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Scientia Horticulturae
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Short communication
Taxonomic revision of Dendrobium moniliforme complex (Orchidaceae)
Jin Xiaohua *, Chen Singchi, Luo Yibo
Herbarium (PE), Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanxinchun 20, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
A R T I C L E I N F O
A B S T R A C T
Article history:
Received 29 February 2008
Received in revised form 6 October 2008
Accepted 8 October 2008
Taxonomic revision of Dendrobium moniliforme complex is presented. D. moniliforme complex is
characterized by the even slim stems, bracts with brownish zone, semi-spherical anther cap and the hairy
disc of lip. Dendrobium tosaense, Dendrobium officinale and Dendrobium guangxiense were excluded by
having membranous bracts lacking brownish zone, anther cap conical and bifid. Two species are
recognized in this complex, i.e., D. moniliforme and Dendrobium wilsonii. D. wilsonii differs from D.
moniliforme by having elliptic leaves about 1.3–2 cm wide, dorsal sepal 3.0–4.0 cm long, 0.6–0.9 cm wide,
petals elliptic to oblong, 3.0–4.0 cm long, 1.0–1.5 cm wide, lip elliptic to ovate–lanceolate, 2.6–3 cm long,
1.2–1.5 cm wide.
ß 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords:
Dendrobium candidum
Dendrobium hennanense
Dendrobium houshanense
Dendrobium moniliforme
Dendrobium wilsonii
Taxonomic revision
1. Introduction
The genus Dendrobium Sw., one of the largest genera in
Orchidaceae about 800–1400 species, is widespread from China,
India, Japan through Malaya, Indonesia to New Guinea, Australia,
New Zealand and the Pacific Islands (Garay and Sweet, 1974; Pearce
and Cribb, 2002; Seidenfaden, 1985; Tsi, 1999; Wood, 2006).
Dendrobium occupies an important position in ornamental orchid
cut flower industry (Limpanavech et al., 2008; Martin and Madassery,
2006). Most species in sect. Dendrobium are important raw materials
for Chinese herb medicine, Shihu (Bao et al., 2001; Hu, 1971; Kimura,
1936). However, it is confused and inconsistent of the taxonomic
treatments about sectional or generic delimitation and the taxonomy
of species complex over large area of its distribution region.
Dendrobium moniliforme complex belong to sect. Dendrobium.
There are two to ten entities in this complex, distributed in Eastern
Asia and Himalaya regions, viz. from Japan through Korean, China
to Nepal and India in the north limit of Dendrobium and the alpine
regions (Garay and Sweet, 1974; Pearce and Cribb, 2002; Tsi, 1999;
Wood, 2006). D. moniliforme was selected as the lectotype of the
genus Dendrobium (Holttum et al., 1979). But the taxonomic
treatment of this complex is quite confused and inconsistent.
Garay and Sweet (1974) considered Dendrobium catenatum Lindl.
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (J. Xiaohua).
as a synonym of D. moniliforme, Dendrobium tosaense Makino as
separate species. Tsi (1999) treated Dendrobium flexicaule Z.H. Tsi,
S.C. Sun & L.G. Xu, Dendrobium guangxiense S.J. Cheng & C.Z. Tang,
Dendrobium huoshanense S.J. Cheng & C.Z. Tang, D. moniliforme,
Dendrobium officinale Kimura & Migo, D. tosaense, and Dendrobium
wilsonii Rolfe as distinct species, while D. catenatum as a synonym
of D. moniliforme. Pearce and Cribb (2002) reduced D. officinale as a
synonym of Dendrobium candidum Lindl. Ormerod (2002) was first
to include D. tosaense Makino and Dendrobium stricklanianum Rchb.
f. in the synonyms of D. catenatum, and treated D. flexicaule as
synonym of Dendrobium scorianum. Su (2000) stated that D.
moniliforme distributed from Japan through Korean Peninsula and
China to Northeast India. Wood (2006) suggested that D. wilsonii
and D. candidum were conspecific with D. moniliforme, while D.
officinale, D. guangxiense and D. huoshanense were synonyms of D.
catenatum, and Dendrobium henanense J.L. Lu & L.X. Gao were
submerged with D. flexicaule. However, few authors supplied with
evidence of their treatments.
