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Spathoglottis arunachalensis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Spathoglottis arunachalensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Spathoglottis
Species:
S. arunachalensis
Binomial name
Spathoglottis arunachalensis
Tsering & K.Prasad

Spathoglottis arunachalensis is a species of Critically endangered orchid found in India. It is also named as the lost spathoglottis.[1][2][3]

Description

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This orchid is a terrestrial herb with 2 to 4 leaves. The inflorescence is 20 to 30 cm long and raceme. The flowers are yellow in color and the stalk is pale greenish-yellow. The petals are 10 to 11 mm long and rounded at apex. The long lip of the flower is 7.5 to 8 mm. It resembles Spathoglottis ixioides but can be differentiated by longer inflorescence, smaller flowers and the presence of hairs in the inner surface of the sepals along with other characteristics.[2]

Distribution

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This orchid was found inside Sessa Orchid Sanctuary in 2016 in Arunachal Pradesh and formally described in 2020. It is known to occur only in the sanctuary.

Etymology

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This species was named after the state of Arunachal Pradesh where it was discovered.

Ecology

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This species flowers between September and October.[2]

Conservation and threats

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In 2016, a population of 200 individuals were seen. However in 2020 survey this species was never seen and its habitat was destructed due to the construction of Trans-Arunachal Highway. Fearing it is lost, the species was given its common name The Lost Spathoglottis and the authorities at The Orchid Research Centre at Tipi announced a 10,000 rupees cash award for anyone who can find the species.[1][4][5]

Habitat loss due to road construction, shifting agriculture, logging are some of the threats for this species.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d IUCN (2021-01-06). Spathoglottis arunachalensis: Tsering, J.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T186303279A186805869 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2022-1.rlts.t186303279a186805869.en.
  2. ^ a b c Tsering, Jambey; Prasad, Kothareddy (2020-02-12). "Spathoglottis arunachalensis (Orchidaceae), a new species from Arunachal Pradesh, India". Phytotaxa. 432 (3): 289–295. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.432.3.6. ISSN 1179-3163.
  3. ^ "Spathoglottis arunachalensis Tsering & K.Prasad". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  4. ^ "New orchid species discovered; habitat disturbed by highway work | The Arunachal Times". 2020-02-17. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  5. ^ "How to win Rs 10000? Spot a rare orchid". Archived from the original on 2025-04-30. Retrieved 2025-07-31.