FIGURE 1 - uploaded by Wesley Higgins
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Rhynchostylis rieferii -Habit. A. Plant habit. B. Leaf apex, dorsal and ventral (All drawn from the holotype, R.Riefer s.n., by Stig Dalström).
Source publication
The genus Rhynchostylis has three currently accepted species. The name Rhynchostylis praemorsa Willd. has been misapplied to a Philippine species. This attractive forth species is named and described. A dichotomous key to Rhynchostylis is provided.
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Citations
... Rhynchostylis retusa is commonly known as the "fox-tail orchid," since the pendant inflorescence looks like a fox's tail. It is an epiphytic orchid comprising only four species, which are distributed in the Indian subcontinent: China, Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines (Higgins, 2013). It is the state flower of Assam and has cultural importance in northeast India. ...
... A third, smaller protrusion can also be seen (Fig 1c). Higgins (2013) observed that the leaf apex of the species was highly variable. This feature may help in genus identification when the plant is not in bloom. ...
... Rhynchostylis retusa is a seasonal orchid that blooms from May to August, when the southwest monsoon rains are over. Higgins (2013) reported that the flowering period is determined by climatic conditions. R. retusa blooms only once a year. ...
Background: Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume, commonly known as the fox-tail orchid, is a promising epiphytic native species for breeding programs. Its’ population is diminishing in the native habitat due to unscrupulous overexploitation and habitat destruction. Hence, conservation of this species attains prime importance. To achieve the foregoing task, phenotypic traits in relation to adaptation are to be elucidated. Methods: In the present investigation, the morphological characters were documented and the correlation between each trait was determined. Furthermore, the anatomy of leaves and roots was documented, as was the stomatal structure and distribution on the abaxile and adaxile surfaces of the leaves. Biometric features of floral characters and reproductive biology such as anthesis, stigma receptivity, pollen production per pollinium, pollen viability, pollination mechanisms, self and cross-compatibility; male sterility, etc. were studied and documented. Observations on capsule development, nature of seeds, seed viability, etc. were also determined. Result: The seed viability tests revealed that about 40% of the seeds are viable. The observations gathered during this investigation can be used to develop conservation, sustainable utilization and genetic improvement strategies for this crop.
