Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

The figure of Grigory Ivanovich von Langsdorff was largely neglected by the scientific literature of the 19th and 20th centuries. German-born von Langsdorff was consul of the Russian Empire in Rio de Janeiro. His activities in Brazil from 1813 to 1830 are here described, a time during which his house in Rio and his famous fazenda Mandiocca became the center of scientific activity and the point of attraction for European travellers and naturalists who flocked to Brazil after its frontiers were opened to foreigners in 1808 by King Joao VI of Portugal. Wilhelm Freyreiss, Friedrich Sellow, Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied, Augustin de Saint-Hilaire, Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius, Johann Baptist von Spix, Giuseppe Raddi, Johann Baptist Emanuel Pohl, and Ludwig Riedel are among those who explored Brazil impulsed by von Langsdorff and often under his patronage. Their journeys in Brazil culminated in von Langsdorff’s ill-fated expedition to the interior of Brazil between 1822 and 1829, while the epilogue is marked by Langsdorff’s return to Germany, in a state of insanity and no longer able to publish the results of his life-long scientific efforts.

Orchids are highly dependent on exogenous nutritional sources and mycorrhizal associations to survive, particularly when challenged by extreme environmental stress such as bushfires that contribute significantly to its existence in nature. In this study, the effect of smoke derivatives and carbon utilisation was explored to improve germination and seedling establishment of an Australian endangered orchid, Pterostylis despectans (Lowly Greenhood) and on mycorrhizal fungi to improve its survivorship in the rhizosphere and functionality on host plants. Stored seeds were germinated in vitro with peloton-isolated fungal isolates with varying concentrations of smoke water (0–1.0 mL L-1) to simulate fire and sucrose as the carbon source (10 g L-1). Smoke water significantly increased germination, with advanced protocorms and robust seedlings produced. Sucrose inhibited germination such that protocorms and leafing was absent with sucrose inclusion. Fungal isolates were highly variable on its germination efficacy and tolerance to smoke water, highlighting the importance of fungal diversity and supports research-based conservation strategies to circumvent environmental challenges. 

Inflorescence stalk herbivory on the Mule Ear orchid (Trichocentrum undulatum) has been observed in Cuba, which resembles the specialized herbivory interaction seen in southern Florida between a specialized dipteran, Melanagromyza miamensis (Agromyzidae) and the Mule Ear orchid. We are able to identify the inflorescence herbivore to be the genus Melanagromyza. It is possibly the same species that can be found in southern Florida. The mule-ear orchid is endemic to the Caribbean region, i.e. Cuba, Jamaica and southern Florida. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an apparently specialized inflorescence stalk herbivory by Agromyzid flies on the Mule Ear orchid in Cuba. The herbivory can partially or completely destroy the flowering potential of the impacted plants.

A new species of Pleurothallis in subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae from Ecuador is described, illustrated and its relationship with other species is discussed. Pleurothallis chicalensis is compared with P. dewildei, from which is distinguished by the ovate leaves, the yellow flowers with broadly obovate synsepal and the transversely cordate lip with apiculate apex.   

A taxonomic synopsis of Peruvian Palmorchis with six accepted species is provided including four new species (P. blancae, P. liberolabellata, P. loretana and P. yavarensis) and a new record previously reported only for Ecuador (P. imuyaensis). This overview is the result of a review of local herbaria, taxonomic literature, and a field study of the genus. An artificial key for all Peruvian Palmorchis species is presented, as well as photographs and a map of known localities in Peru. 

Recent explorations on one of the mountains of the Bukidnon province on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines resulted in a wild collection of Dendrochilum warrenii, an Orchidaceae species described in 2004 from a cultivated plant of unknown provenance. In this publication, an extended species description along with color photographs are provided to aid future identification. Information on the distribution, ecology and phenology of the species in the wild is also provided.

Goodyera fusca (Lindl.) Hook. f., a rare orchid species is reported for the first time from the Kashmir Himalaya, India. A brief description and photographs of diagnostic features are provided. Comparative characters are also provided to distinguish G. fusca from Goodyera repens (L.) R. Br. already reported from Kashmir Himalaya. This newly reported terrestrial orchid species occurs in alpine habitats of this Himalayan region.

A new species of Lepanthes, closely resembling L. hexapus and L. aguirrei, is described and illustrated. The new species is characterized by bilobed, filiform and curved petals. Ecological and taxonomic notes are given. In addition, the first known locality for L. bibarbullata is presented herein.   

A new species of Pleurothallis from Ecuador, Pleurothallis quitu-cara, is described, illustrated and compared with the similar species P. corysta, also, it is a surprise for the orchid flora of Quito and its valleys.

Anathallis luteola is newly described and illustrated from the state of Bahia, northeast Brazil. It is similar to A. guarujaensis from which it can be distinguished by the smaller flowers, the successive two- flowered raceme, and shape of its floral segments. A note on the latter species is also provided.