Epiphytic Orchids of India.

Sathish Kumar C. & K.S. Manilal

Published on : 01-Jan-2022

DOI : https://dx.doi.org/10.22244/rheedea.1992.02.02.02

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Abstract

Orchids constitute a major share of the epiphytic flora of India with 630 species in 85 genera occurring from 5 m to 500 m, covering all types of vegetation except the alpine zone in the Himalayas and presenting a mixed conglomeration of various interesting elements. Pantropical genera are represented by Bufbophyllum, Polystachya and Vanilla; palaeotropic by Acampe, Agrostophyllum, Oberonia and Taeniophyllum; lndo-Sri Lankan by Cottonia, Dip/ocentrum, Seidenfadeniella and Sirhookera and endemic by Jejosephia, Smithsonia and Xenikophyton. The monotypic Dickasonia extends to Burma. Rhlnerrhiza is found only in Assam and eastern Australia. Others are lndo-Malesian. Polystachya concreta is the only pantropical species, Palaeotropic species is represented by Acampe rigida. Thirty species are in common with Sri Lanka. Aerides emericii extends from Andamans to Cocos Islands. The rest of the species extend to neighbouring, lndoChina and even Malesia. Genera-wise analysis is given with due emphasis on ecological data. Conservation efforts to save the rare taxa in Arunachal Pradesh Meghalaya, Sikkim, West Bengal, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are discussed.