Jumellea pailleri F.Rakotoar.

Rakotoarivelo, Fanny, Pailler, Thierry & Faliniaina, Lucien, 2013, Revision of the genus Jumellea Schltr. (Orchidaceae) from the Comoros Archipelago, Adansonia (3) 35 (1), pp. 33-46 : 42-43

5. Jumellea pailleri F.Rakotoar.

( Fig. 7 )

Plant Ecology and Evolution 144 (3): 1-4 (2011).

— Type: Comoros, Grande Comore, La Grille , 11°27’45.6’’S, 43°20’22.2’’E, 1076 m, 27.II.2009, Rakotoarivelo 060 (holo-, REU! ; iso-, REU!, KM!, TAN!).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. — Comoros. Grande Comore, Karthala , 2100 m, VII.2008, Boulongne 64 ( K!) ; La Grille, 11°27’45.6’’S, 43°20’22.2’’E, 1076 m, 27.II.2009, Rakotoarivelo 059 ( REU!) ; 2.III.2010, Blambert , HB 71 ( REU!).

DISTRIBUTION. — Endemic to Grande Comore. In midopen vegetation from 1000 m elevation.

DESCRIPTION

Epiphyte, stem erect, up to 40 cm long, cylindrical in section (4-5 mm), covered by leaves (3-7) in the upper third.Aerial roots persistent, appearing on the opposite position of the remnants of flowers from previous years, piercing leaf sheaths (13-20 mm). Leaves (6-9 × 1.2-1.5 cm) thick, rigid, flat on the surface, non fragrant, elliptical, and inequally bilobate at the apex. Inflorescences lateral, piercing leaf sheaths, sub-perennial, producing flower for two consecutive years. Peduncle short (15-40mm), with four persistent and imbricate sterile bracts, the fourth is placed in the middle. Fertile bract tubuliform (6-8 mm), persistent and obtuse, same shape and size as the larger sterile bract. Pedicellate ovary, twice the length of the peduncle (5-6 cm). Flowers small, characterized by perianth parts crispate at the base and apiculate at the apex.Median sepal (12-14 × 1.5-2 mm) upright, outer surface rough, oblong. Lateral sepals slightly curved, identical with the median sepal. Petals oblong, slightly longer than sepals (13-15 × 1.5-2 mm). Lip ovate or pandurate (14-16.5 × 5-6 mm), slightly folded on surface, narrow at the base, carina reaching the middle (7 mm). Spur filiform, curved at the base, 39-41 mm long, longer than the lip but shorter than the pedicellate ovary. Column 3 mm height and 2-3 mm wide. Cap of anther with a median crest covering the lobes of the rostellum. Lobes of the rostellum acute at the tips, projected forward. Fruit capsule fusiform conforming to other species of the genus, 40-42 mm long.

Figures

FIG. 7.— Jumellea pailleri F.Rakotoar.: A, habit; B, flower, side view;C, pieces of the perianth;D, column side view;E, pollinium; F, cap of anther, inner view. Abbreviations: ms, median sepal; ls, lateral sepals; pt, petals; lp, lip. Scale bars: A, 2 cm; B, 1 cm; C, 5 mm; D, F, 2 mm; E, 1 mm. Modified from Rakotoarivelo et al. (2011: 365), drawing by William Andriananjavelo.