Epidendrum chrysomyristicum Hágsater

Quispe-Melgar, Harold Rusbelth, Llacua-Tineo, Elizabeth Santiago Ayala Yashira Stefani & Hágsater, Eric, 2023, Synopsis of the Peruvian species of Epidendrum (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae) belonging to the Scabrum group, subgroup Soratae: diversity and description of a new species, Phytotaxa 603 (1), pp. 1-26 : 13

5. Epidendrum chrysomyristicum Hágsater & E. Santiago, (2005: t. 723). ( Figure 4D ).

Type:— PERU. Cusco: La Convención; near Camp 7, ca 28 km walking distance NE from Hacienda Luisiana and the Apurimac River , 3400, 17 July 1968, T. R. Dudley 11213 (holotype: F! isotypes MO! USM!)

Distribution:— Peru, in the departments of Ayacucho, Cusco and Pasco. The species is distributed in the eastern cordillera of the Andes in central and southern Peru.

Notes:— Epidendrum chrysomyristicum is morphologically similar to E. fruticulus , but is distinguished by having leaves with the blade lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, margin entire (vs. blade oblong to ovate, margin crenulate towards the apex), 7 flowers, bright golden yellow to slightly red, very fragrant (vs. 8–12 flowers, yellow, without fragrance), lateral sepals aristate, with a prominent dorsal keel, 7-veined (vs. ventral margin involute, with a crenulate dorsal keel, 3-veined), the lip with mid-lobe widely “T” shaped, with a cuneate isthmus and narrow perpendicular lobes, the apex widely apiculate, margin entire (vs. mid-lobe nearly as long as the laterals, rectangular at the base, the apex widened and rounded, the apex sub-emarginate, margin entire at the base, crenulate above).

It is the only species in the subgroup known to have flowering events throughout the year.

Conservation Status:— DD. Data deficient, but it is listed in CITES appendix II and at national level has been suggested as Vulnerable.

Examined specimens:— PERU. Ayacucho: La Mar: Between Tambo San Miguel and Ayna and Hacienda Luisiana, 3400–3600 m, 24 August 1968, Dudley 12037, MO ! — Cusco: La Convención: Distr. Santa Teresa: Illaspay, Yerbabuenayoc, 3800 m, 24 October 2005, I . Huamantupa 7079, ( MO! SEL! USM!) — Pasco: Parte alta de Santa Marta, 3489 m, 30 April 2021, J . D. Edquén 5030, digital images, ( AMO!). See Santiago, Hágsater & Edquén , Epidendrum chrysomyristicum in Hágsater & Santiago (2022: t. 1909) .

Figures

FIGURE 4. Species of the Soratae subgroup of the genus Epidendrum present in Peru. Illustrations by: R. Jiménez M. (A, B, D, E). D. Trujillo (C). M. López R. (F).