ter that separates the two is that in var. delicata, the basal
halves of the segments are barred with amethyst-purple,
while in var. ochracea the same basal halves are suffused
with amethyst-purple and decorated with transverse bars
of ochre.
Size-wise, the flowers of P. lueddemanniana are commonly up to 6 cm across, although they can be smaller in
some clones, and some flowers can slightly exceed 7 cm in
diameter.
In labellum morphology, the type exhibited midlobe margins devoid of teeth, with an adaxial surface furnished with
a ridge that terminates into a cushion of rather stiff hairs.
At the junction of the lateral lobes and the midlobe is a
fleshy structure adorned with short, antrorse papillae. In
front of this structure is a bifid projection that flanks the
ridge mentioned above.
Phalaenopsis hieroglyphica described in 1887, also by the
younger Reichenbach; this taxon was originally given a varietal rank, under P. lueddemanniana, until Dr. Sweet elevated it to species rank in 1969. The type was based from
a collection of William Boxall that was passed onto Hugh
Low. The exact locality where the type was collected was
not specified.
This taxon has been recorded from Luzon (Apayao and
Cagayan); Polillo; Palawan; Leyte; and Mindanao (Surigao).
In color, the base may be white to cream, with some specimens displaying green on their tips. The coloration of the
markings is of varying shades of ochre that become golden
7. A brightly-colored, typical P. lueddemaniana.
8. A typically-colored P. lueddemaniana from Laguna that display almost
hieroglyphic-like markings on the apices of the segments.
9., 10. & 11. P. lueddemaniana with hieroglyphic-like markings distributed
on most of the floral segments. Photos 10 & 11: Jim Cootes
12. A P. lueddemaniana with washed-out markings and narrow segments.
13. A cultivated plant of P. lueddemaniana found on Isabela. Photo: Leonardo Co.
14. A large-flowered P. lueddemaniana with broad, hieroglyphic-like
yellow towards the apices of the segments, or suffused with
purple toward the basal fifth. Individually, these markings
are more or less elongated, irregularly shaped rings that
with little imagination can be interpreted as hieroglyphiclike, hence the name.
In size, these flowers are usually around 7 cm in diameter, with relatively narrow segments when compared with
P. lueddemanniana, which is known to have fuller-shaped
flowers. The midlobe of the labellum of the type of P. hieroglyphica is said to be ‘cuneate- flabellate’ that are ‘obscurely
erose toward apex’ (Sweet, 1980). The erose nature of the
epichile of P. hieroglyphica is often used as a means of determining flowers of this taxon from P. lueddemanniana,
apart from the coloration and markings of the segments.
Other details stated for the labellum of P. hieroglyphica include the following: ‘... from the base to middle with fleshy
keel merging into an ovoid callus covered with prominent
hairs, the claw and the disc between lateral lobes provided
with a semi-cylindric, fleshy, glabrous callus terminating
in numerous elongate, acicular digits, in front of which
at junction of midlobe and lateral lobes a pair of bifid appendages’ (Sweet, 1980).
Discussion
Based on the information outlined above for the two taxa,
it would seem that the differences are clear-cut and hence
confusion between the two can be readily avoided. However, a review of various specimens found in various parts
of the country yielded observations that do not necessarily
fit our current views on these two. For example, the width
of the labellum in P. lueddemanniana is seldom as narrow
as the type seems, and the margins are often toothed, with
the protrusions ranging from barely apparent to very distinct. As was stated above, P. lueddemanniana has a single
... continued on page 23
markings and flowers that opened simultaneously.
15. A specimen of P. lueddemaniana from
Quezon with a broad and minutely
erose labellum.
8
12
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13
7
15
9
10
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Phalaenopsis | Third Quarter | Volume 23 | 2013
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