An Orchid Digest of Manipur Northeastern India

Sathish Kumar C. & P.C. Suresh Kumar

Published on : 01-Jan-2022

DOI : https://dx.doi.org/10.22244/rheedea.2005.15.01.01

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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.