Eria globulifera Seidenf., Opera Bot. 62:125.1982; 15.8.1953 D. B. Deb 935, CAL!)
10. Eria paniculata Lindl. in Wallich, Pl. As. Rar. 1:32. in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 90. 2001.
T. 36.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:789. 1890; King
Type originated from Bangladesh.
& Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:26.Pl.174.
1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Ident. Cult. 356. 11. Eria pannaea Lindl., Bot. Reg. 28:64. misc.79.1842;
1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 62:67.1982; Chauhan Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 804. 1890; King & Pantling,
3 mm
d e
f g
2 mm 2 mm
c
4 mm
4 mm
3 mm
5 cm i j
1 mm 1 mm
Figure 11. Eria globulifera Seidenf. - a. Habit; b. Flower; c. Flower (with one sepal removed); d. Floral bract; e. Dorsal sepal; f. Lateral sepal; g. Petal;
h. Pollinia; i. Operculum (after CSK 27362).
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 127. Pl. 176.1898; orchids with tubers or pseudobulbs bearing mostly
Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 356. 1979; plicate or grass like leaves and a lateral raceme of
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 62: 45.1982; Ghatak & Devi large variously shaped,coloured flowers. Twenty six
in Vij (Ed.) Biol. Cons. Cult. Orch. 358. 1986; Chauhan species are known from India. Three have been found
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 90. 2001. to occur in Manipur.
We saw specimens under cultivation at Thoubal in a 1a. Column with a distinct foot …………………. 2
military camp.
1b. Column without a foot …..……………. E. dabia
Specimens Examined: INDI: Manipur: Thoubal 22.03.1996
2a. Leaves present during flowering....E. spectabilis
C. Sathish Kumar 28707 (TBGT!)
2b. Leaves absent during flowering....... E. bicallosa
12. Eria spicata (D. Don) Hand. Mazz., Symb. Sin.
7:1353. 1936; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 1. Eulophia bicallosa (D. Don) Hunt & Summerh.,
365. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 62: 126.1982; Kew Bull. 20:60. 1966; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 72:
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 90. 38. 1984; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. &
2001. Octomeria spicata D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 31. Com. 91. 2001. Bletilla bicallosa D. Don, Prodr. Fl.
1825. Eria convallaroides Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 70.1830; Nepal. 30. 1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:196. 1890.
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 791. 1890; King & Pantling, Cyrtopera bicarinata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 189.1833.
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 118. Pl. 161. 1898. Eulophia bicarinata (Lindl.)Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:6.
This is closely allied to E. globulifera Seidenf. but has 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta
a different lip with a thickened midlobe. 8: 180. Pl. 244. 1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
13. Eria vittata Lindl., J. Linn. Soc.3:51.1859; Hook. f., 3(2):127. 1961.
Fl. Brit. India 5: 794. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy.
Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 120.Pl. 165.1898; Pradhan, Ind. Watt first collected this species from Manipur.
Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 365. 1979; Chauhan in Mukerjee reported it from Chammu at 1300 m.
Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 90. 2001. 2. Eulophia dabia (D. Don) Hochr. in Bull. New York
Watt collected this species for the first time from Bot. Gard. 6:270. 1910; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
Manipur. Orch. Sci. & Com. 91. 2001. Bletia dabia D. Don, Prodr.
Fl.Nepal. 30. 1825. Eulophia campestris Wallich ex
14. Eria sp. Fig. 12a Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 185.1830; Mukerjee, Notes Roy.
We could not identify this species so far. It was Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): 52. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot.
collected from Thoubal. Surv. India 3(2):127. 1961.
Mukerjee recorded this species from Ukhrul.
Esmeralda Reichenbach f.
3. Eulophia spectabilis (Dennst.) Suresh, Regn. Veg.
An Asian mainland genus of two epiphytic species 119:300. 1988. Wolffia spectabilis Dennst.,Schlüssel
with strikingly beautiful flowers distributed from Hortus Malab.11, 25, 38. 1813. Eulophia nuda Lindl.,
India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma through Thailand to Gen. Sp. Orch. 180.1833; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:5.
South China. Both the species occur in India. One is 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta
believed to occur in Manipur. 8: 180. Pl. 243.1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden.
Esmeralda clarkei Rchb. f., Gard. Chron. 2:552. 1886; Cult.457. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 72:40.1984;
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:136. 1988. Arachnanthe Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 91.
clarkei (Rchb. f.)Rolfe, Gard. Chron.567.1888; Hook. 2001.
Watt collected this species from Manipur.
Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 209. Pl. 279. 1898. Arachis
clarkei (Rchb. f.)J. J. Sm., Nat. Tidjdssschr. Ned. Ind. Flickingeria Hawkes
72:73.1912; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.
500. 1979. An epiphytic genus extending from tropical Asia to
Oceania with about 70 species characterized by
We could not collect or study any specimen from
creeping and rooting rhizomes with erect branches
Manipur.
bearing single-flowered inflorescence at top of
Eulophia R. Br. ex Lindley pseudobulbs close to foliage leaf and very
characteristic lip. Seven species are known from India.
An Old World genus of about 200 species of terrestrial One species occurs in Manipur.
Flickingera fugax (Rchb. f.) Seidenf., Dansk Bot. Ark. Opera Bot. 95:289. 1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
34(1):46.1980; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Orch. Sci. & Com. 91. 2001. Aerides calceolaris
Sci. & Com. 91. 2001. Dendrobium fugax Rchb. f., Gard. Buch.–Ham. ex J. E. Sm. in Rees Cyclop. 39. 1818, non
Chron. 1257. 1871; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:752. 1890. Teijsmann & Binnend. Epidendrum calaceolare Buch.-
Dendrobium macraei auct. non Lindl.: King & Pantling, Ham. in D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 32. 1825 in syn.
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 61. Pl.86. 1898. Saccolabium calceolare (Buch.-Ham. ex J. E. Sm.) Lindl.,
Gen. Sp. Orch. 223. 1833; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India6:60.
Lip is dilated from a cuneate base with obtusely
angled sidelobes and a clawed midlobe abruptly
8: 225. Pl. 300. 1898. Fig. 12b
hastate – flabelliform, dilated, emarginate - retuse
with undulate sides having two membraneous keels Devi and Ghatak reported this species from
running from base to top of the claw. Lamakhong at 1000 m.
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Kasom Khullen C.
Gastrochilus D. Don
Sathish Kumar 28712 (TBGT!). .
An Indo-Malesian genus of about 50 epiphytic species
4.Gastrochilus distichus (Lindl.)O. Kintze, Rev. Gen.
(Tsi, 1996) with short or long stems, linear oblong
leaves and often short subumbellate inflorescence of
& Com. 91. 2001. Saccolabium distichum Lindl., J. Linn.
very attractive flowers. Fifteen species are reported
Soc. 3:36.1859; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:64. 1890.
from India. Four species occur in Manipur.
1a. Epichile of lip smooth ………………G. distichus Geodorum Jacks.
1b. Epichile of lip papillose …………...………..... 2 An Indo-Malesian genus of ten species of terrestrial
orchids with epigeal pseudobulbs bearing many
2a. Stems reduced; sepals and petals yellow with plicate leaves and a lateral, apically curved
large chocolate blotches …................ G. bellinus inflorescence of pink to white or yellow flowers. India
2b. Stems elongate; sepals and petals greenish is known to have 3 species. Two have been reported
yellow or brown with brown or purplish from Manipur.
dots...….............................................................…. 3 1a. Flowers rose coloured .................G. densiflorum
3a. Leaves acute.....................………..G. acutifolius 1b. Flowers white coloured ………….. G. recurvum
3b. Leaves unequally 2 lobed ......…….G. calceolaris 1. Geodorum densiflorum (Lam.) Schltr., Fed. Repert.
1. Gastrochilus acutifolius (Lindl.)O. Kuntze, Rev. Beih. 4:259. 1919; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 72: 61
Gen. 2:661. 1891; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. (1983)1984; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci.
Sci. & Com. 91. 2001.Saccolabium acutifolium Lindl., & Com. 91. 2001. Limodorum densiflorum Lam., Enc.
Gen. Sp. Orch. 223. 1833; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:61. 3:516. 1792.
1890 King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 2. Geodorum recuvum (Roxb.) Alston in Trimen,
8: 226. t. 303. 1898. Flora of Ceylon 6:276.1931; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot.
Ghatak and Devi reported this species from 72:61 (1983)1984. Limodorum recurvum Roxb., Corom.
Khudengthabi as a new record for Manipur. Pl. 33. Pl. 39. 1795. Geodorum dilatatum R. Br. in
Aiton, Hort. Kew. Ed. 2, 5:207. 1813; Mukerjee, Notes
2. Gastrochilus bellinus (Rchb. f.) O. Kuntze, Rev. Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):152. 1953.
Gen. 2:661.1891; Christenson, Amer. Orch. Soc. Bull.
54(9): 1112.1985; Ghatak & Devi in Vij (Ed.), Biol. Mukerjee recorded this species from Kachai at 1440 m.
Cons. Cult. Orch. 360. 1986; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot.
95:287. 1988. Saccolabium bellinum Rchb.f., Gard. Goodyera R. Br.
Chron. 1:174. 1884; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 61. 1890. A widespread genus of about 160 species of ground
This was reported as a new record for India by Ghatak orchids occurring mostly in the warmer parts except
and Devi from Khudaengthabi, Manipur at 1340 m. Africa. Twenty species are known from India with
three in Manipur.
3. Gastrochilus calceolaris (Buch.- Ham. ex J. E. Sm.)
D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 32. 1825; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. 1a. Inflorescence dense; lip with pellucid glands
Guide to Iden. Cult. 557. 1979; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. …………………..................…………..G. procera
5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.75.1984; Christenson, 1b. Inflorescence lax; lip pilose or papillose within
Amer. Orch. Soc. Bull. 54(9):1113. 1985; Seidenfaden, …………………….......................………………. 2
b d
Figure 12. a. Eria sp.; b. Gastrochilus calceolaris (Buch.- Ham. ex J. E. Sm.) D. Don; c. Hygrochilus parishii (Veitch & Rchb. f.) Pfitz.; d. Paphiopedilum
hirsutissimum (Lindl. ex Hook.) Stein
2a. Leaves lanceolate with white blotching 2b. Leaves subradical, spreading or clustered
………………….....………G. schlechtendaliana about middle of stem ……........…….…………3
2b. Leaves ovate-laceolate without white blotching 3a. Lip simple with a raising tongue in between two
…….…………...................……………..G. foliosa stigmas ………..................…………H. mandersii
1. Goodyera foliosa (Lindl.)Benth. ex C. B. Clarke, J. 3b. Lip tripartite without tongue………………..…4
Linn. Soc. 25:73. 1889; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:113.
4a. Large flowered plants; lateral sepals more than
10 mm long ..........................................................5
8: 281. T. 374.1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
Edinburgh 21(3):152. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 4b. Small flowered plants; lateral sepals less than
3(2):127. 1961; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Ident. 10 mm long …………...........……….H. acuifera
Cult. 1:108. 1976; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 5a. Spur reduced; lip unlobed …….H. pelorioides
32(2):29. 1978; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
Sci. & Com. 91. 2001. Georchis foliosa Lindl., Gen. Sp. 5b. Spur well developed; lip 3 lobed……………...6
Orch. 496. 1840. 6a. Petals pubescent or glandular pubescent
Mukerjee found this species at Lamlong at 1800m. …………………….........……………..H. arietina
2. Goodyera procera (Ker-Gawl.) Hook., Exot. Fl. 1. 6b. Petals not pubescent ………………... H. dentata
3:T. 39. 1823; Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25::73; Hook. f., Fl. 1. Habenaria acuifera Wallich ex Lindl., Gen. Sp.
Brit. India 6:111. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Orch. 325. 1835; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:146 (excl.
Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 282. T. 378. 1898; Deb, Bull. Bot. syn. H. linguella).1890; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot.
Surv. India 3(2):127. 1961; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):152. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv.
to Ident. Cult. 1:109.1976; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. India 3(2):127. 1961; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark.
Ark. 32(2):22. 1978; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), 31(3):106.1977; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
Orch. Sci. & Com. 91. 2001. Neottia procera Ker-Gawl., Sci. & Com. 91. 2001.
Bot. Reg. 8:T. 639. 1822.
Mukerjee first reported this species from Manipur.
Clarke collected this species from west Manipur.
2. Habenaria arietina Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India
3. Goodyera schlechtendaliana Rchb. f., Linnaea 6:138.1890; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
22:861. 1849; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 32(2):26. Edinburgh 21(3):152. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India
1978; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 3(2):127.1961; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
91. 2001. Goodyera secundiflora auct. non Griffith: Hook. Sci. & Com. 91. 2001.
Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 288. T. 376. 1898; Pradhan, Mukerjee first collected this species from Ukhrul.
Ind. Orch. Guide to Ident. Cult. 1: 110. 1976. 3. Habenaria dentata (Sw.) Schltr., Fed. Repert. Beih.
Watt collected this species from Manipur in 1882 4:125. 1919; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
(Watt 5889, K). Edinburgh 21(3):152. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India
3(2):127. 1961; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(3):
Habenaria Willd. 98.1977; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. &
Com. 91. 2001. Orchis dentata Sw., Vet. Akad. Nya
A large pantropical genus of about 600-800 species
Handl. 21:207. 1800. Habenaria geniculata D. Don, Prodr.
of terrestrial orchids characterized by underground
Fl. Nepal. 25. 1825; Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25: 74.1889;
tuberoids, a leafy shoot and a terminal inflorescence
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:138. 1890; King & Pantling,
of variously coloured, spurred or rarely non-spurred
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:309. Pl. 405. 1898.
flowers. Seventy two species and one variety are
known from India. Seven species are reported from This is said to be a common species in Manipur at
Manipur. 1500-1800 m.
1a. Sidelobes of lip deeply laciniate....................... 4. Habenaria pelorioides Parish & Rchb. f., Trans.
........................................................ H. trichosantha Linn. Soc. 30:135 & 139. T. 27, Fig. 1, 1-3.1874; Hook.
f., Fl. Brit. India 6:166. 1890. H. malintana auct. non
1b. Sidelobes when present not laciniate, sometime
(Blanco)Merrill: Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
toothed …………………......................…………2
2a. Leaves radical and adpressed to ground 3(2):127.1953; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
……………..................………….....H. reniformis Sci. & Com. 91. 2001.
Mukerjee reported this species from Ukhrul and prominent wings. Only one species occurs in India
Sirohi in Manipur. We feel Parish & Rchb. f.’s species which is also found in Manipur.
is different from H. dentata (Blanco) Merrill to which
Holcoglossum amesianum (Rchb. f.) Christ., Not. Roy.
it was sunken.
Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 44(2):255. 1987; Seidenfaden,
5. Habenaria mandersii Collett & Hemsley, J. Linn. Opera Bot 95:308. 1988. Vanda amesiana Rchb. f., Gard.
Soc.28:133. 1890; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:146. 1890; Chron. 1:764.1887; Hook. f., Bot. Mag. 116:T.
Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(3): 126.1977; 7139.1890; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch.
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 91. Cong. Sing. 76. 1984; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
2001. Orch. Sci. & Com. 95. 2001.
6. Habenaria reniformis (D. Don)Hook. f., Fl. Brit. This species was reported by Devi and Ghatak from
India 6:152.1890; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Churachandpur at 831 m.
3(2):128. 1961; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. Hygrochilus Pfitzer
A monotypic genus found in mainland Asia from
Sci. & Com. 91. 2001. Listera reniformis D. Don, Prodr.
India, Burma, Thailand to Indo-China and China
Fl. Nepal. 28. 1825.
characterized by the elongate and arcuate column,
Mukerjee reported this species from Sungshung at movable hinged lip and two pollen masses each
1500 m. completely divided in more or less unequal
7. Habenaria trichosantha Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. semiglobular free halves. It is represented by
324.1835; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India6:138. 1890; Deb, Bull. Hygrochilus parishii, long known under the name
Bot. Surv. India 3(2):128. 1961; Seidenfaden, Dansk Vanda parishii and has been recorded from Manipur
Bot. Ark. 31(3):86.1977; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), and Mizoram.
Orch. Sci. & Com. 91. 2001. Hygrochilus parishii (Veitch & Rchb. f.)Pfitz., Nat.
Deb reported this species from Manipur. Pflanzenfam. II.6.Nachtr. I: 112.1897; Garay, Bot. Mus.
Leafl. Harv. Univ. 23(10): 374.1974; Pradhan, Ind.
Note: We visited Manipur during March-April much Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 498. 1979 & Ind. Orch. J.
ahead of flowering of Habnaria spp. And hence we 2(1):8. 1987; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:138. 1988.
could not collect any species. Vanda parishii Veitch & Rchb. f., Gard.Chron.180.1867;
Herminium R. Br. Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):154. 1953; Deb, Bull.
A terrestrial genus of about 40-50 species found in Bot. Surv. India 3(2):129.1961; Chauhan in Pathak et
the high latitudes of Asia. About fifteen species are al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 91. 2001. Fig. 12c
known from India. Only one species has been Mukerjee recorded this species from Kachai at 1080 m.
recorded from Manipur.
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Khongampatt C.
Herminium lanceum (Thunb. ex Sw.)Vujik, Blumea Sathish Kumar s. n. (TBGT!); Kachai Mukerjee 2946 (CAL!).
11(1):228. 1961; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(3):20.
1977; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. Kingidium P. F. Hunt
91. 2001. Ophrys lancea Thunb. ex Sw., Kgl. Akad. Vet.
Nya Handl. 21:223. 1800. Aceras angustifolia Lindl., A small Indo-Malesian genus of about 10 species of
Bot. Reg. sub T 1525. 1832. Herminium angustifolium epiphytic orchids with short stem, flat and broad
(Lindl.)Benth. Hook. f., Gen. Pl. 3:622.1880; Hook. f., leaves but attractive pink to white or yellowish
Fl. Brit. India6:129. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. flowers. Christenson (2001) prefers to keep this genus
Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 332. Pl. 434.1898; Mukerjee, under Phalaenopsis. Seidenfaden (1988) and Garay
Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):153. 1953; Deb, accept this as a natural genus. Five species are known
Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):128.1961. from India. One species occurs in Manipur.
Mukerjee reported this species from Sirohee at Kingidium taeniale (Lindl.)Hunt, Kew Bull. 24:98.
2000 m. 1970; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.2:550.
1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:185. 1988: Aerides
Holcoglossum Schltr. taeniale Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 239. 1833. Doritis
taenialis (Lindl.)Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:31. 1890; King
An Indo-Southeast Asian genus of eight epiphytic & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 199. Pl.
species characterized by short footless column with 266. 1898.
Liparis L. C. Rich. 3. Liparis cespitosa (Lam.) Lindl., Bot. Reg. 11:sub t.

