ORCHIDACEAE
Oberonia Lindl., Gen. and Sp. Orch. 15 (1830).
By: Lokesh R. Shakya and Ram P. Chaudhary
Taxon Description
Plants epiphytic, pendulous, rarely erect, caespitose, usually acaulescent, rarely caulescent. Leaves distichous, equitant, fleshy, rarely thin, bilaterally compressed, rarely terete, linear or oblong, acute or acuminate, subfalcate to falcate or straight, basal leaves shorter. Inflorescence densely flowered. Peduncle terete, rarely quadrangular or winged, with sterile bracts. Rachis erect or curved, flowers arranged spirally or whorled, slender, terete, often ribbed, rarely thick and fleshy. Fertile bracts shorter or longer than ovary, usually lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, margins entire or variously incised. Flowers nonresupinate, bracteate, subsessile, rarely pedicellate, minute. Sepals usually similar, spreading, usually ovate, acute, lateral sepals usually induplicate and slightly oblique, entire. Petals variable, reflexed or spreading, linear or oblong or ovate or lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, acute or obtuse, entire or variously incised. Lip variable, veined or veinless, 3-lobed, entire or variously incised. Column minute winged or not winged; rostellum subtriangular; stigma orbicular or laterally elongated, pollinia 4, in two pairs, waxy, yellow, obovoid.
Taxon Statistics
Worldwide about 300 species, distributed in S Africa through Mainland Asia to Pacific. Nineteen species in Nepal.
Key to Species
1a Leaves terete………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….………………… 12. O. myosurus
b Leaves flattened………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….………….…………… 2
2a Plants caulescent………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..……………………………………..…………………..……………………………………… 3
b Plants acaulescent.………………….…………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..…………………….…..…………………………………………….. 4
3a Lateral lobes of the lip small, suborbicular….…..………..…….……………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..……………… 3. O. caulescens
b Lateral lobes of the lip distinct, oblong, pointing forward…………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..………………….….…………….. 5. O. falcata
4a Rachis 7–10 mm thick, with adpressed sessile flowers…………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..………….. 15. O. pachyrachis
b Rachis less than 6 mm thick with subsessile flowers….……….…………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..……………………………………… 5
5a Plants small, with longest leaf less than 6 cm long, leaves not exceeding 7 mm broad..……………………………………..…………..………………………………………………………………….. 6
b Plants medium sized with longest leaf 5–50 cm long and 5–20 mm broad……..……………………..…………………..……………………………………… …….……………..…………………..….. 11
6a Leaves linear throughout, acute, largest leaf 3–4 mm broad…………………………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..…….……… 7
b Leaves linear or oblong, broad at the base, acute or acuminate, largest leaf 4–7 mm broad……….…………………………………………….……………………….……………………………… 9
7a Lateral lobes of the lip absent or indistinct ……………………………………………..…………………..…………………………………………..………………..…………………..…………… 18. O. pyrulifera
b Lateral lobes of the lip present and distinct ……………………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..…………………………………………… 8
8a Lateral lobes of the lip broad, suborbicular, midlobe entire. Column unwinged ……………………………..………………………………………………………………………..…11. O. micrantha
b Lateral lobes of the lip not broad, orbicular, midlobe with 2 distinct lobules. Column with lateral wings ………………………………………………………………… 10. O. longilabris
9a Petal margins erose ……………………………………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..…………………………..………….. 17. O. praniana
b Petal margins entire ………………………………..…………………..……………………………………………………..…………………..……………………………………… ……………………………….………………. 10
10a Midlobe of the lip entire……………………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..………………………………….……….. 14. O. pachyphylla
b Midlobe of the lip 2-lobulate……………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..………………………………………………….…. 16. O. parvula
11a Scape winged………………………………………………..…………………..……………………………………..…………………..……………………………………… ………………………………………………………… 12
