Phalaenopsis appendiculata explained

Phalaenopsis appendiculata is a species of miniature epiphyte in the family Orchidaceae, endemic to peninsular Malaysia.^[1]

Description

This species grows on narrow branches. The very short stems bear two to four, elliptic or oblong-elliptic, coriaceous leaves, which may reach up to 7 cm in length and 3.5 cm in width. Spotted, violet flowers are produced in succession on short, few-flowered, suberect racemes. The specific epithet appendiculata refers to the longitudinal rows of appendages on the three-lobed labellum.^[2]

Conservation

Artificial asymbiotic seed germination techniques have been studied.^[3] Conservation efforts can benefit from artificial propagation of rare and endangered species.^[4] Both ex situ and in situ conservation can benefit from in vitro seed germination, as the process increases adaptive evolutionary changes and as a result there is more genetic variation in reintroduced populations.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Phalaenopsis appendiculata Carr | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science. powo.science.kew.org. 14 February 2022.
2. Christenson, E. A. (2001). Phalaenopsis: a monograph. Timber Press (OR).
3. Lee, Y. I., Chen, M. C., & Huang, C. Y. (2010, January). Effect of medium composition on asymbiotic seed germination of five Phalaenopsis species. In I International Orchid Symposium 878 (pp. 225-230).
4. Gogoi, K., Kumaria, S. & Tandon, P. Ex situ conservation of Cymbidium eburneum Lindl.: a threatened and vulnerable orchid, by asymbiotic seed germination. 3 Biotech 2, 337–343 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-012-0062-8
5. Tandon P, Kumaria S (2005) Prospects of plant conservation biotechnology in India with special reference to Northeastern region. In: Tandon P, Sharma M, Swarup R (eds) Biodiversity: status and prospects. Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, pp 79–92