882. 1825; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(1):61. 1976.
A pantropical genus of about 250 species of both Epidendrum cespitosum Lam., Encycl. 1:187. 1783.
terrestrial and epiphytic orchids having pseudobulbs Liparis prainii Hook. f., Icon. Pl. ser. 3(19): t. 1857A.
or rhizomes with plicate or fleshy leaves and a 1889. L. duthiei Hook. f., Icon. Pl. ser. 3(19): t.1857B.
terminal raceme of cream to pink flowers. Forty five 1889. Fig. 13
species are known from India. Eight species have been
recorded from Manipur. Our sketches were commented on by Ormerod as
matching with this species. Though nearer to L. fargesii
1a. Plants terrestrial; leaves non jointed, ovate to Finet on account of its pseudobulb characters lip and
lanceolate-ovate ………...........……...L. paradoxa other floral characters are exact match for L. cespitosa
1b. Plants epiphytic; leaves jointed ………..…….. 2 as proved by Ormerod.
2a. Pseudobulbs 1-leaved ……………..…………. 3 Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Tupul 03.06.1996 C.
Sathish Kumar 28744 (TBGT!)
2b. Pseudobulbs 2 or more leaved …………………4
4. Liparis distans C. B. Clarke, Journ. Linn. Soc. 25:71.
3a. Sepals 1 veined……………………. L. cespitosa T. 29.1889; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:704.1890;
3b. Sepals 3 or more veined ………...L. bootanensis Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):153.
1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):128. 1961;
4a. Lip truncate to emarginate ………...L. bistriata Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(1):76.1976; Chauhan
4b. Lip orbicular…………………………………......5 in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2001.
5a. Dorsal sepal 9-12 mm long …………………… 6 Clarke’s type specimen was from Kohima, Nagaland.
5b. Dorsal sepal less than 8 mm …………………...7 Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Ukhrul S K Mukerjee
3540 (CAL!).
6a. Flowers yellowish brown; lip margin
erose……………......…………………. L. distans 5. Liparis paradoxa (Lindl.)Rchb. f., Walp. Ann.
6:218.1861; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:697. 1890; King
6b. Flowers green; lip margin dentate..................... & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 27. Pl.
…………………………………… L. plantaginea 34.1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh
7a. Column wing with a long downward turned 21(3):153. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):128.
subulate tooth ……...........………. L. resupinata 1961; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(1):38.1976;
7b. Column wing without any tooth..L. viridiflora 2001. Empusa paradoxa Lindl., Bot. Reg. 10, sub T. 825.
1. Liparis bistriata Parish & Rchb. f., Trans. 1824.. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:182. 1890. Liparis paradoxa
Linn.Soc.30:155.1874; Hook. f.5:702. 1888 & Ic. Pl. T. var. parishii Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 698. 1890. Liparis
1858. 1889; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. parishii (Hook. f.) Hook
Calcutta 8:30. T. 39.1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Mukerjee reported this species from Ukhrul and
Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):153. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. Limboi at 2000 m and 1500 m. respectively.
India 3(2):128. 1961; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark.
31(1):73.1976; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Ukhrul S K Mukerjee
Sci. & Com. 92. 2001. 3258 (CAL!); Lomboi S K Mukerjee 3386 (CAL!).
Parish’s type specimen was collected from Moulmein, 6. Liparis plantaginea Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 29.1830;
Myanmar. Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 702. 1890; King & Pantling,
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Ukhrul Dr S K Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(1): 75.1976; Chauhan
Mukerjee 2881(CAL!); Maohing Deb 995(CAL!). in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2001.
2. Liparis bootanensis Griffith, Itin. Not. 98. 1848 This species was based on Wallich drawing available
(descri. & Not. 3:278. 1851(name); Hook. f., Fl. Brit. at Kew. We haven’t seen any specimens and it is
India 5:700. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. included on the authority of Chauhan.
Gard. Calcutta 8: 30. Pl. 40. 1898; Seidenfaden, Dansk
Bot. Ark. 31(1): 50.1976; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), 7. Liparis resupinata Ridley, Journ. Linn. Soc.
Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2001. 22:290.1886; Hook. f., Ic. Pl. T.1888.1889 & Fl. Brit.
India 5: 705 & 6: 183. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann.
Griffith’s type originated in Bhutan. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 36. Pl. 48. 1898;
Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(1): 88.1976; Chauhan 31.1830, p. p.; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:704, p. p. 1890;
in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2001. Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(1):82.1976; Chauhan
Ridley’s type was from Meghalaya.
Malaxis veiridiflora Blume, Bijdr. 392. 1825. Liparis
8. Liparis viridiflora (Blume) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. longipes Lindl. in Wallich, Pl. As. Rar. 1:31. T. 35.1830;
2 mm
2 mm
b
c d
2 mm
2 mm
e f
2 cm 2 mm
Figure 13. Liparis cespitosa (Lam.) Lindl. - a. Habit; b. Flower; c. Floral bract; d. Dorsal sepal; e. Petal; f. Lateral sepal; g. Lip (after CSK 28744).
Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25:71. 1889; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India a question mark. Kuntze (1891) immediately
5: 703. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. transferred this to Gastrochilus. Later, while supplying
Calcutta 8: 29. Pl. 37. 1898. L. spathulata Lindl., Bot. a full description of the plant and reproducing part
Reg. 28: misc. 189.1842; Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25:71. of Lutchman Singh’s drawing as well, J. D. Hooker
1889. (1895) confirmed his stand in Saccolabium and
commented it as ‘a remarkable species, quite unlike
Blume’s type was collected from Krakatau, Java.
any other’ and added ‘in the shape of the lip and
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: George Watt s. n. especially the hemispheric hypochile it precisely
(CAL!); Barak C. B. Clarke 42262 (CAL!); Irong A. Meebold accords with that of the section Calceolaria
6482(CAL!). (=Gastrochilus), but it resembles no species of that
At CAL there is another Liparis sp. from Manipur group in foliage and inflorescence, and further in the
collected by S.K. Mukerjee without flower. It is a large perfectly smooth epichile’. King and Pantling (1898)
plant almost filling the herbarium sheet. placed it under Luisia mainly because of the gross
vegetative morphology. While revising the genus
Luisia Gaudichaud-Beaupré Luisia, Seidenfaden (1971) felt it better placed in
Gastrochilus and even proposed a superfluous new
An Indo-Malesian genus of about 40 species of combination overlooking Kuntze’s prior name. Tsi
epiphytic orchids characterized by short stems, terete (1996) who summarized the genus Gastrochilus
leaves and a short fascicle of very attractive flowers. preferred to treat it under Luisia. Pearce and Cribb
Sixteen species are known from India. Two species (2002) and Misra (2004) follow Kuntze in treating it
occur in Manipur. under Gastrochilus.
1a. Epichile of lip glossy .............................. L. jonesii We made a critical study on the concept of J. D.
1b. Epichile of lip rugose ……..…….. L. antennifera Hooker’s Saccolabium inconpicuum which was shifted
between Gastrochilus and Luisia with no permanent
1. Luisia antennifera Blume, Rumphia 4:50. 1849,
abode, in comparison with a fresh collection from
nom. nud.; Mus. Bot. Lugd. 1:61. 1849; Hook. f., Fl.
Sagol Mangu at Saikul in Manipur. The characters of
Brit. India 6: 25.1890; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark.
Saccolabium inconspicuum such as its Luisia-like habit,
27(2): 70.1971; Ghatak & Devi in Vij (Ed.), Biol. Cons.
two solid pollinia, lip with saccate hypochile and
Cult. Orch.360. 1986; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:277.
unornamented epichile with keeled sepals and petals
1988.
keep it different from both Luisia and Gastrochilus
Ghatak and Devi reported it as a new record for India where it was placed lately. We are convinced that it
from Khudengthabi at 1340 m. We have not seen any is best placed in a genus of its own. We therefore
specimen. propose a new generic status for Saccolabium
inconspicuum Hook. f. As it very much resembles
2. Luisia jonesii J. J. Smith, Blumea 5:311. 1943;
Luisia superficially we name it Luisiopsis Sathish et
Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 27(2): 27.1971; Ghatak
Suresh evidently denoting its relationship.
& Devi in Vij (Ed.) Biol. Cons. Cult. Orch. 360. 1986.
Luisiopsis Sathish et Suresh, gen. nov.
Ghatak and Devi reported this from Moreh at 200
m. as a new record for India. Type: Saccolabium inconspicuum Hook. f.
Etymology: Luisia= a generic name, opsis = like, in
Luisiopsis Sathish et Suresh
reference to the superficial similarity in vegetative
Capt. Francis Jenkins (1793-1855) was a British Agent morphology.
to the Governor General of the erstwhile British India
Affinis Luisia et Gastrochilus e tribus Vandeae, sed
at Gauhati in Assam. He was avid collector of plants
differt a characteris combinatio similis Luisia in
including tea from Manipur and used to send the
habitato, folia tereta, flos caespitosus, supra-axilaris,
consignments to Wallich. One of his collections from
6-8, succulentus, sepala carinatus, labius saccatus
Lower Assam flowered at Indian Botanical Garden
hypochile et epichile succulentae et non ornamentae,
which Wallich passed on to his artist Lutchman Singh
pollinia duo, solida.
to prepare a water colour painting. Lutchman Singh
made a beautiful painting on which Wallich wrote Luisiopsis Sathish & Suresh is obviously related to
‘Cymbidium inconpicuum’ which was never published. Luisia in gross vegetative morphology and keeled
While working on the Orchidaceae for Flora of British nature of sepals. The similarity ends there. The two
India, J. D. Hooker described it under Saccolabium with entire pollinia and a lip divisible into a saccate
hypochile and an unornamented epichile are unique Series I of Dressler (1993) - Ascochilopsis, Ceratocentron,
features which when combined with its terete leaves Chamaeanthus, Chroniochilus, Grosourdya, Hemnorchis,
sufficiently demarcate this genus from the allied ones Malleola, Megalotis, Microtatorchis, Omoea,
of the tribe Vandeae. The two solid pollinia of Parapteroceras, Pennilabium, Porrorachis, Saccolabium
Luisiopsis are also seen in genera belonging to the and Tuberolabium.
5 cm
5 mm
3 mm
3 mm
1 mm
Figure 14. Luisiopsis inconspicuua (Hook. f.) Sathis & Suresh. - a. Habit; b. A portion of inflorescence; c. Flower; d. Front view of column & lip;
e. Pollinarium
Luisiopsis inconspicuua (Hook. f.) Sathish et Suresh, pollinia, especially the shape of stipe and pollen mass
comb. nov. as well as stipe longer than pollen mass, appear to
resemble those of genus Gastrochilus, but its more
Saccolabium? inconspicuum Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:56.
characters, such as terete leaves, raceme strikingly
1890; Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 5(1):46. 1895.
shortening and thick lateral sepals at backside with a
Gastrochilus inconspicuus (Hook. f.)Kuntze, Rev. Gen.
keel arising towards apex, not bifid gland adhered
Pl. 2:661. 1891; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 27(4):
at backside of rostellum by its upper surface and
94.1971 (Gastrochilus inconspicuum (Hook. f.)
shape of lip are uniform with those of genus Luisia,
Seidenfaden, nomen superfl.); Hynniewta et al., Orch.
so my opinion, it should be kept in genus Luisia rather
Nag. 189. 2000; Pearce & Cribb, Orch. Bhutan 521.
than transferring it to genus Gastrochilus’. This was
2002; Misra, Orch. Orissa 684. 2004. Luisia followed in his revision of the genus Gastrochilus (Tsi,
inconspicuua (Hook. f.) Hook. f. ex King & Pantling, 1996).
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:203.t. 272.1898; Tsi,
Guihaia 16(2): 151. 1996. Fig. 14 The new genus Luisiopsis with its combined characters
such as terete leaves, supra-axillary tufts of greenish
Epiphytic plants to 35 cm high. Stems to 15 cm long, white flowers, footless column, saccate hypochile,
terete, sometimes branching. Leaves terete, dark green, smooth epichile with hispid margin and
sessile, 2.5-10 x 0.1-0.2 cm. Inflorescence supra axillary inconspicuously two lobed apex and two solid and
tufts with short and sheathed peducle bearing 6-8 entire pollinia can be placed in subtribe Vandinae of
flowers. Flowers 4 mm across with greenish white tribe Vandeae Lindl., subfamily Vandoideae Endl.
sepals and petals; dorsal sepal 1.5-3 x 1- 2 mm, ovate (Szlachetko, 2003) along with Luisia, Ascolabium,
to ovate lanceolate, acute, 1-3-veined; lateral sepals Papilionanthe etc.
2.75-5 x 1-2 mm, obliquely ovate, keeled at back and
udulate on margin, obtuse, 1-3 veined; petals oblong Myrmechis Blume
to ovate-elliptic, 2-3 x 1-1.2 mm, acute, spreading and
An Indo-East Asio-Malesian genus of 15 species
1-veined; lip 2-3.5 x 1.5- 2 mm, firmly attached with
(Ormerod, 1998b) of terrestrial orchids characterized
the column base with a fleshy and cup-shaped
by slightly nodose stems, a few scattered leaves and
hemispherical hypochile, green with a flash of purple
a terminal pubescent raceme of 1-2 flowers and a lip
on margins without sidelobes; epichile as broad as
having a long claw. Only one species, M. pumila
hypchile, broadly ovate, flat, without any ridges, wart
(Hook. f.)Tang & Wang, is known from India,
or hairs, 2.2. x 1.5 mm, margin minutely hispid, obtuse
recorded from Manipur and Sikkim.
or slightly 2-lobed at apex; column erect, 0.5-1.5 x 0.5-
0.7 mm, very stout, without a foot; anther cap shortly Myrmechis pumila (Hook. f.) Tang & Wang, Act.
beaked; pollinia 2, entire, subglobose on a 0.75 mm Phytotax. Peking 1(1): 69. 1951; Seidenfaden, Dansk
long and thin stipes; viscidium subquadrate or ovate; Bot. Ark. 32(2): 76.1978; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
stigma oblong. Fruits ellipsoid capsules, 5-6 x 2 mm, Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2001.Odontochilus pumilus Hook.
shortly stalked. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 99. 1890; Ic. Pl. T. 2163.1894;
Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):153.
Flowering & Fruiting: June-October
1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2): 128. 1961.
Habitat: Plains on trees. Cheirostylis franchetiana King & Pantl., J. As. Soc. Bengal
Occurrence: Manipur, Sagol Mangu, Saikul. 64(3):341. 1895. Zeuxine pumila (Hook. f.)King & Pantl.)
King & Pantl., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:292. Pl.
Distribution: India, Nepal and Bhutan. 398.1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Sagol Mangu, Saikul 1:117. 1976. Anoectochilus pumilus “King & Pantl” auct.:
C. Sathish Kumar 28740 (TBGT!). W. W. Smith & Cave, Rec. Bot. Surv. India 4: 243. 1911.
Assam: s. coll. s. n. (CAL!); Burkill 37693 (CAL!). Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Sirohee Capt.
Nagaland: Koio Hynniewta 80717 (ASSAM); Kingdon-Ward 3267 (CAL!).
Wakching Hynniewta 79943 (ASSAM). Meghalaya:
Prain 142 (CAL!). Arunachal Pradesh: Burkill 38216 Neogyna Reichenbach f.
(CAL!). Orissa: S. Misra 165, 335 (CAL!).
A monotypic epiphytic genus found in Asian
Sikkim:Pantling 159(CAL!); Smith & Cave 820 (CAL!).
mainland from India to Indo-China through Nepal,
West Himalaya: Inayat 24114 (CAL!)
Bhutan, Burma, Thailand and China characterized
Note: While studying a specimen at CAL (Pantling by sidelobes folded around the column and the
159) Tsi commented ‘This species in respect of sepals saccate base. This species has been recorded
from many northeastern states of India including 1a. Inflorescence bearing a single flower ….……. 2
Manipur.
1b. Inflorescence bearing more than a single flower
Neogyna gardneriana (Lindl.) Rchb. f., Bot. Zeit ……………………….......................…………… 3
10:931. 1852; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.
2a. Midlobe of lip with entire edges …… N. falcata
282. 1979; Seidenfaden in Opera Bot. 89:76. 1986;
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2b. Midlobe of lip fimbriately incised and plaited
2001. Coelogyne gardneriana Lindl. in Wallich, Pl. As. crispy …………...............….…….. N. crociformis
Rar. 1:33. T. 38.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:828 & 3a. Leaves green throughout with coarse hairs on
6:193. 1890. both sides; flowers always 2 …..…..…. N. plicata
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Kupra George Watt
3b. Leaves green above, pink below, glabrous on
5871 (CAL!).
both sides; flowers 3-20 .....…...….. N. aragoana
Neottianthe 1. Nervilia aragoana Gaudich. in Freycinet, Voy. Bot.
(Reichenbach. f.) Schlechter 422. T. 35. 1829; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Ident.
Cult. 1:146. 1976; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 32(2):
This is a temperate Eurasian genus of 11 species of
164. 1978. Pogonia scottii Rchb. f., Flora 55, 18:276.1872;
terrestrial orchids with 2 species extending into the
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 120.1890 & Ann. Roy. Bot.
Himalayas. Only one species is believed to occur in
Gard. Calcutta 5: 62. T. 93. 1895; King & Pantling,
Manipur.
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 269. T. 360. 1898.
Neottianthe secundiflora (Hook. f.) Schltr., Fed. Nervilia scottii (Rchb. f.)Schltr., Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 45:404.
Repert. 16:291. 1919; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), 1911; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com.
Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2001. 92. 2001.
49. Nephelaphyllum Blume This is a widespread species throughout Indo-

