Cheirostylis tippica
| Cheirostylis tippica | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Cranichideae |
| Genus: | Cheirostylis |
| Species: | C. tippica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cheirostylis tippica A.N.Rao
| |
Cheirostylis tippica is a critically endangered species of orchid endemic to India.[1][2][3]
Description
This orchid grows like a herb with a stem up to 3 cm high. It has ten leaves that are ovate-lanceolate and arranged alternatively connected by a slender petiole to the stem. The inflorescence is 7 cm long with 3 to 4 flowers at the tip. The flowers are dark green and purple with hair. The petals are 4.5 mm long and the lip is white in color with two green blotches and 7 mm x 2 mm in size.[2]
It resembles Cheirostylis liukiuensis but can be differentiated by hairy floral bract that is shorter than ovary, hypochile of the lip having 4 separate villi and the gradual reduction of leaf size towards the flower.[2]
Distribution
This orchid was collected by A. Nageswara Rao from Tippi in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh and no further locations were recorded as of 2020 hence assuming its distribution to a 4 km2 area.[1][2]
Ecology
This orchid was found growing in sandy soil with decaying vegetation at an altitude of 150 to 250 meters. It was found flowering during January and February. [2][4][1]
Etymology
This species is named after the place Tippi from where it was collected.[2]
Conservation and threats
This orchid was never seen after the initial collection in 1991. The region where it was found is threatened by logging, air pollution, climate change and human habitat expansion.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e IUCN (2020-12-25). Cheirostylis tippica: Tsering, J.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T184518528A186805037 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2022-1.rlts.t184518528a186805037.en.
- ^ a b c d e f Rao, A.N. "Cheirostylis tippica Nageswara Rao - A new species of orchid from Arunachal Pradesh,India". Bulletin of Arunachal Forest Research. 9 (2): 17–21. ISSN 0970-9487.
- ^ "Cheirostylis tippica A.N.Rao | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ^ Nyorak, Jumter (2023-04-30). "Orchid flora of Arunachal Pradesh (India) – A compilation" (PDF). Pleione. 17 (1): 050–081. doi:10.26679/Pleione.17.1.2023.050-081.