Phalaenopsis venosa explained

Phalaenopsis venosa, is a species of orchid endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia. The specific epithet venosa, from the Latin venosus meaning veiny,^[1] refers to the floral colouration.

Description

The plants usually have 3-5 10–20 cm long and 5–7.5 cm wide leaves. The 4–5 cm wide flowers with a light green anther cap are produced on erect, branched or unbranched inflorescences with a flattened rhachis. Mature specimens can produce several inflorescences at once. The base of the oblong-elliptic petals and sepals, as well as the column and the labellum is white. The ground colour of the greenish-yellow petals and sepals is almost concealed by brown colouration and transverse barring, although veins of the ground colour remain visible, which are reflected in the species name. The floral fragrance has been reported to be unpleasant.^{[2] [3] [4]} The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 38. The karyotype is bimodal and thus small and larger chromosomes are present.^[5] Large heterochromatin blocks are present at the ends of the large metacentric or submetacentric chromosomes.^[6]

Ecology

This species inhabits wet lowland forests at elevations of 450–1000 m above sea level.

Taxonomy

It is placed within the section Amboinenses,^[7] as it is the sister species to Phalaenopsis amboinensis. It has a wider labellum than Phalaenopsis amboinensis.

Conservation

It has been reported to be threatened to extinction.^[8] Endemic species of Sulawesi are threatened with conversion of habitats to housing areas, plantations, roads and through illegal logging.^[9]

Notes and References

1. venosus - Latinitium | Latin Dictionaries. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://latinitium.com/latin-dictionaries/?t=lsn50446
2. Phalaenopsis venosa Shim & Fowlie 1983. (n.d.). Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from http://www.orchidspecies.com/phalvenosa.htm
3. Lagrelle, B. (n.d.). Phalaenopsis venosa (Shim & Fowlie 1983). Espèces de Phalaenopsis. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from http://bernard.lagrelle.pagesperso-orange.fr/Venosa/anglais/phalaenopsis%20venosa%20anglais.htm
4. Christenson, Eric A. (2001). Phalaenopsis : a monograph. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 159-162. ISBN 1604691719.
5. Hsiao, Y. Y., Pan, Z. J., Hsu, C. C., Yang, Y. P., Hsu, Y. C., Chuang, Y. C., ... & Chen, H. H. (2011). "Research on orchid biology and biotechnology." Plant and Cell Physiology, 52(9), 1467-1486.
6. Lee, Y. I., Chung, M. C., Kuo, H. C., Wang, C. N., Lee, Y. C., Lin, C. Y., ... & Yeh, C. H. (2017). "The evolution of genome size and distinct distribution patterns of rDNA in Phalaenopsis (Orchidaceae)." Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 185(1), 65-80.
7. Tsai, C. C., Sheue, C. R., Chen, C. H., & Chou, C. H. (2010). "Phylogenetics and biogeography of the Phalaenopsis violacea (Orchidaceae) species complex based on nuclear and plastid DNA." Journal of Plant Biology, 53(6), 453-460.
8. Della Rahayu, E. M., Putri, W. U., Wardani, F. F., & Endewip, L. N. (2022). "Mikromorfologi dan Perkecambahan In Vitro Biji Anggrek Endemik Sulawesi: Phalaenopsis venosa Shim & Fowlie." Jurnal Agronomi Indonesia (Indonesian Journal of Agronomy), 50(1), 107-114.
9. Widjaja, E., & Pratama, B. (2013). "Flora Diversity Loss in Bioregion Sulawesi." In Proceeding. International Conference on Forest and Biodiversity. Manado Forestry Research Institute.