Malesia.
An Indo-Malesian genus of 18 species (Seidenfaden
2. Nervilia crociformis (Zoll. & Mor.) Seidenf., Dansk
& Wood, 1992) of terrestrial orchids characterized by
creeping rhizome, slender pseudobulbs bearing Bot. Ark. 32(2):151. Fig. 92.1978; Petterson, Nord. J.
beautifully patterned leaves and dense or lax raceme Bot. 9: 494. 1998. Bulborchis crociformis Zoll. & Mor. in
of creamy yellow flowers. Three species with a variety Morintzi, Syst. Vez. Pl. Zoll. 89. Pogonia prainiana King
are known to occur in India. One species is found in & Pantl., Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 65:129. 1896; King &
Manipur. Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 267. T. 355.
1898. Nervilia prainiana (King & Pantl.)Seidenf., Dansk
Nephelaphyllum pulchrum Blume, Bijdr.373. t. 36. Bot. Ark. 32(2):149. 1978. Nervilia crispata auct. non
Fig. 22.1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:818. 1890; King (Blume) Schltr.:Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):128.
& Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:105. T. 1961.
145 (var. sikkimense). 1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide
to Iden. Cult. 244. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 89:22. Deb once found this species ‘very common all over
1986. the hills of territory at 900-2500 m’.
Meebold collected this species from Nasun Naga Hills 3. Nervilia falcata (King & Pantl.) Schltr. in Engl.
at 4000’ quite close to Manipur on Dec. 1907 (A Jahrb. 45:402. 1911; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
Meebold 7636, CAL!) in fruits. It is likely to occur in Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2001. Pogonia falcata King &
Manipur. Pantling, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 64(2):129. 1896.
King & Pantling described their novelty based on
latter’s collection from Western Dooar of Bhutan, east
Nervilia
Commerson ex Gaudichaud-Beaupre of the Jaldacca River. Leaf was unknown to the
An Old World genus of about 100 species of terrestrial authors. This species is included here on the authority
orchids characterized by underground tubers, of Chauhan.
appearance of leaves and flowers at different seasons, 4. Nervilia plicata (Andr.)Schltr., Engl. Bot. Jahrb.
cordate reniform leaves and long erect inflorescence 45:403. 1911; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Ident. Cult.
of 1, 2 or many differently coloured flowers. Sixteen 1:147. 1976; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark.
species are known from India. Four species occur in 32(2):156.1978; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
Manipur: Sci. & Com. 92. 2001. Arethusa plicata Andr., Bot. Rep.
5: T. 321. 1803. Pogonia plicata (Andr.)Lindl., Gen. Sp. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2001. O. myriantha Lindl.,
Orch. 415.1840; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:119. 1890; Fol. Orch. Oberonia No. 23.1859; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India
King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 268. 5: 679. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard.
T. 358. Calcutta 8: 10. T. 12. 1898; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot.
Ark. 25(3): 56. Fig. 34. 1968.
This is again a widespread species distributed
throughout Indo-Malesia. Meebold collected this species from Kappu at 7000’
in Nov. 1907 (A. Meebold 6651, CAL!). Seidenfaden
Oberonia Lindley (1968:56) cites the same number available at E and K.
A palaeotropical genus of about 300 epiphytic species 2. Oberonia bicornis Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 16. 1830;
with uniform habit and a pendulous spike or raceme Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 25(3): 85.1968; Chauhan
of small and unattractive flowers. Fifty two species in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2001.
are known from India. Ten species occur in Manipur: Malaxis bicornis (Lindl.)Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:682.
1a. Leaves jointed ………………………………….2 1888.
1b. Leaves not jointed…………………………........8 3. Oberonia clarkei Hook. f., Ic. Pl. T. 1779. 1888 &
Fl. Brit. India 5: 76. 1890; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot.
2a. Leaves laterally compressed ……………….... 3 Ark. 25(3): 107.1968; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
2b. Leaves terete or subterete ………. O. myosurus Orch. Sci. & Com. 107. 2001.
3a. Flowers sessile, sunken in pits on a fleshy rachis Clarke’s type was collected from Shillong in
……………………………...................………….4 Meghalaya. Chauhan included it from Manipur.
3b. Flowers pedicellate, not sunken in pits. Rachis 4. Oberonia ensiformis (J. E.Sm.) Lindl., Fol. Orch.
not fleshy …………...............………………….. 5 Oberonia No. 21.1859; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 679.
4a. Leaves very long (15-40 cm); lip truncate at 8: 8. Pl. 9. 1898; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 25(3):
apex………………...........………….. O. maxima 53. Fig.32. 1968 & Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(1):13.1978;
4b. Leaves less than 15 cm long; lip triangular at Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 93.
apex ……….............……………. O. pachyrachis 2001. Malaxis ensiformis J. E. Sm. in Rees Cyclop.
22(1):14. 1812.
5a. Midlobe with lateral calli in the middle................
…………..........................................O. ensiformis 5. Oberonia longibracteata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 15.
1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India5:678. 1890; Seidenfaden,
5b. Midlobe without calli …………………..............6
Dansk Bot. Ark. 25(3):83. Fig.52. 1968 & Dansk Bot.
6a. Sidelobes of lip fringed …………O. mucronata Ark. 33(1):39.1978; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
Orch. Sci. & Com. 93. 2001.
6b. Sidelobes of lip not fringed ……………...…… 7
6. Oberonia maxima Parish ex Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India
7a. Lip very much broadening from the middle
5:677. 1888; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):128. 1961;
with midlobe split in to two nearly circular
Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 25(3):21. 1968 & Dansk
lobules …………….………………… O. acaulis
Bot. Ark. 33(1): 13. 1978; Deori & Hajra, Bull. Bot. Surv.
7b. Lip not very broadening from the middle India 17(1-4):170.1978; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
………………........…………………O. pyrulifera Orch. Sci. & Com. 93. 2001. Fig. 15
8a. Sidelobes of lip raised above like vertical horns Epiphytic herbs. Leaves jointed, 22.5 x 2.5 cm, sword
……............................................……. O. bicornis shaped, laterally compressed, acute at apex.
Inflorescence arising from the middle, scape winged,
8b. Sidelobes of lip not raised above like vertical
stout, 17.5 cm long. Flowers numerous, sessile,
horns ………………….............…………………9
greenish, closely adpressed to the rachis, 3 mm long;
9a. Sidelobes of lip laciniate ……………...O. clarkei opening of flowers basipetal, sepals and petals
imbricate , reflexed;floral bract oblong, 3 x 2 mm,
9b. Sidelobes of lip rounded to slightly erose
longer than the ovary + pedicel, margin erose, apex
………………….......…………O. longibracteata
reflexed, gland dotted; dorsal sepal 1.25 x 1 mm,
1. Oberonia acaulis Griffith, Itin. Not. 76. Pl. I. 1848 ovate, gland dotted, entire on margin and rounded
& Not. 3:275 & Ic. T. 286. Fig.1. 1851; Seidenfaden, at apex; lateral sepals1.25 x 1 mm, ovate, gland-
Dansk Bot. Ark. 32(2):20; Chauhan in Pathak et al. dotted, acute at apex; petal 1.25 x 0.75 mm, narrowly
ovate, obtuse and wavy at apex; lip orbicular, 1.5 x 2 by an entire and heart shaped lip which is greenish
mm, broader than long, wavy at margins, gland- yellow in colour. This is a giant sized species.
dotted, 3-veined with a depression at base; pollinia
7. Oberonia mucronata (D. Don) Ormerod &
2. Fruits not seen.
Seidenfaden, Contr. Orch. Fl. Thailand XIII: 20.1997.
Stelis mucronata D. Don, Prod. Fl. Nepal.32.1825.
Cymbidium iridifolium Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3:458. 1832.
Oberonia iridifolia (Roxb.)Lindl., Gen Sp. Orch. 15.
1 mm
1 mm 1 mm 1830. p. p.; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 675. 1890;
c
f Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 25(3): 42. 1968 & Dansk
Bot. Ark. 33(1): 16. 1978. Oberonia denticulata Wight,
Ic. Pl. Ind. Or. 5(1):3. t. 1625.1851; Chauhan in Pathak
d e et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 92. 2001.
Till recently, this species was known under the name
b O. iridifolia.
g 8. Oberonia myosurus Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 16. 1830
p. p.; Hook. f., Ic. Pl. T. 1786B. 1888 & Fl. Brit. India 5:
685. 1890; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 25(3): 14. Fig.
1. 1968 & Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(1):10.1978; Chauhan in
9. Oberonia pachyrachis Rchb. f. ex Hook. f., Fl. Brit.
India 5:681. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot.
Gard. Calcutta 8: 4. Pl. 3. 1898; Seidenfaden, Dansk
Bot. Ark. 25(3): 19. Fig.5. 1968 & Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(1):
11. 1978.
10. Oberonia pyrulifera Lindl., Fol. Orch. Oberonia
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8::14.
Pl.16B.1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
5 cm Edinburgh 21(3):153. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India
3(2):128. 1961; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 25(3):
38. 1968 & Dansk Bot. Ark. 33(1):23.1978; Chauhan
a
Watt collected this species from East Manipur (George
Watt 6438, CAL!). Mukerjee found it in Zolloi at
1700m. on 15 May 1848 (Dr S K Mukerjee 2880, CAL!).
Figure 15. Oberonia maxima Parish ex Hook. f. - a. Habit; b. Flower;
c. Floral bract; d. Dorsal sepal; e. Lateral sepal; f. Petal; g. Lip
Odontochilus Blume
Flowering: July-August. terrestrial orchids most closely related to Anoectochilus
to which it has been sunken until Ormerod came up
Habitat: Evergreen forests at 700 m. with distinguishing combination of characters such
Occurrence: India: Manipur, Kasom Khullen as nodose and leafy stem, a terminal raceme of small
flowers with prominently pectinate flange on the claw
Distribution: India, Myanmar and Thailand. of lip which has a small saccate hypochile and a
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Kason Khullen, normally bilobed epichile. About six species are
flowered under cultivation on 26 August 1996, C. Sathish found in India with one reported from Manipur.
Kumar 28750 (TBGT!); Maoking D. B. Deb 994 (CAL! No Odontochilus grandiflorus Benth. & Hook. f. ex
flower left). Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:100.1890; Anoectochilus
Note: The type was a Parish collection (287 K) from grandiflorus Lindl., J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Bot. 1:179. 1857;
Moulmein, Myanmar. This species is characterized King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:296.
Pl. 393.1898; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 143. Pl. 199.1898;
& Com. 85. 2001. Seidenfaden, Bot. Tidsskr. 71(1-2): 9. Fig. 8. 1976;
Originally reported from Sikkim and Meghalaya, this
Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Congr.76.
was later found to occur in Manipur, Arunachal
1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 89:90.1986; Chauhan
Pradesh and Mizoram.
Ornithochilus (Lindley) Bentham Watt collected this species from Manipur (Watt 6482,
An Indo-Malesian genus of three epiphytic species K). Devi and Ghatak reported it from Phedinga at
characterized by short stem, large fleshy leaves and 700 m.
many flowered branching inflorescence. Only one 3. Otochilus porrectus Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 36.1830;
species has been recorded from India including Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:844.1890; Seidenfaden, Bot.
Manipur. Tidsskr. 71(1-2): 10.Fig. 10.1976; Pradhan, Ind. Orch.
Ornithochilus difformis (Wallich ex Lindl.)Schltr., Guide to Iden. Cult. 287. p. p. 1979; Devi & Ghatak,
Fed. Repert. Beih. 4:277. 1919; Seidenfaden, Opera Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 75. 1984;
Bot. 95: 43.1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 89:91.1986; Chauhan in
Sci. & Com. 93. 2001. Aerides difforme Wallich ex Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 93. 2001.
Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 242. 1833. Ornithochilus fuscus Devi and Ghatak reported this species from Phedinga
Wallich ex Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 242. 1833. in syn; at 700 m.
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:76. 1890; King & Pantling,
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 200.Pl. 268.1898; Pachystoma Blume
Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 551. 1979.
An Indo-Malesian genus of 2-5 species of terrestrial
Otochilus Lindley orchids with subterranean tubers, grass like leaves
and a lateral raceme of greenish white to yellow to
A small genus of five epiphytic species (Seidenfaden, pink flowers which are more or less secundly
1976) distributed from India to Indo-China and arranged. Two species are found in India. One species
characterized by articulate stem, 2 leaved nodes and occurs in Manipur.
a subterminal raceme of small white to creamy yellow
Pachystoma pubescens Blume, Bijdr. 376. Pl. 29. 1825;
flowers. Four species are known from India. Three
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 89:54. 1986. Apaturia senilis
species are found in Manipur.
Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 130. 1831. Pachystoma senile
1a. Flowers large; rostellum and operculum long (Lindl.)Rchb. f., Bonplandia 3:251.1855; Hook. f., Fl.
beaked…………................………… O. porrectus Brit. India 5:815. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy.
1b. Flowers small; rostellum and operculum not Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 101.Pl. 140.1898; Chauhan in
long beaked ………..........………........................ 2 Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 93. 2001.
2a. Leaves linear-lanceolate……………....O. fuscus Panisea (Lindl.) Steudel