b Scape not winged……………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..………………………………………………………….………….………………… 13
12a Petals margins entire. Lip margin finely crenulate or subentire ………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..……. 9. O. lobulata
b Petals margins finely denticulate. Lip margin deeply laciniate ……………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..…………. 7. O. iridifolia
13a Petal margins erose-dentate or finely serrate …………………..…………………..…………………………..………………………………………………..…………………..……………………………………… 14
b Petals margins entire ………………………….………………….…………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..……………………………………… 15
14a Plants more than 10 cm long. Lip with two distinct calli at the base ………………………….………..…………………..………………………………………………………………… 4. O. ensiformis
b Plants less than 10 cm long. Lip without calli……………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..………………….. 2. O. brachystachys
15a Lateral lobes of the lip curved and filiform…………………………………..…………………..……………………………………… …………………..…………………..……………………… 19. O. rufilabris
b Lateral lobes of the lip triangular to subtriangular, oblong, rounded or pectinate ………….…………….…………………..…………………..……………………………………………………… 16
16a Lateral lobes of the lip triangular or subtriangular, midlobe obcordate………….…………………………………..…………………..……………………………………………… 13. O. obcordata
b Lateral lobes of the lip oblong, rounded or pectinate, midlobe not obcordate……………………………………………………………………………………..…………………..……………………… 17
17a Midlobe of the lip entire, lateral lobes pectinate…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………..… 8. O. jenkensiana
b Midlobe of the lip 2-lobulate, lateral lobes entire…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
18a Lateral lobes of the lip 0.7–0.9 mm, oblong, pointing forward, sinus of midlobe narrow without protuberance…..……………………………………………………..…. 1. O. acaulis
b Lateral lobes of the lip 0.2–0.4 mm, rounded, sinus of midlobe broad with rounded protuberance….…….………………………………………………………………….. 6. O. falconeri
1. Oberonia acaulis Griff., Not. Pl. Asiat. 3: 275 (1851).
Oberonia myriantha Lindl. Fol. Orchid. 8: 4 (1859).
Plants ca. 10–18 cm, acaulescent, pendulous. Leaves 4–6, linear-ensiform, 5–18 X 0.5–1.2 cm, laterally compressed, subfalcate, acuminate, fleshy. Peduncle up to 9 cm. Rachis 10–15 cm, flowers in whorls, ribbed. Fertile bracts oblong-lanceolate, 1.5–2.2 X 0.5 mm, as long as or slightly longer than the pedicel and ovary, acuminate, irregularly serrate. Flowers brown ca. 2 mm across, pedicellate. Sepals subsimilsr, ovate, ca. 1 X 0.5–0.6 mm, spreading or reflexed, entire, induplicate. Petals oblong, ca. 1 X 0.48 mm, obtuse, entire. Lip subquadrate, 1.5–1.8 X 1.2–1.3 mm (when spread out), gland dotted, entire, 3-lobed; lateral lobes oblong, spreading or basal margin bent upward, entire, pointing forward; middle lobe 2-lobuled; lobules oblong with obtuse to subtruncate apex, entire; sinus narrow, without any protuberance. Column ca. 0.3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Assam Burma, SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 153–2300 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Ficus sp.
Flowering: July–December.
2. Oberonia brachystachys Lindl., Sert. Orch. Sub: t. 8 (1838).
Plants 3.5–7 cm, acaulescent, erect . Leaves 3–4, oblong, 1–7 X 0.6–1.2 cm, laterally compressed, subacute or acute, thin, faintly veined. Peduncle ca. 0.5–1 cm. Rachis ca. 2–3 cm, curved, flowers arranged in whorls, ribbed. Fertile bracts ovate-lanceolate, ca. 1.7 X 0.4 mm, as long as or slightly longer than ovary, acuminate, subentire. Flowers brown, ca. 1.3 mm across, subsessile. Sepals subssimilar, ovate, ca. 0.6 X 0.3 mm, acute, entire. Petals broadly oblong, ca. 0.7 X 0.4 mm, obtuse, erose-dentate. Lip ca. 0.9 X 0.9 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes broad, wing-like, truncate, pointing forward, erose-dentate; terminal lobe quadrate or subobcordate in outline, obscurely 2-lobed; lobules suborbicular, erose dentate. Column ca. 0.3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Assam-Burma, SE Asia, India.
Altitudinal range: 150–450 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Shorea robusta.
Flowering: August–October.