There are several factors contributed to these confusions, such
as D. moniliforme in itself is widespread and variable, the absence of
specimens for comparison, few characters available for the
taxonomy of Dendrobium, etc. So the primary aim of our research
was to make the taxonomical revision of this complex based on
field observation and specimen examination. In total, about 300
specimens of this complex were examined. Our fieldwork covered
Anhui, Chongqing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Sichuan,
Yunnan and Zhejiang Provinces in mainland China.
0304-4238/$ – see front matter ß 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2008.10.002
Please cite this article in press as: Xiaohua, J., et al., Taxonomic revision of Dendrobium moniliforme complex (Orchidaceae). Sci. Hortic.
(2008), doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2008.10.002
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2. Results
It is not difficult to distinguish the members of D. moniliforme
complex from other members of sect. Dendrobium. All members of
this complex have even slim stems, leaves with uneven bilobed
tips, inflorescence mostly arising from the defoliate stems,
membranous bracts with brownish and transverse zone, flowers
usually whitish, lip disc usually with hairs, anther cap semispherical. Some species, such as D. catenatum, D. flexicaule, D.
guangxiense and D. officinale were excluded from this complex by
having membranous bracts without brownish zone, flowers with
different colour pattern, anther cap nearly conical and deeply bifid,
lip disc with calli or hairs.
D. candidum is closely allied to D. moniliforme within the
complex, such as the size and shape of leaves and flowers. Wood
(2006) treated them as conspecific. D. candidum differs from the
latter by having raceme with rachis ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 cm
long. Our examination of specimens indicated that rachis usually
was present in specimens from region west of Tanaka-Kaiyong
Line, while it was absent in most specimens from regions east of
Tanaka-Kaiyong Line. The Tanaka-Lang Line was considered as the
divide between Sino-Japan and Sino-Himalaya-China floras (Lang,
1994; Li and Li, 1997; Möller et al., 2007). However, specimens
with rachis occasionally occurred in the region east of TanakaKaiyong Line.
The specimens labeled as D. huoshanense and D. henanense
differ from other members of the complex by stems less than 8 cm
long. Most diagnostic characters of this entity, such as the size and
shape of leaves and floral parts, are similar to those of D.
moniliforme. These entities prefer the temperate humid forest,
discovered in Anhui, Henan, Hunan and Guizhou Provinces,
sympatric with the D. moniliforme.
D. wilsonii is a distinct species, distinguished from all other
members of complex by its elliptic leaves 1.3–2 cm wide, about
1 cm long rachis, larger size of flowers, and ovate–elliptic lip.
Therefore, we recognized two species in D. moniliforme
complex, viz. D. wilsonii and D. moniliforme.
3. Taxonomic treatments
3.1. Key to species
1 Leaves elliptic, 4–8.2 cm long, 1.3–2.1 cm wide; dorsal sepal
3–4 cm long, 0.6–0.9 cm wide; petals elliptic to oblong, 3.0–4.0 cm
long, 1.0–1.5 cm wide; lip elliptic to ovate–lanceolate, 2.6–3 cm
long, 1.2–1.5 cm wide—D. wilsonii.
1 Leaves lanceolate, 4–7.5 cm long, 0.3–1.1 cm wide; dorsal
sepal 1.2–2 cm long, 0.2–0.5 cm wide; petal elliptic to lanceolate, 1–2.3 cm long, 0.4–0.9 cm wide, lip rhomboid, ovate,
triangular to lanceolate, 1.1–2.5 cm long, 0.5–1.4 cm wide—D.
moniliforme.
D. moniliforme (L.) Sw. in Nov. Acta Soc. Sci. Upsall. 6:85. 1799.
Epidendrum moniliforme L., Sp. Pl. ed. l, 954. 1753. Type: Japan.
Dendrobium crispulum Kimura et Migo in J. Shanghai Sci. Inst. III,
3: 123, t6B (8, 10). 1936. Type: China, Zhejiang (Holotype, TI).
Dendrobium nienkui C.L. Tso in Sunyatsenia 1(2–3):142. 1933.