2b. Leaves ovate-lanceolate……...................O. albus An Indo-Indo-Chinese genus of seven epiphytic
1. Otochilus albus Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 35.1830; species (Lund, 1987) characterized by congested
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:843. 1890; King & Pantling, pseudobulbs with one or two duplicate and narrowly
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 143.Pl. 200.1898; elliptic leaves and an inflorescence of one to many
Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh white or greenish yellow flowers. India is known to
21(3):153.1953; Seidenfaden, Bot. Tidsskr. 71(1- have three species. Two species have so far been
2):10.Fig. 9.1976; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. recorded from Manipur.
Cult. 288. 1979; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN 1a Flowers white; lip 2 tubercled ……. P. demissa
Orch. Cong. Sing. 75. 1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot.
1b. Flowers yellow; lip with 3 calli……. P. tricallosa
& Com. 93. 2001. 1. Panisea demissa (D. Don) Pfitz. in Pfitzer &
Kranzlin, Orch.-Coelog. Pflanzenr. Heft 32:141.1907;
Mukerjee reported this species from Ukhrul and Devi
Hegde & Rao, Ind. J. For. 7(1):77. 1984; Seidenfaden,
and Ghatak reported it from Pheding at 700 m.
Opera Bot. 89:86.1986; Lund, Nord. J. Bot.
2. Otochilus fuscus Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 35.1830; 7(5):517.1987. Dendrobium demissum D. Don, Prodr.
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 844. 1890; King & Pantling, Fl. Nepal. 34. 1825.
Meebold collected this species from Phalang Naga 1. Paphiopedilum hirsutisssimum (Lindl. ex
Hills at 5-6000ft in December 1907 (A. Meebold 7091, Hook.)Stein, Orchideenbuch 470. 1892; Pfitzer in
CAL!). Engler, Bot. Jarhb. 19:41. 1894 & Engler, Das
Pflanzenr. IV, 50:69. 1903; Pradhan, Paph. World
2. Panisea tricallosa Rolfe, Kew Bull. 1901:148;
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 89:86.1986; Lund, Nord. J. 2:84. 1972; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Ident. Cult.
Bot. 7(5): 525.1987; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), 39. 1976; Kataki, Lady’s Slipper orch. 16. 1984; Devi
Orch. Sci. & Com. 93. 2001. Fig. 16 & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 75.
1984;Cribb, The Genus Paph. 138. 1987 & 220. 1998;
93. 2001. Cypripedium hirsutissimum Lindl.ex Hook.
in Curtis’s Bot. Mag. 83: t. 4990. 1857; Hook. f., Fl.
Brit. India 6: 171. 1890. Fig. 12d
Devi and Ghatak reported this from Moreh at
200 m.
2. Paphiopedilum insigne (Wallich ex Lindl.) Pfitz.
in Engler & Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 2(6):84. 1889
& Engler, Das Pflanzenr. IV, 50:73. 1903; Pradhan,
Ind. Orch. Guide to Ident. Cult. 36. 1976; Devi &
Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.75.1984;
Kataki, Lady’s Slipper Orch.13. 1984; Cribb, The
Genus Paph. 220. 1987 & 231.1998; Chauhan in
Cypripedium insigne Wallich ex Lindl., Collect. Bot.
t. 32.1821; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 172. 1890. Fig. 20a
Figure 16. Panisea tricallosa Rolfe - a. Flower showing 3 callose lip
Devi and Ghatak recoreded this species from
Imphal.
Khudangthabi at 1340 m. 3. Paphiopedilum spicerianum (Rchb. f. ex Masters
& T. Moore)Pfitz. in Pringsh. Jarhb. Wiss. Bot.
Paphiopedilum Pfitzer 19:164.1888; in Engler, Pflanzenr. Orch. Pleon. 76.
1903; Pradhan 1976:38; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th
An Indo-Malesian genus of about 90 predominanatly
ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 75. 1984; Kataki, Lady’s
terrestrial herbs characterized by a unique slipper
Slipper Orch. 17. 1984; Cribb, The Genus Paph. 155.
shaped lip and a characteristic staminode. Some
1987; 269.1998; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
species have mottled leaves. Nine species are known
Sci. & Com. 93. 2001. Cypripedium spicerianum Rchb.
from India and five species occur in Manipur.
f. ex Masters & T. Moore in Gard. Chron. n. s. 12:505.
1a. Leaves uniformly green……………………..… 2 1879; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:172. 1890. ]Fig. 20b
1b. Leaves mottled with dark green and grey-green Devi and Ghatak reported this species from Nungba
…....................................................... P. venustum at 831 m.
2a. Dorsal sepal white with a median maroon vein 4. Paphiopedilum venustum (Wallich ex Sims)Pfitz.
…………...................……………. P. spicerianum in Jahrb. Wiss. Bot. 19:163. 1888; Stein,
Orchideenbuch 489.1892; Pfitz. in Engler, Bot.
2b. Dorsal sepal not as above……....…………….. 3
Jahrb.19:41.1894 & in Engler, Pflanzenr. Orch. Pleon.
3a. Petals half twisted near the apex, strongly 81. 1903; Pradhan in Orch. Dig. 38:195.1974; Pradhan
undulate on basal margins......P. hirsutissimum in Orch. Dig. 40:92. 1976; Kataki, Lady’s Slipper
Orch. 12.1984; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN
3a. Petals not twisted near the apex …………….. 4
Orch. Cong. Sing.75. 1984; Cribb, The Genus Paph.
4a. Petals spathulate, obtuse, undulate on upper 211. 1987 & 392. 1998.Cypripedium venustum Wallich
margin in basal two-thirds...............…P. insigne in Curtis’s Bot. Mag. 47:t. 2129. 1820;Hook. f., Fl. Brit.
4b. Petals obovate-spathulate, retuse-emarginate, India 6:173. 1890
not undulate…..................…….…… P. villosum Devi and Ghatak recorded it from Imphal.
5. Paphiopedilum villosum (Lindl.) Stein,

