Journal of Threatened Taxa |
www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 August 2022 | 14(8): 21660–21695
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893
(Print)
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5299.14.8.21660-21695
#5299 | Received 22 May 2020 | Final received
15 July 2022 | Finally accepted 14 August 2022
Checklist of the
orchids of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Meghalaya, India
Bikarma Singh 1 &
Sneha 2
1,2 Botanic Garden
Division, CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg,
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India.
1 drbikarma.singh@nbri.res.in
(corresponding author), 2 snehapoonam.14@gmail.com
Editor: Pankaj Kumar,
Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Tai Po, Hong Kong S.A.R., China. Date of publication: 26 August 2022
(online & print)
Citation: Singh, B. & Sneha
(2022). Checklist of the orchids of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve,
Meghalaya, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 14(8): 21660–21695. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5299.14.8.21660-21695
Copyright: © Singh & Sneha 2022. Creative Commons
Attribution 4.0 International License.
JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this
article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the
source of publication.
Funding: No funding received for
this research paper.
Competing interests: The authors declare no
competing interests.
Author details: Bikarma Singh is Senior Scientist at CSIR National Botanical
Research Institute, Division of Botanic Garden in Lucknow. Prior to joining
this institute, he worked as Scientist at CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative
Medicine, Jammu and Ecologist in WAPCOS Ltd., Gurgaon. He received a bachelor’s
degree as honours in Botany and a master’s degree in Botany from North-Eastern
Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya. He completed his doctorial (PhD) degree
from Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam in the field of Botany. For the last
16 years, he has been conducting various researches on plants ecology,
taxonomy, natural products and conservation of threatened plant species as
well. Sneha
is working as a Project Assistant in Botanic Garden Division of CSIR-National
Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow. She completed her graduation from Pt. JN
College, Banda and master degree from Bundelkhand University, Jhansi. She has
almost 3-years research experience in the field of botany and ecology.
Author contributions:
Bikarma Singh carried out the fieldwork, identified
species and wrote the manuscript. He also reviewed, analyzed, and gave critical
comments for improving the quality of the manuscript. Sneha assisted with
collection, species identification and proof correction.
Acknowledgements: This research is a
part of floristic exploration tours organized by the first author during his
research. The authors gratefully thank director’s CSIR-IIIM Jammu, NBRI Lucknow
and head, BSI, Shillong for allowing consultation of Herbarium. The heartiest
thanks goes to Dr. (Mrs.) S.J. Phukan, ex joint director BSI Shillong and prof.
S.K. Borthakur, Gauhati University, Assam for igniting mind to build our
career. Due thanks go to (Late) Dr. B.K. Sinha and research associate, V.N.
Singh for their help in carrying out fieldwork during at BSI Shillong.
Necessary help received from forest department, Meghalaya for necessary
facilities are highly appreciated.
Abstract: A study on the
diversity and distribution of different orchid species in Nokrek Biosphere
Reserve (NBR) was carried out from 2009 to 2015 with an objective to assess the
threatened plants present in protected areas. A total of 127 species of orchids
belonging to 56 genera were identified from NBR; out of which 94 are epiphytes
or lithophytes, 32 are terrestrial, and one species is mycoheterotrophic. Dendrobium
(21 spp.) is the most dominant genus in terms of the species composition,
followed by Bulbophyllum (8 spp.), Coelogyne (8 spp.), Liparis
(7 spp.), Cymbidium (5 spp.), and Pinalia (4 spp.). Other
dominant genera include Aerides, Agrostophyllum, Cleisostoma,
Habenaria, Micropera, Paphiopedilum, and Pholidota which
were represented by three species each. A total of 10 genera were recorded that
were represented by two species include Acampe, Cryptochilus, Dendrolirium,
Gastrochilus, Oberonia, Peristylus, Phalaenopsis, Pleione,
Spathoglottis, and Vanda. Of the recorded species from NBR, the Gastrochilus
calceolaris is assessed by the IUCN Red List as ‘Critically
Endangered’, Paphiopedilum insigne and P. venustum are ‘Endangered’, P.
Hirsutissimum as ‘Vulnerable’, and Dendrobium aphyllum as ‘Least Concern’.
It has been observed that at the higher elevations, subtropical and temperate
forests provide a conducive environment for the orchids to occupy a pristine
ecosystem because the temperature and maximum humidity recorded in those areas
is lower in comparison to lower regions. This research finding recommends the
designation of Nokrek hill as a permanent orchid sanctuary for germplasm
collection and conservation, as it could better guarantee the survival of
threatened plants and reduce human interventions in the forested zone.
Keywords: Composition,
conservation, diversity, Himalaya, Nokrek hill, Orchidaceae, threatened plants.
Introduction
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve (NBR)
popularly called ‘the Achik land’ in the Garo language, located between
25.25–48°N and 90.22–90.50°E, was established on 13 September 1988 in the Garo
district of Meghalaya State (Singh & Borthakur 2015). It occupies a
geographic area of 820 km² in the state with 47.48 km² designated as Nokrek
National Park. UNESCO added this biosphere reserve to its list in 2009 under
Man & Biosphere (MAB) program, as it consists of three mountains, viz.,
Tura range, Arbella range, and Ranggira range (Singh 2015a,b). The
well-recognized mountain peaks located in NBR includes Nokrek peak (1,412 m),
followed by Arbella peak (999 m), Tura peak (872 m), and Ranggira peak (673 m);
other important peaks are Meminram hill, Nengminjok hill, and Chitmomg hill
(Singh et al. 2018). These mountainous belts are mainly composed of hilly
granitic mass and compact block of hilly ranges having deep slopes and valleys
with most of the ranges being more than 500 m. These mountain peaks are
considered as an important source of several rivers and streams. The region is
categorized as having a monsoon climate with temperature ranging 9.5–37.3°C.
The climate as a whole is controlled by the south-west monsoon and seasonal
winds; south-west and north-east monsoons are responsible for rainfall to the
area ranging 3,900–6,800 mm/year (Singh et al. 2012a,b,c). It has been observed
that the great heterogeniety in the ecologically rich ecosystem and the high
range of altitudinal variations in the study area are responsible for the
luxuriant, rich, and diverse vegetation of NBR (Singh 2015). Olson et al.
(2001) categorized these mountain belts under the Indo-Malayan eco-region with
the major vegetation types as the mixed tropical forests and subtropical
forests (200–1,400 m), and small patches of temperate forests (above 1,400 m)
at the higher mountains.
The Nokrek flora is the remnant
of Indo-Malayan forests (Image 1), and the dense forests of these mountains
provide a home to many narrowly endemic unique species of phytogeographical
significance (Singh et al. 2011). The vegetation in many areas of the forests
of Nokrek and adjoining areas has declined and plants are becoming threatened
due to biotic pressure (Image 2). For instance, wild Citrus indica L.,
insectivorous plant Nepenthes khasiana Hook.f., the slipper orchids Paphiopedilum
Pfitzer spp., Blue Vanda Vanda coerulea Griff. ex Lindl., which
used to be common in Nokrek and Khasi mountains, are becoming rare and
threatened due to illicit collection and destruction of virgin forests (Image
3). Considering the immense need for conservation of these unique species,
the area needs research and protection from human interference.
Plant species
diversity contributes to ecosystem health, and each species is like a
thread holding together an ecosystem (Mir et al. 2022). Therefore, if a species
disappears, an entire ecosystem can start to unravel. The rapid loss in orchid
diversity and the changing pattern of forest compositions due to various biotic
and abiotic factors in Meghalaya have necessitated the qualitative and quantitative
assessment of vegetation. However, numbers of floristic studies on community
dynamics and phytogeographic affinities have been conducted qualitatively as
well as quantitatively in northeastern India (Singh 2015a); there are a few
studies incorporating orchid diversity (Singh & Borthakur 2015). However,
no studies are available that give a detailed account of orchid diversity of
Nokrek as NBR is less explored from the floristic point of view. Therefore,
this work (i) emphasizes the need to study and explore the diversity of orchid
species in NBR, (ii) collect samples and identify the tree species where orchid
plants grow, and (iii) identify the localities rich in orchid diversity for
conservation and management for local use.
Materials and Methods
Field
Survey, Orchid Collection, and Identification
Eleven
field surveys were carried out from 2009 to 2015 along 57 forest trails of NBR,
including buffer and core zones. Nokrek peak, Tura peak, Ranggira peak,
Daribokgre, Neingmandalgre, Rongrengre, Chokpot, and other similar adjoining
areas were selected as prioritized areas for frequent field surveys and
exploration of plant diversity. The living samples were collected for those
non-flowering samples and as herbarium vouchers for both non-flowering and flowering
samples. During the period of study, the live orchids collected were introduced
in the greenhouse and orchidarium in the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) in
Shillong for ex situ conservation and identification once they bore flowers.
Flowering materials were then preserved as herbarium vouchers. All visible
morphological characters were studies in the field and at the laboratory of
ASSAM herbarium in BSI and Department of Botany, University of Gauhati, Assam.
The collections were processed according to the standard herbarium specimen
preparation techniques with slight modification as mentioned by Jain & Rao
(1977) and Bridson & Forman (1989). Specimens were identified using the
diagnostic characters described and the identification keys mentioned by Hooker
(1895), Duthie (1906), Holtum (1957), Seidenfaden & Arora (1982), Kataki et
al. (1984), Kataki (1986), Deva & Naithani (1986), Chowdhery (1998), Bose
et al. (1999), and Singh (2015).
Comparative studies of collected vouchers were undertaken with housed orchid
specimens at ASSAM herbarium in BSI, Shillong. Indian specimens deposited in
herbaria abroad were also studied online including the Royal Botanic Gardens
Kew Herbarium (K) for further verification. Scientific names adopted here are
those accepted by the latest ICN nomenclature mentioned in ‘The Plant List’,
‘Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families’, and ‘Plants of the World
Online’ accessed via the websites (available at http://www.theplantlist.org/;
https://wcsp.science.kew.org; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/). All
studied herbarium vouchers were deposited in the herbarium of the Botanical
Survey of India, Regional Centre, Shillong (acronym ASSAM), and at the
herbarium of Gauhati University (HGU), Guwahati.
Presentation
of the List of Orchids
All
orchid species of the NBR are alphabetically presented genus-wise. The
technical dichotomous key is prepared for all genera and species, and presented
for easy identification of each species that belongs to a particular genus. The
habit of each plant species was categorized as either epiphyte, terrestrial, or
parasitic, followed by flower characters and colour, distribution range in
Nokrek, and reported distribution in literature.
Results and Discussion
Forest
Characterization
Based
on the plant species composition and consulting authentic published works
(Champion & Seth 1968; FSI 2013; Singh et al. 2018), the forests of NBR
were broadly grouped into four types, viz.: tropical forests, subtropical
forests, riverine forests, and secondary forests. The tropical forests are
important from the economic point of view as they are sources of medicine,
timber, fodder, fuel, and provide shelter to the Achik tribe. Common tree
species are Artocarpus chama Buch.-Ham., Careya arborea Roxb., Dillenia
indica L., species of Ficus Tourn. ex L., Garcinia L., Sterculia
L., Syzygium Gaertn., Bombax ceiba Burm.f., Macaranga
denticulata (Blume) Mull.Arg., Rhus chinensis Mill., and many
others. The subtropical forests are mostly confined to the Nokrek National Park
so-called core zone, and the common tree species recorded while surveying and
collecting orchids are species of Terminalia L., Castanopsis
(D.Don) Spach, Litsea Lam., Michelia Kuntze, Eurya acuminata
DC., Trema orientale (L.) Blume, Croton joufra Roxb., Sterculia
lanceoifolia Roxb., Pandanus odoratissimus Jacq., and several other
species. Riverine forests are found along the river Simsang, Didari, and
Chibima, and major tree species are Aglaia elaeagnoidea (A.Juss.)
Benth., Saraca asoca (Roxb.) W.J.de Wilde, Saurauia armata Kurz, Ayenia
grandifolia (DC.) Christenh. & Byng (=Byttneria grandifolia DC.),
Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC., Balakata baccata (Roxb.) Esser (=
Sapium baccatum Roxb.), Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr., and several
others. Jhum cultivation is the major practice. Secondary forests are formed
due to cutting of virgin forests (Image 4). Common species recorded are Macaranga
denticulata (Blume) Mull. Arg., Eurya acuminate DC., Mikania
micrantha Kunth, Callicarpa arborea Roxb., Mallotus roxburghianus
Mull.-Arg., Ziziphus oenopolia (L.) Mill., and several others. Different
species of bamboo, banana, and cane are also a peculiar vegetation composition
of Nokrek hills.
Orchid
Composition and Analysis
A
total of 127 orchids belongs to 56 genera were studied, of which 94 species
were epiphytes or lithophytes, 32 terrestrial and one species
mycoheterotrophic. Out of 56 genera, 33 are monotypic, viz., Acanthophippium,
Anoectochilus, Arundina,
Brachycorythis,
Calanthe, Ceratostylis,
Cheirostylis, Corybas, Corymborkis, Crepidium, Cylindrolobus,
Dienia, Diplomeris,
Eria, Eriodes,
Eulophia, Geodorum,
Goodyera, Herminium, Herpysma, Luisia, Mycaranthes,
Neogyna, Odontochilus,
Otochilus, Papilionanthe, Porpax, Pteroceras, Rhynchostylis,
Satyrium, Schoenorchis,
Thelasis, and Thunia.
Dendrobium with 20 species is the dominant genus in terms of species
composition, followed by Bulbophyllum (8 spp.), Coelogyne (8
spp.), Liparis (7 spp.), Cymbidium (5 spp.) and Pinalia (4
spp.). Other genera such as Aerides, Agrostophyllum, Cleisostoma,
Dendrolirium, Habenaria, Micropera, Paphiopedilum, and Pholidota
were represented by three species. A total of 10 genera recorded from Nokrek
were represented by two species, which includes Acampe, Cryptochilus,
Gastrochilus, Oberonia, Peristylis, Phalaenopsis, Pleione,
Spathoglottis and Vanda (Figure 1).
First
time inventorizations of orchids were undertaken from NBR and 32 plant species
were recorded as new for Garo districts or western parts of Meghalaya
mountains, and two new national records for India. It has been observed that
the higher elevation in subtropical and temperate forests are condusive
environment for the orchids to live because the temperature and higher humidity
recorded in those areas are lower in comparison to lower regions. During the
study, the maximum orchid species collected were epiphytic or lithophytic and
some terrestrials. The suitable climate coupled with soil as limiting factors
allows the maximum orchid growth on trunks or hills layered with humus. From
the ecological point of view, the species abundance was observed to be low and
this is probably because the majority of plants were recorded as individual or
minute in their natural growth.
