Pabstiella brachystele Chiron & Sanson (2010: 156)

Morales, Nicolás Gutiérrez, Brito, A. L. V. Toscano De, Restrepo, Eugenio, Gil-Amaya, Karen & Smidt, Eric De Camargo, 2025, Contributions to the knowledge of Pabstiella (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) from Brazil: A new species, new synonyms and taxonomic notes, Phytotaxa 696 (2), pp. 145-157 : 152

1. Pabstiella brachystele Chiron & Sanson (2010: 156)

( Figure 5A )

Type: — BRAZIL. Espírito Santo: Conceição de Castelo , without date, N. Sanson, G. Chiron 9855 (holotype: MBML 41730 !).

= Pabstiella melior Luer & Toscano (2011: 374) , syn. nov.

Type: — BRAZIL. Espírito Santo: Domingos Martins, flowered in cultivation at the Jardim Botanico do Rio de Janeiro , 14 April 1997, R. Kautsky under A.L.V. Toscano de Brito 1453 (holotype: HUEFS 187223 !).

Taxonomic Discussion: — Pabstiella brachystele and P. melior were described based on specimens from Serra do Castelo in Espirito Santo; both publications were released less than one year apart. Based on the available illustrations and specimens mentioned, it is clear that P. brachystele and P. melior are conspecific, sharing pubescent sepals, more or less apiculate petals, and, most notably, a lip with subfalcate lateral lobes below the middle, a pair of oblique calli in the middle third, and a column with a small callus near the middle of the ventral surface.

Before its description, this species was illustrated by Miller et al. (2006: 524, figure 1139), where it was erroneously identified as Pleurothallis podoglossa Hoehne (1938: 12) , a heterotypic synonym of Pabstiella versicolor Porsch (1905: 155) Luer (2007: 121) . A recent collection of this species in Nova Friburgo, preserved at UPCB (110464!), confirms its occurrence in Rio de Janeiro. Additionally, a specimen collected in 1936 by A.C. Brade from Serra da Bocaina , São Paulo, preserved at RB (28814!), was also illustrated by Brade (unpubl.).

The species occurs in the highlands of at least three states in southeastern Brazil. Infertile P. brachystele specimens may be confused with P. bradei ( Schlechter 1922: 41) Luer (2007: 119) or P. sordida ( Kraenzlin 1921: 8) Luer (2007: 121) , but P. brachystele can be distinguished by the minutely apiculate petals and by the lip morphology.

Figures

FIGURE 5. A. Pabstiella brachystele based on N. Gutierrez 370 (UPCB 110464). B. Pabstiella ezechiasi based on N. Gutierrez 339 (UPCB 110451). C. Pabstiella fragae based on A.L.V Toscano de Brito 3372 (UPCB 83316). Photos by N. Gutiérrez Morales (A, B) and Wade Collier (C).