Phalaenopsis mentawaiensis is a species of orchid endemic to Sumatra, Indonesia.[1] The specific epithet mentawaiensis refers to the Mentawai islands of West Sumatra.
Entire plant exhibiting a pendent habitus and a long inflorescence.
Description
This species is a small-sized, hot-growing epiphyte with 15–50 cm long, inclined to erect, branched or unbranched inflorescences. They produce slightly fragrant flowers of similar floral fragrance to Phalaenopsis violacea.[2] The flowers are larger and more full in shape, which approach those of Phalaenopsis bellina. Some forms have green tipped sepals and petals.[3]
Ecology
This species occurs on tall trees in elevations of 0–100 m above sea level.[2]
Taxonomy
This species was formerly identified as Phalaenopsis violacea var. mentawai. It was separated from Phalaenopsis violacea in 2014 by Olaf Gruss.
The genetic evidence allows a distinction of Phalaenopsis violacea and Phalaenopsis mentawaiensis. However, it does not support a distinction of Phalaenopsis violacea and Phalaenopsis bellina.[4] All three taxa were formerly included in Phalaenopsis violaceasensu lato.
Conservation
International trade is regulated through the CITES appendix II regulations of international trade.[5]
^Christenson, Eric A. (2001). Phalaenopsis : a monograph. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 164. ISBN 1604691719.
^Tsai, C. C., Sheue, C. R., Chen, C. H., & Chou, C. H. (2010). Phylogenetics and biogeography of the Phalaenopsis violacea (Orchidaceae) species complex based on nuclear and plastid DNA. Journal of Plant Biology, 53(6), 453–460.
_65_238_(2014)_(33620116358).jpg)
_65_238_(2014)_(47443980712).jpg)