3. Oberonia caulescens Wall ex Lindl., Gen. & Sp. Orch.: 15 (1830).
Plants 5–6 cm, caulescent, erect, rarely pendulous. Leaves 5–7, linear, ca. 2.5–4.5 X 0.2–0.3 cm, clasping with delicate stems, laterally compressed, acute, subfalcate, fleshy. Peduncle ca. 2.5–3 cm, quadrangular, 4-ribbed. Rachis ca. 4.5–5 cm, erect or slightly curved, ribbed. Fertile bracts oblong-lanceolate, ca. 2 X 0.6 mm, shorter than stalked ovary, acute, slightly erose. Flowers light green, ca. 2 mm across, pedicellate. Sepals similar, ovate, ca. 0.7 X 0.4 mm, acute, entire. Petals oblong, ca. 0.7 X 0.3 mm, obtuse, entire. Lip ca. 2 mm, obscurely 3-lobed, lateral lobes small, bent upward, ca. 0.8 mm broad; mesochile oblong with 3 light veins; terminal lobe deeply cleft into two lobules; lobules subtriangular, acute, entire, diverging, sinus broad with small subtriangular protuberance. Column ca. 3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya,
Altitudinal range: 1200 — 2500 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Elaeagnus sp.
Flowering: August-September
4. Oberonia ensiformis (Sm.) Lindl. Fol. Orch. Oberon: 4 (1859).
Malaxis ensiformis Sm. in Rees, Cycl. 22: no.14 (1812).
Plants up to 49 cm, acaulescent, usually pendulous. Leaves 4-6, usually 5, oblong, 5–49 X 1–1.7 cm, laterally compressed, falcate, acuminate. Peduncle, 7–11 cm. Rachis up to 16 cm, terete; apex subtruncate. Fertile bracts oblong-lanceolate, ca. 2.4–2.8 X 1.2 mm, as long as or longer than ovary, subacute or acute, irregularly serrate, induplicate. Flowers orange yellow, ca. 2 mm across, shortly pedicelled. Sepals all similar, ovate, ca. 1.4 X 1.2 mm, reflexed; lateral sepals slightly obliquely ovate, acute, entire. Petals obliquely ovate, ca. 1.3 x 1.2 mm, reflexed, subacute or obtuse, margin finely erose. Lip ca. 1.8 X 1.4-1.6 mm, spreading in flower, 3-lobed, basal lobes rounded; mesochile subquadrate, smooth, presence of two distinct calli at base separating basal lateral lobes from mesochile and terminal lobe, presence of medial longitudinal groove extending from base to apex; terminal lobe thick, obreniform with two rounded lobules, lobules separated by broad sinus, the surface and margin of the lip except the smooth mesochile clothed with smooth hairs. Column ca. 0.3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Assam-Burma, SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 600–2000 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Alnus nepalensis.
Flowering: September–October.
5. Oberonia falcata King & Pantl., J. As. Soc. Bengal II: 329 (1895).
Plants 6–13.5 X 2 cm, flexuose, caulescent, pendulous. Leaves 5–6, linear, 2–5 X 0.3–0.4 cm, laterally compressed, acute, straight or falcate, fleshy. Peduncle 0.5–1 cm. Rachis 5–10 cm, flowers arranged in whorl, ribbed. Fertile bracts ovate-sublanceolate, ca. 1.6 X 0.6 mm, as long as subsessile ovary, subacuminate, erose. Flowers yellowish green, ca. 2 mm across, subsessile. Sepals more or less similar, ovate, ca. 1 X 0.4–0.5 mm, acute, entire. Petals oblong, ca. 1 X 0.25 mm, blunt, entire. Lip subquadrate, ca. 1.2 X 0.6 mm, 3 lobed; lateral lobes oblong, entire, pointing forward; terminal lobe 2- lobuled; lobules short, subtriangular, entire, slightly diverging, separated by narrow or broad sinus. Column ca. 0.3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya and SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 1200 – -2400 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Elaeagnus sp.
Flowering: March—June.
