Systematic studies on Philippine trichoglottis blume (orchidaceae)

• Main Author: Agoo, Esperanza Maribel G.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2002
• Subjects: Orchids > Varieties; Plant morphology; Plant varieties; Plant anatomy; Botany
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/1190
• Institution: De La Salle University

The morphology, root and leaf anatomy, and pollen exine sculpture of the different species of Trichoglottis s.l. are investigated, characterized and analyzed to determine phenetic and phylogenetic relationships and derive an infrageneric classification of the taxa. Results showed continuous variation in the morphology, anatomy, and pollen surface of the species. Using principal components analysis and cluster analysis, floral characters yielded valuable basis for delimiting clusters which include 2 main groups (i.e. group 1: narrow dorsal sepal, shorter dorsal and lateral sepals, shorter midlobe, also pendulous or erect, short or long inflorescence with medium to large flowers). Phylogenetic analysis yielded the same groupings with a transition state consisting of distinct morphological characters (i.e. adnation of sidelobes, length of pedicels, and type of habit). These analyses suggest that the length of inflorescence and type of habit, as recognized by contemporary botanists, i.e. Christenson (1994), Fessel and Lueckel (1998), Fessel and Balzer (1999), Su (2001), and Cootes (2001), are a weak basis for a natural classification of separate genera.Based on these evidence, it is proposed that Staurochilus be formally reduced to a synonym of Trichoglottis and two sections, i.e. Trichoglotties and Stauropsis be established. A total of 21 species and 4 varieties are recognized and described. Three new species and 2 varieties are proposed.