Oberonia titania Lindl.

Geiger, D. L., 2019, Studies on Oberonia 5 (Orchidaceae: Malaxideae). Twenty-four new synonyms, and a corrected spelling, Blumea 64 (2), pp. 123-139 : 137-138

Oberonia titania Lindl. — Fig. 17

Oberonia titania Lindl. (1859) 8. Nomen novum for Oberonia miniata (Endl.) Lindl. (non Lindl.).

Titania miniata Endl.(1833) 31. — Type: F.Bauer s.n. (syn W 0046211),[ Australia,] Norfolk Islands , Anson Bay.

Oberonia crateriformis D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.(2006) 9, f. 1.9–10, pl. 1a–b. — Type: D.L. Jones 19353 (in cult.) ex D.L. Jones 11560 (holo CANB 751059 ), [ Australia,ACT ,] Canberra, Australian National Botanic Gardens, collected Australia, Queensland, Eungella ,rendition State Forest , syn. nov.

Oberonia rimachila D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. (2006) 11, f 1.13–14, pl. 1c–d. — Type: Brass 19394 (holo CANB 186351 ; iso BRI 80746), Australia, Queensland, Cook District, Tozer Range , 0.5 mile E of Mount Tozer, syn. nov.

Notes — Oberonia crateriformis and O. rimachila are here synonymised under O. titania . Oberonia palmicola F.Muell. (1860–1861 [1860]) has variously been considered synonymous with or distinct from O. titania . Material from CANB identified by the authors of the newer names were examined by SEM: crateriformis (CANB 9010337, CANB 8807174, CANB 679051), rimachila (CANB 9707705, CANB 9707703, CANB 9306461, CANB 9306455, CANB 8912846, CANB 679052, CANB 678991), palmicola (CANB 8806342, CANB 678974, CANB 678669), titania (CANB 867922, CANB 507301; additionally K 48321 , K 40063 ). The cited differences in the callus are not visible on the SEM images on their pl. 1 and cannot be confirmed ( Fig. 17 ). The alleged discriminating characters were cross-referenced between the two species, but were not actually given. The size differences of the flower are due to an error in the scale bars as evidenced by examination of the types, where no size differences could be detected, and by the identical size of all material examined by SEM ( Fig. 17 ).

The shape of all floral components and the habit are identical among specimens of all four names ( Fig. 17 ). The depth and width of the sac can easily be explained through floral ontogeny and also by the orientation of the lip to the gynostemium. There are certainly no consistent patterns discernible. The incision pattern of the lateral lobes of the lip, from irregularly erose to deeply incised, seems variable in this species. It is evident from the inequilateral expression in a single flower and the examination of multiple flowers from the same plant by SEM; the condition in Fig. 17c is unusually deep, but is considered of no further taxonomic consequence.

Figures

Fig. 17 Oberonia titania and its synonyms. a–b. Oberonia titania; c–d. Oberonia palmicola; e–f. Oberonia crateriformis; g–h. Oberonia rimachila (from: a–b CANB 507301; c. CANB 8806342; d. CANB 678974; e. CANB 679051; f. CANB 9010337; g. CANB 9707705; h. CANB 678991). — Scale bar = 1 mm.