6. Oberonia falconeri Hook f. Icon. Pl.: t. 1780 (1888).
Plants 4–7 cm, acaulescent, erect or pendulous. Leaves ca. 6, oblong, 1–7 X 0.3–1.2 cm, laterally compressed, acute, fleshy. Peduncle ca. 4–5 cm, ribbed. Rachis 3–8 cm, flower in whorl, ribbed. Fertile bracts ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–4.5 X 0.8 mm, longer than ovary, acuminate, irregularly dentate. Flowers rusty brown, ca. 2.2 mm across, subsessile. Sepals subsimilar, ovate, 1 X 0.6–0.7 mm, acute, entire. Petals lanceolate, ca. 1 X 0.4 mm, subacute, entire. Lip subquadrate, ca. 1.3 mm long and 1 mm across lateral lobes, 3-veined, 3-lobed, lateral lobes rounded, ca. 0.2 mm, spreading in flower; terminal lobe oblong, 2-lobuled; lobules short (ca. 0.4 mm), parallel with incurved tip, sinus broad with a rounded protuberance. Column ca. 0.3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Assam-Burma, India, SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 280–1000 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Sapium sp.
Flowering: August–October.
7. Oberonia iridifolia Lindl., Gen. & Sp. Orch.: 15 (1830).
Plants 8–28 cm, acaulescent, pendulous. Leaves 4–5, oblong, 3–28 X 0.5–1.8 cm, laterally compressed, straight or falcate or decurved, acute or acuminate, fleshy. Peduncle 10–13 cm, flattened, winged, upper portion terete, ribbed. Rachis 20–30 cm, decurved, flowers arranged in whorl, ribbed. Fertile bracts oblong-lanceolate, ca. 1–1.8 mm, as long as or longer than ovary, irregularly dentate. Flowers greenish yellow or yellowish brown, ca. 1.8 mm across, sepals and petals reflexed in flower. Sepals more or less similar, ovate, ca. 1 X 0.7 mm, subacute or acute, entire. Petals ovate, ca. 1 X 0.5 mm, subacute, finely denticulate. Lip ca. 1.8 mm broad, 1.5–1.8 mm long, quadrate or ovate in outline, spreading, 3-veined, obscurely 3-lobed; lateral lobes deeply laciniate; terminal lobe obscurely 2-lobuled; lobule quadrate or oblong, dentate or more or less lacinate. Column ca. 0.3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Assam-Burma.
Altitudinal range: 200 –570 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Shorea robusta.
Flowering: September–November.
8. Oberonia jenkensiana Griff. ex Lindl., Fol. Orch. Oberon: 4 (1859).
Plants 7–17 cm, acaulescent, pendulous. Leaves 4, rarely 5, oblong, 1–17 X 0.5–1.2 cm, laterally compressed, subfalcate, acute, fleshy. Peduncle short, ca. 0.6 cm. Rachis 4–10 cm, flowers arranged spirally, ribbed. Fertile bracts ovate, 0.8–1 mm, longer than pedicel and ovary, acuminate, entire. Flowers dark orange brown, ca. 1.2 mm across, pedicellate. Sepals dissimilar. Dorsal sepal ovate, ca. 0.5 X 0.3 mm, entire, acute. Lateral sepals broadly ovate, ca. 0.6 X 0.4 mm, entire, acute. Petals lanceolate, ca. 0.52 X 0.2 mm, entire, acute. Lip suborbicular, ca. 0.84 X 0.85 mm, fleshy, larger than sepals and petals, 3-lobed; lateral lobes large, auriculate, pectinate; terminal lobe blunt, entire, with minute projection at the centre; presence of large, semiorbicular, concavity on mesochile. Column ca. 0.3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Assam-Burma, SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 457–1400 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Schima wallichii.
Flowering: August–September
9. Oberonia lobulata King & Pantl., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 4 (1898).
Plants ca. 7 cm, acaulescent, pendulous. Leaves 2–4, oblong, 6.5–7 X 1–1.2 cm, laterally compressed, subfalcate, acute, fleshy. Peduncle ca. 7 cm, winged. Rachis ca. 13 cm, flowers in whorl. Fertile bracts oblong or suborbicular, ca. 1.5 mm, obtuse, apex finely erose. Flowers green, ca. 2 mm across, subsessile. Sepals similar, ovate, ca. 1 X 0.8 mm, acute, entire. Petals oblong, ca. 0.8 X 0.3 mm, subacute, entire. Lip ca. 1.3 X 1 mm, subquadrate, 3-lobed, lateral lobes oblong, finely crenulate along margins; terminal lobe subentire, 2-lobuled; lobules small, subtriangular, sinus broad, without protuberance. Column winged, ca. 0.3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya.
