Benthamia vulcanorum, Hervouet & Descourvières & Hermans & Longou, 2025

Hervouet, Jean-Michel, Descourvières, Pascal, Hermans, Johan & Longou, Ludivine, 2025, Revision of the genus Benthamia A. Rich. (Orchidaceae, Orchidioideae, Habenariinae), Adansonia (3) 47 (11), pp. 171-249 : 244-246

Benthamia misera (Ridl.) Schltr.

Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis 33: 24 ( Schlechter 1924). — Habenaria misera Ridl. , Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany 21: 503 ( Ridley 1885).

TYPE MATERIAL. — Madagascar • Imerina; W. Deans Cowan s.n.; holotype BM [ BM000034594 ]!, with tracing and drawing of flower in Reichenbach herbarium in W, R11448 .

ETYMOLOGY. — From the Latin “ misera ”, miserable, due to the poor aspect of the plant.

PHENOLOGY. — Unknown.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY. — Madagascar. From the central region of Imerina, according to Deans-Cowan.

CONSERVATION. — Data Deficient.

NOTES

This species is reminiscent of Benthamia erinacea but with an unusual shape of leaves. Moreover, the type specimen is damaged, so we decided to keep it as an insufficiently known species. Specimens identified as Benthamia misera by Perrier belong to two different species: Benthamia spiraloides (P[P00094536, P00094537]) and Benthamia africana (P[P00094538]), the species is thus known only from the holotype. It was reported from La Réunion by Szelengowicz & Tamon (2013: 248). The text refers to the Madagascan species and the photographs show Benthamia vulcanorum sp. nov.

See also: Perrier (1939: 28), Cribb & Hermans (2009: 44).

DESCRIPTION

Erect terrestrial herb. Roots unknown. Leaves two, oval or oval-lanceolate, radical, cuspidate; inflorescence a lax and slender rachis with flowers on all its length. Bracts lanceolate, twice the length of flowers. Flowers small; lateral sepals oval-lanceolate, obtuse; dorsal sepal wider; petals smaller, lanceolate, fleshy; lip entire, ovate, short, fleshy at the top, hollow at the base, with erect margins; spur very small and saccate. Anther very short, apiculate.

Benthamia sp. 1

( Fig. 102 )

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. — Madagascar • Haute Matsiatra, Ambondrombe; 21°52’30”S, 47°15’37”E.

REMARK

This species is so far only known from the top of Ambondrombe, it is close to Cynorkis falcata and Benthamia exilis . The flowers are yellow and the most distinctive feature is the long midlobe of the lip. Like Benthamia exilis it has no leaves when flowering. The sepals are folded back as in Cynorkis falcata . This species would probably be best placed into the genus Cynorkis .

Benthamia sp. 2

( Fig. 103 )

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. — Madagascar • Amoron’i Mania, Zafimaniry country, Antoetra.

REMARK

Photographed by Véronique Lavergne in May near Antoetra in Madagascar. It is a very large plant. Though the midlobe of the lip is shorter and the leaves rather linear, it could be a variety of Benthamia elata .

Benthamia indet. 1

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. — Madagascar • Analanjirofo, Maroantsetra, commune d’Ambinanitelo, Fokontany Marovovonana; 15°19’10”S, 49°23’45”E; alt. 943 m; 3.IX.2004; P. Antilahimena 2722; P [ P00755146 ]!, MO [ MO3022648 ] .

REMARK

This species is close to Benthamia arcuata comb. nov., stat. nov., but it is epiphytic, the leaves are not coriaceous and the rachis is longer. Field observations and more material are needed.

Benthamia indet. 2

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. — Madagascar • Ihorombe, Isalo N. P.; alt. 1000 m; X.1924; H. Perrier 16543; P [ P00094606 ] !.

REMARK

The plants are close to Benthamia africana , but with significant differences, such as the very elongated floral parts and an unusual longitudinal thin crest on the lip, a spur which is flattened and not scrotiform. The location is very far from the nearest known locality of Benthamia africana . Field observations and additional specimens are necessary to make a decision.

Benthamia indet. 3

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. — Madagascar • Ihorombe, plateaux et vallées de l’Isalo, gorges de la Sakamarekely et de la Sambalinieto; 23°14’00”S, 45°08’00”E; alt. 460 m; 19-25.X.1924; H. Humbert 2835; P [ P00094598 , P [ P00094599 ]!.

REMARK

The two plants were referred to Benthamia africana (Perrier’s handwriting on specimens in 1932, later changed into Benthamia sp. in 1939) but again are outside of the distribution range of this species. The size is even smaller than that of Benthamia decaryana sp. nov. and the leaves are different. Further study and field observations are necessary.

EXCLUDED SPECIES

Figures

FIG. 102. — Benthamia sp. 1, on top of Ambondrombe, 9 March 2009. Photograph by Jean-Michel Hervouet.

FIG. 103. — Benthamia sp.2, near Antoetra,Zafamaniry country, 17 May 2014. Photograph by Véronique Lavergne.