Orchideenbuch 490. 1892;Pfitz. in Engler, Bot. Jahrb.
19:41. 1894 & in Engler, Pflanzenr. Orch. Pleon. 72.
1903; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden.
Cult.1:37.1976; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN
Orch. Cong. Sing. 75. 1984; Kataki, Lady’s Slipper
Orch. 14. 1984; Cribb, The Genus Paph.150.1987 &
254. 1998. Cypripedium villosum Lindl. in Gard.
Chron. 1854:135. 1854: Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India
1890:171.
Devi and Ghatak recorded this species from Imphal.
Papilionanthe Schlechter
An Indo-Malesian genus of ten epiphytic species
characterized by terete leaves, highly colourful
flowers that have a long column-foot and a curious
lip. India is known to have five species with two in
Manipur.
1a. Flowers pinkish white with darker lip having
yellow throat............................................. P. teres
1b. Flowers pure white………..………P. vandarum
1. Papilionanthe teres (Roxb.) Schltr., Orchis 9:78. Fig. Figure 17. Papilionanthe vandarum (Rchb. f.) Garay - a. Flower (after CSK
12.1915; Garay, Bot. Mus. Leafl, Harv. Univ. 23(10): 28723).
371.1974; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.
563. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:230. 1988. Pecteilis Rafinesque
Dendrobium teres Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3:485. 1832. Vanda teres An Indo-Malesian genus of 6-7 terrestrial species
(Roxb.)Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 217.1833; Hook. f., Fl. characterized by short stigma lobes and a variously
Brit. India6:49. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. laciniate or rarely entire lip with a long spur at base.
Gard. Calcutta 8: 214. Pl. 285.1898; Chauhan in Pathak Four species are known from India. Two are found
et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 93. 2001. in Manipur.
We collected this species from the Military Campus 1a. Flowers small with sepals about 2 cm or less
at Imphal growing on old trees. ………………………...................…….. P. henryi
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Imphal C. Sathish 1b. Flowers large with sepals about 3 cm or
Kumar s.n. (TBGT!). more……………...……..…........……P. susannae
2. Papilionanthe vandarum (Rchb. f.) Garay, Bot. 1. Pecteilis henryi Schltr., Fed. Repert. Beih. 4:45. 1919;
Mus. Leafl. Harvard Univ. 23(10):372.1974; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(3):23.1977; Chauhan
Christenson, Amer. Orch. Soc. Bull. 63:1375. 1994; in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 93. 2001.
2001. Aerides vandarum Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron. 997. 2. Pecteilis susannae (L.)Rafin. Fl. Tell. 2:38. 1837;
1867. Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):
153. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):128. 1961;
We collected this species from between Kasom Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(3):22.1977;
Khullen and Saram growing on road side trees. It is Seidenfaden & Wood, Orch. Peinins. Mal. Sing. 108.
quite close to P. biswasiana but petals are broad with 1992. Orchis susannae L., Sp. Pl. 939. 1753. Habenaria
a narrow base, 3 lobed lip has two erect sidelobes susannae (L.)R. Br., Prodr. 312. 1810; Hook. f., Fl. Brit.
and bilobulate midlobe, lobules are heart-shaped, India6: 137. 1890. Platanthera susannae (L.)Lindl., Gen.
disc 1 keeled and keel rounded. Sp. Orch. 295.1835 (excl. some syn.); Pradhan, Ind.
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Near Saram C. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 56. 1976.
Sathish Kumar 28723 (TBGT!); Sirohee S. K. Mukerjee 2779 Mukerjee reported this species from Khayang at
(CAL!). 2000 m.
Peristylus Blume 25. 1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:161. 1890 (excl. syn.
H. grandis); King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard.
An Indo-Malesian genus of some 60-70 species of Calcutta 8: 326. Pl. 430. 1898.
ground orchids characterized by variously shaped
tuberoids, ensheathed stem, fleshy leaves and Deb found this species to be common in Manipur.
aterminal inflorescence of mostly green to creamy 4. Peristylus lacertiferus (Linld.)J. J. Sm., Bull.
yellow flowers. Twenty seven species and two Buitenz. 3. s. 9:23. 1927; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark.
varieties are known from India. Six species are so far 31(3): 58.1977; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
reported from Manipur. Sci. & Com. 93. 2001. Coeloglossum lacertiferum Lindl.,
1a. Sidelobes of lip thread like, longer than midlobe Gen. Sp. Orch. 302. 1835. Habenaria lacertifera
…………………...................………….…………2 (Lindl.)Benth., Fl. Hongk. 362. 1861; Hook. f., Fl. Brit.
India 6: 163 (incl. var. robusta). 1890; Deb, Bull. Bot.
1b. Sidelobes of lip not thread like, shorter than Surv. India 3(2):127. 1961.
midlobe ………………………............………….3
J. D. Hooker studied material from Manipur for his
2a. Spur slender, cylindrical, acute .…….. P. densus treatment in Flora of British India. Deb collected it from
2b. Spur globular, slightly bifid at base Mao at 1800 m.
............................................................. P. tipuliferus 5. Peristylus mannii (Rchb. f.) Mukerjee, Notes Roy.
3a. Lip with a callus on disc………….P. lacertiferus Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): 153. 1953; Seidenfaden,
Dansk Bot.Ark. 21(3): 45.1977; Chauhan in Pathak et
3b. Lip without any callus on disc …………....……4 al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 93. 2001.Celoglossum
4a. Leaves linear, grass like ……..……... P. mannii mannii Rchb. f., Linnaea 41:54. 1877. Peristylus “Hook.
f. ” Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25:73. 1889. Habenaria gracillima
4b. Leaves lanceolate to ovate, not grass like............5
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:163. 1890.
5a. Entrance to spur wide opened, naked.... P. affinis
Mukerjee reported this species from Ukhrul.
5b. Entrance to spur minute with a triangular
6. Peristylus tipuliferus (Parish & Rchb. f.)Mukerjee,
nectary ………….......………… P. goodyeroides
Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):158. 1953;
1. Peristylus affinis (D. Don) Seidenf., Dansk Bot. Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(3): 41.1977; Chauhan
Ark. 31(3):48.1977; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 94. 2001.
Orch. Sci. & Com. 93. 2001. Habenaria affinis D. Don, Habenaria tipulifera Parish & Rchb. f., Trans. Linn. Soc.
Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 25. 1825. Habenaria goodyeroides var. 30:139.1974; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:157. 1890.
affinis King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta Habenaria brandisii Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:162. 1890.
8: 327. Pl. 430. 1898. Habenaria goodyeroides auct. p. p.:
Mukerjee reported this species from Litan and
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 161. 1890.
Ukhrul.
2. Peristylus densus (Lindl.)Santapau & Kapadia, J.
Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 57:128. 1960; Seidnfaden, Phaius Loureiro
Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(3):32.1977; Chauhan in Pathak et An Old World genus of about 50 terrestrial species
al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 93. 2001. Coeloglossum characterized by a leafy plurinodal stem, variously
densum Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 302. 1832. Platanthera shaped leaves and a lateral raceme of brightly
stenostachya Lindl. ex Benth., Hooker’s J. Bot. & Kew coloured flowers.Five species are known from India.
Misc. 7:37. 1855. Habenaria stenostachya (Lindl. ex Three species occur in Manipur.
Benth.)Benth., Fl. Hongk. 362. 1861; Hook. f., Fl. Brit.
India 6: 156. 1890. Peristylus stenostachyus (Lindl. ex 1a. Scape axillary or from amongst the leaves, not
Benth.)Krzl., Orch. Gen. Sp. 502.1901; Mukerjee, exceeding the leaves ...............… P. mishmensis
Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): 153. 1b. Scape from side of the pseudobulb, tall stout.....2
1953;Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):128. 1961.
2a. Leaves spotted with dull yellow; flowers golden
Mukerjee reported this species from Sirohee. yellow ………..............................………P. flavus
3. Peristylus goodyeroides (D. Don)Lindl., Gen. Sp. 2b. Leaves uniformly green without spots; flowers
Orch. 299. 1835; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):128. buff and purple …...............……P. tankervilleae
1961; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 31(3):53.1977;
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 93. 1. Phaius flavus (Blume)Lindl., Gen Sp. Orch.
2001.Habenaria goodyeroides D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 128.1831; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh
21(3):154. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 1b. Lip yellow at base with deep orange on sidelobe
3(2):128.1961; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. region and pale rose at apex; light violet or pink
Cult. 703. 1979; Seidenfaden,Opera Bot. 89:41.1986; at base of column …………....…….. P. fasciata
1. Phalaenopsis cornucervi (Breda) Blume & Rchb.
94. 2001. Limodorum flavum Blume, Bijdr. 375. 1825. f., Hamb. Gartenz. 16:116. 1860; Devi & Ghatak, Proc.
Phaius maculatus Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 127.1831; 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing.75. 1984; Seidenfaden,
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:817.1890; King & Pantling, Opera Bot. 95:239. 1988. Polychilos cornucervi Breda
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:107. T. 149. 1898. in Kuhl & v. Hasselt, Gen. Sp. Pl. 1. 1827; Shim, Mal.
Mukerjee reported this species from Lamlang at Nat. J. 36: 23. 1982.
2000m. Devi and Ghatak reported this species from Jiribam.
2. Phaius mishmensis (Lind. & Paxt.)Rchb. f., 2. Phalaenopsis fasciata Rchb. f., Gard. Chron. n.s.
Bonplandia 5:43.1857; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. 18:134.182; Christenson, Phalaenopsis A mono. 17.
India5:817.1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. 2001. Polychilos fasciata (Rchb. f.)Shim, Mal. Nat. J.
Gard. Calcutta 8: 109. Pl.152. 1898; Pradhan, Ind. 36:25. 1982. Figs. 18, 20c
Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 703. 1979; Devi & Ghatak,
Proc. 5 th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 75. 1984; Epiphytes. Leaves 15-20 x 4-6 cm, elliptic to obovate,
channelled above, obtuse rounded at apex.
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 89:47.1986; Chauhan in
Inflorescence arising from the base of the stem,
arching, shorter than the leaves, sometimes longer,
Limatodis mishmensis Lindl. & Paxt., Flower Gard.
a few flowered, pleasantly fragrant; floral bract 4 x
3:36. 1852.
3 mm, triangular with acute apex; pedicel plus ovary
Devi and Ghatak reported this species from Tami 1.8 cm, offwhite;sepals and petals spreading with
at 690 m. yellow background and deep brown stripes; dorsal
sepal 2.4 x 1 cm, elliptic, 7-veined, backwardly
3. Phaius tankervilleae (Banks ex l’Heritier)Blume,
folded, acute at apex; lateral sepals 2.4 x 1.4 cm,
Mus. Bot. Lugd. 2(12):177.1856; Pradhan, Ind. Orch.
ovate-elliptic, 7-veined, margin slightly wavy,
Guide to Iden. Cult.703. 1979; Devi & Ghatak in Vij
acuminate at apex; petals 2.1 x 0.9 cm, elliptic to
(Ed.), Orch. Biol. Cons. Cult. 75. 1986; Seidenfaden
ovate, 7-veined, acute at apex; lip 3 lobed, 2 x 1.5
in Opera Bot. 89: 43. 1986; Chauhan in Pathak et al.
cm across sidelobes region, sidelobes oblong-ovate,
(Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 94. 2001. Limodorum
erect, parallel, obliquely truncate with pointed apex,
tankervilleae Banks ex l’Heritier, Sert. Ang.28. 1789. 0.6 x 0.4 cm, yellowish at base and pale rose at apex
Phaius grandifolius Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 2:529. 1790; having small brown dots within, a small furrow in
Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. the middle as a projection, a bunch of orange yellow
75. 1984. Phaius wallichii Lindl. in Wallich, Pl. As. fleshy tubercles in the middle of the two sidelobes;
Rar. 2:46. T. 158.1831; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India5:816 & midlobe oblong-obovate with a central keel and an
6: 191. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. apical pad of raised tissue having a few scattered
Calcutta 8:108. Pl. 150.1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. trichomes just behind the apical pad; basal portion
Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): 154. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. with two pairs of thorn like projection placed one
Surv. India 3(2):129. 1961. above the other with the smaller being above and
Mukerjee collected this species from Ukhrul. forward pointing; column arching, pale rose, club
shaped, 1.2 cm long. Fruits not seen.
Flowering: December-January
Phalaenopsis Blume
An Indo-Malesian genus of some 40 epiphytic Habitat: Evergreen forests at 800 m.
species characterized by short stems, thick, shining,
Occurrence: India, Manipur, Tupul.
flat and broad leaves and an inflorescence bearing
strikingly beautiful flowers (Christenson, 2001). Five Distribution: India and Philippines.
species are known from India. Two species could Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur, Tupul: C. Sathish
be collected from Manipur including a new record Kumar 28259 (TBGT!); 23 December 1998, C. Sathish Kumar
for India. 28764 (TBGT!).
1a. Lip white with parallel red stripes on sidelobes, Note: We got our specimens from Tupul at an altitude
red on front of central appendage and base of of 760 m. It flowered under cultivation at TBGRI.
column…………………………… P. cornucervi Identification of this species posed some problems
as there were many species with the same colour fasciata Rchb. f. known only from the Philippines.
pattern. Dr Eric Christenson, USA who studied our Thus, the present discovery forms a new record for
sketches and photos confirmed it to be Phalaenopsis India.
1 cm
b
d
e
1 cm 1 cm
3 cm
Figure 18. Phalaenopsis fasciata Rchb. f., Gard. - a. Habit; b. Flower showing column and lip (sepals and petals removed); c. Dorsal sepal; d. Petal;
e. Lateral sepal (after CSK 28259).
Pholidota Lindley ex W. J. Hooker Rchb. f., Bonplandia 4:329.1856; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India
5:846.1890; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
An Indo-Malesian genus of about 29 epiphytic species Edinburgh 21(3): 154. 1953; Pradhan, Ind. Orch.
with seven varieties (Seidenfaden, 1986) characterized Guide to Iden. Cult. 292. 1979; Chauhan in Pathak et
by the bifariously arranged flowers with conspicuous
al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 94. 2001 P. imbricata var.
bracts. Seven species with one variety are known from
sessile Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 846. 1890.
India. Four species are so far recorded from Manipur.
Mukerjee recorded this species from Ukhrul at
1a. Pseudobulbs caespitose; new ones from the side
2000 m.
of a pseudobulb …………................………….. 2
3. Pholidota imbricata W. J. Hook., Exot. Fl. 2:T. 138.
1b. Pseudobulbs superposed; new ones from apex
1825; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):129. 1961;
of previous pseudobulb ……................….……3
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:98. 1988. P. imbricata var.
2a. Leaves leathery; lateral sepals free at base coriacea Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:846. 1890.
……………………........…………… P. imbricata
Deb reported it from Kairengi at 900 m.
2b. Leaves thin; lateral sepals connate near base
4. Pholidota protracta Hook. f., Ic. Pl. T.1877.1889;
……………………............………… P. bracteata
3a. Scapes arising from the sheaths of the internodes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): 154. 1953; Chauhan
……………........................………… P. protracta in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 94. 2001.
3b. Scape arising from the top of the pseudobulbs Mukerjee reported this species from Khangkhui.
between the leaves ….................…..P. articulata
1. Pholidota articulata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 38. 1830; Phreatia Lindley
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:884. 1890; King & Pantling, An Indo-Malesian genus of about 150 species of
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 146. Pl. 205. 1898; epiphytic orchids characterized by minute flowers,
Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):154. very simple and unornamented lip and eight
1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):129. 1961; pollinaria. It is represented in India by three species.
Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 294. 1979; Only one species has been recorded from Manipur.
Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 94. 2001: Phreatia elegans Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 63.1830; Hook.
Pholidota griffithii Hook. f., Ic. Pl. T. 1881. 1889 & Fl. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:810.1890; Chauhan in Pathak et al.
Brit. India 5: 845.1890; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 93. 2001.
Iden. Cult. 294. 1979; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Lindley described this species based on Macrae’s
Orch. Sci. & Com. 94. 2001; P. obovata Hook. f., Fl. collection from Sri Lanka. We haven’t seen any
Brit. India 5:845. 1890. P. lugardii Rolfe, Kew Bull.
specimen from Manipur. CAL has specimens from
1893:6. 1893. P. articulata var. griffithii (Hook. f.)King
Meghalaya and Sikkim, besides Dr A. Henry’s
& Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:147. Pl.
collections from China and Taiwan.
204. 1898. Fig. 20d
Flowering: April-May. Pleione D. Don
Habitat: Primary and secondary forests at 600- An Asian mainland genus that extends to South
2000 m. China and Taiwan with its 14 epiphytic species
(Cribb, Tang & Butterfield, 1983) and characterized
Occurrence: Manipur, Thoubal, Sirohee.
by short habit and large and stunningly beautiful
Distribution: Indo-Malesia. flowers. Five species are known from India. Four are
reported to occur in Manipur.
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Thoubal C. Sathish
Kumar 28737, 28760 (TBGT!); Sirohee S. K. Mukerjee 1a. Pseudobulbs 1 leaved …………...……………. 2
3212(CAL!)
1b. Pseudobuls 2 leaved ………….......…………... 3
2. Pholidota bracteata (D. Don) Seidenf., Opera Bot.
2a. Leaves hysteranthous; lip base saccate...........
89:100.1986. Ptilonema bracteatum D. Don, Prodr. Fl.
……………………...………………… P. humilis
Nepal. 33. 1825. Pholidota pallida Lindl., Bot. Reg. 21.
sub T. 177. 1835. Pholidota imbricata auct. non W. J. 2b. Leaves synanthous; lip base not saccate
Hook. : Lindley, Bot. Reg. T. 1213. 1829. P. calceata …………………......………………P. hookeriana
3a. Sepals and petals creamy white, sometimes with Polystachya W. J. Hooker
streaks of pink …................………..P. maculata
A pantropical genus of some 200 epiphytic species of
3b. Sepals and petals pink to pinkish purple orchids with a mian centre of distribution in Africa
……………….........……………………P. praecox characterised by pseudobulbous stems bearing a few
1. Pleione hookeriana (Lindl.)B. S. Williams, Orchid leaves and a single or branched inflorescence of
Grow. Man. Ed. 6, 548. 1885; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. variously coloured (creamy green to light pink in
Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): 154. 1953;Cribb, Tang & Asia) flowers. Only one species has been recorded
Butterfield, Curtis’s Bot. Mag. 184(3):112.1983; from India, also occurring in Manipur.
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 114:106.1992; Chauhan in Polystachya concreta (Jacq.) Garay & Sweet,
Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 94. 2001. Orcquideologia 9(3):206. 1974; Seidenfaden in Opera
Coelogyne hookeriana Lindl., Fol. Orch. Coelogyne Bot. 95:14. 1988. Epidendrum concretum Jacq., Enum.
14.1854; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 842. 1890. Syst. Pl. 30. 1760. Onychium flavescens Blume, Bijdr.
325. 1825. Polystachya flavescens (Blume) J. J. Sm., Fl.
Mukerjee reported this species from Sirohee at
Buitenz.6: 285. Fig. 218.1905; Pradhan, Ind. Orch.
2600 m.
Guide to Iden. Cult. 371.1979.
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Sirohee Dr S
This is a pantropical species.
K Mukerjee 3238 (CAL!).
2. Pleione humilis (J. E. Sm.)D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. Porpax Lindley
37. 1825; Cribb, Tang & Butterfield, Curtis’s Bot.Mag. An Indo-Malesian genus of 13 epiphytic or lithophytic
184(3): 119.1983; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. species characterized by discoid and compressed
Sci. & Com. 94. 2001. Epidendrum humile J. E. Sm., pseudobulbs and tubular flowers. Six species are
Exot. Bot. T. 98.1806. Coelogyne humilis (J. E. known from India. Only one species has been so far
Sm.)Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 43.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. recorded from Manipur.
India 5:840. 1890.
Porpax gigantea Deori, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 17:174.
Cribb et al. recorded this species from Manipur. 1978; Seidenfaden, Bot. Tidsskr.72(1):6. 1977 & Opera
3. Pleione maculata (Lindl.)Lindl.Paxt. Fl. Gard. 2:5. Bot. 89: 120. 1986.
T. 39.1851; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. Deori recorded this species from Manipur.
281; Cribb, Tang & Butterfield, Curtis’s Bot. Mag.
184(3):106. Fig. 1B. T. 860. 1983; Seidenfaden, Opera Renanthera Loureiro
Bot. 89: 77.1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. An Indo-Malesian genus of about 15 species of
Sci. & Com. 94. 2001. Coelogyne maculata Lindl., Gen. epiphytic orchids characterized by monopodial habit
Sp. Orch. 43.1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:841 & 6: and an often branched inflorescence of strikingly
194. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. coloured, often red flowers. One species occurs in
Calcutta 8: 140. T. 195. 1898: India, known from Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh,
Meebold collected this species from Manipur in Mizoram and Nagaland.
November 1907 at 5000 ft. Renanthera imschootiana Rolfe, Kew Bull. 1891:200.
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Ningba A. Meebold 1891; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong.
6562 (CAL!). Sing.76.1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 114:367.1992;
4. Pleione praecox (J. E. Sm.) D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 2001. R. papilio King & Prain, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal
37. 1825; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 64(3):328. 1895. Figs. 19, 22a
21(3): 154. 1953;Cribb, Tang & Butterfield, Curtis’s
Bot. Mag. 184(3):110.1983; Chauhan in Pathak et al. A fairly common species in Manipur, R. imschootiana
(Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 94. 2001. Epidendrum praecox is much exploited by orchid traders for breeding
experiments. Several intergeneric hybrids involving
J. E. Sm., Exot. Bot. 2:23. T. 97. 1806. Coelogyne praecox
this species have been produced and they, like the
(J. E. Sm.)Lindl., Coll. Bot. sub T. 37.1826; Hook. f.,
parent, are a hot favourite of orchid lovers. Flowers
Fl. Brit. India 5:840 & 6:194. 1890; King & Pantling,
of this species are scarlet red. Dorsal sepal is light
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 141. Pl. 196. 1898.
brownish yellow, petals light cream with pink spots
Mukerjee collected this species from Sirohee at towards tip, lateral sepals scarlet red, very small,
2500 m. saccate lip 3-lobed, sidelobes sharp, erect, deep scarlet
red and midlobe apex scarlet red. There are two keels Sing.76.1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:214.1988;
at sidelobes region and three at midlobe region. Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 94.
2001. Epidendrum retusum L., Sp. Pl. 953. 1753.
This species is common at Thoubal.
Specimen Examined: INDIA; Manipur: Imphal C. Sathish
Kumar 28737 (TBGT!)
Rhytionanthos Garay et al.

