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Tiger claw orchid (Aerides obyrneana), a new species from Sulawesi

NEWS - The new orchid species previously known locally as the tiger claw orchid was inspired by the chin of the flower in the genus Aeride which is shaped like a curved cone and has a sharp tip like a tiger's claw. The new taxon identified through a long series of observations in May 2024 is endemic to North Sulawesi, namely Aerides obyrneana.

Tiger claw orchid (Aerides obyrneana), a new species from Sulawesi 1

At least five species of Aerides were previously recorded in Indonesia, including A. odorata which is widespread in Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, the Nusa Tenggara islands, and Sulawesi. A. timorana was recorded in the Nusa Tenggara islands. Three other endemic species recorded in Sulawesi are A. huttonii, A. inflexa, and A. thibautiana.

"This new species has attractive flowers with a rare color combination in the genus. The sepals and petals are purplish white with bright yellow-green lips," said Destario Metusala from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).



Metusala said the epithet obyrneana in this new species was taken from the name of the late Peter O’Byrne, an orchid observer and author of various orchid taxonomic references in the Southeast Asian region, especially Sulawesi.

Tiger claw orchid (Aerides obyrneana), a new species from Sulawesi 2

This new orchid lives in its natural habitat as an epiphyte that grows attached to the surface of tree trunks, but is not a parasite that harms the host tree. The size is not too big, the leaf stem is around 10-16 cm high.

The leaves are alternate and elongated like ribbons with a span of 4-13 cm. Some of the attached roots are up to 60 cm long with the function of absorbing moisture from the air and tree bark, as well as a place to store water reserves.
The flowers are 2.4-2.6 cm wide when in full bloom. The sepals and petals are stiff and waxy, the lips are three-lobed with a flabellate middle lobe and split into four lobules and serrated edges. The spur is curved and usually contains nectar.

Tiger claw orchid (Aerides obyrneana), a new species from Sulawesi 3

The habitat of A. obyrneana is the edge of a semi-open forest with good air circulation and a light intensity of 50-70%. The morphology of narrow elongated leaves, fairly thick tissue, and the upper surface with cuticles indicate adaptation to low humidity, temperature and high light intensity.

Metusala said the character of the flower from Sulawesi is similar to A. upcmae which is endemic to the Philippines and A. houlletiana from the Indochina region. The striking difference is in the middle lobe of the flower lip which is fan-shaped and wide and splits to form four chambers, the character of the callus which extends on the surface of the middle lobe and the callus ornament on the chin.

Tiger claw orchid (Aerides obyrneana), a new species from Sulawesi 4

A. obyrneana has a limited natural distribution range. The threat of habitat destruction and the potential for hunting in nature to meet commercial trade demand. Usually, the discovery of new orchid species will drive high demand from hobbyists. The Aeride genus is called the most beautiful in Indonesia.

"The importance of cooperation between various parties, including the hobbyist community, to jointly carry out sustainable conservation efforts and this forest jewelry does not become extinct," said Metusala.

Original research

D. Metusala. A New Species of Aerides (Aeridinae: Orchidaceae) from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Edinburgh Journal of Botany, Vol. 81 (2024). DOI:10.24823/ejb.2024.2001

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