Newly identified Philippine orchid faces extinction risk

In a newly published paper, Filipino orchid researcher Derek Cabactulan and Australian orchid specialist Jim E. Cootes formally named the species Aerides jannae, confirming it as new to science following investigations into cultivated plants and historical records.

According to the study, Aerides jannae was rediscovered in fragmented forests in Basilan Island, part of the Sulu Archipelago, where it grows as an epiphyte – – – a plant that grows on another plant for support – – – in secondary forests at around 500 meters above sea level.

The researchers said the orchid produces long, pendulous inflorescences bearing up to 40 faintly scented flowers.

They added that its blooms are predominantly dark purple, with some specimens displaying light ochre lateral lobes marked with minute purple spots, and a short, strongly incurved spur.

“Aer. jannae was once widely distributed throughout the Sulu Archipelago but is now becoming scarce due to habitat destruction, agricultural land conversion and past overcollection,” the authors said.

“Because of its limited distribution area with a very small population, we place this species under the IUCN category as Endangered,” they added.

The specific epithet honors Janna, described in the study as the mother of the rediscoverer of the provenance of the species, with “al-Janna” being the Arabic word for paradise.

The study noted that some residents cultivate the orchid as domestic plants, with specimens previously collected from former logging concession areas and converted forest lands used for rubber and coconut plantations.

In addition, the researchers clarified that the orchid had long been misidentified in cultivation and was previously misapplied as Aerides ×burbidgei, a natural hybrid, or confused with similar Indonesian species. — Jel Santos