Morphology, Ecology, and Distribution
1.
Acampe Lindl.
The
genus comprised of seven species distributed in southeastern Asia, tropical
& subtropical Africa, Madagascar, and Islands of West Indian Ocean
(http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/; Bose et al. 1999); six species in
India (Gogoi et al. 2009); three species in Meghalaya (Kataki 1986), and two
species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Inflorescence panicled, equal to or longer
than leaves; column with two short distinct horns …......................... 1.
A. ochracea
1b. Inflorescence sub-umbellate, much shorter
than leaves; column without horns ... 2.
A. praemorsa
1.1.
Acampe ochracea (Lindl.) Hochr. in Bull. New York Bot. Gard. 6: 270.
1910. Saccolabium ochraceum Lindl. in Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 28(Misc.):
2. 1842.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of flower pale lemon yellow with irregular brown markings, on
trunks of Quercus griffithii and Catanopsis indica in the
tropical and subtropical forests of NBR with elevation range of 500–1,400 m.
Flowering was recorded in mid-November to late December. The plant is rare and
threatened due to the human ornamental needs in the study area. This species
has a wide distribution in Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India (Assam, Arunachal
Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Sri Lanka,
and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek Peak (1,123 m), VNS & BS 116699 (ASSAM).
1.2.
Acampe praemorsa (Roxb.) Blatt. & McCann in J.B.N.H.S. 35: 495.
1932. Epidendrum praemorsum Roxb. in Pl. Coromandel 1: 34. 1795.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of flower yellow blotched with brown, on tree trunks of Catanopsis
indica in the tropical and subtropical forests of Nokrek at 450–1,200 m.
The flowering of this species recorded in October. Although this plant species
is common in Meghalaya, this finding reports its occurrence only from
Daribokgre, on way to Nokrek Peak, Bansamgre, and Chokpot in the NBR. The wide
distribution of this species recorded from Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India
(Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand,
and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Daribokgre along Simsang river (874 m), VNS & BS 116700; other
locality include Rongrengiri, Srinivasan 22222 (ASSAM).
2.
Acanthophippium Blume
The
genus comprises 13 species distributed in Southeast Asia from Sri Lanka, Nepal,
and Japan in the world (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org; Chung et al.
2005); one species in Meghalaya and one species in NBR.
Acanthophippium
sylhetense Lindl. in Gen. Sp.
Orchid. Pl. 177. 1831.
Note:
Terrestrial plants of dull white flowers of yellow apex grow along with grasses
in tree canopy area between the elevation ranges of 200–1,000 m in the study area.
The flowering period of this species recorded between June and July.
Distribution widely recorded from China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram), Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, MKV Rao 59274 (ASSAM).
3.
Aerides Lour.
The
genus comprises about 28 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed in the world; 12 species in India (Bora & Kumar 2003), three
species in Meghalaya (Kataki 1986), and three species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Mid-lobe of lip narrow, turning upwards;
spur ca 1.2 cm long, prominent, horn-like ......... 1. A. odorata
1b. Midlobe of lip broad, forward-pointing;
spur short, inconspicuous .............................................. 2
2a. Midlobe of lip cordate, apex
emarginated-truncate ........................................... 2. A.
multiflora
2b. Midlobe of lip triangular, apex acute ....
................................................................. 3. A.
rosea
3.1.
Aerides odorata Lour. in Fl. Cochinch. 525. 1790. (Image 5)
Note:
Epiphytic Plant of flower white with pale pink flushed, on tree trunks in a
subtropical forest in NBR between. The flowering season was recorded in
mid-March to early June. This species is rare in the study site. It is widely recorded
from Bhutan, Bangladesh, India (Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura),
Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Sumatra, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Way to Nabokgre, VNS & BS 118277 (ASSAM).
3.2.
Aerides multiflora Roxb. in Pl. Coromandel 3: 68. 1820.
Note:
Pendent epiphytic plant of flower white to pinkish-purple,usually growing on
tree trunks in both the open and the dense tropical and subtropical forests
between the elevation range of 600–1,417 m. Flowering twigs of this species
were seen in March. This species is extremely rare in Nokrek, and during the
survey, we could not locate any site of occurrence, but while studying the
housed specimens at ASSAM herbarium, two sheets of MKV Rao earlier collection
were recorded from the study site. The plant is recorded from Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Myanmar, Nepal,
Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Gokha, MKVR 59292 (ASSAM); Way to Baghmara, MKVR 59328 (ASSAM).
3.3.
Aerides rosea Lodd.
ex Lindl. & Paxton in Paxton’s Fl. Gard.
2: 109. 1851. (Image 6)
Note:
Robust epiphytic plant of purple flowers arising from peduncle sheath recorded
growing on the tree trunks between 700 and 1450m elevation in the study area.
Flowering was recorded in August. Distribution recorded from Bhutan, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur), Myanmar, and
Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, MKVR22464 (ASSAM).
4.
Agrostophyllum Blume
The
genus currently contains 135 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed from the Seychelles to Samoa, New Guinea (Ormerod 2012), four
species from Meghalaya, and three species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Leaves more than 1.5 cm broad, epichile or
lip broader than long, a transverse ridge dividing the hypochile from epichile
….................................................................................................…
3. A. planicaule
1b. Leaves less than 1.3 cm broad, lip with a
transverse callus on hypochile ............................… 2
2a. Stem clavate with few leaves on the upper
part of the stem below which are large imbricate sheaths; capitula about 2 cm
across
........................................................................................................
1. A. brevipes
2b. Stem with many leaves; capitula more than 3
cm across .........................................… 2. A. callosum
4.1.
Agrostophyllum brevipes King & Pantl. in Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard.
(Calcutta) 8: 156. 1890.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of white flowers grows in subtropical forests between the
elevation ranges of 1,300–1,480 m elevation in the study area forests. It
flowering and fruiting period is between December and June. Wide distribution
reported from India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim),
Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, RN De 17137 (ASSAM).
4.2.
Agrostophyllum callosum Rchb.f. in B.Seemann, Fl. Vit. 296. 1868.
Note: Terrestrial plant of reddish-pink flowers grows
in subtropical forests at 900–1,480 m elevation in the study area. Distribution
reported from Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim), Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen studied: Nokrek Peak, Das 46857 (ASSAM).
4.3.
Agrostophyllum planicaule (Wall. ex Lindl.) Rchb.f. in W.G.Walpers,
Ann. Bot. Syst. 6: 909. 1864. Eria planicaulis Wall. ex Lindl.). in
Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 26(Misc.): 8. 1840.
Note: Terrestrial Plant of white flowers grows in open
as well as dense places along forest margin between the elevation ranges of
200–1,000 m in the Nokrek area. Distribution Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim), Nepal, Myanmar,
Malaysia, and Thailand.
Specimen studied: Nokrek hills, VNS & BS35839
(ASSAM).
5.
Anoectochilus Blume
The
genus comprises 46 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/) distributed
from Sri Lanka and the Himalayan region throughout southeastern Asia to Oceania
(Tian et al. 2008), six species in Meghalaya, and one species in NBR.
5.1
Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. in J.F.Royle, Ill. Bot.
Himal. Mts. 368. 1839. Chrysobaphus roxburghii Wall. in Tent. Fl.
Nepal. 37. 1826.
Note:
Terrestrial plant of pale pink to white flower, occurring in shaded humus soil
of the subtropical forests between the altitudes of 100–1,400 m. The flowering
season recorded in the study area is from August to late September. The species
is rare and is recorded for the first time from the Garo district of Meghalaya.
Widely distribution recorded from Bangladesh, Bhutan, and India (Arunachal
Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram).
Specimen
studied: Nokrek, NPB 50096 (ASSAM).
6.
Arundina Blume
The
genus comprises two species (http://www.theplantlist.org)
distributed in southern and southeastern Asia and both are found in India;
one species from Meghalaya (Kataki
1986).
6.1
Arundina graminifolia (D.Don.) Hochr.
in Bull. New York Bot. Gard. 6: 270. 1910. Bletia
graminifolia D.Don in Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 29.
1825.
Note:
Terrestrial plant of pale pinkish-purple flower, occasionally the plant is
viviparous in nature in grassland, secondary forests and forest borders of the
tropical and subtropical zone at 500–1,400 m. Flowering was observed in June
and last till August. It is widely recorded from Bhutan, China, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura,
Sikkim), Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Way to Baghmara, MKVR 64516 (ASSAM).
7.
Brachycorythis Lindl.
The
genus was proposed by Lindley in 1938 and comprised of 37 species (http://www.plantsof
theworldonline.org/) distributed in tropical Asia,
Africa, Australia, Madagascar, and Myanmar (Hoque & Huda 2008), five
species have been reported from India (Bose et al. 1999), one species from
Meghalaya, and one species in NBR.
7.1
Brachycorythis obcordata (Lindl. ex Wall.) Summerh. in Kew Bull. 10:
243. 1955. Orchis obcordata Lindl. ex Wall. in Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 23.
1825.
Note:
Terrestrial plant of uniformly pink to pale purple flowers seen grows along
with grasslands in forest borders at 1,000–1,400 m elevation in the study area.
It flowers between May and September. Distribution recorded from Bhutan, China,
India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Sadhoa forest, Kanjilal 8190 (ASSAM).
8.
Bulbophyllum Thouars
The genus is
comprised of 2,058 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed throughout the World; about 300 species in tropical regions (Kataki
1986); 37 species in Meghalaya, and eight species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Pseudobulbs
disc-like; stelidia linear, sharply pointed
.................................................................... 2
1b. Pseudobulbs
and stelidia otherwise ................ 3
2a. Flowers
reddish brown, mottled with yellow and lip purple
............................... 8. B. sarcophyllum
2b. Flowers
white with purple veined
.............................................................................
7. B. roseopictum
3a. Inflorescence
umbellate heads
.............................................................................
4. B. odoratissimum
3b. Inflorescence
not umbellate ............................ 4
4a. Inflorescence
cylindric, densely many flowered
.................................................................................
5
4b. Inflorescence
lax raceme ................................. 6
5a. Peduncle
laxly sheathed; peduncle more than 4 cm long; stelidia long
...................... 1. B. careyanum
5b. Peduncle
with dense, swollen sheaths throughout, peduncle less than 2 cm long; stelidia
short ................................................… 2. B. crassipes
6a. Flowers
reddish-purple to yellow blotched with reddish-purple, lip deep reddish-purple
.......................................................................... 6. B.
rolfei
6b. Flowers
yellowish-creamy, with or without red spots externally; lip yellow
.................................... 7
7a. Leaves 8–20
cm long; petals serrate on margin
......................................................... 3. B. gymnopus
7b. Leaves 6–10
cm long; petals entire on margin
.......................................................................... B.
reptans
8.1.
Bulbophyllum careyanum (Hook.) Spreng. in Syst. Veg. 3: 732. 1826. Anisopetalum
careyanum Hook. in Exot. Fl. 2: t. 149. 1825.
Note: Epiphytic plant of flower
orange-yellow spotted with red-brown or purple and lip yellow blotched with
violet, recorded on a tree trunk in tropical forests of NBR between the
altitude ranges of 400–800 m. Flowerings start in early October and continue
till January. The species is recorded for the first time from the Garo district
of Meghalaya. It is reported from Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya,
Sikkim), Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen studied: 6thMile
area, VNS & BS 118464 (ASSAM).
8.2.
Bulbophyllum crassipes Hook.f. in Fl. Brit. India 5: 760. 1890.
(Image 7)
Note: Epiphytic plant of flower
greenish-yellow, base spotted red-purple, grows on tree trunks in dense
tropical forests along the river side. The flowering of this species was
recorded in September and still flowering
at the end of October or early November. Critically endangered in
Nokrek, and is reported for the first time from the state of Meghalaya. Bhutan,
China, India (Meghalaya, Sikkim), Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen studied: Near
Rongrengiri (265m), VNS & BS118223 (ASSAM).
8.3.
Bulbophyllum gymnopus Hook.f. in Fl. Brit. India 5: 764. 1890.
Note: Epiphytic plant of white
flower, although bracts are slightly yellowish to brown, growing on tree trunks
and branches covered with moss in subtropical forests at 1,200–1,400m.
Flowering is usually recorded in December and continues till the end of
January.Occasionally found in Nokrek. The species is reported from Bhutan, China,
India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen studied: Daribokgre,
VNS & BS 116708 (ASSAM).
8.4.
Bulbophyllum odoratissimum (Sm.) Lindl. ex Wall. in Numer. List. No.
1987. 1829. Stelis odoratissima Sm. in A.Rees, Cycl. 34. No. 12.
1816.
Note: Usually epiphytic,
occasionally lithophytic plant of white flower tipped with yellow, recorded
growing on tree trunks of subtropical forests. The flowering period starts in
June and ends in July. The species is extremely rare in Nokrek, only three
localities were recorded while surveying both the core and buffer zones of the
biosphere reserve. Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Sikkim), Myanmar, and Nepal.
Specimen studied: Sisubibra, VNS
& BS 116705 (ASSAM); other localities are Nokrek Peak, VNS & BS 116613
(ASSAM) and Daribokgre, VNS & BS 114816 (ASSAM).
8.5.
Bulbophyllum reptans (Lindl.)
Lindl. ex Wall. in Numer. List. No. 1988. 1829.Tribrachia
reptans Lindl. in Coll. Bot. t. 41.
1826.
Note: Epiphytic
or lithophytic plant yellowish-green with purple streaks flower and lip
yellowish with red margin, recorded growing on tree trunks and on moss-covered
rocks near stream or rivers in subtropical forests. The plant flowers in
October and can be seen flowering till mid-November. Although this species is
recorded from Shillong Peak of Meghalaya it is a new record for the Garo
districts. This species is extremely rare in Nokrek and only recorded from the
core zone near Nokrek Peak. Distribution of the species reported from India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim), Myanmar, and
Thailand.
Specimen studied: Nokrek Peak,
BS, VNS & BKS118501 (ASSAM).
8.6.
Bulbophyllum rolfei (Kuntze) Seidenf. in Dansk Bot. Ark. 33: 149.
1979. Phyllorkis rolfei Kuntze in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 676. 1891.
Note: Epiphytic plant of
reddish-purple flower with yellow blotched recorded growing on tree trunks in
the tropical and subtropical forests. Flowering was recorded in August to
October. Widely reported from Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim), and Nepal.
Specimen studied: Daribokgre
near Simsang river, 114661 (ASSAM).
8.7.
Bulbophyllum roseopictum J.J.Verm., Schuit. & de Vogel in
Phytotaxa 166. 105. 2014.
