While working on the Revision of Bulbophyllums of Asia, I am encountering many Orchid names which are tricky. So I just wished to share some information, why we should be careful while attaching proper names to the plants. Its very technical and may not be interest of all, but please bear with me. Here are few strange examples:
A. Bulbophyllum careyanum (Hook.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 3: 732 (1826). Bulbophyllum carrianum J.J.Verm., Gard. Bull. Singapore 52: 279 (2000). Both of the above examples are of accepted names of two different plants, but they are pronounced similarly though they have variation in spelling and etymology. B. Bulbophyllum klossii Ridl., Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Bot. 9: 179 (1916). Bulbophyllum klossii Ridl., Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1926: 85 (1926), nom. illeg. Both of the names are unaccepted. Second name is invalid as the first name already existed. These name dont refer to the same plant because first plant is actually synonyms of Bulbophyllum trachyanthum Kraenzl., Oesterr. Bot. Z. 44: 336 (1894), where as second one refers to Bulbophyllum purpurascens Teijsm. & Binn., Natuurk. Tijdschr. Ned.-Indië 24: 308 (1862). C. Bulbophyllum ciliatum (Blume) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 48 (1830). Bulbophyllum ciliolatum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1: 809 (1913). Both the above names are accepted and they are distinct taxa and missing one 'o' means a wrong identity!! D. Bulbophyllum cochleatum Lindl., J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 6: 125 (1862). Bulbophyllum cochleatum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 8: 455 (1910), nom. illeg. First is an accepted name and second is invalid as first exists but second refers to another plant, Bulbophyllum macphersonii var. spathulatum Dockrill & St.Cloud, N. Queensland Naturalist 26(117): 4 (1957). E. Bulbophyllum dearei (Rchb.f.) Rchb.f., Flora 71: 156 (1888). Bulbophyllum dearei A.H.Kent in H.J.Veitch, Man. Orchid. Pl. 3: 95 (1888), nom. illeg. Both names were published in 1888 but one was a bit early so first is accept and second is illegitimate. But the interesting thing is, second is synonym of first. Second interesting thing is the basionym of first was also published in 1888, Sarcopodium dearei Rchb.f., Flora 71: 156 (1888).!!! Enjoy the twists and turns.... Pankaj -- ********************************************************************** "Taxonomists getting Extinct and Species Data Deficient !!" Pankaj Kumar Ph.D. (Orchidaceae) Conservation Officer Office: Flora Conservation Department Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) Corporation Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. Residence: 36c, Ng Tung Chai, Lam Tseun Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Phone: +852 2483 7128 (office - 8:30am to 5:30pm) +852 9436 6251 (mobile)