1 cm
b An Indo-Malesian genus of about a dozen species of
epiphytic orchids characterized by non twisted
involute, lateral sepals firmly united along both
margins and presenting a horn or pouch-like
appearance. Eight species are known from India. Only
1 mm c one species has been recorded from Manipur.
a
Rhytionanthos cornutum (Lindl.)Garay, Hamer &
Siegerist, Nord. J. Bot. 14(6):637. 1994; Seidenfaden,
Figure 19. Renanthera imschootiana Rolfe - a. Flower (front view); Opera Bot. 124: 51. 1995. Cirrhopetalum coruntum
Lindl., Bot. Reg. 24: misc. 75. 1838. Bulbophyllum
b. Flower side view; c. Pollinarium (after CSK 28738).
cornutum (Lindl.) Rchb. f. in Walp. Ann. 6:261. 1861.

Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Khongya near
Phyllorchis helenae Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 2:676. 1891.
Moreh C. Sathish Kumar 28738 (TBGT!); Between Khairung
Bulbophyllum helenae (Kuntze)J. J. Sm., Bull. Buitenz.
and Maitiphun-Manipur-Naga Hills frontier May 1892 Lt.
Ser. 2. 8:24. 1912; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
Lugard s. n. (Acc. No. 457529, CAL!); Munnipore Hiils June
Sci. & Com. 86. 2001.
1899 Capt. Chatterton s. n. (Acc No. 457524, CAL!). Assam:
18 May 1895 Lt. Chatterton 558 (CAL!, Type of Renanthera Satyrium Swartz
papilio King & Prain). Mizoram: South Lushai Hills near
Fort Lungh 3000 ft. April 1899 A. T. Gage 230 (CAL!). An Old World genus of about 100 species of terrestrial
BURMA(MYANMAR), Taunggyi: May 1938 F. G. Dickason orchids with a centre of distribution in Africa and
9332 (Acc. No. 457525, CAL!). characterized by tuberoid rhizomes, fleshy stems and
leaves, and a terminal inflorescence of varying colours
Rhynchostylis Blume with two collateral spurs on the lip. Only a single
species occurs in India, which is also recorded from
An Indo-Southeast Asian genus of four epiphytic Manipur at high alititudes.
species characterized by short stems, thick and fleshy
leaves and lateral inflorescence of closely arranged Satyrium nepalense D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 26.
flowers. Two species have been recorded from India 1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:168.1890; Mukerjee,
andboth found in Manipur. Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): 154. 1953;
Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):129.1961; Chauhan in
1a. Lip apex 3-lobed………….……….. R. gigantea Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 94. 2001.
1b. Lip apex notched/ slightly retuse or apiculate Mukerjee recorded this species from Sirohi at 2500
……………….................……………… R. retusa m. on grassy fields.
1. Rhynchostylis gigantea (Lindl.)Ridley, J. Linn. Soc.
32:356.1896; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Schoenorchis Reinw.
Cong. Sing. 74. 1984; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:217. An Indo-Malesio-Australasian genus of about 24
1988. Saccolabium giganteum Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 221. epiphytic speciesc characterized by small flowers
1833. with spurred and fleshy lip firmly jointed to very
Devi and Ghatak reported this species from short footless column. Five species are known from
Khongampatt. India. Two species have been recorded from
Manipur.
2. Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume, Bijdr. 286. Fig.
49.1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:32. 1890; King & 1a. Epichile of lip with a large semicircular callus
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 213. Pl. 284. ……………………..............………… S. fragrans
1898; Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. 1b. Epichile without any callus ……….. S. gemmata
c d
Figure 20. a. Paphiopedilum insigne (Wallich ex Lindl.) Pfitz.; b. Paphiopedilum spicerianum (Rchb. f. ex Masters & T. Moore) Pfitz.); c. Phalaenopsis fasciata
Rchb. f.; d. Pholidota articulata Lindl.
1. Schoenorchis fragrans (Parish & Rchb.f.) Seidenf. Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.)Ames, Orchis 2:53.1908;
& Smitin., Orch. Thailand 4(i): 611. 1963, p. p.; Hook. Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):154.
f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 58. 1890. Schoenorchis manipurensis 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):124. 1953;
U. C. Pradhan, Amer. Orch. Soc. Bull. 47:912. Fig. 1. Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 32(2):105.1978;
1978 & Ind. Orch. Guide to Ident. Cult. 529, 729. 1979; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 95.
Devi & Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 2001.Neottia sinensis Pers., Syn. Pl. 2: 511. 1807. N.
76. 1984. australis R. Br., Prodr. 319. 1810. Spiranthes australis
(R. Br.)Lindl., Bot. Reg. 10:sub t. 823.1824; Hook. f.,
Pradhan’s Manipur plant was found to be identical
Fl. Brit. India 6:102. 1890
with the Myanmar plant Saccolabium fragrans. Devi
and Ghatak reported this species from Tuyai- Mukerjee recorded this species from Sirohee at
Waichong area at 122 m. 2300 m.
2. Schoenorchis gemmata (Lindl.)J. J. Sm., Nat. Sunipia Lindley