Note: Epiphytic plant of white flowers with purple
veined grows on the moss-laden stems, barks, and on tree trunks of subtropical
forests at 900–1,450 m elevation in the study area. Its phenology period is
between October and December. Distribution widely reported from China, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assam, Nagaland), Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen studied: Nokrek hills, GK Deka 35682 (ASSAM).
8.8.
Bulbophyllum sarcophyllum (King & Pantl.) J.J.Sm. in Bull. Jard.
Bot. Buitenzong, ser. 2, 8: 27. 1912. Cirrhopetalum sarcophyllum
King & Pantl. in J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. Hist. 64: 335. 1896.
Note: Epiphytic or lithophytic
plant of flower reddish-brown, mottled with yellow and lip purple, recorded
growing in shade on tree trunks in tropical and subtropical forests. The plant
flowers in June. It is recorded rare in Meghalaya, and after the collection of
Panigrahi from NBR. This species is not yet reported from other parts of the
state. The species is reported from Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya, Sikkim), and Nepal.
Specimen studied: Tura Peak,
GP22411 (ASSAM).
9.
Calanthe R.Br.
The
genus is represented by 214 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)widely
distributed from tropical & subtropical Asia to the Pacific islands,
tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, Mexico, Panama, and northern South
America (Zhai et al. 2013), 11 species in Meghalaya
(Kataki 1986), and one species in NBR.
9.1.
Calanthe biloba Lindl. in Fol. Orchid. 6: 3. 1855.
Note:
Plant terrestrial of yellow
flower spotted with purple brown, and lip pale violet, white at the base, grows
in a shady area of subtropical forests. It flowers in September and in some
other places of Meghalaya, it is recorded till November. The species is rare
and threatened in the NBR. The distribution of the species is reported from
Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur,
Sikkim), Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Sisubibra, ARKS 40557 (ASSAM); other locality is RF, MKVR 53311
(ASSAM).
10.
Ceratostylis Blume
The
genus comprises 153 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed in Southern and southeastern Asia to
Indonesia and New Guinea (Pearce & Cribb 2002), three species from India,
two species from Meghalaya (Kataki 1986), and
one species in NBR.
10.1.
Ceratostylis himalaica Hook.f. in Fl. Brit. India 5: 826. 1890.
Note:
Epiphytes plant of pinkish-yellow flowers grows in the primary forests between
the elevation ranges of 1,000–1,480 m in the study area. Flowering was recorded
in May. Distribution of the species widely recorded from Bhutan, China, India
(Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim),
Nepal, Thailand, and Myanmar.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek peak, MKVR 64007 (ASSAM).
11.
Cheirostylis Blume
The
genus is represented by 55 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed in tropical Africa, Southern &
southeastern Asia, Japan, and Pacific Island to Australia (Bhattacharjee 2012),
one species from Meghalaya, and one species in NBR.
11.1.
Cheirostylis griffithii Lindl. in J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 1: 188.
1857.
Note: Terrestrial plant of white flowers found growing
in the subtropical forests at 900–1,400 m elevation in the study area. Its
flowering was recorded between May and August. Distribution reported from
Bhutan, India (Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland), Nepal, Myanmar,
and Thailand.
Specimen studied: Nokrek, PK Hajra 51876 (ASSAM).
12.
Cleisostoma Blume
The
genus comprises 96 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/) distributed
across the world in tropical and
subtropical climate (Bose et al. 1999), 35 species in tropical Asia (Kataki
1986), 19 species in India (Gogoi et al. 2009), 10 species in Meghalaya, and
three species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Leave flat; pollinia with simple stipes
............ ........................................................... 3. C.
subulatum
1b. Leaves terete; pollia with complex strip
.........................................................................................
2
2a. Plant with dorsiventral leaves (sometimes
V-shaped insection); inflorescence many-flowered long raceme; sepals and petals
chocolate brown ......
.............................................................. 2. C.
filiforme
2b. Plant with terete leaves; inflorescence
few-flowered short raceme; sepals and petals yellow with brown veins, spur
narrow veins
..................................................................................
1. C. appendiculatum
12.1.
Cleisostoma appendiculatum (Lindl.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex B.D.
Jacks. in Index Kew. 1: 555. 1893. Aerides appendiculata Lindl. in
Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 242. 1833.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of yellow flower, growing on moss-covered tree trunks in the
subtropical forests between the altitude ranges of 1,000–1,417 m. It flowers in
July and ends in August. Rare in Nokrek hills of Meghalaya. India (Arunachal
Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim), Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek Hills, S Phukan 113011 (ASSAM); other locality is Danagiri, DB
Deb 29295.
12.2.
Cleisostoma filiforme (Lindl.) Garay in Bot. Mus. Leafl. 23: 171.
1972. Sarcanthus filiformis Lindl. Edmards’s Bot. Reg. 28 (Misc.):
61. 1842.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of purple flower with a yellow stripe at the centre, found to
be growing on tree trunks in shady places in the tropical and subtropical
forests. The plant flowers in April and continues till June. It is rare in the
Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from the Garo districts, and is one of
the most threatened plants of the state. After a repeated search in the study
area, we could only locate two populations: one at the Sabokgre (subtropical
area), and one at the Rongrenggre (tropical forests). Bhutan, China, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura,
Sikkim), Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Way to Sabokgre (1,026 m), VNS & BS118278 (ASSAM); other
localities include Rongrenggre (295 m), VNS & BS 116760 (ASSAM).
12.3.
Cleisostoma subulatum Blume in Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 363. 1825.
Note:
Epiphytic plants of yellow to brown flowers, growing on tree trunks in the
tropical and subtropical forests between the altitude ranges of 450–1,050 m.
Flowering was recorded from May to June. During the scrutiny of ASSAM
herbarium, the authors come across two unidentified sheets of MKV Rao, and
after identification, it is a new record for Garo district. India (Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim), Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek Peak, MKVR 64609 (ASSAM).
13.
Coelogyne Lindl.
The
genus comprises of 210 species
(http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/), 34 species in India (Das & Jain
1980), 22 species in Meghalaya (Kataki 1986), and eight species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Inflorescence
with imbricate sterile bracts
................................................................................…2
1b. Inflorescence
bare to the first flower, or rarely with 1 or a few sterile bracts; flowers
opening simultaneously ...................................................…
4
2a. Rachis
extending with new imbricate bracts to produce further annual sets of flowers
............. 3
2b. Rachis
producing a single set of flowers .......
............................................................... 1. C.
barbata
3a. Lip mid-lobe
nearly broadly oblong, 2 lamellae faint near the base of lip, elevated and
prominent on mid-lobe ...................................... 8. C.
schultesii
3b. Lip mid-lobe
nearly elliptic, 2 lamellae terminating 2/3 onto mid-lobe .......... 5. C.
prolifera
4a. Dorsal sepal
forming a hood over the column, larger than lateral sepals and petals; lateral
sepals and petals not widespread away from the column ..
.......................................................... 4. C. fuscescens
4b. Dorsal sepal
erect, away from the column; lateral sepals and petals widespread away from the
column; sepals and petals of ca.
equal length ........................................................................................
5
5a Dorsal sepal
and lateral sepals of ca. equal width, petals narrower
........................................... 6
5b. Dorsal
sepal, lateral sepals, and petals of ca. equal width; sepals, petals, and lip
tending toward being fleshy
........................................................… 7
6a. Lip with
mid-lobe large in relation to the overall size of flower, sometimes clawed; lip
with margin tending toward being
membranous ..........................................................................
7. C. suaveolens
6b. Lip with
mid-lobe not large relative to the overall size of flower; lip without evident
claw; lip with margin tending toward
being fleshy ...............
................................................................. 3 C.
flaccida
7a. Inflorescence
hysteranthous .... 6. C. punctulata
7b. Inflorescence
proteranthous or synanthous …
.......................................................... 2. C. corymbosa
13.1.
Coelogyne barbata Lindl. ex Griff. in Itin. Pl. Khasyah Mts. 72.
1848.
Note:
Epiphytic or lithophytic plant of pure white flower grows on tree trunks in the
tropical and subtropical forests. It flowers in September and continues flowering
till December. Singh & Singh (2002) reported this species from Nokrek and
treated under rare and endangered category. The plant is reported from Bhutan,
India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim,
Mizoram), and Myanmar.
Specimen
studied: Sisubibra, VNS & BS116706 (ASSAM).
13.2.
Coelogyne corymbosa
Lindl. in Fol. Orchid. 5: 7. 1854.
Note:
Plant epiphytic or lithophytic plant of white flower bordered with orangish-red
lip grows on tree trunks in the subtropical forests. The flowering of the plant
was recorded in October–November. A sheet of vouchers is housed in ASSAM, but
to date not reported from Garo hills, hence, is a new record for the Garo
district. Widely reported from Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim), Nepal, and Myanmar.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek, GVSR 28188 (ASSAM).
13.3.
Coelogyne flaccida Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 39. 1830. (Image 8)
Note:
Generally epiphytic plants on tree trunks, occasionally growing on moss-covered
rocks (lithophytic) in dense places of tropical and subtropical forests at
700–1,400 m. It flowers from early March to the end of April. This species of
plant is extremely rare, and threatened in the Nokrek due to illicit collection
for ornamental purposes. Distributed in Bhutan,
China, India (Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim),
Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Simsanggre to 15 km, VNS & BS 116786 (ASSAM).
13.4.
Coelogyne fuscescens
Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 41. 1830.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of yellow flowers found to be growing in dense primary
subtropical forests at 1,000–1,400 m. Flowering was recorded in November and
January. It is extremely rare in Nokrek, as authors could locate only two
localities after repeated searches in the BR. It is reported from Bhutan, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim), Nepal, and Myanmar.
Specimen
studied: Daribokgre, VNS & BS114817 (ASSAM).
13.5.
Coelogyne prolifera
Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 40. 1830.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of yellow flower with lip brown-veined recorded growing on tree
trunks of lofty trees in the subtropical forests. The plant flowers in early
May and continues till June. It is rare in Nokrek forests and recorded for the
first time from Garo hills. Bhutan, China, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim), Nepal,
and Myanmar.
Specimen
studied: Darugiri, MKVR 61442 (ASSAM).
13.6.
Coelogyne punctulata Lindl. in Coll. Bot. t. 33. 1824. (Image 9)
Note:
Epiphytic
plant of white
flower, and lip with two bright
orangish-yellow spots on each lateral lobe.
It is recorded growing on tree trunks in the subtropical forests
between elevation ranges of 1,000–1,400 m, and flowering usually in
February. It is rare and records for the
first time from the Garo district. Bhutan, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Sikkim),
Myanmar, and Nepal.
Specimen
studied: Sellengiri, SDS 60130 (ASSAM).
13.7.
Coelogyne suaveolens (Lindl.) Hook.f. in Fl. Brit. India 5: 832.
1890. Pholidota suaveolens Lindl. in Gard. Chron. 1856: 312. 1856.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of white flower and lip with yellow spots, growing in shady
places on tree trunks in the tropical and subtropical forests between the
altitudinal gradient of 400–1,250 m. Flowering usually in May, and also
occasionally recorded in June. Wide distribution of this species reported from
India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh), Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Way to Khalakgre, VNS & BS 116716 (ASSAM); other localities
include Rongrengiri, MKVR 59453 (ASSAM).
13.8.
Coelogyne schultesii S.K.Jain
& S.Das in Proc. Indian Acad. Sci., B 87(5): 121. 1978. (Image
10)
Note:
Plant epiphytic plant of flower brownish-yellow or greenish to dark brown, and
lip dark brown, on lofty trees, sometimes lithophytic on moss-covered rocks in
the shady area of the tropical and subtropical forests between the elevations
of 500–1,000 m. Its flowering period was recorded in January and continued till
the end of March. The plant is rare and threatened in Nokrek. Distribution of
the species recorded from Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya,
Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim), Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Sisubibra, VNS & BS116695 (ASSAM).
14.
Corybas Salisb.
The
genus of terrestrial orchids that comprised about 147 species
(http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/) found from southern China and India to
Australia, New Zealand, and western Pacific Islands (Chung & Hsu 2008), one
species from Meghalaya, and one species in NBR.
Corybas
himalaicus (King & Pantl.)
Schltr. in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 19: 19. 1923.
Corysanthes himalaica King & Pantl. in J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2,
Nat. Hist. 65: 128. 1896.
Note:
A terrestrial plant having white flowers grows along with grasses in
subtropical vegetation at 1,000–1,480 m elevations in the study area. Flowering
was recorded between June and July. The species is recorded from China and
India (Sikkim, Meghalaya).
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, Joseph 84079 (ASSAM).
15.
Corymborkis Thouars
The
genus is comprised of eight species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed across the world in tropic and subtropics,
one species from Meghalaya, and one species in NBR.
15.1.
Corymborkis veratrifolia (Reinw.) Blume in Coll. Orchid. 125. 1859. Hysteria
veratrifolia Reinw. in Syll. Pl. Nov. 2: 5. 1825.
Note:
Clump-forming terrestrial plant tubular fragrant white flowers, growing in the
subtropical forests. It flowers usually in July. The plant is rare in Nokrek as
well as in the state. The distribution of the species is recorded from China,
India (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya), Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar,
and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Tura Hills, RND 22179 (ASSAM).
16.
Crepidium Blume
The
genus is represented by 291 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
throughout the world mostly in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia to the
Pacific, six species from Meghalaya, and one species in NBR.
16.1.
Crepidium acuminatum (D.Don) Szlach. in Fragm. Florist. Geobot.,
Suppl. 3: 123. 1995. Malaxis acuminata D.Don in Prodr. Fl. Nepal.
29. 1825.
Note: Terrestrial plant of greenish-yellow or slightly
purple flowers grows in the primary forests in shaded moist places, often
nearby streams and rivers at 200–1,300 m elevations in the study area. Its
flowering starts in June and can be seen till the third week of August.
Distribution in Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim,
Assam, Nagaland, Manipur), Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and
Vietnam.
Specimen studied: Sasatgiri, MKVR 53322 (ASSAM); other
locaty include Nokrek range, MKVR 64415 (ASSAM).
17.
Cryptochilus Wall.
The
genus is represented by a total of eight species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed mostly in the southeastern Asian regions,
two species from Meghalaya, and two species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Red flowers
......................... 1. C. sanguineus
1b. White flowers ..........................…
2. C. strictus
17.1.
Cryptochilus sanguineus Wall. in Tent. Fl. Napal. 36. 1824.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of a red flower, usually growing in the primary forests on tree
trunks of the subtropical belt in shady places. Usually, they plant flowers in
June and continues flowering till September in some places. The distribution of the species was widely
reported from Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland,
Mizoram), and Nepal.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek, GKD 10156 (ASSAM).
17.2.
