Spiranthes australis from Himachal Pradesh-GS16012022-5

[Gurcharan Singh]

Spiranthes australis clicked from along Bhangayani Temple Nohradhar Road, Himachal Pradesh, 25-5-2015

Dr. Gurcharan Singh

Retired  Associate Professor
SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018.

https://www.gurcharanfamily.com/

[Gurcharan Singh]

More images

Dr. Gurcharan Singh

Retired  Associate Professor
SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018.

https://www.gurcharanfamily.com/

[Gurcharan Singh]

More images

Dr. Gurcharan Singh

Retired  Associate Professor
SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018.

https://www.gurcharanfamily.com/

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks, Singh ji, for the six detailed images.

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[J.M. Garg]

As per efi thread:
In Flora of British India the species was described under the name Spiranthes australis (R. Br.) Lindl., A species name (rather combination) proposed in 1824, based on Neottia australis R. Br. (1810), a species supposed to have pubescent inflorescence spike (it is also supposed to have pubescent bracts and floral parts partly as I read from other sources).

Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames, is a name (rather combination) given in 1908, based on Neottia sinensis Pers. (1807), a species described from China and differing in glabrous spikes (and bracts and floral parts).

It has recently been considered by most authors (including Flora of China, Flora of Pakistan, etc.) that these two taxa are synonyms, and as basionym of latter is dated earlier, Spiranthes sinensis is accepted name.

It must be remembered that it is matter of taxonomic judgement (and not a simple issue of names), as the two species were originally described as distinct species (they have distinct types). For those who consider the differences are not enough would treat them under single species S. sinensis. Those who think (like original authors) that differences are sufficient, and are also trying to detect further differences to strengthen their distinct identity, would consider them as two separate species. I think … is just trying to do that, trying to settle the riddle, and he being a world renowned Orchid specialist is both qualified to do that. More so he owes the duty of resolving it for us. Let us appreciate that.

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With regards,
J.M.Garg

[J.M. Garg]

Flora of China also supports this.

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With regards,
J.M.Garg

[Pankaj Kumar]

Spiranthes australis is not found in India. It is not easy to confirm this. Recently Spiranthes hongkongensis was reported from Nepal so there are chances of having it in India too. Some details needed to confirm.

Please check the pdf attached.

Pankaj

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Pankaj Kumar, Ph.D.
IUCN-SSC Orchid Specialist Group Asia

32, 2nd Floor, Shui Wo Tsuen, Lam Tsuen,

Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong S.A.R., China

email: sahani...@gmail.com
Phone: +852 9436 6251 (mobile)

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks a lot, Pankaj ji, for such a detailed paper. 

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With regards,
J.M.Garg

[Gurcharan Singh]

Thanks Garg ji for bringing up old interesting conversation (now locked). Only Pankaj can resolve it for us. I have 22 more images which I can share with Pankaj ji if he wants: But these do suggest S. himalayensis:

1. Flowering (clicked) in May (vs flowering August to Septtember in India in S. spiranthes)

2. I can see densely pubescent inflorescence with some glandular hairs (vs pubescent to glabrous in S. sinensis)

3. Flower completely white (vs pink or purple, tip sometimes white in S. sinensis)

More of course Pankaj  would give final verdict.

[Gurcharan Singh]

1. read S. sinensis for S. spiranthes

[Gurcharan Singh]

Since S. sinensis and S. australis are now treated as distinct species according to POWO (synonyms acoording to both eFlora of China and eFlora of Pakistan), I chanced upon this 2020 paper published in Acta Phytotax Geobot

_pdf (jst.go.jp)

It further confuses me as it says "the stems, inflorescence and ovaries of S. australis are generally pubescent, whereas those of S. sinensis are reported to be glabrous. Pankaj ji please resolve

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks, Singh ji

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/ae66ec5e-c8e7-4298-a6e4-507379c9509fn%40googlegroups.com.

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With regards,
J.M.Garg

[Pankaj Kumar]

Respected Sir

Please check the pdf I attached last time.

S. sinensis comes in both glabrous and hairy forms. We have seen both and checked DNA too. They are exactly same as per DNA.

To me this was a surprise. Thats why I dislike DNA studies so much. How can one with and the other without hairs have same DNA!!

Pankaj

[Gurcharan Singh]

Dear Pankaj

How about some glandular hairs I see in my specimens, and completely white flowers which point towards your S. himalensis. I can more images if you want.

[J.M. Garg]

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/fbdc460a-8199-4806-b1a7-97abf5d40a12n%40googlegroups.com.

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With regards,
J.M.Garg