Altitudinal range: ca. 300 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Shorea robusta.
Flowering: October.
10. Oberonia longilabris King & Pantl., in J. As. Soc. Bengal: 64 (1895).
Plants 5–8 cm, acaulescent or subcaulescent, pendulous. Leaves 4–7, linear, 2.5–5 X 0.3–0.5 cm, laterally compressed, subfalcate, acute, fleshy. Peduncle ca.6.5–7.5 cm. Raceme 3.5–5.5 cm, flowers in whorls, ribbed. Fertile bracts oblong-lanceolate, ca. 2.5 X 0.6 mm, slightly exceeding the subsessile ovary, acuminate, slightly erose dentate. Flowers yellow, ca. 2 mm across, subsessile. Sepals similar, ovate, ca. 1 X 0.5 mm, acute, entire. Petals oblong, ca. 1 X 0.3 mm, obtuse, entire. Lip ca. 1.7 x 0.8 mm, 3-lobed, lateral lobes small, distinct, orbicular, bent upward, entire; mesochile with a small elongated cavity near the column; terminal lobe deeply cleft into two lobules; lobules subtriangular, acuminate, entire, more or less diverging, sinus broad with small subtriangular protuberance. Column ca. 0.4 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya.
Altitudinal range: 1200–1500 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Castonopsis indica.
Flowering: August.
11. Oberonia micrantha King & Pantl., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 6, t. 5 (1898).
Plants 3.5–4 cm, acaulescent, erect. Leaves 6, linear, 0.8–4 X 0.2–0.3 cm, laterally compressed, subfalcate, acute, fleshy. Peduncle 2.5–3 cm. Rachis ca. 2.5 cm, decurved, ribbed. Fertile bracts ovate-lanceolate, 0.5–0.6 X 0.2 mm, as long as or slightly shorter than pedicel and ovary, acute, entire or slightly erose. Flowers creamy white, ca. 0.8 mm across, subsessile. Sepals dissimilar. Dorsal sepal ovate, ca. 0.4 X 0.28 mm, acute, entire. Lateral sepals broadly ovate, ca. 0.4 X 0.36 mm, entire, acute. Petals ovate, ca. 0.4 X 0.24 mm, entire, acute, recurved. Lip ca. 0.6 X 0.4 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes sub-orbicular, curled upward, entire or slightly erose, terminal lobe separated by deep lateral sinuses, suborbicular, apex truncate, erose. Column ca. 0.3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya.
Altitudinal range: 560-1800 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Castanopsis sp.
Flowering: July–August.
12. Oberonia myosurus Lindl., Gen. & Sp. Orch: 16 (1830).
Plants ca. 8.5 cm, acaulescent, erect or pendulous. Leaves 3–4, linear,1.5–8.5 X 0.4–0.5 cm, terete, curved, pointed, fleshy. Peduncle ca. 2.5 cm. Rachis 2–4.5 cm, terete, flowers arranged in whorls. Fertile bracts ovate, ca. 3 mm, longer than pedicel and ovary, acuminate. Flowers greenish, ca. 2 mm across subsessile. Sepals similar, ovate, ca. 1 x 0.8 mm, subacuminate, entire. Petals linear-oblong, ca. 1.1 x 0.4 mm, obtuse, entire. Lip oblong, ca. 2 X 1 mm, much longer than sepals and petals, gland dotted; lateral lobes rounded, sinuate toothed; midlobe oblong-quadrate, lateral side deeply cut into two short laciniate appendages on both side, apex truncate with two curved ascending, lacinate outgrowth. Column ca. 0.4 mm, cylindrical.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, Assam-Burma, SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 1500–1800 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Castanopsis sp.
Flowering: August–October.