Type: China, Kwangtung, Lokchong, on rocks, N.K. Chun 43046
(Holotype, IBSC!).
D. candidum Wall. ex Lindl. in Bot. Reg. 24: misc. 36, no. 54
(1838). Type: India, Nungclow, Khasia Hilld, Gibson s.n. (Holotype,
KEW).
Dendrobium castum Baten ex Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron.: 943. 1868.
D. huoshanense C.Z. Tang & S.J. Cheng in Bull. Bot. Res. 4(3): 141–
145. Types: China, Anhui, Houshan Co., Changchong, alt. 500 m,
under forest, Wang Lizhi 001 (Holotype IBSC!, isotype PE!).
Dendrobium funiushanense T.B. Chao, Z.X. Chen & Z. K. Chen, l.c.
12(1):119. 1992. Type: Hennan, Nan-zhao Xian, May 18, 1986, T.B.
Chao & Z.K. Chen No. 865181 (Holotype, Herbarium, Hennan
Agricultural University!).
D. henanense J. L. Lu & L. X. Gao, Bull. Bot. Res. 10 (4):29. 1990.
Type: China, Henan, Lingbao, alt. 1240 m, May 30, 1987, Wang
Yucai 032 (Holotype, Herbarium, Hennan Agricultural University!).
Dendrobium kosepangii C.L. Tso, l.c. 1 (2–3):141. 1933. Type:
China, Kwangtung, Sunyi, Funshui, April 17, 1931, S.P. Ko 51345
(Holotype, IBSC!).
Dendrobium spathaceum Lindl. in J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Bot. 3:15.
1859. Type: India, Sikkim, Hooker 143 (Holotype, KEW!).
Dendrobium yunnanense Finet in Bull. Soc. Bot. France 44:419, t.
12. Fig. A–H. 1877. Type: China, Lami, near the River Namna
(Holotype, KEW!).
Dendrobium zonatum Rolfe in Linn. Soc. Bot. 36:13. 1903. Type:
China, Yunnan, Fengchenlin, Mountain forest, alt. 7000 ft, A. Henry
10668 (Holotype, KEW!).
Representative specimens examined.
BHUTAN: Trongsa, near Dorji Gompa, 2700 m, Y. Dorji, N. Pearce
& P. Cribb 30 (KEW!).
CHINA: Anhui, Huoshan county, Wang Lizhi 03 (PE);
Dabieshan Mts, Wang Lizhi 01 (PE!); Fujian, Dehua, 1000 m;
W2 (PE!); Guangdong, Nanxiong, Deng Liang 6301 (PE!, KUN!);
Lechang, S.P. Kwok 80687 (PE!); Guangxi, Quanzhou, T.T. Tsoong
82030 (AMES!); Longsheng, 900 m, Team of Guangfulin 90 (PE!);
Chuanhsien, Z.S. Chung 81613 (KUN!); Guizhou, Kuiyang, E.
Bodinier 2210 (E!); Kaili, Leigongping, 800 m, Qian-nan Team
3462 (PE!, KUN!); Henan, Shongxian, Longchimang, Herbarium
of Hennan Institute of Biology, 006102 (s.n. 0031!); Sichuan,
Leibo, in forest, Team of Institute of Botany 0297 (PE!); Omei,
E.H. Wilson 11108 (AMES!); Tianquan, 2400 m, K.L. Chu, 2559
(E!); Taiwan, Bunkiko 1500 m, Faurie 1809 (AMES!); Ming-Hsien
Chen T.Y. Liu 174 (AMES!); 2257 m, J. Linsley Gressitt 178
(AMES!); Yunnan, Forrest G. 19960 (KEW!); Fugong County,
Gaoligongshan Mts, 2700 m, X.H. Jin 6913 (PE!); Gengma,
Daizhu and Waizhu Automnous county, 1700 m, C.W. Wang
72946 (PE!, KUN!); Gongshan county, Shi-gi-tung, Champu,
C.W. Wang 67458 (KUN!); Gongshan, Dulongjiang, Expedition
team of Dulong Jiang Team 4866 (KUN); Lushui, Liuku, 1500 m,
Z.H. Tsi 94-47 (PE!); Jingdong, Ma Yuezhong 37 (PE!); J.