Tijdsschr. Ned. Ind. 72:100.1912; Pradhan, Ind. Orch.
Guide to Iden. Cult.526. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. An Indo-Malesian genus of about a dozen species
characterized by a short subquadrate-truncate to
95:71. 1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. &
emarginate rostellum with pollinia attached to it
Com. 94. 2001. Saccolabium gemmatum Lindl., Bot. Reg.
through a Y-shaped caudicle and a single gland.
24. misc. 50. 1838; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 55. 197.
Three species are known from India. Only one species
1890 & Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 5: 46. T. 70. 1895.
has been recorded from India.
Cleisostoma gemmatum (Lindl.)King & Pantling, Ann.
Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 234. Pl. 313. 1898. Sunipia bicolor Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 179.1833;
Spathoglottis Blume Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 89: 176.1986. Ione bicolor
(Lindl.)Lindl., Fol. Orch. Ione 6. 1853; King& Pantling,
An Indo-Malesio-Pacific genus of about 30 species of
Ann. Roy. Bot. Grd. Calcutta 8: 159. T. 216. 1898:
terrestrial orchids characterized by often
Seidenfaden, Bot. Tidsskr. 64(2-3): 216. 1969.
subterranean pseudobulbs, linear to lanecolate plicate
Bulbophyllum bicolor (Lindl.) Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5:
leaves and a lateral inflorescence of beautiful flowers
770. 1888, non Lindl.; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
having lip with twin calli at base of midlobe. Three
species are known from India. Only one species
3(2):126. 1961.
occurs in Manipur.
Mukerjee recorded this species from Tosen at
Spathoglottis pubescens Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch.
2700 m.
120.1831; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 814.1890; Mukerjee,
Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3):21(3):154. Tainia Blume
1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):129.1953;
Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 249. 1979; An Indo-Malesian genus of about 25 species of
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 94. terrestrial orchids characterized by fleshy and
2001. S. bensonii Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:814. 1890; variously shaped pseudobulb bearing a single, long
Ic. Pl. T. 2087. 1892. S. parvifolia Lindl., Bot. Reg. 31: petioled, variously shaped leaf and a long lateral
sub T. 19. 1845. S. pubescens var. parvifolia raceme of brightly coloured flowers. Six species are
(Lindl.)Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:814. 1890. S. pubescens known from India. Two species are reported from
var. berkeleyii Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:814.1890 & Manipur.
6:191. 1890. 1a. Lip with 3 keels, lateral keels raising lamellately
Mukherjee reported this species from Ukhrul at at middle …………..............…………T. latifolia
2000m. 1b. Lip with 5 keels, raising lamellately at distal
region …….........………………… T. viridifusca
Spiranthes L. C. Rich.
1. Tainia latifolia (Lindl.) Rchb. f., Bonplandia 5:54.
A world wide genus of about 42 species of terrestrial 1857 (excl. syn. Calanthe visidifusca); Hook. f., Fl. Brit.
orchids characterized by soft tuberoids, fleshy stems India5:820 & 6:192. 1890; Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard.
and leaves, and a terminal inflorescence of spirally Calcutta 5:24. T. 35. 1895; King & Pantling, Ann. Roy.
arranged variously coloured, often white to pink Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 103. Pl. 142. 1898; Pradhan, Ind.
flowers. Two species occur in India and one is Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 273. 1979. Ania latifolia
recorded from Manipur. Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 130. 1831.
Though Deb collected this species from Manipur, he T. 26. 1845. Thelasis elongata Blume, Bot. Mus. Lugd.
did not include it in his account on the monocot flora 2:187. 1856; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:86. 1890. Fig. 21
of Manipur. At CAL there is a beautiful painting of
this species after a Sikkim plant first flowered in 1867
at Indian Botanic Garden. Lip is 3-lamellate with two 2 mm
2 mm
outer ones dilated. Pantling’s pencil sketches are 1 cm

found on s. coll. s. n. (accession no. 454064, CAL!).
Flowering: August-September b
Habitat: Forest floor in shade. c
f
Occurrence: Manipur, Koirengi.

Distribution: India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand and
Laos. a
d 1 mm
e
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Koirengi Deb
2583(CAL!). Figure 21. Thelasis pygmaea (Griffith) Blume - a. A portion of the
2. Tainia viridifusca (W. J. Hook.) Benth. ex Hook. f., inflorescence; b. Floral bract; c. Dorsal sepal; d. Lip; e. Petal;
f. Pollinarium
Fl. Brit. India 6:820.1890; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide
to Iden. Cult. 241. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 89:28. Griffith’s type was collected from Nepal. We got our
1986. Calanthe viridifusca W. J. Hook., Bot. Mag. 78:T. specimens in vegetative condition, which flowered
4669. 1852. under cultivation at TBGRI. Two leaved polished
Pseudobulbs 2.5-5 cm long, obliquely conical. Petiole green pseudobulbs, a long lateral spike of creamy
about 60 cm long with 45-60 long linear-elliptic many green flowers never fully opening and strongly keeled
veined blade. inflorescence about equaling the petioled boat shaped lateral sepals are very characteristic of
leaf; peduncle and rachis 45-60 cm long and glaucous; this species .
midlobe of lip apiculate. Flowering: May-June.
Flowering: January-March. Habitat: Primary forest behind an army camp
Habitat: Forest floor. Occurrence: Manipur, Tupul.
Occurrence: Manipur, no precise locality. Distribution: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam,
Distribution: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and China, Hong Kong, Malaya, Sumatra, Borneo and the
China. Philippines.
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: George Watt 6293 (K). Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Tupul C Sathish
Nagaland: Naga Hills F. Kingdon-Ward 11209 (CAL!). Kumar 28741 (TBGT!).
Meghalaya: Jarain, beyond Jowai R. Pantling s. n. (Acc. No.
454051, CAL!). Thrixspermum Loureiro
Thelasis Blume
epiphytic orchids characterized by short or long
An Indo-Malesian genus of about 25 epiphytic species inflorescence bearing a few fugacious flowers
characterized by not fully opening flowers arranged opening successively. Eight species are known from
at the end of a long scape, lip with a longitudinal India. Only one species is known to occur in
thickening and a beaked operculum. Four species Manipur.
have been recorded from India. Only one is known Thrixspermum centipeda Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 520.
to occur in Manipur. 1590; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:152. 1988; Chauhan
Thelasis pygmaea (Griffith) Blume, Fl. Jav. 23.1858; in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 95. 2001.
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5:86. 1890; King & Pantling, Dendrocolla arachnites Blume, Bijdr. 287. Fig. 67. 1825.
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 249. Pl. 331.1898; Sarcochilus arachnites (Blume) Rchb. f. in Walp. Ann.
Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 443. 1979; 6:498.1863; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:41. 1890.
Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 89:156.1979; Chauhan in Thrixspermum arachnites (Blume)Rchb. f., Xen. Orch.
Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 95. 2001. 2:121. 1867; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.
Euproboscis pygmaea Griffith, Calc. J. Nat. Hist. 5:371. 503. 1979.
Thunia Reichenbach f. Vanda Jones ex R. Br.

An Indo-Malesian genus of four epiphytic or An Indo-Malesian genus of about 40 species of
lithophytic species characterized by light grayish epiphytic or lithophytic orchids characterized by long
green leaves and a terminal bunch of beautiful white profusely rooting stems, loriform leaves and axillary
to pink flowers. Three species have been reported racemes of variously coloured beautiful flowers.
from India and one from Manipur. Twelve species are known from India. Eight species
occur in Manipur.
Thunia alba (Lindl.)Rchb. f., Bot. Zeit. 10:764. 1852;
Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):129. 1961; Pradhan, 1a. Flowers blue; lip much shorter than dorsal sepal
Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.439. 1979; Devi & …………….............................……….. V. coerulea
Ghatak, Proc. 5th ASEAN Orch. Cong. Sing. 76. 1984;
1b. Flowers not blue; lip same length as dorsal sepal
………………….............................………………2
Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 2001:95. Phaius
albus Lindl. in Wallich, Pl. As. Rar. 2: T. 198.1831; 2a. Epichile of lip broadly ovate, fleshy, concave
Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21 (3): with longitudinal purple streaks......…V. pumila
154.1953; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India5:818 p. p. 1890; King 2b. Epichile pandurate or broadening towards apex
& Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 110. Pl. …………………..........................………………. 3
153. 1898. p. p. Thunia marshalliana Rchb. f., Linnaea
41:65.1877; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 3a. Midlobe of lip with a basal narrow neck longer
439. 1979; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & than broad, widening into the strongly
Com. 95. 2001. bilobulate apical part ……………… V. liouvillei
Mukerjee recorded this species from Ukhrul at 3b. Midlobe not as above …………………………. 4
1200 m. 4a. Spur long, cylindric …………………..………. 5
Tropidia Lindley 4b. Spur short, conical …………………………….. 6
A pantropical genus of 6 species of terrestrial orchids 5a. Front of epichile deeply notched, edges
characterized by often branched stems, broadly recurved ………..........………… V. coerulescens
elliptic to cordate-ovate leaves and a terminal 5b. Front of epichile broad, rotundate, edges finely
inflorescence of white to pale yellow flowers. India is erose-dentate …….......................…… V. testacea
known to have four species. Only one has been
6a. Lip apex produced into two lobed processes
recorded from Manipur.
……………....................……………….V. cristata
Tropidia curculigoides Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch.
6b. Lip apex not produced into long processes
497.1840; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 93. 1890; King & …………………...................…………………… 7
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 275.Pl.
366.1898; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 7a. Sepals and petals golden green, tessellated with
21(3):154. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India chestnut brown …....................…… V. stangeana
3(2):129.1961; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. 7b. Sepals and petals yellowish green or greenish
Cult.101. 1979; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. white without tessellation …...........…. V. alpina
Sci. & Com. 95. 2001. 1. Vanda alpina (Lindl.) Lindl., Fol. Orch. Vanda
10.1853; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 43. 1890; Chauhan
Mukerjee found this species at Chatrik at 1000m. in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 95. 2001. Luisia
alpina Lindl. in Bot. Reg. 24: Misc. 56. 1838. Stauropsis
Uncifera Lindley alpina (Lindl.)Tang & Wang in Acta Phytotax. Sin. 1:
An Indo-South East Asian genus of six epiphytic 93. 1951. Trudelia alpina (Lindl.)Garay, Orch. Dig.
orchids characterized by pendulous leafy stems and 50(2): 76. 1986.
leaf opposed and densely flowered racemes of pale Garay (1986) treats this under Trudelia.
green to yellow flowers. Three species occur in India
2. Vanda coerulea Griffith ex Lindl., Bot. Reg. sub T.
and one in Manipur.
30.1847; Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25:73.1889; Hook. f., Fl.
Uncifera acuminata Lindl., Journ. Linn. Soc.3:40.1859; Brit. India 6:51.1890; Mukerjee, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:65. 1890; Chauhan in Pathak Edinburgh 21(3): 153. 1953; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv.
et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 95. 2001. India 3(2):129.1961; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to
c d
Photographs by C. Suseendran
Figure 22. a. Renanthera imschootiana Rolfe; b. Vanda coerulea Griffith ex Lindl.; c. Vanda pumila Hook. f.; d. Vanilla parishii Rchb. f.
Iden. Cult. 567. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:196. Flowering: March –April.
1988. Fig. 22b
Habitat: Primary forests.
This is a commom species in Manipur.
Occurrence: Manipur: Tupul.
Flowering & Fruiting: August-December.
Habitat: Primary forests at 1300-1800 m.
Occurrence: Manipur:Ukhrul, Imphal.
Distribution: India, Myanmar, Thailand and China.
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Ukrul Mukerjee 3480
(CAL!); Deb 1957(CAL!); Imphal C. Sathish Kumar s.n.
(TBGT!).
3. Vanda coerulescens Griffith, Not. 3:352. Ic. T.
331.1851; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:50. 1890; Pradhan,
Opera Bot. 95:208.1988; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.),
Orch. Sci. & Com. 95. 2001.
Devi and Ghatak found it at Thoubal. It is common 1 cm
in Imphal particularly on trees along Kangla river.

