A New Variety of Doritis pulcherrima
Olaf Gruss
W ithin the southern portion of Indochina is a plateau known as the Central Highlands of rugged mountain peaks , extensive forests , and rich soil spanning Cambodia , Laos , and Vietnam . The Highlands are comprised of five relatively flat plateaus of basalt soil dominated by a mosaic of deciduous forest and semi-evergreen forest , with smaller areas of evergreen forest , particularly on hills and along watercourses . Because deciduous forests generally support a lower floral diversity than evergreen forest , the diversity of plant species is lower than wet evergreen forest but this habitat favors many varieties of orchids and is considered an important center of plant diversity . Since 1975 , the highlands have provided an area in which to relocate people from the densely populated lowlands . There are 17 ethnic groups in the region , including a significant number that have migrated from northern Vietnam . The majority are mostly Ede and M ’ nong , a matrilineal tribe ( family name is passed down through the mother , and children are considered members of their mother ’ s family ). The delicate balance between ecological conservation and the preservation of local cultures is a challenge , considering the poverty of the region ’ s people and their traditional means of survival ( i . e . hunting ). However , the governments are working with international agencies , such as the UN Development Programme ( UNDP ), to manage this ongoing balance , aiming towards education and community participation in conservation practices . The combination Yok Don National Park
Background : The habitat of Doritis pulcherrima var . laotica in the Central Highlands which spans Cambodia , Laos , and Vietnam .
Habitat 1 & 2 : Plants growing on black granite . Photos : Leonid Averyanov
Cultivation : Doritis pulcherrima var . laotica Clone 1 : Doritis pulcherrima var . laotica Typus : Doritis pulcherrima var . laotica
Photos : Olaf Gruss
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( Vietnam ) and Mondulkiri Protected Forest ( Cambodia ) may be the largest protected area in Southeast Asia . A few months ago , Leonid Averyanov informed Olaf Gruss about his recent trip to Laos . There he had found plants which were very much like the compact growing variety of Doritis pulcherrima . Since none of the plants have bloomed at this time , it is not certain whether it is really the same species or variety . The slightly elongated oval leaves are slightly different . The almost-red color of the leaves is due to a very sunny location , but it would also explain why the plants in Germany are difficult to bloom . At the same time Leonid Averyanov was collecting Doritis pulcherrima var . apiculata in Vietnam ( Phalaenopsis 21 ( 2 ): 2011 ), Olaf Gruss found in some collections in Germany , and also in Thailand , some plants which were being traded as Doritis pulcherrima ‘ minor ’ and which were collected in Cambodia . Olaf Gruss contacted Leonid Averyanov to get the information about the orchid habitat in this breathtaking country . Soon they decided to describe this new variety together as var . laotica in Die Orchidee 60 : 440 ( 2011 ). At first glance this variety differs from the typical species by its very small growth . Two of the plants which were imported from Thailand showed little difference from the normal form of Doritis pulcherrima when flowered . Leonid Averyanov and Olaf Gruss have agreed to accept the genus Doritis as a distinct and clearly defined genus . In this point they agree with Tomohisa Yukawa from Japan ; if they would follow the taxonomy of Eric Christenson the plants should be described as Phalaenopsis pulcherrima var . laotica .
Olaf Gruss In der Au 48 D-83224 Grassau , Germany
Third Quarter , Vol . 22 ( 1 & 2 ) 2012 - Phalaenopsis