In this natural paradise a new orchid was discovered, whose name pays homage to the commune. It is Andinia uchucayensis, belonging to the subtribe Pleurothallidinae.
The new species was described by Ecuagenera, with the collaboration of the Botanical Department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Researchers collected this specimen through the permit “Rescue, conservation, reproduction and ex-situ management of the flora of Ecuador”, granted by the Ministry of Environment, authorization N° 004-2016-IC-FLO-FLO-DNB/MA.
In an effort to document Ecuador’s orchid species and promote their ex situ conservation, José Portilla, executive president of Ecuagenera, presented researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with composite dissection plates (LCDP) and photographs of this unidentified species, discovered in the province of Azuay.
After careful analysis, the experts determined that the species is very similar to Andinia schizopogon (described by Luer), but differs in the size of the dorsal sepal, notably smaller (12 mm vs. 20-30 mm); also, in the lateral sepals that are not connate beyond the middle and lack a dense and disordered pubescence.
The new species was published by researchers Alfonso Doucette, José Portilla and Kenneth M. Cameron in January 2017, in the American Orchid Society’s scientific journal, “Lindleyana”.
Telipogon montufariana, cultivated at ECUAGENERA, named after the Ecuadorian Carlos de Montufar.
It is a cool-climate plant, requiring high ambient humidity and intermediate light levels. It is of epiphytic growth, with an ascending rhizome, roots of 1 mm in diameter. The stems are unifoliate, wrapped by papillose tubular sheaths (2 to 3). The leaves are erect, leathery, narrowly elliptic, with a sulcate petiole and an obtuse, tridenticulate apex.
The inflorescence is presented with a flexuous raceme that produces up to three successive flowers. The dorsal sepal oval, acuminate, purple; the lateral sepals tan, with purple spots, are connate from the base to before the middle. The petals are linear, flexuous, purple.
The lip is characterized as bronze-greenish, with purple margins and concave base held against the column ending in an expanded, deflexed, verrucose, trilobed lamina.
The genus Andinia was proposed by Luer in 2000, with the purpose of accommodating species previously attributed to the genera: Sapistele, Brachycladium, Lepanthes, Pleurothallis, Lueranthos, Masdevalliantha, Neooreophilus, Oreophilus, Penducella and Xenosia.
Within this genus there are currently 76 species, according to data recorded in the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Of these, only one is considered a synonym, while the others are valid names.
The known species come exclusively from the Andes, from where the genus name originates. They grow at an altitude of 1,800 to 3,300 m asl. The plants are generally epiphytic, but have also adapted to terrestrial growth. They have a cespitose or rhizomatous habit. They can grow pendulous or erect, with herbaceous to leathery leaves. The inflorescence is successive, with flowers that vary depending on the groups.