Cryptochilus strictus (Lindl.) Schuit., Y.P.Ng & H.A.Pedersen in
Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 186: 195. 2018. Eria stricta Lindl. in Coll. Bot.
t. 41 B. 1826.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of flower densely woolly-externally, white, flushed with pink
and lips streaked with yellow, recorded growing on the tree trunks of tropical
and subtropical forests between the elevation ranges of 700–1,400 m. This
species is extremely rare in NBR. Its flowering can be seen between March and
April. Distribution of the species recorded from Bhutan,
India (Arunachal
Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim), and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek Peak (1,375 m), VNS & BS 114676 (ASSAM).
18.
Cylindrolobus Blume
The
genus is represented by 75 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/) in
its native range of southern China to tropical Asia and one species in NBR.
18.1.
Cylindrolobus clavicaulis (Wall. ex Lindl.) Rauschert in Feddes
Repert. 94: 445. 1983. Eria clavicaulis Wall. ex Lindl. in Edwards’s
Bot. Reg. 26(Misc.): 90. 1840.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of white flowers, lips edged with pink, grows on tree trunks in
the subtropical forests of the study area. Flowering of this plant species
recorded in January. Occasional in the Nokrek hill range, however, its
worldwide distribution recorded from China, India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya), Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. (Note: This species can be
distinguished from the inflorescence with 2 pedicelled flowers, and 2 yellow
bracts. It can be separated from E. marginatus by their rachis pedicel,
ovary, glabrous sepals, and lateral lobes bigger than the mid-lobe.).
Specimen
studied: Sabokgre, VNS & BS 118275 (ASSAM).
19.
Cymbidium Sw.
The
genus is comprises 74 species
(http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/) distributed in tropical and
subtropical regions of Asia and Australia (Long et al. 2003), 18 species in
India (Bora & Kumar 2003), 13 species in Meghalaya (Kataki 1986), and five
species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Pseudobulbs ovoid, bilaterally flattened;
leaves 4–6, oblong, obtuse, unequal bilobed at apex, thick, rigid, erect
…...................................... 1. C. aloifolium
1b. Pseudobulbs ovoid or fusiform; leaves 2–17,
linear-elliptic, narrowly oblong, acute to mucronate, sessile, rigid
......................................... 2
2a. Leaves 2–4, with long channeled petiole;
inflorescence pendulous
............... 2. C. devonianum
2b. Leaves more than 5, petioles not channeled;
inflorescence otherwise ......................................…
3
3a. Leaves 5–9, linear-oblong, tapering to a
fine tip; flowers spreading; margin ciliate .......... 4. C. iridoides
3b. Leaves more than 6, narrowly oblong to
ovoid; flowers not spreading; margins not ciliate..............4
4a. Pseudobulbs ovoid to fusiform; leaves 6–17,
narrowly oblong, mucronate; flowers white, not spreading
…........................................ 3. C. eburneum
4b. Pseudobulbs small, ovoid to narrowly ovoid;
leaves many, linear to linear-elliptic; flowers
campanulate, pendent, pale lemon yellow
...................................................................... 5. C.
longifolium
19.1.
Cymbidium aloifolium (L.) Sw. in Nova Acta Regiae Soc. Sci. Upsal. 6:
73. 1799. Epidendrum aloifolium L. Sp. Pl. 953. 1753.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of flower yellow with purple mid-nerve on trunks of lofty trees
usually recorded growing in the tropical and subtropical forests between the altitudinal
ranges of 250–1,417 m. Flowering from May to July. Although this species is
rare in the state, it is recorded very commonly in Nokrek. Distribution of this
species reported from Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim,
Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram), Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek Peak (1,378 m), VNS & BS 116709 (ASSAM), others recorded
localities include Rongrengiri, GP22626 (ASSAM) and Tura Hills, DBD29058
(ASSAM).
19.2.
Cymbidium devonianum Paxton. in Paxton’s Mag. Bot. 10: 97. 1843.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of flowers green with purple dots on tree trunks, occasionally
lithophytic on moss-covered big rocks in dense under canopy layer in the
subtropical forests above 1,000 m. Its flowering period was recorded from May
to July. This plant species is again extremely rare in Nokrek as well as in the
statebecause after long surveys, only two localities,Tura Hills and
Cherrepunjee, are recorded so far from Meghalaya. It’s a new record for the
Garo districts. The species is reported from Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal
Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland), Myanmar, Nepal, and
Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Tura Hills, DBD22629 (ASSAM).
19.3.
Cymbidium eburneum Lindl. in Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 33: t. 67. 1847.
Note:
Plant epiphytic plant of pure white flower and midlobe has a yellow blotch,
growing on tree trunks in the dense primary subtropical forests above 1050m.
Its flowering period was recorded from March to May. It is very rare in Nokrek
as well as in the state. The scrutiny of Herbarium recorded only two sheets:
One of MKV Rao from Nokrek, and the other of T.M. Hynniewta from Jaintia hills
housed in the ASSAM herbarium at Botanical Survey of India, recorded its rare
location in Meghalaya. Widely distributed recorded from Bhutan, China, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim), Nepal, and Myanmar.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, MKVR51864 (ASSAM).
19.4.
Cymbidium iridioides D.Don in Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 36. 1825. (Image 11)
Note:
Epiphytic plant of flowers yellow and lip red-spotted on tree trunks, sometimes
occasionally recorded as lithophytic on moss-covered rocks under dense canopy
layer in the subtropical forests. Flowering starts in early October and lasts
till middle December. It is rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time
from the state, and hence a new extended distribution of the species from
Meghalaya. Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya (Present study),
Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim), Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek Peak, VNS & BS 116710 (ASSAM).
19.5.
Cymbidium longifolium D.Don in Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 36. 1825.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of purplish-brown flower with slightly yellowish lip, growing
on tree trunks in the primary tropical and subtropical forests between the
elevations range of 400–1,400 m. Flowering was recorded from October to
November. Although this species is common in the state, it was rarely recorded
in Nokrek, also a new record for the Garo district. Distribution of the species
reported from Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur,
Nagaland, Sikkim), Myanmar, and Nepal.
Specimen
studied: Tura Hills, DBD 22694 (ASSAM).
20.
Dendrobium Sw.
This
genus is the second-largest number of species in the Orchidaceae family and
comprises 1,536 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/) distributed
in tropical and subtropical Asia to Oceania (Liu &
Chen 2011), about 102 species in India (Gogoi 2011), 47 species in Meghalaya,
and 20 species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Plant with fusiform to clavate stems or
pseudobulbs, often angled, sometimes compressed; leaves 1– 5, thick, nearly sheath-less, more or
less, clustered at apex; leaf-sheaths insignificant ............................................................
2
1b. Plant otherwise; leaves with distinct
sheaths, often covering most of the internodes .................. 6
2a. Pseudobulbs 1–leaved
............................. 3
2b. Pseudobulbs 2–5-leaved .............................
4
3a. Pseudobulbs 7–10 cm long; inflorescence in
many-flowered racemes; upper surface of the lip
pubescent at base and centre
only .........................................................................
14. D. lindleyi
3b. Pseudobulbs 3–5 cm long; inflorescence 1 to
2 flowered; whole upper surface of lip pubescent
............................................................ 13. D.
jenkinsii
4a. Leaves close together on the many-angled
stem .........................................................................
5
4b. Leaves lax on few angled stems
............................................................................ 6.
D. chrysotoxum
5a. Flowers pale yellow ................. 7. D.
densiflorum
5b. Flowers pale-mauve, turning into pure white
on maturity ............................................ 9. D. farmeri
6a. Stems with at least some of the internodes
either fleshy or swollen .......................................... 7
6b. Stems compressed or wiry, without fleshy or
swollen internodes ............................................... 16
7a. Plant tufted, smaller ............ 8. D.
eriiflorum
7b. Plant not tufted, larger
............................. 8
8a. Flowers 0.7–4.5 cm across
.....................................................................................
20. D. transparens
8b. Flowers more than 4.5 cm across ...........
9
9a. Sepals and petals bright yellow to copper
or coral red ............................................................... 10
9b. Sepals and petals purple or white, cream or
primrose yellow ................................................... 11
10a. Operculum with warty surface
...................... ........................................................
5. D. chrysanthum
10b. Operculum glabrous ............ 16. D.
ochreatum
11a. Basal callus on lip splitting up in 3 keels
entering about one-third into the disc ............. 3. D. aphyllum
11b. Basal callus on lip if any, fading into the
disc without splitting up in keels ..............................… 12
12a. Lip distinctly longer than dorsal sepal;
one-flowered inflorescence .................. 17. D. polyanthum
12b. Lip not distinctly longer than dorsal sepal.
Inflorescence more than one flower ................... 13
13a. Flowers white, petals white; disk dark purple
or yellow patch .................................................... 14
13b. Petals light pink to purple; disk otherwise
..… ............................................................... 19. D.
tortile
14a. Disk dark purple patches ............ 15. D.
nobile
14b. Disk yellow or brown patches
...................... 15
15a. Flowers large, single, disk yellow patch
......... ......................................................... 11. D.
formosum
15b. Flowers small, arise in the bunch, disk brown
patch ............................................ 10. D. fimbriatum
16a. Leaves laterally compressed
..................... 17
16b. Leaves dorsiventral .............. 18. D.
salaccense
17a. Flowers axillary
.............................. 2 D. anceps
17b. Flowers terminal or subterminal
................ 18
18a. Inflorescence lateral from pseudobulb base
........................................................ 1. D. acinaciforme
18b. Inflorescence subterminal on the pseudobulb
..............................................................................
19
19a. Inflorescence always abaxial; flowers pale
yellow; midlobe of lip orange ....... 4. D. calocephalum
19b. Inflorescence abaxial or adaxial; flowers
white; the tip of lip white ...................................... 12. D.
fugax
20.1.
Dendrobium acinaciforme
Roxb. in Fl. Ind. ed. 1832, 3: 487. 1832.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of pale yellow flowers with pink dots in the middle shortly
clawed lip grows in the primary dense subtropical forests. The plant flowers
usually in July and continues flowering till November. It is rare in the Nokrek
and recorded for the first time from the Garo Hills. Widely distributed,
reported from Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland), Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Danagiri, DBD 29242 (ASSAM).
20.2.
Dendrobium anceps Sw. in Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Nya Handl. 21: 246.
1800. (Image 12)
Note:
Epiphytic plant of yellow flower with purple or pink-lined lip generally grows
on tree trunks in the primary tropical and subtropical forests between the
altitude gradient ranges of 300–1,400 m. Flowering is recorded usually from
January to March. It is rare in Nokrek and recorded the first time from the
Garo district. Distribution of this species reported from Bhutan, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim,
Tripura), Myanmar, Thailand, and Nepal.
Specimen
studied: Bansamgiri, VNS & BS 118223 (ASSAM).
20.3.
Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb.) C.E.C.Fisch. in J.S.Gamble, Fl. Madras
1416. 1928.Limodorum aphyllum Roxb. in Pl. Coromandel 1: 34. 1795. (Image
13)
Note:
Epiphytic plant, flowers white to pale purple, lip base with purple lines found
to be growing on trunks of Lagerstromea parviflora, Schima wallichii in
the tropical and subtropical forests. It flowers in early April also recorded
flowering in September. Commonly found in the
state, also recorded frequently in Nokrek. Distribution reported from Bangladesh,
Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
Nagaland, Sikkim), Laos, Nepal, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
(Note: Only 1 plant recorded in flowering condition, pure white flowers, from
Rongrengre (312 m), and is the alba form of Dendrobium aphyllum.).
Specimen
studied: Sisubibra, VNS & BS 116703 (ASSAM).
20.4.
Dendrobium calocephalum (Z.H.Tsi & S.C.Chen) Schuit. & Peter
B.Adams in Muelleria 29: 66. 2011. Flickingeria calocephala Z.H.Tsi
& S.C.Chen in Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33. 203. 1995.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of creamy to pale yellow flowers without any spots growing on
tree trunks in tropical and subtropical forests at 400–1,480 m elevation; rare
in NBR. Flowering recorded in June. The species is endemic to Indian regions
and quite common in the northeastern states of India.
Specimen
studied: Sisubibra, VNS & BS 116696 (ASSAM).
20.5.
Dendrobium chrysanthum Wall.
ex Lindl. in Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 15: t. 1299. 1830.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of golden yellow flowers having two maroon blotches on the lip,
recorded growing on tree trunks in the tropical and subtropical forests between
the elevation ranges of 750–1,500 m. The plant flowers in September
occasionally fruits in February. It is recorded for the
first time from the Garo district of Meghalaya, hence a new record for the Garo
hills. Distribution of the species reported from Bhutan,
China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland,
Sikkim), Laos, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Sisubibra, VNS & BS 116704 (ASSAM).
20.6.
Dendrobium chrysotoxum
Lindl. In Edmards’s Bot. Reg. 33: t. 19. 1847.
Note:
Epiphytic plant species are recorded
growing on tree trunks in the tropical and subtropical forests. The
species is rare in the Nokrek (Singh & Singh 2002). Wide distribution
reported from Cambodia, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Java, Laos, Myanmar, and
Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, RN De 17152 (ASSAM).
20.7.
Dendrobium densiflorum
Lindl. in N.Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1:
34. 1830.(Image 14)
Note:
Epiphytic plants of orange to yellow flowering, twigs usually recorded growing
on tree trunks in the tropical and subtropical forests between the elevation
ranges of 300–1,417 m. Flowering was recorded in March and continued till
April. The plant is very common
in all parts of the state, also the most threatened plant because of its ornamental
use. Distribution widely reported from Bhutan Cambodia, China, India (Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim), Java, Myanmar,
Laos, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Sisubibra, VNS & BS 116701
(ASSAM).
Note:
Popularly known as ‘Pineapple Orchid’ for its many compact yellow flowers on
drooping racemes.
20.8.
Dendrobium eriiflorum
Griff. in Ic. Pl. Asiat. 3: 316. 1851.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of flower yellow with purple streaks on lip grows on tree
trunks of Quercus griffithii, Castanopsis indica in the tropical and
subtropical forests at 500–1,400 m. It flowers in October and continues
flowering till December, fruiting also recorded occasionally till to March. The
plant is rare in the state, also recorded very rare in the Nokrek. The species
is recorded for the first time from Garo hills and is a new record for the Garo
district. The distribution of the species reported from Bhutan, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim), India,
Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, NPB 49922 (ASSAM).
20.9.
Dendrobium farmeri Paxton in Paxton’s Mag. Bot. 15: 241. 1849.
Note:
Large epiphytic plant of white flowers with a yellow blotch at the centre of
lip bordered by white, growing on tree trunks in the dense tropical and
subtropical forests between the altitude gradients of 300–1,250 m. It flowers
in April, sometimes the fruiting has been recorded in September and October.