Flowering: April-October.
Habitat: Primary forests, occasionally on exotic trees
at 700 m.
Occurrence: Manipur: Thoubal, Imphal.
Figure 23. Vanda pumila Hook. f. - Flower
Distribution : India, Myanmar, Thailand and China.
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Bor 18456 (K); Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar,
Kangla Riverside C. Sathish Kumar 28706 (TBGT!). Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China and Sumatra.
4. Vanda cristata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 216.1833; Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Tupul C. Sathish
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:53.1890; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Kumar 28703 (TBGT!).
Guide to Iden. Cult. 570. 1979; Chauhan in Pathak et This is a new record for Manipur.
al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 95. 2001. Trudelia cristata
(Lindl.)Senghas in Die Orchideen 1(19-29):1211. 1988. 7. Vanda stangeana Rchb. f., Bot. Zeit. 14:351. 1858;
Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1890:54; Pradhan, Ind. Orch.
5. Vanda liouvillei Finet, Not. Syst. (Paris) 2: 299. Guide to Iden. Cult. 569. 1979; Kataki, Jain & Sastry,
Fig.6. 1913; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot. 95:204. 1988; Threat. End. Orch. Northeast Ind. 92.1984; Chauhan
Phukan, Orch. Rev. 104(1209): 189. 1998. in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 95. 2001.
Phukan (1998) reported this species as a new record Devi and Ghatak found this species at Tengnoupal
for India from Manipur. at 1390 m.
6. Vanda pumila Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 53.1890; 8. Vanda testacea (Lindl.) Rchb.f., Gard.Chron.
Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 5: 45. Pl. 68. 1895; King 166.1877; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.
& Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 216. Pl. 567, 637. 1979; Seidenfaden, Opera Bot.95: 208.1988;
288.1898; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 95.
570. 1979; Seidenfaden,Opera Bot. 95 :209. 1988. 2001. Aerides testacea Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 238. 1833.
Trudelia pumila (Hook. f.)Senghas in Die Orchideen Vanda parviflora Lindl., Bot. Reg. 30:misc. 45.1844;
1(19-20):1211. 1988. Figs. 22c, 23 Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:50 (excl. var. albiflora). 1890;
Flowers 2-4, fragrant, creamy yellow/white; sepals King & Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 215,
and petals with pink markings at base; lateral sepals Pl.286. 1898.
with pink spotted lines in the half region; lip spurred Devi and Ghatak reported this species from
with pink or purple markings. Churachandpur.
Vandopsis Pfitzer petals 2.7 x 0.7 cm, oblong obtuse, green, midvein of
the petal thickened on dorsal side and ends in a in a
An Indo-Malesian genus of five epiphytic species hove like structure just beneath apex, obtuse; lip 2.8
characterized by short footless column to which the x 2.7 cm, 3-lobed; sidelobes oblong-orbicular, fused
lip is firmly adnate with geniculately bent lip, more with the column upto its ¾ length, having pink hairs
or less canaliculated, gibbous at base. Only one inside; midlobe oblong, margin wavy, with a tuft of
species occurs in India which is also found in long pink hairs, truncate at apex; mesochile with 7
Manipur. batch of flat many lobed, backwardly projected scales;
Vandopsis undulata (Lindl.)J. J. Sm. in Nat. Tijd. Ned. column white with pink lines on ventral side, 2-2.2
Ind. 72:77. 1912. Vanda undulata Lindl., Journ. Linn. cm long, stigma crescent shaped, slightly winged at
Soc. 3: 42. 1859. Stauropsis undulatus Benth. ex Hook. apex with very broad and prominent rostellum;
f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 27. 1890; King & Pantling, Ann. operculum green, 4 x 3 mm, 3-lobed at apex; pollinia
Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:205. Pl. 275.1898; Mukerjee, 4 in two pairs. Fruits fleshy, 6-10 cm long.
Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21(3): 154. 1953 Flowering & Fruiting: December-April
Mukerjee recorded this species from Nongbi and Habitat: Evergreen forests
Khamsang at 1600-2000 m.
Occurrence: Manipur, Khongampatt
Vanilla Plumier ex Miller Distribution: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand.
A pantropical genus of about 100 species of climbing Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: Khongampatt C.
orchids characterized by the winy habit, thick and Sathish Kumar 28270 (TBGT!).
fleshy stems with or without leaves and an axillary
fascicle of fairly large flowers of varying colours, lip Yoania Maxim.
always fused halfway with the long column with
different kinds of fleshy plates on the disc. India is A saprophytic genus of two delicate species found in
known to have five species. One is reported from the Himalayas, Japan and New Zealand characterized
Manipur. by the aphyllous habit, densely clothed scales and
white flowers on a raceme. Two species occur in India.
Vanilla parishii Rchb. f., Otia Bot. Hamb. 1:39. 1878; Only one species has been reported from Manipur.
Ormerod, Oasis Suppl. 2:9. 2001. Vanilla pilifera auct.
non Holtt. :Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 32(2):142, Yoania japonica Maxim., Bull. Acad. St. Petersb.
fig. 88. 1978; Borthakur & Hajra, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 18:68. 1873; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 123. 1890:
18(1-4): 228. 1979(1976); Seidenfaden & Wood, Orch. Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult. 436. 1979;
Penins. Mal. Sing. 125 p. p. Fig. 51B. Pl. 5C.1992; Kataki, Jain & Sastry, Threat. End. Orch. Northeast
Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 95. Ind. 92. 1984; Chauhan in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch.
2001. Figs. 22d, 24 Sci. & Com. 95. 2001.
This species was first noted in Manipur by Kingdon- Prain’s collectors recorded this species from Manipur
Ward who wrongly believed it to represent V. at the crest of Bareil range (s. w. of Japoo) at 7000 ft
planifolia. We got our samples from Khongampatt, and from Kohima, Nagaland.
thanks to H.B. Singh. Fresh flowers enabled us a
Zeuxine Lindley
detailed study in comparison with the type at Kew,
copy of which was sent to us by Ormerod, confirming A widespread genus of about 40-50 species of delicate
that the species was Vanilla parishii Rchb. f. ground orchids characterized by trailing and nodose
Climbing herbs. Stems green, fleshy and leafy and stem with thin leaves and a terminal inflorescence of
rooting throughout. Leaves simple, alternate, 5.5-10 x white to pale yellow flowers. Fifteen species are
1.8-2.5 cm, many veined, midvein prominent. known from India and two species from Manipur.
Inflorescence axillary, scape deep green 3.5-4 x 0.6 mm, 1a. Leaves linear, grass like ……..Z. strateumatica
bracteate; floral bracts ovate oblong, 3 x 4-6 mm, acute
1b. Leaves not linear or grass like, but obliquely
at apex. Flowers 7-9 in number, open successively from
ovate-lanceolate, acute with a grey band along
base upwards; ovary + pedicel 3.7-5 cm, white; dorsal
midrib …….……......................……. Z. nervosa
sepal 2.7 x 0.8 cm, obovate, 12-veined, basally white,
otherwise green, margin inwardly folded, obtuse at 1. Zeuxine nervosa (Wallich ex Lindl.) Benth. ex C.
apex; lateral sepals 2.6 x 0.9-1 cm, boat shaped, 12- B. Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. 25:73.1889; Hook. f., Fl. Brit.
veined, colour same in dorsal sepal, hooded at apex; India6:108. 1890 & Ic. Pl. T. 2174. 1894; King &
Pantling, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 289. T. 385. in Pathak et al. (Ed.), Orch. Sci. & Com. 95. 2001.
1898; Deb, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3(2):219.1961; Etaeria nervosa Lindl., Wall. Cat. 7381. 1832. nom. nud.
Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Ident. Cult. 119. 1976; Monochilus nervosum Wallich ex Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch.
Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 32(2):79.1978; Chauhan 487. 1840.
5 cm 1 cm
1 cm b d
1 cm
a
e
f
1 cm
1 cm
h
1 cm c
1 mm
1 cm j
g
i
Figure 24. Vanilla parishii Rchb. f. - a. Habit; b. Flower, side view; c. Flower, front view; d. Dorsal sepal; e. Petal (back view showing projection of midvein);
f. Lateral sepal; g. Lip; h. A single scale of the brush on centre of lip; i. Column; j. Operculum showing pollinia (after CSK 28270 ).
Specimens Examined: INDIA, Manipur: West ‘Muneypore’ -----1960. Forest type studies in Manipur. Ind. For. 86:94-
(fide C. B. Clarke 1889); Tupul C. Sathish Kumar 28746 111.
(TBGT!). -----1961. Monocotyledonous plants of Manipur Territory.
Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3:126-129.
2. Zeuxine strateumatica (L.)Schltr., Engl. Bot. Jahrb.
Devi, R. K. J. & J. Ghatak 1984. A preliminary study on
45:394. 1911; Pradhan, Ind. Orch. Guide to Iden. Cult.
orchids of Manipur. Proc. 5 th ASEAN Orchid
1:115. 1976; Seidenfaden, Dansk Bot. Ark. 32(2):79.
Congress, Singapore. Pp. 72-78.
Dressler, R. L. 1993. Phylogeny and Classification of the Orchid
95. 2001. Orchis strateumatica L., Sp. Pl. 943. 1753.
Family. Cambridge
Pterygodium sulcatum Fl. Ind. 3:452. 1832. Zeuxine
University Press. Pp. 1-314.
sulcata (Roxb.)Lindl., Gen.. Sp. Orch. 485. 1840; Hook.
Du Puy, D. & P. J. Cribb 1988. The genus Cymbidium.
Christopher Helm, London.
Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:286. T. 381.1898.
Garay, L. A. 1986. Olim Vanillaceae. Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv.
Univ. 30:223-237.
Acknowledgements Garay, L. A., Hamer, F. & E. S. Siegerist 1994. The genus
We are deeply grateful to Brig. M. V. Gangadharan Cirrhopetalum and the genera of the Bulbophyllum
and the Indian Army for all the logistic support alliance. Nord. J. Bot. 14:609-646.
extended to our team when we explored Manipur; Ghatak, J. & R. K. J. Devi 1986. Orchids of Manipur. In: S.
Mr H B Singh, formerly Orchid Development Officer P. Vij (Ed.) Biology, Conservation and Culture of Orchids.
at Khongapatt State Orchidarium for his assistance Affiliated East West Press Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
in getting many species that we would have Hooker, J. D. 1888-1890. Orchidaceae In: The Flora of British
otherwise missed; Hunt Institute for Botanical India 5:667-858 & 6:1-198. Ashford, Kent.
Documentation for kindly providing a portrait of -----1895. A Century of Indian Orchids. Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard.
N.L. Bor and permission to use it in this paper; Dr Calcutta.
Hosagowder for providing the Latin translation of Kataki, S. K., Jain S. K. & A. R. K. Sastry 1984. Threatened
the new taxa. Financial assistance by the Western and Endemic Orchids of Sikkim and Northeastern India.
Ghats Development Cell and the Ministry of Botanical Survey of India, Howrah.
Environment and Forests, Government of India, Keith, K. C. 1936. Report on the working of Manipur
New Delhi under AICOPTAX programme is Forests. Rec. Forest Dept., Government of Manipur.
thankfully acknowledged. King, G. & R. Pantling 1898. The Orchids of Sikkim
Himalaya. Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8:1-342.
Kingdon-Ward, F. 1952. Plant Hunter in Manipur. Jonathan
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Rheedea

An Orchid Digest of Manipur,

The senior author collected over 120 species of orchids

in 1996. These live specimens were brought down to

Churachandpur TBGRI and reared. As and when flowered, they were

George Watt J. D. Hooker C. B. Clarke

© Hunt Institute, 1999

D. B. Deb S. J. Phukan A. S. Chauhan

Figure 2. Pioneer orchid collectors of Manipur

Key to Genera 12a. Lip spurred at base ……………. Anoectochilus

33b. Column long ………………....………………..34 48a. Pollinia 8 ……………………...……………… 49

34a. Pseudobulbs produced singly on a creeping 48b. Pollinia 4 ……………………………………… 50

2. Ascocentrum himalaicum (Deb, Sengupta & 2a. Leafy during flowering………………......……..3

Brachycorythis Lindl. 7a. Pseudobulb much reduced…….B. khasyanum

An Old World genus of 33 terrestrial species 7b. Pseudobulbs normal …………………………. 8

Watt collected this species in 1882 at an altitude of Cephalanthera L. C. Rich.

Habitat: Evergreen forests 9b. Flowers mostly yellow to yellowish green

Eria Lindley 12b. Leaf obtuse at apex or emarginate; sepals and

2a. Leaves plicate ……………………… E. javanica

Liparis L. C. Rich. 3. Liparis cespitosa (Lam.) Lindl., Bot. Reg. 11:sub t.

49. Nephelaphyllum Blume This is a widespread species throughout Indo-

2a. Leaves linear-lanceolate……………....O. fuscus Panisea (Lindl.) Steudel

5. Paphiopedilum villosum (Lindl.) Stein,

Rhytionanthos Garay et al.

cornutum (Lindl.) Rchb. f. in Walp. Ann. 6:261. 1861.

2. Schoenorchis gemmata (Lindl.)J. J. Sm., Nat. Sunipia Lindley

outer ones dilated. Pantling’s pencil sketches are 1 cm

Occurrence: Manipur, Koirengi.

Thunia Reichenbach f. Vanda Jones ex R. Br.

in Imphal particularly on trees along Kangla river.

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