13. Oberonia obcordata Lindl., Fol. Orch. Oberon: 7 (1859).
Plants 4–6 cm, acaulescent or subcaulescent, pendulous. Leaves 2.5–6, oblong or lower small leaves ovate-lanceolate 1.5–6 X 0.5–1 cm, laterally compressed, subfalcate, acute, fleshy. Peduncle ca. 1 cm. Rachis 4–5 cm, flowers in whorls, ribbed. Fertile bracts ovate-lanceolate, 3.2–4.8 mm, longer than pedicel and ovary, acuminate, distantly serrate. Flowers orange brown, ca. 2 mm across, pedicellate. Sepals subsimilar, 1 X 0.7–1 mm, ovate, acute, entire. Petals linear-lanceolate, ca. 1 X 0.3 mm, acuminate, entire. Lip subquadrate, ca. 1.4 X 1.4 mm (across two lateral lobes), 3-lobed; lateral lobes triangular, spreading, acute, entire; terminal lobe usually obcordate, rarely obovate, slightly emarginated at apex, fleshy, gland dotted, presence of tunnelled nectary on the mesochile, Column ca. 0.5 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Assam-Burma.
Altitudinal range: 1800 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Castanopsis indica.
Flowering: March-April.
14. Oberonia pachyphylla King & Pantl., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta 8: 5 (1898).
Plants 1–3 cm, acaulescent, erect. Leaves 3–4, oblong, 1–3 X 0.5–0.7 cm, laterally compressed, straight, acute, fleshy. Peduncle 1.5–2 cm. Rachis 1.2–3 cm, fleshy. Fertile bracts ovate-suborbicular, ca. 1.2 X 1 mm, longer than subsessile ovary, obtuse, subentire, gland dotted. Flowers green, turning light brown at maturity, ca. 1 mm across, subsessile. Sepals more or less similar, broadly ovate, 0.6 X 0.5-0.6 mm, obtuse, entire, gland dotted. Petals oblong, ca. 0.6 X 0.3 mm, obtuse, entire. Lip ca. 0.6 X 0.6 mm, gland dotted, 3-lobed; lateral lobes small, oblong or suborbicular, erose-dentate; terminal lobe suborbicular, entire. Column ca. O.3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 300–550 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Schima wallichii.
Flowering: February
15. Oberonia pachyrachis Reichenb. f. ex Hook. f. in Fl. Brit. India 5: 681 (1888).
Plants 4–15 cm, acausescent, pendulous. Leaves 2–3, rarely 4, oblong, 4–15 X 0.5–2.5 cm, laterally compressed, straight or subfalcate, acute or acuminate, fleshy. Peduncle ca. 4–10 cm, flattened, foliaceous, laterally adnate to the uppermost leaf, rarely arising from the apex of the terminal leaf. Rachis 3–10 cm, flowers arranged spirally, thick, fleshy, tapering. Fertile bracts ovate-orbicular, 0.7–1.4 X 0.6–0.8 mm, variable in size, two times exceeding the sessile ovary, erose along the margin, minutely gland dotted. Flowers sessile, sepals and petals orange yellow but turning white with age, lip deep orange yellow ca. 0.4-0.7 mm across, sunk in a pit of the rachis. Sepals subsimilar, ovate, 0.6–0.9 X 0.5–0.6 mm, reflexed, subacute, entire. Petals linear, 0.6-0.85 x 0.24-0.3 mm, reflexed, obtuse, entire. Lip ovate-obicular, 0.66–0.9 X 0.75–0.85 mm (with the lip spread out), unlobed, base bent upwards like auricles laterally to the column, presence of thick orbicular calli at the centre. Column 0.3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Assam-Burma, SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 600–1900 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Schima wallichii.
Flowering: October—March.
16. Oberonia parvula King & Pantl., J. As. Soc. Bengal 64: 330 (1895).
Plants 2–6 cm, acaulescent, erect. Leaves 3–4, linear-oblong, 1.5–6 X 0.3–1 cm, laterally compressed, subfalcate, acute, fleshy. Peduncle ca. 2-2.5 cm. Rachis ca. 4–6 cm, flowers in whorls. Fertile bracts ovate, 0.7–1 X 0.5–0.6 mm, as long as or slightly longer than pedicel and ovary, entire. Flowers light orange or pale yellow, ca. 1-1.5 mm across, subsessile. Sepals similar, ovate, ca. 0.5–0.7 X 0.3–0.5 mm, acute, entire. Petals oblong, 0.5–0.6 X 0.3 mm, obtuse, entire. Lip 0.8–1.2 X 0.75–1 mm, 3-lobed, entire, 2-veined, lateral lobes broad, ca. 0.4 mm, spreading, oblong, directed forward; terminal lobe deeply cleft into two lobules separated by distinct broad sinus; sinus with minute protuberance, lobules lanceolate with acute apex. Column ca. 0.2 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya.