The plant is rare in the state, as well as in the Nokrek; it is recorded
as new for the Garo districts.
Distribution of the species reported from Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh,
Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim), Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal,
Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, MMS 23530 (ASSAM).
20.10.
Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook. in Exot. Fl. 1: t. 71. 1823.
Note:
Pendant epiphytic plant with 3.5–5 cm across golden yellow flowers; growing on
branches on big trees in the subtropical forests at elevations of 1,300–1,417
m. Its flowering can be seen from April to September. Wide distribution
recorded from India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland,
Sikkim), and Myanmar.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek Hills, C Deori 101135 (ASSAM).
20.11.
Dendrobium formosum Roxb. ex Lindl. in N.Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1:
34. 1830.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of big white flowers of 6.5–11.5 cm diameter with a centre lip
changes from yellow to orange after opening for about a week, delicately
fragrant, grows on tree trunks in the open as well as in the dense forests of
tropical and subtropical regions. Its flowering starts in October–December,
fruiting in April–May. The plant is rare in Nokrek hills, recorded for the
first time from Garo district. The distribution of the species is native to
Indian regions, although recorded from Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura), Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal,
Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, on the way to Tura peak, DBD 29139 (ASSAM).
20.12. Dendrobium
fugax Rchb.f. in Gard. Chron. 1257. 1871. Flickingeria
fugax (Rchb.f.) Seidenf.
in Dansk Bot. Ark. 34: 46. 1980.
Note:
Epiphytic plant with creeping rhizome and white flowers recorded growing on
tree trunks of subtropical forests at 500–1,400 m elevation in the study area.
Its flowering can be seen between July and August. Distribution of the species
recorded from India (throughout northeastern states), Myanmar, Thailand, Java,
Ceylon.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek Peak, VNS & BS 118587 (ASSAM)
Note:
The flowers last one to two days only.
20.13.
Dendrobium jenkinsii
Wall. ex Lindl. in Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 25: t. 37. 1839. (Image
15)
Note:
Miniature
epiphytic plantwith bright sulphur yellow flowers of about 1.5 cm diameter,
growing on tree trunks in tropical and
subtropical forests at 200–1,000 m. It usually starts flowering
in February and continues flowering till the
end of May in the study area. The plant is common in the Nokrek biosphere
reserve. Distribution widely reported from Bhutan, China, India (Meghalaya,
Sikkim), Myanmar, Thailand. Note: A very dwarf species among Dendrobium
group.
Specimen
studied: Rongrengre (298 m), VNS & BS 116768 (ASSAM).
20.14.
Dendrobium lindleyi
Steud. in Nomencl. Bot., ed. 2, 1: 490. 1840.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of bright yellow flowers of faint, honey-like fragrance on
pendent racemes, grows on tree trunks in the tropical and deciduous forests. Its
flowering period is between April-June. The species is rare in the Nokrek
hills, reported being a native species of southern and southeastern Asia.
Distribution widely from China, India (Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Myanmar, and
Thailand. Note: the flower colour of the
species is very similar to Dendrobium
jenkinsii
Wall. ex Lindl. but differs in mostly having an inflorescence with many
flowers.
Specimen
studied: Northern range of Nokrek hills, UK 6942 (ASSAM).
20.15.
Dendrobium nobile
Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 79. 1830. (Image
16)
Note:
Epiphytic
as well as lithophytic plant, fragrant, waxy flowers, colour variable; the base
of the petals is pale pink or white, grading into a stronger amethyst-purple
towards the tip; the lip is velvety with a rich maroon-purple basal part,
surrounded by a pale yellowish-white portion. The species were recorded from
tropical deciduous and subtropical forests at 750–1,500 m at the foothills of
Nokrek and surrounding areas. The flowering of this plant species could be seen
continuing throughout the year. This plant species is rare in Nokrek (Singh
& Singh 2002), and after repeated search in wild; the species could not be
the location in the study area. Distribution of the species recorded from Bhutan,
China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim), Nepal,
Myanmar, Nepal, Laos,
Thailand, and
Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Rongrengre, DBD 29127 (ASSAM).
20.16.
Dendrobium ochreatum Wall. ex Lindl. in Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 21: t. 1756.
1835.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of flowers bright golden yellow, the lip has a dark red spot in
the throat, long-lasting and fragrant, grows on tree trunks at high elevations
above 1,000 m in the tropical and subtropical area. It flowers in April and
May. The species is rare in Nokrek
and collected after 50 years from the state of Meghalaya. The species is a
native of northeastern India, also recorded from Myanmar,
Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Daribokgre, VNS & BS 116702 (ASSAM).
20.17.
Dendrobium polyanthum Wall. ex Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 81.
1830. Dendrobium cretaceun Lindl. in
Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 33: t. 62. 1847.
Note:
Pendulous
epiphytic plant, white flowers with ciliate margin, grows
on tree trunks in the subtropical forests between the elevations of 1,200–1,400
m.The flowering of the species was recorded in May and continued flowering till
July. The plant is rare in the state, recorded for the first time from the Garo
district of Meghalaya. India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya,
Mizoram, and Sikkim), Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Near Daribokgre (1,050 m), VNS & BS 114818B (ASSAM).
20.18.
Dendrobium salaccense (Blume) Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 86.
1830. Grastidium salaccense Blume in Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 333. 1825.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of golden yellow flowers with lip purple, usually growing in
shady places on tree trunks in the tropical and subtropical forests at
300–1,400 m. The plant flowers in March occasionally fruits in September. The
distribution of the species reported from Bhutan, China, India (Assam,
Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura), and Nepal.
Specimen
studied: Patalgiri to Todi river (596 m), VNS & BS 116834 (ASSAM); other
localities includes Nabokgre, VNS & BS 118271 (ASSAM); Tura top, GP 225247
(ASSAM).
20.19.
Dendrobium tortile A.Cunn.
in Gard. Chron. 797. 1847.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of flowers pink to mauve, scented,
lips usually white with a delicate lining of the basic flower, petals and sepal
twisted, recorded growing on moss-covered tree trunks in tropical forests. It
flowers in May. The species are rare in the Nokrek biosphere reserve (Deori et
al. 2009). Distribution mainly recorded from Bangladesh, India (Andaman
Islands, Meghalaya), Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.[The D.
tortile reported as extinct because of its collection from Andamans in 1890
(Balakrishnana 1976), and no more collection after that, but reported by Deori
(2009) after a gap of century from the Nokrek hills in Meghalaya. The growth of
the species is similar to D. nobile, but differs in having petals and
sepals twisted].
Specimen
studied: Western range of Nokrek hills,
Deori 116269 (ASSAM).
20.20.
Dendrobium transparens Wall.
ex Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 79. 1830.
Note:
Epiphytic
plant species having white flowers tinged purplish-rose towards the tip, two to
three in number, fragrant, recorded on tree trunks in tropical and subtropical
forests at 600–1,300 m. It flowers in April–June, and the fruiting period is
July–August. The species is rare in Nokrek as well as in Meghalaya and recorded
for the first time from Garo district. Distribution widely recorded from
Bhutan, Bangladesh, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram,
Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim), Myanmar, and Nepal.
Specimen
studied: Beyond Sisubibra, VNS & BS 116706 (ASSAM).
21.
Dendrolirium Blume
The
genus is represented by 12 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed from southern China to tropical Asia and three species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Epiphytic plants with creeping rhizomes
................................................. .............. 1. D. ferrugineum
1b. Epiphytic or lithophytic plants without
creeping rhizomes ................................................. 2
2a. Flowering twigs including pedicels, sepals
and ovary densely tomentose .............. 2. D. fasiopetalum
2b. Flowering twigs not densely tomentose,
flowers bright orange ........................... 3. D. ornatum
21.1.
Dendrobium ferrugineum (Lindl.) A.N.Rao in Bull. Arunachal Forest
Res. 26: 103. 2010.Eria ferruginea Lindl. in Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 25:
t. 35. 1839.
Note:
Epiphytic plant with creeping rhizome and pale white flower with a pink lip,
grows on tree trunks in tropical and subtropical forests at 700–1,200 m. The
flowering of the plant has been recorded in May–June. The species is rare in Nokrek as well as in
Meghalaya state. Distribution of the species recorded from Bhutan, India
(Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Myanmar.
Specimen
studied: Sabogre, VNS & BS 118275 (ASSAM).
21.2.
Dendrolirium lasiopetalum (Willd.) S.C.Chen & J.J.Wood. in Fl.
China 25: 351. 2009. Eria lasiopetala (Willd.) Ormerod. in Opera
Bot. 124: 22. 1995. Aerides lasiopetala Willd. in Sp. Pl., ed. 4,
4: 130. 1805. (Image 17)
Note:
Epiphytic, occasionally, lithophytic species of plant found to be having white
to yellow cottony hairy flowering twigs. The plant recorded growing on tree
trunks along the riverside and moss-laden rocks in subtropical forests. The
flowering period is between April and May, however fruiting recorded in August.
This species is rare in the study area, common in the state of Meghalaya.
Distribution widely recorded from Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India (Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim), Laos, Myanmar, Nepal,
Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Rongrengiri, VNS & BS 118280 (ASSAM).
21.3.
Dendrolirium ornatum Blume in Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 345. 1825. Eria
ornata (Blume) Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 66. 1830.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of bright orange flowers grows on tree trunks in shady places
as well as in open areas of subtropical forests. It flowers in March–April. The
species is rare in Nokrek hills, and its wide distribution is recorded from
Borneo, India (Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Malaysia, Sumatra, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Way to Nabogre, VNS & BS 118277 (ASSAM).
22.
Dienia Lindl.
The
genus comprises six species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed
in tropical and subtropical belts of southeastern Asian countries, one
species in Meghalaya, and one species in NBR.
22.1. Dienia
ophrydis (J.Köenig) Seidenf. & Ormerod in Contr. Orchid Fl. Thailand
13: 18. 1997.Epidendrum ophrydis J.Köenig
in A.J.Retzius, Observ. Bot. 6: 46. 1791.
Note:
Usually
terrestrial plants of purplish-red to greenish-yellow
flowers growing in moist places along streamsides, sometimes epiphytic on tree
trunks. Its flowering period is between June–August and fruiting in
September–December. The species is recorded rarely in Nokrek hills, although
common in the state of Meghalaya, but recorded for the first time from the Garo
district. The wide distribution of this plant species is recorded from
Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India (Meghalaya, Mizoram), Indonesia,
Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, and Vietnam.
Note:
The species can be easily identified based on unique flowers, which are always
facing downwards, tepals curving inwards and lip with a typically large and
deep lamina cavity.
Specimen
studied: Way to Tura Peak, MKVR 63974 (ASSAM).
23.
Diplomeris D.Don
The
genus comprises of three species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed in southeastern Asian countries; one species from Meghalaya, and
one species in NBR.
23.1.
Diplomeris pulchella D.Don in Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 26. 1825.
Note:
Terrestrial plant species were recorded growing in the primary forest in shaded humus-covered soil between the
elevations of 200–800 m in the study area. Flowering was recorded between
August and November. Distribution widely recorded from India (Arunachal
Pradesh, Meghalaya), Nepal, Myanmar.
Specimen
studied: Tura forest, RNDe 17145 (ASSAM).
24.
Eria Lindl.
The
genus is represented by 51 species
(http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)distributed
in tropical to the alpine climate in the
world and one species in NBR.
24.1.
Eria javanica (Sw.) Blume in Rumphia 2: 23. 1836. Dendrobium
javanicum Sw. in Neues J. Bot. 1(1): 96. 1805.
Note:
Lithophytic as well as epiphytic plants of fragrant white flowers growing on
tree trunks in shady places as well as in open areas at 300–1,200 m. The
flowering of the plant has been recorded in September–October. The species is
rare in the Nokrek biosphere reserve. Distribution widely recorded from Bhutan,
China, India (Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: NBR, near Rongrengiri (265 m),
VNS & BS 118222 (ASSAM).
25.
Eriodes Rolfe
The
genus is represented by one species (http://www.theplantlist.org/) distributed
and endemic to Southern and southeastern Asia, one species from Meghalaya, and
one species in NBR.
25.1.
Eriodes barbata (Lindl.) Rolfe
in Orchid Rev. 23: 326. 1915.Tainia
barbata Lindl. in Gard. Chron. 68.
1857.
Note:
Terrestrial plant of fragrant yellow flowers with red stripes grows along with
grasses in tropical as well as in the subtropical forests at 600–1,200 m
elevation in the study area. Distribution of the species recorded from China,
India (Meghalaya, Mizoram), Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, VNS & BS 114654 (ASSAM).
26.
Eulophia R.Br. ex Lindl.
The
genus is represented by 207 species (http://www.theplantlist.org/) distributed
in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa (Srivastava 2004), 22
species reported from India (Bhattacharjee 1984), five species from Meghalaya.
26.1.
Eulophia graminea Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 182. 1833.
Note:
Terrestrial plant of greenish flowers and veins dark green, white lips with
purplish-red lamellae, growing in grassy places in open areas in the
subtropical forests at 900–1,400 m. Flowering starts in April and continues
till May, and the fruiting period is between May and June. Distribution of the
species recorded from Bhutan, China, India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya), Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri
Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, SDS 53021 (ASSAM).
27.
Gastrochilus D.Don
The
genus is represented by 64 species
(http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/) distributed
in the World, 12 species in India (Gogoi et al. 2009), nine species in Meghalaya
(Kataki 1986), and two species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. The upper surface of epichile papillose;
sepals and petals yellow with reddish-brown blotches .........
.......................................................... 1. G. calceolaris
1b. The upper surface of epichile glabrous;
sepals and petals light yellow with purplish-brown blotches a purple line
around the sac ................. 2. G. obliquus
27.1.
Gastrochilus calceolaris (Buch.-Ham ex Sm.) D.Don in Prodr. Fl.
Nepal. 32. 1825. Aerides calceolaris Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. in A.Rees,
Cycl. 39(1): No. 11. 1818.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of pale green flowers having large reddish-brown spots grows on
tree trunks in dense forests of tropical and subtropical regions between the
elevations of 350–1,000 m. This species of the plant usually flowers in March
and continues to have flowers till the end of April. The status in the study
area is occasional and the distribution of the species reported from Bhutan,
China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Nepal, Myanmar, and
Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Patalgiri, VNS & BS118273A (ASSAM).
27.2.
Gastrochilus obliquus (Lindl.) Kuntze in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2:661. 1891.
Saccolabium obliquum Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 223. 1833.
Key
to Varieties
1a. Sepals and petals densely spotted with
bright red ...................................................... 2a. var. suavis
1b. Sepals and petals with brownish-purple dots
.....................................................…
2b. var. obliquus
27.2a.
Gastrochilus obliquus var. obliquus in Wu & Hong. Fl.
