Oberonia punctata J.J Sm.

Geiger, D. L., 2019, Studies on Oberonia 5 (Orchidaceae: Malaxideae). Twenty-four new synonyms, and a corrected spelling, Blumea 64 (2), pp. 123-139 : 136

Oberonia punctata J.J Sm. — Fig. 14

Oberonia punctata J.J.Sm. (1927) 141. — Type: E. Jacobson cult. (syn), [ Indonesia,] W Sumatra, Goenoeng [= Mount] Singgalang, 1900 m.

Oberonia subanajamensis J.J.Sm. (1928) 46. — Type: Ajoeb 354 (syn L 0061794), Ajoeb 355 (syn L 0061795), [ Indonesia,] Sumatra, Bengkulu Province, Ajam [= Soeban Ajam = Suban Ayam], syn. nov.

Oberonia caprina Gilli (1983) 38, f. 29. — Type: Gilli 164 (holo W 16722), [ Papua New Guinea,] (Chimbu district: type sheet), Mingende , 2200 m, on a tree in forest, syn. nov.

Notes — Oberonia subanajamensis and O. punctata refer to the same species, with the latter having priority by one year. Smith (1928) did not compare his O. subanajamensis to his O. punctata . The description of the habit and the flower ( Fig. 14a–b ) are a precise match between the two species, specifically the decreasing size of the leaves along the stem, the triangular bracts with erose margin, the narrow petals, and the shape of the lip. Both were described from Sumatra. The only distinction is the dots on the leaves of O. punctata . Comber (2001) noted that those dots are known from other species, without giving further details. It seems that they are most likely caused by a pathogen, and have no taxonomic value.

Oberonia caprina is here considered a clear synonym of O. punctata . Gilli’s (1983) drawing in the protologue is poor to the degree of being positively misleading. Van Steenis (1982) was also highly critical of Gilli’s work. The examination of the holotype permitted to clarify the identity of this species. The petals were shown about half as wide in the protologue as they are in the type specimen ( Fig. 14c : 1). The lateral sepals are much larger than shown in Gilli’s drawing ( Fig. 14c : 2). The auricles at the base of the lip are not shown at all ( Fig. 14c : 3). The epichile of the lip is spreading more, reminiscent of O. aporophylla Rchb.f. (1855) . The bract is standard acuminate not the linear shape with terminal awn as in the protologue ( Fig. 14c : 4).

Figures

Fig. 14 a. Oberonia punctata; b. O. subanajamensis: a–b. Illustrations by J.J.Sm. from Schuiteman & De Vogel (2006): entire flower, lip separated, floral bract. — c. Original illustration of O. caprina from Gilli (1983: f. 29); below photograph of flower from holotype (W 16722 Gilli 164). 1, 2, 3, 4: corresponding floral elements on Gilli’s drawing and on the holotype, for details see main body of text.