Phalaenopsis wilsonii explained

Phalaenopsis wilsonii, also known as 华西蝴蝶兰 (hua xi hu die lan) in Chinese, is a species of epiphyte in the family Orchidaceae, native to China, Tibet, Myanmar and Vietnam.[1] Additionally it has been recorded in India.[2]

Description

The 1 cm long stems produce 4-5 oblong to subelliptic, 6.5-8 cm long and 2.6-3 cm wide leaves and greenish, well developed, dorsiventrally flattened, verrucose roots. The leaves often show purple colouration of the abaxial surface and they are shed before flowering, but sometimes 1-2 leaves persist. Flowering occurs throughout April to July. Widely and simultaneously opening, pink flowers are produced on 1-2 suberect or arching, 10-15 flowered racemes.The plants are epiphytes or lithophytes on damp rock found at elevations of 800-2200m a.s.l.[3] The chromosome count is 2n = 2x = 36.[4]

Taxonomy

This species is placed within the subgenus Aphyllae, which is characterised by deciduous leaflessness. A source of taxonomic confusion has been the missapplication of this species name to Phalaenopsis honghenensis.[5] Phylogenetic analysis indicated Phalaenopsis wilsonii was closely related to Phalaenopsis lowii. However, other species from the subgenus Aphyllae were not included in this study. [6]

Conservation

This species has been categorized as vulnerable in China Species Red List.[7] It is protected unter the CITES appendix II regulations of international trade.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Phalaenopsis wilsonii Rolfe | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science. powo.science.kew.org. 1 March 2022.
  2. Kamba, J., & Deb, C. R. (2021). Phalaenopsis wilsonii (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Vandeae), a new record for India. Rheedea.
  3. Wu, Z., Raven, P. H. (2009). Flora of China. United States: Science Press.
  4. 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.
  5. Christenson, E. A. (2001). Phalaenopsis: a monograph. Timber Press (OR).
  6. Fan, Z. F., Yu, D. Y., & Ma, C. L. (2021). The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Phalaenopsis wilsonii Rolfe, a vulnerable wild moth orchid species (Orchidaceae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 6(10), 2903-2905.
  7. Wang S, Xie Y. 2004. China species red list. Beijing (China): Higher Education Press.
  8. Web site: Phalaenopsis. CITES.