China 25: 1–570. 2009. (Image 18).
Note:
A pendent epiphytic plant having a yellow flower with brownish-purple spots,
and lip white with a patch of yellow with brown spots at the apex and column
pink, grows in the tropical region of the study area. It flowers from October
to December. Distribution recorded from northeastern India.
27.2b.
Gastrochilus obliquus var. suavis (Seidenf.) Z.H.Tsi. in
Guihaia 16: 141. 1996. Gastrochilus suavis Seidenf. in Opera Bot.
95. 298. 1988.
Note:
A pendent epiphytic plant having white flowers spotted with reddish-purple,
pale yellow on the outer side, and lip white with a purple edge, and column
purple, grows in both the tropical and subtropical region of the study area. It
flowers October–December. The plant is rare in the study area and recorded only
from the Sabogre region having a small population. Distribution recorded from
northeastern India.
28.
Geodorum Jackson
The
genus comprises 12 species (http://www.theplantlist.org) distributed in
tropical and subtropical environment (Gogoi et al. 2012), one species from
Meghalaya, and one species in NBR.
28.1.
Geodorum densiflorum (Lam.) Schltr. in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg.
Beih. 4. 259. 1919. Limodorum densiflorum Lam. in Encycl. 3. 516.
1792.
Note:
Terrestrial plant species enclosed by scarious sheaths having a white flower
with yellow and purple marking, grows in dense as well as in open places of
forest margins in tropical and subtropical forests at 450–1,100 m elevations.
The flowering of the plant can be seen from April to May, however, fruiting can
be seen from June to July. The species is widely distributed in Bhutan, China,
India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Java, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and
Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek core forest, GK Deka 20423 (ASSAM).
29.
Goodyera R.Br.
The
genuscomprises 99 species (http://www.theplantlist.org) widely distributed in
the tropical and subtropical environment across the world, six species from
Meghalaya, and one species in NBR.
29.1.
Goodyera procera (Ker Gawl.) Hook. in Exot. Fl. 1: t. 39. 1823.Neottia
procera Ker Gawl. in Bot. Reg. 8. t. 639. 1822. (Image 19).
Note:
Terrestrial plants with white flowers recorded growing along the forest borders
in shaded moist soil especially near streams and rivers at 800–1,200 m
elevation in the study area. Flowering can be seen in August, fruiting starts
in September, and continues till the end of November. Distribution reported
from Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assam,
Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura), India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nabokgre forest, VNS & BS 118276 (ASSAM); other localities
includes Mandalgiri, BS, VNS & BKS 118544 (ASSAM); NokrekReserve, GK Deka
10115 (ASSAM).
30.
Habenaria Willd.
The
genus is comprised of 844 species (http://www.theplantlist.org) in the world,
eight species from Meghalaya (Kataki 1986), and
three species in NBR.
Key to species
1a. Lateral lobes of lip broad, rhombic or suborbicular, apical;
margin serrate ....… 1 H. dentata
1b. Lateral lobes of lip narrow, not as above; margin never serrate
...........................................… 2
2a. Leaves 2–5, crowded above the base of stem, bright-green,
conspicuously pale yellow margins
......................................................... 3. H. marginata
2b. Leaves 2 or 3, pale-green, not pale yellow at the margin
.......................................... 2. H. khasiana
30.1.
Habenaria dentata (Sw.)
Schltr. in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 4. 125. 1919. Orchis
dentata Sw. in Kongl. Vetensk. Acad.
Nya Handl. 21. 207. 1800.
Note: Terrestrial plant of three leaves with white
flowers having green veins; plant populations grows along the forest borders in
shaded moist soil especially near streams and rivers at 800–1,200 m elevation.
It flowers in September and bears fruit till October. Distribution reported
from Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assam, Nagaland,
Mizoram, Tripura), Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen studied: Nokrek Peak, MKVR 63928 (ASSAM).
30.2.
Habenaria khasiana
Hook.f. in Brit. India. 6. 151. 1890.
Note: Terrestrial plants with
yellow flowers growing along the forest borders in shaded moist soil especially
near streams and rivers at 1,000–1,400 m elevations. Flowering was recorded
from July till August. It is rare in Nokrek, and distribution is widely
reported from India (Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram) and Thailand.
Specimen studied: Way to
Balphakram, MKV Rao 64082 (ASSAM); other locality include Tura forests,
Balakrishnan42761 (ASSAM).
30.3.
Habenaria marginata Colebr.
in W.J.Hooker, Exot. Fl. t. 136. 1824.
Note: Terrestrial plants with
yellow flowers growing along the forest borders in shaded moist soil especially
near streams and rivers at 800–1,100 m elevations. It flowers between October
and December. Distribution of the species recorded from India (throughout
northeastern states), Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand.
Specimen studied: Way
to Baghmara from Tura, DB Deb 29138 (ASSAM).
31.
Herminium R.Br.
The
genus is comprised of 22 species (http://www.theplantlist.org) distributed in
Europe and Asia, five species in Indian Himalaya, one species in Meghalaya, and
one species in NBR.
31.1.
Herminium lanceum (Thunb. ex Sw.) Vuijk in Blumea 11. 228. 1961. Ophrys
lancea Thunb. ex Sw. in Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Nya Handl. 21. 223. 1800.
Note: Terrestrial erect plant with pale green flowers
grows along with the grasses in slopes at 900–1,450 m elevation in the study
area. The plant starts flowering in June till August, and fruits start in
August till November. The distribution has been reported from China, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura),
Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand.
Specimen studied: Nokrek hills, MKV Rao 63928A
(ASSAM).
32.
Herpysma Lindl.
The
genus is represented by 1 species (http://www.theplantlist.org) endemic to Asia, one species from Meghalaya, and
one species in NBR.
32.1.
Herpysma longicaulis Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 506. 1840.
Note: Terrestrial plant of white
flowers tinged with orangish-red to pink grows along with the grasses in slopes
at 900–1,450 m elevation. Flowering can be seen in April, however, fruiting can
be recorded from September to November. It is rare in the biosphere reserve.
Widely distributed in China, India (Meghalaya, Sikkim), Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen studied: Niengamandalgiri,
VNS & BS 116896A (ASSAM).
33.
Liparis L.C.Rich.
The
genus comprises about 431 species (http://www.theplantlist.org)
widely distributed in the tropical, subtropical and temperate environment
across the World; 260 species in
tropical Asia (Singh 2015); 45 species in India (Gogoi
et al. 2012); 17 species in Meghalaya
(Kataki 1986), and seven species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Leaves of the plant coriaceous and
conduplicate; rachis not flattened .......................... 1
1b. Leaves otherwise; laterally flattened
spike-like rachis, subtended by distichously arranged and basally imbricate
bracts ...................................... 4
2a. Plant with 1 leaf .................... 2. L.
cespitosa
2b. Plant with 2 or more leaves
................... 2
3a Plant tiny, pseudobulbs 1–1.5 cm
.................. ............................................................
3. L. delicatula
3b Plant with pseudobulbs more than 1.5 cm
long ....................................................... 5. L. nervosa
4a. Plant with densely tufted tiny pseudobulbs;
inflorescence laxly few flowered ............ 4. L. luteola
4b. Plant with long pseudobulbs; inflorescence
densely many flowered .......................................... 5
5a. Lip broader than long; scape broadly winged
.........................................................
6. L. stricklandia
5b. Lip longer than broad; scape not winged
.... 6
6a. Plant with 1 leaf ................. 1. L.
bootanensis
6b. Plant with 2 or more leaves ..... 7. L.
viridiflora
33.1.
Liparis bootanensis Griff. In Not. Pl. Asiat. 3. 278. 1851.
Note:An
epiphytic species grows on tree trunks
in tropical and subtropical forests at 450–1,400 m elevation in shady areas. Flowering and fruiting can be
seen between July and November. This plant species is rare in the study area.
The distribution of the species is widely reported from Bhutan, China, India
(throughout the regions), Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, and India.
Specimen
studied: Way to Baghmara, MKV Rao 53394 (ASSAM).
33.2.
Liparis cespitosa (Lam.) Lindl. Bot. Reg. 11. t. 882. 1825. Epidendrum
caespitosum Lam. in Encyl. 1. 187. 1783.
Note:
Small epiphytic plant one-leaved with yellow flowers, grows on tree trunks in
tropical and subtropical forests at 300–1,000 m elevation in the study area.
Flowering has been recorded in August. Its occurrence in Nokrek is rare,
however, the distribution of the species is reported from Bhutan, China, India
(throughout the regions), Nepal, and India.
Specimen
studied: Way to Sasatgiri, MKV Rao 53322A (ASSAM).
33.3.
Liparis delicatula Hook.f. in Fl. Brit. India. 5. 705. 1890.
Note:
Plant epiphytic with two leaves and greenish-white flowers grows on tree trunks
in tropical and subtropical forests at 700–1,200 m. It flowers in August till
the end of September. The plant is rare in the Nokrek hills. Distribution of
the species is reported from Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya, Sikkim), and Nepal.
Specimen
studied: Way to Sasatgiri, MKV Rao 53329 (ASSAM).
33.4.
Liparis luteola Lindl. in Gen.
Sp. Orchid. Pl. 32. 1830.
Note:
Plant epiphytic with white flowers having ochre yellow. This species grows on
tree trunks in tropical and subtropical forests at 700–1,200 m elevations.
Flowering was recorded in September, and fruiting was seen between October and
November. The plant is rare in the Nokrek range. Wide distribution reported
from India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Myanmar, and
Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nabokgre area, VNS & BS 118272; other locality include Simsangre
to 15 km inside biosphere, VNS & BS 116790 (ASSAM).
33.5.
Liparis nervosa (Thunb.) Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 26. 1830. Ophrys
nervosa Thunb. in J.A.Murray, Syst. Veg. ed. 14. 814. 1784.
Note:
Terrestrial as well as epiphytic plant with purple flowers usually growing on
tree trunks as well as in moist places
on tree trunks in tropical and subtropical forests at 300–1,000 m. Its
flowering was recorded in June–July. The population of this species is very low
in Nokrek hills. Wide distribution of the species is reported from Bhutan,
China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim), Malaysia, and
Thailand. Collected voucher: Way to Baghmara, MKVR 53324.
33.6.
Liparis stricklandiana Rchb.f. in Gard. Chron. n.s., 13. 232. 1880.
Note:
Epiphytic plant of two leaves and ovoid clustered pseudobulbs. The plant bears
yellowish flowers in September and can flower till December. This species grows
on tree trunks in tropical and subtropical forests at 200–1,100 m and its
occurrence in Nokrek hills is rare. Distribution of this species reported from
Bhutan, China, and India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh).
Specimen
studied: Way to Chandigre, VNS & BS114798 (ASSAM).
33.7.
Liparis viridiflora (Blume) Lindl. in Gen Sp. Orchid. Pl. 31. 1830. Malaxis
viridiflora Blume in Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 392. 1825.
Note:
Epiphytic or lithophytic plant, greenish yellow flowers recorded growing in
tropical and subtropical forests at 400–1,200 m. It usually flowers from
September till November and is very common in NBR. Wide distribution reported
from Bhutan, China, India (throughout northeastern states), Java, Sri Lanka,
and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Niengmandalgiri, VNS & BS118211 (ASSAM); other localities include
Patalgiri, VNS & BS118274 (ASSAM); along Simsanggiri, VNS & BS 114647
(ASSAM).
34.
Luisia Gaud.
The
genus is represented by 40 species (http://www.theplantlist.org)
widely distributed in Asia and Australia, 16 species
in India (Gogoi
et al. 2012),
five species in Meghalaya (Kataki 1986), and
one species in NBR.
34.1. Luisia
tristis (G.Forst.) Hook.f. in Fl. Brit. India, 6. 25. 1890. Epidendrum
triste G.Forst. in Fl. Ins. Austr. 60. 1786.
Note:Epiphytic
plant with yellowish-brown tinge and petals deeply purple growing on tree
trunks in tropical and subtropical forests at 250–1,400 m elevation in the
study area. The plant flowers from April to the end of June and the population
is scarce in the Nokrek biosphere reserve. Wide distribution of the species
recorded from Bangladesh, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, West
Bengal), Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied:Way to Sabokgre, VNS & BS 118278 (ASSAM).
35.
Micropera Lindl.
The
genus comprises of 21 species (http://www.theplantlist.org)
widely distributed in tropical and subtropical
environment across the world (Lucksom 2007), five
species in India (Kataki 1986), three species in Meghalaya, and three species
in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Inflorescence peduncle very short, flowers
pale pink
........................................................................ 2
1b. Inflorescence peduncle not very short,
flowers brightly pink ........................................... 3. M.
rostrata
2a. Stem pendent; flowers less than 1 cm across
.................................................................. 1. M.
mannii
2b. Stems erect; flowers more than 1 cm across ................................................................
2. M. obtusa
35.1. Micropera
mannii (Hook.f.) T.Tang & Wang in Acta
Phytotax. Sin. 1: 94. 1951.Sarochilus
mannii Hook.f. in Fl. Brit. India 6:
36. 1890.
Note:
Epiphytic plant clothed with sheaths of fallen leaves and inflorescence with
pale purple to white flowers grows on tree trunks in tropical and subtropical
forests at 350–1,450 m elevation in the study area. Flowering occurs in
June–July and the plant is rare in Nokrek and Tura hills. Distribution reported
from Bhutan, India (Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim), and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Ningmandalgre to Simsangre, VNS & BS116887 (ASSAM).
35.2. Micropera
obtusa (Lindl.) T.Tang & Wang in Acta
Phytotax. Sin. 1. 94. 1951. Camarotis
obtusa Lindl. in Edward’s Bot. Reg. 30
(Misc.). 73. 1844.
Note:
Epiphytic creeping plant of pale purple to white flowers, found on trunks of
trees in tropical and subtropical forests at 500–1,200 m elevation in the study
area. Its flowering starts in June and ends in August. The population study
revealed its occurrence is rare in the NBR. The wide distribution of the
species is recorded from China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and
Meghalaya), Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek range, MKVR 64112 (ASSAM).
35.3. Micropera
rostrata (Roxb.) N.P.Balakr. in J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 67. 66. 1970.Aerides
rostrata Roxb. in Fl. Ind. ed. 1832, 3.
474. 1832.
Note:A
plant epiphytic with pale purple or pink flowers grows on tree trunks in
tropical and subtropical forests at 500–1,400 m elevation in the study area.
This species flowers between May and June. The species is distributed
occasionally in the Nokrek hills, however, wide distribution of the plant
population is reported from China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya,
Sikkim), and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Niengamandalgiri, VNS & BS 116887 (ASSAM).
36.
Mycaranthes Blume
The
genus is represented by 36 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed from southcentral China to tropical Asia and one species in NBR.
