The uprightgrowing Trichoglottis species
When one thinks of a Trichoglottis species, one usually thinks of species like Trichoglottis celebica (syn. Trichoglottis calochila), Trichoglottis latisepala and Trichoglottis mindanaensis, which are pendulous growing plants. But there are a number of species which are upright growers, and it is these species which we will discuss today.
Probably, one of the most stunning of all Trichoglottis species is Trichoglottis atropurpurea, which is also known as Trichoglottis brachiata. The latter name cannot be used as it was published some 46 years after the epithet atropurpurea was introduced, and the rules of botany clearly state that the first, validly published epithet is the one that has priority, and therefore is the epithet that must be used. Professor Heinrich G. Reichenbach named this species in 1876, in Linnaea. The specific epithet refers to the color of the flowers.
Trichoglottis atropurpurea is endemic to the islands of the Philippines, mainly down the east coast, and also Palawan. It is usually found at elevations up to 300 meters. The flowers are about 6 cm in diameter, deep maroon in color and the labellum is bright pink. Sadly, there is a high probability that this extremely wonderful species soon faces extinction in the wild, due to over collecting and habitat loss. We have never seen it personally in the wild, and market prices for this precious species also tell the story. Plants should only be acquired from respectable nurseries! And preferably plants that have been grown from seed.
Trichoglottis geminata is found throughout Borneo, and is also found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. There is also a possibility that this species may be found on Sumatra. In the Philippines, it has been recorded from the provinces of Camarines Sur, Laguna and Quezon; the islands of Mindoro and Polillo; in the Visayas it has been found on Leyte, Negros and Samar; on Mindanao, it is known from the provinces of Agusan, Cotabato, Davao, Surigao, and Zamboanga. Plants have also been collected on Basilan and the Tawi-Tawi island. Again, this is a species that only occurs at low elevations. The blooms are only about 2 cm in diameter and they are sweetly fragrant. There is considerable variation in the intensity of the coloration of the concentric rings on the sepals and petals of the flowers. Johannes J. Smith named this beautiful species in 1905 in Die Orchideen von
Ambon. The specific epithet refers to the two-flowered inflorescences.
Trichoglottis philippinensis has recently been recorded from the large island of Borneo. It is interesting to note that the distribution of Trichoglottis philippinensis is very similar to that of Trichoglottis atropurpurea. In fact, there were times when the latter species was considered to be a variety of Trichoglottis philippinensis. This species is one of the most wonderfully variable species as far as its color is concerned. Usually the base color is yellowish to cream, and the variation occurs with the amount of brown on the sepals and petals. In some cases, the color is a solid reddish brown, with a beautiful yellow edging to the sepals and petals. In other cases, the irregularly shaped blotching is pale brown. It is also very interesting to note that there is considerable variation in the length of the side lobes, on the white labellum. The English botanist, Dr. John Lindley, named this species in 1845, in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History. The specific epithet refers to the plants country of origin, the Philippines.
Trichoglottis atropurpurea and Trichoglottis philippinensis are a fine example of “sister species.” By this we mean species which are obviously closely related, but distinct enough to be kept as good species, in their own right.