ORCHIDACEAE
Cymbilabia D. K. Liu & M. H. Li, Molec. Phylogen. Evol. 145-106729: 7 (2020).
By: Bhakta B. Raskoti
Taxon Description
Epiphytic or lithophytic monopodial herbs. Roots fibrous. Stem decumbent or pendulous, stout, terete, sometimes branched. Leaves distichous, leathery, apex lobed. Inflorescences axillary, pendulous or suberect, racemose or rarely paniculate, laxly flowered. Flowers almost fully opened. Sepals similar, free, spreading. Petals subsimilar to sepals. Lip adnate to column, bent, 3-lobed. Column stout, foot absent; rostellum obscure; pollinia 2, sessile; stipe oblong; viscidium transverse. Fruit a capsule.
Taxon Statistics
Worldwide two species, distributed in S. Asia, E. Asia and S.E. Asia. One species in Nepal.
1. Cymbilabia undulata (Lindl.) D. K. Liu & M. H. Li, Molec. Phylogen. Evol. 145-106729: 7 (2020).
Vanda undulata Lindl., J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 3: 42 (1858); Vandopsis undulata (Lindl.) Sm.
Plants 50–100 cm tall. Stem ascending or pendulous, terete, branched, noded. Leaves oblong, 6–9 × 1–2 cm, apex obtuse, unequally bilobed. Inflorescence lateral, 15–32 cm, with or without branches, rachis 4–8 cm, laxly 3–5-flowered. Peduncle bracts ovate, 4–7 × 3 mm, apex obtuse. Floral bracts broadly ovate, 7–10 × 3–5 mm, apex obtuse. Flowers sepals and petals white with light green at apex, lip white with purple-red striations, apex yellowish, 2–3 cm across;; pedicel and ovary 15–25 mm. Dorsal sepal oblong, 15–20 × 4–6 cm, base clawed, margin slightly undulate, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals slightly recurved, ovate-lanceolate, 15–20 × 4–5 cm, margin undulate, apex subacute. Petals oblong-spathulate, 11–17 × 3–4 mm, margin undulate, apex obtuse. Lip 10–15 × 4–5 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes erect, subovate-triangular, ca. 5 × 5 mm, acute; mid-lobe spathulate, ca. 6 × 5 mm, truncate; disk with 2 ridges. Column 4–5 mm. Capsule clavate, 3.5–5 × 1–1.3 cm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, W Himalaya, Assam-Burma, Tibetan Plateau, E Asia and SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 1300–2400 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on trees or shrubs, or lithophytic in rock crevices.
Flowering: May–June. Fruiting: July–November.