36.1.
Mycaranthes floribunda (D.Don) S.C.Chen & J.J.Wood in Fl. China
25: 348. 2009. Dendrobium floribundum D.Don in Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 34.
1825. Eria paniculata Lindl. in N.Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 32.
1830.
Note:Epiphytic
as well as lithophytic plant recorded to have pale yellowish-green flowers with
brownish-purple blotches on column and lip callus white. The plant recorded
growing on tree trunks in shady places of tropical and subtropical forests at
750 –1,250 m elevation in the study area. It flowers between June and July. It
is rare in the NBR and reported as new for the Garo Mountains of Meghalaya.
Distribution widely recorded from Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, and
Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Daribokgre, VNS & BS 114814 (ASSAM).
37.
Neogyna Rchb.f.
The
genus is represented by one species (http://www.theplantlist.org) endemic to
Asia, one species from Meghalaya, and one
species in NBR.
37.1.
Neogyna gardneriana (Lindl.) Rchb.f. in Bot. Zeitung (Berlin) 10.
931. 1852. Coelogyne gardneria Lindl. N.Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1.
33. 1830. (Image 20).
Note:
Epiphytic plant of two leaves and yellow keeled white flowers usually grows on
tree trunks in tropical and subtropical forests between the elevations of
500–1,400 m in the study area. It flowers between June and September. The
population status is rare and endangered in the Nokrek hills. Wide distribution
of the species reported from China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya,
Sikkim), and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, RN De s. n. (ASSAM).
38.
Oberonia Lindl.
This
genus is represented by 298 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org)
widely distributed in tropical
Asia and Australia (Bose et al. 1999), 50 species in India (Gogoi
et al. 2012), 15 species in Meghalaya, and
two species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Lips distinctly 3-lobed ................
1. O. acaulis
1b. Lips 2-lobed
.................................. 2. rufilabris
38.1.
Oberonia acaulis Griff.
Not. Pl. Asiat. 3. 275. 1851. (Image 21)
Note:
Plant epiphyte of yellowish flowers
rusty brown at the centre, grows on moss-laden tree trunks in tropical
and subtropical forests at 600–1,200 m elevation in the study area. The
flowering of the plant can be seen in July to August. It is rare in the Nokrek
hills. Distribution of the species
recorded from Cambodia, China, India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim), and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Tura peak, MKV Rao 22530 (ASSAM).
38.2.
Oberonia rufilabris
Lindl. in Sert. Orchid. t. 8.A. 1838.
Note:Epiphytic
plant of reddish-brown flowers found on huge tall trees in shady places in
tropical and subtropical forests at 700–1,200 m elevation in the study area.
The plant flowers in September and October. It is rare in the Nokrek hills.
Distribution of this species reported from Cambodia, China, India (Sikkim,
Meghalaya), Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Tura hilltop, G Panigrahi 22537 (ASSAM).
39.
Odontochilus Blume
The
genus is represented by 56 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org)
widely distributed in southern and
southeastern Asia, seven species in India (Misra 2007), one species in
Meghalaya, and one species in NBR.
39.1.
Odontochilus lanceolatus (Lindl.) Blume in Coll. Orchid.
80. 1859.Anoectochilus lanceolatus Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.
499. 1840.
Note:
Terrestrial plant of flowers pale green tinged with brown and lip yellow,
recorded growing in the primary forests in shaded humus soil, often on rotting
wood between 1000 and 1400m elevations in the study area. Distribution recorded
from India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur,
Mizoram, Sikkim) and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, RN De 17142 (ASSAM).
40.
Otochilus Lindl.
This
genus is represented by five species (http://www.theplantlist.org) widely
distributed throughout the world, four species in Meghalaya (Kataki 1986), and
one species in NBR.
40.1.
Otochilus albus Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 35. 1830.
Note:
Terrestrial plants with white flowers were recorded growing in the subtropical
forests along forest margins at 1,000–1,480 m elevation in the study area. The
flowering of this plant species could be seen between December and February.
The wide distribution of the species reported from Bhutan, China, India
(Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram,
Tripura), Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, RN De 17193 (ASSAM).
41.
Paphiopedilum Pfitzer
The
genus commonly referred to as Lady’s or Venus Slipper Orchid’ comprised of 109
species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
widely distributed in southern and
southeastern Asia, and Philippines, nine species in India (Parveen et al.
2012), three species from Meghalaya (Kataki 1986), and
three species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Leaves elliptic-oblong, green with dark
green motting on the ventral; dorsal sepal broadly ovate, greenish-white;
petals with black warts; staminode semilunate
........................................... 3. P. venustum
1b. Leaves oblong, uniformly green; dorsal sepal
orbicular, greenish-purple with blotches or dots; petals smooth, lacking wart; staminode
quadrate or sub-quadrate
............................................................ 2
2a. Bracts half or more than the length of the
pedicelled ovary; dorsal sepal purple blotched; petals not crisped
........................................ 2. P. insigne
2b. Bracts quarter or less than the length
of the pedicelled ovary; dorsal sepal
purple-spotted; petals crisped
...................................... 1. P. hirsutissimum
41.1.
Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum
(Lindl. ex Hook.) Stein in Orchid.- Buch.
470. 1892.Cypripedium hirsutissimum
Lindl. ex Hook. in Bot. Mag. 83. t. 4990. 1857.
Note:Terrestrial plant with greenish-purple flowers
growing in the tropical and subtropical forests along forest margins and the
well-drained area at 750–1,400 m elevations. Flowering was recorded in April
and May. The wide distribution of the species recorded from India (Sikkim,
Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland), Bhutan, China, Laos,
Thailand, and Vietnam.
41.2.
Paphiopedilum insigne (Wall. ex Lindl.) Pfitzer in Jahrb. Wiss. Bot.
19. 159. 1888. Cypripedium insigne Wall. ex Lindl. in Coll. Bot. t.
32. 1824. (Image 22)
Note:
Terrestrial plant with a purplish white flowers growing in the tropical and
subtropical forests along forest margins at 750–1,400 m elevation. It flowers
between November and February. Wide
distribution of the species recorded from India (Sikkim, Meghalaya), Bhutan,
and China.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, RN De 17199 (ASSAM).
41.3.
Paphiopedilum venustum (Wall.ex Sims) Pfitzer in Jahrb. Wiss. Bot.
19. 165. Cypripedium venustum Wall. ex Sims. in Bot. Mag. 47. t.
2129. 1820.
Note:
Terrestrial plant with white flowers having maroon-black warts and yellow lip
growing in primary forests, in marshy or wet streamsides in shaded places at
700–1,400 m elevations. Flowering was recorded between March and May. Wide
distribution of the species recorded from India (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya), Bhutan, China, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek hills, RN De 17169 (ASSAM).
42.
Papilionanthe Schltr.
The
genus is represented by 10 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
widely distributed in the tropical, subtropical and temperate environments
throughout the world, four species in India (Gogoi
et al. 2009); three species in Meghalaya
(Kataki 1986), and one species in NBR.
42.1.
Papilionanthe teres (Roxb.) Schltr. in Orchis 9. 78. 1915.Dendrobium
teres Roxb. in Fl. Ind. ed. 1832. 3. 485. (Image 23)
Note:Climbing
epiphytic plant with white flowers tinged with pink and yellowish to brown
spur, inflorescence 2–5 flowers, grows primarily on tree trunks at 500–1,000 m
elevations in tropical and subtropical forests. The flowering of this plant
species is usually seen between May and June. This species found to be rare and
threatened in Nokrek forests due to human ornamental needs. Wide distribution of the species recorded
from India (throughout northeastern states),
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
43.
Peristylus Benth. & Hook.f.
The
genus comprises 103 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
widely
distributed in Indo-Malesian regions (Goaverts 2008),
29 species in India (Tiwari et al. 2009), seven species from Meghalaya, and
two species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. In flowering twigs, petal and lip are pure
white ........................................................ 1. P.
constrictus
1b. In flowering twigs, petals and lip are
yellowish-green, or creamy white .............. 2. P. goodyroides
43.1.
Peristylus constrictus (Lindl.) Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 300.
1835. Herminium constrictum Lindl. in Edwards Bot. Reg. 18. t.
1499. 1832.
Note:
Terrestrial plant species with brown petals and white flowering twigs usually found to be growing in the
subtropical forest between the elevations range of 1,200–1,500 m. The flowering
season starts in June and ends in August. Wide distribution of species recorded
from India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim), Bhutan, Cambodia,
China, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Tura near Chithokgre-Chandmari, MKVR 64464 (ASSAM).
43.2.
Peristylus goodyeroides (D.Don) Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 299.
1835. Habenaria goodyroides D.Don in Prodr. Fl. Nepal.
25. 1825.
Note:
Terrestrial plants with brown petals and white flowers usually growing in the
subtropical forest of 1,200–1,500 m elevation. The flowering season starts in June
and ends in September. Wide distribution of species recorded from India (Assam,
Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim), Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Nepal,
Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Tura Peak, DB Deb 29220 (ASSAM).
44.
Phalaenopsis Blume
The
genus comprises 75 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/) in the
World, one species from Meghalaya, and
two species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Mid-lobe of lip anchor-shaped; lateral
lobes of lip producing a raised tooth along the leading edge; petals
conspicuously narrower than sepals; callus triseriate; sepals and petals pale
yellow with dark brown spots and bars; lip slightly saccate at base created by
folding ......................... 2. P. mannii
1b. Mid-lobe of lip not anchor-shaped; lateral
lobes of lip and petals not as above; callus biseriate; yellow flowers with
dark maroon lip; lip not as above
............................................................. 1. P.
difformis
44.1.
Phalaenopsis difformis (Wall. ex Lindl.) Kocyan & Schuit. in
Phytotaxa 161. 67. 2014. Aerides
difformis Wall. ex Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 242. 1833.
Note:
Epiphytic plant with stem covered by leaf sheaths and yellow flowers with dark
maroon lip. It grows on tree trunks in tropical and subtropical forests at
350–1,400 m elevation in the study area and rare in the Nokrek hills. The
flowering of the plant occurs in June–July. Wide distribution of the species
reported from China, India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
Nagaland, Tripura), Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Nangalbibra, MKVR 64564 (ASSAM).
44.2.
Phalaenopsis mannii Rchb.f. in Gard. Chron. 1871. 902. 1871. Phalaenopsis
boxallii Rchb.f. in Gard. Chron. n.s. 19. 274. 1883. Polychilos mannii
(Rchb.f.) in Malayan Nat. J. 36. 24. 1982.
Note:
Epiphytic plants with many-flowered habitat on tree trunks of Quercus
and Castanopsis trees; flowers yellowish with dark spots, growing in
subtropical environment at 950–1,500 m elevations. The flowering of this
species is usually seen in April and May. The species have been recorded wild
from India (Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal),
China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, and Vietnam. This species is critically
endangering at a faster rate in Nokrek BR.
Specimen
studied: Darungiri RF, MKVR 61429 (ASSAM).
45.
Pholidota Lindl. ex Hook.
The
genus consists of 41 species
(http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/) across the World, 10 species in India
(Gogoi et al. 2009), seven species and two varieties in Meghalaya (Kataki
1986), and three species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Pseudobulbs superposed; leaves linear-lanceolate;
inflorescence few-flowered .. 1. P. articulata
1b. Pseudobulbs caespitose, leaves
oblong-lanceolate, inflorescence long, densely flowered
.....................................................................................
2
2a. Mature leaves thick textured, coriaceous;
floral bracts with many, dense fine veins ....... 2. P. imbricata
2b. Mature leaves thin textured, coriaceous;
floral bracts with few coarse veins ........................ 3. P. pallida
45.1.
Pholidota articulata Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 38. 1830. (Image
24).
Note:
Epiphytic herbaceous plants with pseudobulbs, leaves usually two, and
inflorescence always arise from new pseudobulb at the apex. Flowers white,
slightly tinged with red, usually seen flowering in May to June and fruiting
appears in December. Plants are seen growing on tree trunks of Litsea
species in tropical and subtropical forests of Nokrek hills at 700–1,400 m.
Wide distribution of this species is reported from India (Arunachal Pradesh,
Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim), Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied:Daribokgre along Simsang river, VNS & BS 116698 (ASSAM); other
localities includeRongrengiri, MKVR 59475 (ASSAM); Rongrengiri, DB Deb 29222 (ASSAM);
Darugiri Tura road, MKVR 61363 (ASSAM).
45.2.
Pholidota imbricata Lindl.in
Exot. Fl. 2. t. 138. 1825. (Image 25)
Note:
Epiphytic plants with creeping rhizomes and densely flowered inflorescence.
Flowers usually white or slightly red-tinged, seen blooming in August and
fruits start appearing in November. The luxuriant population of this species is
found between the elevation range of 1,000–2,500 m in tropical and subtropical
forests. Wide distribution of this species is reported from India (Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura), Australia,
Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan,
Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Rongrenggiri, MKVR 59456 (ASSAM).
45.3.
Pholidota pallida
Lindl. In Edward’s Bot. Reg. 21. t. 1777. 1835.
Note:
Epiphytic, occasionally lithophytes herbaceous plant species having papery
leaflets and white flowering twigs. This species usually grows on tree trunks
of Terminallia bellerica, Lithocarpus dealbatus and Prunus
species between the elevation ranges of 800–2,000 m in tropical and subtropical
forests. Flowers appear on tree trunks in May and June. This species is
endangering in Nokrek hills at a faster rate due to illicit extraction for
medicinal and ornamental purposes, however, a wide distribution of this species
is reported from India (throughout northeastern states), Bhutan, China, Laos,
Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Nienga-Mandalgiri, VNS & BS 116891 (ASSAM); other locality include
Rongrengiri, MKVR 53307.
46.
Pinalia Lindl.
The
genus is represented by 173 species
(http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia to south-west Pacific and
four species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Pseudobulbs narrowly cylindric
...................... ........................................................
2. P. bractescens
1b. Pseudobulbs ovoid, oblong or somewhat
flattened or stem-like ............................................. 2
2a. Inflorescence globose, capitate, 0.4-1 cm
across ..................................................... 3. P. pumila
2b. Inflorescence otherwise
............................. 3
3a. Inflorescence dense spike; flowers white to
straw coloured with a slight purple tinge .......
4. P. spicata
3b. Inflorescence lax spike; flowers yellowish
green ............................................................. 1. P. apertiflora
46.1.
Pinalia apertiflora (Summerh.) A.N.Rao in Bull. Arunachal Forest Res.
26: 103. 2010. Eria apertiflora Summerh. in Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew
9. 1929.
