An Annotated Checklist of the Orchids of Sri Lanka

Abstract

A general description of Sri Lanka and its bioclimatic zones are presented. The history of the Island's orchid taxonomy is briefly reviewed. An updated checklist is presented for the country's orchid flora using recent information. New species, new records and nomenclatural changes from previous lists are annotated with appropriate references. This work lists 188 species belonging to 78 genera with one endemic Genus (Adrorhizon Hook. f.) and 55 endemic species. A new name, Bulbophyllum jayaweerae Fernando et Ormerod, is proposed for Cirrhopetalum roseum Jayaweera. Illegitimacy of the name Saccolabium virescens Gardner ex Lindl. is discussed and this species is described as a new taxon, Robiquetia virescens Ormerod et Fernando.