Altitudinal range: 457 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Woodfordia fruticosa.
Flowering: February–March
17. Oberonia prainiana King & Pantl., J. As. Soc. Bengal II, 64: 331 (1895).
Plants 2–2.5 cm, acaulescent, erect. Leaves 5–6, oblong-ovate, ca. 0.7–2 X 0.3–0.5 cm, laterally compressed. Fertile bracts oblong-lanceolate, ca. 1 X 0.3 mm, equaling the subsessile ovary, acute, fleshy. Peduncle ca. 3 cm. Rachis ca. 4.5–8 cm, flowers in whorls. Flowers brown, ca. 1.5 mm across, subsessile. Sepals similar, ovate, ca. 0.6 x 0.4 mm, acute, entire. Petals elliptic-lanceolate, ca. 0.7 X 0.3 mm, subacute, unequally serrate. Lip ovate, ca. 0.7 x 0.5 mm, unlobed, obtuse, irregularly dentate. Column ca. 0.3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 200 –1500 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Ficus spp.
Flowering: April–June.
18. Oberonia pyrulifera Lindl., Fol. Orch. Oberon: 3 (1859).
Plants 3.5–5 cm, acaulescent, erect. Leaves 4–6, linear, 1.5–4 X 0.3–0.4 cm, laterally compressed, subfalcate, acute, fleshy. Peduncle 3–5.5 cm. Rachis ca. 3–3.5 cm, decurved. Fertile bracts ovate, ca. 1.8 X 0.8 mm, as long as or slightly exceeding the subsessile ovary, acute, finely erose. Flowers greenish brown, ca. 2 mm across, subsessile. Sepals similar, ovate, ca. 1 x 0.6 mm, acute, entire. Petals oblong, ca. 1 X 0.3 mm, subacute or obtuse, entire. Lip ca. 1.6 mm, lateral lobes absent or indistinct, terminal lobe deeply cleft into two lobules; lobules subtriangular, ca. 1 mm apart, parallel or slightly diverging, sinus narrow without any protuberance; base with concave nectary. Column ca. 0.4 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 1000-2700 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Rhododendron sp.
Flowering: April–May.
19. Oberonia rufilabris Lindl., Sert. Orchid.: t. 8 A (1838).
Plants 4–9 cm, acaulescent. Leaves 4, oblong, 1.5–9 X 0.5–2 cm, laterally compressed, subfalcate or falcate, acute, thick, fleshy, tough. Peduncle 2–4 cm. Rachis 5–15 cm, slightly decurved, flower in whorls, ribbed. Fertile bracts ovate, ca. 1.5–3.5 mm, longer than pedicel and ovary, entire, persistent, apex with filiform tip. Flowers reddish brown, ca. 1.5 mm across, pedicellate. Sepals dissimilar. Dorsal sepal ovate, ca. 0.78 X 0.6 mm, subacute, entire, induplicate. Lateral sepals oblong-ovate, ca. 0.66 X 0.48 mm, acute, entire induplicate. Petals elliptic, ca. 0.66 X 0.3 mm, spreading, acute, entire. Lip ca. 1.2 mm long and 1.8 mm across between two lateral filiform lobes (with the lobes stretched out), longer than sepals and petals, broadly oblong, 3-lobed, sparsely gland-dotted, presence of a minute elongated pit at the base; lateral lobes ca. 0.6 mm, filiform, curved upwards and backwards; mesochile ca. 0.4 mm broad; terminal lobe deeply cleft into two linear acuminate lobules; running parallel with diverging apical portion. Column ca. 0.4 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Assam-Burma.
Altitudinal range: 1100 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on Schima wallichii.
Flowering: March–April.