Note:
Tufted epiphytic plant of yellowish-green flowers growing on moss-covered
branches of large trees in wet mixed subtropical forests at an elevation of
1000 m. Its initial flowering starts in January and continues till August. The
species is rare in Nokrek and is first recorded from the Garo district of the
Meghalaya. Distribution widely recorded from Bhutan, India (Assam, Arunachal
Pradesh, Meghalaya), Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek Peak, VNS & BS 116610 (ASSAM).
Note:
The species is allied to E. bipunctata Lindl., but can be distinguished
by larger yellowish flower than that of smaller white flower.
46.2.
Pinalia bractescens (Lindl.) Kuntze in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 679. 1891.Eria
bractescens Lindl. in Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 27 (Misc.): 18. 1841. (Image
26)
Note:
Plant epiphytic on tree trunks as well as lithophytic of white flowers on
moss-covered rocks. The phenology period of the plant is between July and
August. The species is common in Nokrek hills as well as in Meghalaya. The
plant is native to Java and the Indian Peninsula, also extends its distribution
in India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Nepal, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek Peak, VNS & BS 116713 (ASSAM); other locality include
Rongrenggri, GKD 35704 (ASSAM).
46.3. Pinalia
pumila (Lindl.) Kuntze in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 679. 1891. Eria pumila Lindl.
in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 68. 1830.
Note:
Epiphytic plant species having minute flowers grows on tree trunks in tropical
and subtropical forests at 700–1,400 m elevation in the study area. Flowering
recorded in August. Distribution of the species reported from tropical India.
Specimen
studied: Sabokgre, VNS & BS 118279 (ASSAM).
46.4.
Pinalia spicata (D.Don) S.C.Chen & J.J.Wood in Fl. China 25: 354.
2009. Octomeria spicata D.Don in Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 31. 1825. Eria
spicata (D.Don) Hand.-Mazz. in Symb. Sin. 7: 1353. 1936.
Note:Epiphytic
plant recorded to have white to straw coloured flowers, with a slight purple
tinge, grows on tree trunks in tropical and subtropical forests at 300–1,200 m
elevation in the study area. Its flowering recorded between June and August.
Distribution recorded from Bhutan, India (Meghalaya, Sikkim), Myanmar.
Specimen
studied: Nokrek Peak, VNS & BS 116712 (ASSAM).
Note
the species is similar to Pinalia bractescens. The major difference
between the two is that the P. bractescens has two leaves at the apex of
the pseudobulb, larger more open acute flowers with no fragrance, while, the E.
spicata has four near the apex, sheathed leaves, and smaller, cupped
flowers with fragrance.
47.
Pleione D.Don
The
genus is comprised of 24 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org)
widely distributed in southern
and southeast Asia, five species from Meghalaya (Kataki 1986), and
two species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a. Sheaths on pseudobulb warty; pseudobulb
green, mottled purplish-brown; column 3.5–4.5 cm..
.................................................................. 2. P.
praecox
1b. Sheaths on pseudobulb smooth; pseudobulb
green; column 1.5–2 cm ..................…. 1. P. maculata
47.1.
Pleione maculata (Lindl.) Lindl.& Paxton in Paxton’s Fl. Gard. 2.
5. 1851.Coelogyne maculata Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 43. 1830.
Note:
Epiphytic herbs with pyriform pseudobulbs, and inflorescence appears without
leaves. Flowers are solitary, fragrant, and white with a slightly purplish lip
and a yellow blotch at the center. Plant populations are found on tree trunks
and mossy rocks in a subtropical environment between the elevation ranges of
1,200–1,400 m. Distribution of this species reported from India (Assam,
Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: On way to Nienga-Mandalgiri, MKVR 53323 (ASSAM).
47.2.
Pleione praecox (Sm.) D.Don in Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 37. 1825.Epidendrum
praecox Sm. in Exot. Bot. 2. 73. 1806.
Note:
Epiphytic plants with purple-brown pseudobulbs and pink flowers with a yellow
callus. This species can be seen in a subtropical environment between the
elevation range of 1,200–1,500 m. This plant species was located in one place
only in Nokrek hill and was not collected for samples considering the
conservation of species. Therefore, plant photographs were taken as a record of
the occurrence of this species in Nokrek biosphere reserve. The wide
distribution of this species is recorded from India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya, Sikkim), Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand,
and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Tura range, MKVR 53339 (ASSAM).
48.
Porpax Lindl.
The
genus is represented by 53 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/)
distributed mainly in tropical Africa, tropical and subtropical Asia to the
south-west Pacific, one species in Meghalaya, and one species in NBR.
48.1
Porpax muscicola (Lindl.) Schuit., Y.P. Ng & H.A. Pedersen in Bot.
J. Linn. Soc. 186: 200. 2018. Dendrobium muscicola Lindl. in
Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 75. 1830. Conchidium muscicola (Lindl.)
Rauschert in Feddes Repert. 94: 444. 1983. Eria muscicola (Lindl.)
Lindl. in J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Bot. 3: 47. 1858.
Note:
Epiphytic plant species found to be growing on trees or lithophytic on rocks in
evergreen broad-leaved forests in subtropical forests. Flowering can be seen
between July–August and fruiting in October. This species is again extremely
rare in the study area and recorded for the first time from the Garo district
of Meghalaya. The distribution of the species Is widely reported from
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim),
Laos, Nepal, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied:On way to Balphakram near Chokpot, MKVR 53838 (ASSAM).
49.
Pteroceras Hasselt ex Hassk.
The
genus is comprised of 22 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org)
widely distributed in
tropical Asia, five species in India (Gogoi et al. 2012), one species in
Meghalaya (Kataki 1986), and one species in NBR.
49.1
Pteroceras teres (Blume) Holttum in Kew Bull. 14. 271. 1960. Dendrocolla
teres Blume in Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 289. 1825.
Note:
Scandent epiphytic plants with light yellowish flower having several dark brown
spots on petals, and also lip slightly bluish-pink with spots. This species is
found flowering in June on tree trunks in tropical and subtropical forests. The
altitudinal distribution of this species varies at 800–1,400 m in NBR, however,
broad geographical distribution includes India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya,
Sikkim), Myanmar, and Thailand. Field observation indicates the populations of
this species are in the stage of critical endangerment in Nokrek due to
medicinal importance and the Garos are extracting and selling in the local
market as a source of income.
Specimen
studied: Daribokgre along Simsang river, VNS & BS 116694 (ASSAM).
50.
Rhynchostylis Blume
This
genus is comprised of five species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org)widely
distributed in the Indo-Malayan regions to the Philippines (Bora & Kumar
2003), two species in India (Gogoi et al. 2009), one species in Meghalaya
(Kataki 1986), and one species in NBR.
50.1
Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume in Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 286. 1825.Epidendrum
retusum L. in Sp. Pl. 953. 1753. (Image 26)
Note:
Epiphytic herbs with densely flowered pendulous inflorescence growing on tree
trunks. Flowers white with pink spots and purplish lip. This species prefers
tropical and subtropical environments for its luxuriant growth and mostly
occurs between the elevations of 500–1,500 m throughout Nokrek forest belts.
The flowering of this species is usually recorded in April and May. This
species is very common in NBR and its distribution from India (throughout the
region, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), is
reported from throughout Asian countries.
Specimen
studied: Sisubibra, VNS & BS 116697 (ASSAM); other locality include
Rongrengiri, MKV Rao 59455 (ASSAM).
51.
Satyrium Sw.
The
genus is represented by 90 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org)
widely distributed in tropical to alpine climate
across the world, four species in
India, one species from Meghalaya (Kataki 1986),
and one species in NBR.
51.1.
Satyrium nepalense D.Don in
Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 26. 1825.
Note:
Terrestrial herbs with tubers and purplish-rose flowers were found to be
growing along forest margins between the elevation ranges of 1,000–3,000 m. The
flowering of the plants can be seen in September and October. This species is
endemic to Asia and wide distribution of this species reported from India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri
Lanka.
Specimen
studied: Tura Peak, DB Deb 4894 (ASSAM).
52.
Schoenorchis Blume
The
genus comprises 28 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org)
across the world, 10 species in
Himalaya regions (Kataki 1986), one species in Meghalaya (Kataki 1986), and one
species in NBR.
52.1.
Schoenorchis gemmata (Lindl.) J.J.Sm. in Natuurk. Tijdschr. Ned.
Indie 72.100.1912.Saccolabium gemmatum Lindl. in Edward’s Bot. Reg.
24(Misc.). 50. 1838.
Note:
Pendulous epiphytic plants with conduplicate leaves and purplish-red flowers
with white apices prefer to grow on moss deposited trees in tropical and
subtropical environments at 100–1,500 m. Flowering can be seen between April
and June. This species is rare in Nokrek hills, however, wide distributionof
this plant species is reported from India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya,
Sikkim, West Bengal), Bhutan, China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand,
and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Daribokgre along Simsang river, VNS
& BS 116693 (ASSAM).
53.
Spathoglottis Blume
The genus is comprised of 41 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org)
distributed in the diverse habitat of India,
Philippines, southeastern Asia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands,
Borneo, and Australia (Singh 2015),
two species from Meghalaya, and two species in NBR.
Key to species
1a. Flowers purplish, drooping,
2.5–3.5 cm across ...
..............................................................… 1. S.
plicata
1b. Flowers golden yellow,
erect, 2–2.5 cm across …
........................................................... 2. S. pubescens
53.1.
Spathoglottis plicata Blume in Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 401.1825.
Note: Terrestrial herbs with
ovoid pseudobulbs and purplish flowers were found to be growing in grasslands
and along forest margins between the elevation ranges of 800–1,800 m. The
flowering of the plants can be seen in August in Nokrek hills and is very rare
in occurrence. Wide distribution of this species is reported from India
(Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
Pacific Islands, New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen studied: Daribokgre
vill. On way towards Khalakgre forest area, VNS & BS s.n. (ASSAM).
53.2.
Spathoglottis pubescens Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 120. 1831.
(Image 27)
Note:Terrestrial herbs with
dorsoventrally compressed pseudobulbs and yellow flowers with violet spotted
lips. Flowers of this species can be seen in August and September. This species
grows on hill slopes in the subtropical forest at 1,000–1,400 m in the study
area of Nokrek forests. Wide distribution reported from India (Assam, Arunachal
Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen studied:On way to
Balphakram, MKVR s.n. (ASSAM 53320).
This
genus is represented by 24 species (http://www.theplantlist.org)
widely distributed in the tropical and
subtropical regions.
54.
Thelasis Blume
The
genus is comprised of 27 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org)
distributed in tropical Asia and islands of Pacific Ocean (Singh 2015), four
species in India (Gogoi et al. 2009),
four species in Meghalaya (Gogoi et al. 2012), and
one species in NBR.
54.1.
Thelasis longifolia Hook.f. in Fl. Brit. India 6.87. 1890.
Note:
Small epiphytic plants having conical-shaped pseudobulb and white coloured many
flowered inflorescences. Flowering in plants appears in early summer and can
also be seen till November. It prefers to grow on tree trunks in tropical and
subtropical forests between the elevation range of 500–1,400 m. It is rare in
Nokrek Hills. Distribution of this species is
reported from India (Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim,
West Bengal) and Bhutan.
Specimen
studied: Rongrengiri, DB Deb 29220
(ASSAM).
55.
Thunia Rchb.f.
This
genus is represented by five species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org)
widely distributed in southern and southeastern Asian countries,
four species in India (Kataki 1986), one species in Meghalaya (Kataki 1986),
and one species in NBR.
55.1. Thunia
alba (Lindl.) Rchb.f. in Bot. Zeitung (Berlin) 10:764. 1852.(Image
28)
Note:
Plant epiphytic as well as terrestrial having large white flowers and yellow or
orange dotted leaves. Flowers appear between March and May. It grows on tree
trunks of Mangifera indica and Schima wallichii in tropical and
subtropical forests. This species is occasionally found in the Nokrek biosphere
reserve, but its wide distribution is reported from India (Assam, Arunachal
Pradesh, Meghalaya), Bhutan, China, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal,
Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: On way to Tura Peak, MKVR 53312 (ASSAM).
56.
Vanda W.Jones ex R.Br.
The
genus is comprised of 81 species (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org)
widely distributed in tropical Asia to
New Guinea and Australia, 14 species in India, six species in Meghalaya, and
two species in NBR.
Key
to species
1a.
Inflorescence longer than the leaves,
many-flowered; flowers blue ........................ 1. V. coerulea
1b. Inflorescence shorter than leaves,
few-flowered; flowers greenish-purple ........... 2. V. cristata
56.1.
Vanda coerulea Griff. ex Lindl. in
Edward’s Bot. Reg. 33. t. 30. 1847. (Image
29)
Note:
Epiphytic plants with many-flowered inflorescences. Flowering appears from
September to October and flower size ranges 6–9 cm across with sepals and
petals tessellated.This plant species is growing between the elevation ranges
750–1,400 m in Nokrek hills and usually appears on trunks of tall trees in
humid places of tropical and subtropical forests. The wide distribution of this
species is reported from India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh),
Myanmar, and Thailand.
Specimen
studied: Way to Chandigiri, BS 114797 (ASSAM).
56.2. Vanda
cristata Lindl. in Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 216. 1833.
Note:
Epiphytic plants with creamy yellow coloured flowers. Lip usually found with
spur. Flowers appear in May–June and grow on tree trunks of moist forest
places. This species is rare in the NBR, however, its wide distribution is
reported from India (Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim; Orissa),
Bhutan, Nepal, and Vietnam.
Specimen
studied: Tura top, G Panigrahi 22523 (ASSAM).
Conclusion
Nokrek
Biosphere Reserves exhibit a great diversity of both epiphytic and terrestrial
orchids. A total of 56 genera having 127 species of orchids recorded from the
tropical, subtropical and temperate forest ecosystems of locally called ‘Achik
land’, which represents a remnant habitat of a unique class of Garo
communities. While studying and scrutiny of
published literature from Meghalaya on orchids, it has been observed
that several species such as Stereochilus hirtus Lindl., Smitianandia
micrantha (Lindl.) Holtt.,
Taeniophyllum retrospiculutum (King & Pantl.) King & Pantl., Tainia
minor Hook.f., Thrixspermum musiflorum A.S.Rao & J.Joseph, Trichotosia
pulvinata (Lindl.) Kranzlin, Uncifera
acuminata Lindl., and Vandopsis
undulata (Lindl.) J.J.Smith reported in the literature could not be located
from the Nokrek hills after repeated search, nor could their herbarium samples
be traced in renowned herbarium of
India. Most of the orchids are indigenous to Nokrek hill which is now becoming
threatened due to their application in the local traditional system of herbal
medicine, therefore, there is an urgent need for conservation of this unique
group of plant species to safeguard their existence in nature.
For figure &
images - - click here for full PDF
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