Cavalerie 2817 (E!); Jingdong, Mashugui 4602 (KUN!); Longsheng, Second district, Team of Guangfulin 86 (PE!); Pingbian,
Daweishan, 2000 m, Sino-USSR Team 4506 (PE!); Ward F.K. 214
(E!); Wenshan, 1050 m, Z.H. Tsi 94–46 (PE); Yangbi, middle part
of Cangshan Mts., R.C. Ching 22598 (PE!, KUN!); Tibet, Bomi
County, Tangmai, 2000 m, T. Naito, K.Y. Lang, Y. Tateishi, T.
Nemoto & B.S. Li 950 (PE!); Ding Jie County, 2500 m, Team of
Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau 5674 (KUN!).
INDIA: Yehri, Garhwil, Mackinnois 24155 (AMES!); Sikkim,
Laling, Lachu Valley, 7000 ft, Pantling 367 (KEW!).
JAPAN: Ohsumi, Kyushu, Island. Yaku-shima, Kami-yaku-choo,
Kusukawa, Kusu river, 200 m, Miyoshi Furuse 10885 (PE!); Mino,
Buyi, Micho Kumunada 9172 (AMES!); Mino, Kaigami, Kenzo
Shiota 2201 (AMES!); Nagasaki, R. Oldham 831 (KEW!).
KOREAN ARCHIPELAGO: R. Oldham 1050 (KEW!);
MYANMAR: Between Tibet, Assam, and Myanmar. Chin Hills,
Haka, 6500 ft, 1910, F.E.W. Venning 57 (KEW!).
NEPAL: Near Lumsum, 7500 ft, Stainton, Sykes & Williams 2582
(P!); Kachin State, Seinghku Wang, 6000 ft, F.K. Ward 6725
(KEW!); Kumaon, 3000 ft, R. Stachey & J.E. Winterbotton 8 (KEW!);
Taquet 1692 (KEW!); Wallich s.n. (KEW!).
It seems that Dendrobium okinawense Hatusima & Ida is
polyploidy and D. moniliforme is one of ancestors based on the
Please cite this article in press as: Xiaohua, J., et al., Taxonomic revision of Dendrobium moniliforme complex (Orchidaceae). Sci. Hortic.
(2008), doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2008.10.002
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protologue and description of character presented by Chung and
Lu (2007). However, there is no specimen available for examination.
D. wilsonii Rofle in Gard. Chron. ser. 3, 39:185. 1906. Type:
China, Western China, E.H. Wilson 4621 (KEW!).
D. kwangtungense C.L. Tso in Sunyatsenia 1:140. 1933. Type:
China, Guangdong, Lokchong, C.L. Tso 22743 (Holotype IBSC!,
isotype KUN!).
Representative specimens examined.
CHINA: Sichuan, Omei, S.S. Chien 5554 (E!), W.P. Fang 15137
(AMES!, KUN!), Farges R.P. P00386214 (P!), Xing Gongxia, Lang
Kaiyong 1141A (PE!), Xiong Jihua, Zhang Shoushi et Jiang Xinglin
32771 (PE!); Meishan County, Wanshengqu, Sichuan Economic
expedition team 5260 (PE!); Mabian County, Dilan, 1130 m, T.H. Tu
5635 (PE!); Leibo, Zhongshanping 1300 m, Sichuan Economic
Expedition Team 0472 (PE!); Hubei, Hanfeng County, Shanxiang,
1300 m, Dai L.K. et Qian Chonghai 716 (PE!); Hunan, Xiangxi, 1350
m, Team of Shuanzhi Forest Institute 0510 (KUN!); Guizhou,
Zhunyi, ShanpanQu, Qianbei Expedition team 0158 (PE!).
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to the curators of AMES, E, IBSC, K, KUN, and P
for the loan of specimens. This research was supported by the
Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of
Sciences (KSCX2-YW-Z-061), by a grant for the construction of
scientific and technological platforms from the Chinese Ministry of
Science and Technology (2005DKA21006), by a grant of Shanghai
Forest and Garden Bureau (G069901) and by a grant of National
Natural Science Foundation of China (30600037).
3
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