Pinalia, commonly known as gremlin orchids,[2] is a genus of flowering plants in the family Orchidaceae. Orchids in this genus are large epiphytic or lithophytic plants with prominent pseudobulbs, each with up to three thin, flat leaves and cup-shaped, relatively short-lived flowers with scale-like brown hairs on the outside. There are about 120 species occurring from tropical to subtropical Asia to the south-west Pacific.

Pinalia
Pinalia amica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Podochileae
Subtribe: Eriinae
Genus: Pinalia
Lindl.[1]
Synonyms[1]

Description

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Orchids in the genus Pinalia are epiphytic or lithophytic, rarely terrestrial herbs with prominent, fleshy pseudobulbs that are covered with papery brown bracts when young. Each pseudobulb has up to three thin, leathery, linear to lance-shaped leaves. The flowers are resupinate, usually cup-shaped and last for a few days. The dorsal sepal is narrower than the lateral sepals which are attached at their base to the column to form a small ledge. The labellum is hinged to the base of the column and has three relatively small lobes.[2][3][4]

Distribution

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Orchids in the genus Pinalia occur in China (about 17 species), Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, the Indian subcontinent, the Andaman Islands, Laos, Myanmar, the Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Peninsular Malaysia, the Maluku Islands, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Queensland (Australia) and Samoa.[1]

Taxonomy and naming

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The genus Pinali was first formally described in 1826 by John Lindley who published the description in Orchidearum Sceletos.[1][5] The name Pinalia is based on an unpublished name suggested by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, derived from a Nepalese word meaning a type of forest yam.[6]

Species list

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Species accepted by Plants of the World Online as of February 2021:[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Pinalia". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. ^ a b Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 473. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. ^ D.L.Jones; T.Hopley; S.M.Duffy (2010). "Pinalia". Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids. Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  4. ^ Chen, Xinqi; Luo, Yi-Bo; Wood, Jeffrey J. "Pinalia". Flora of China. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  5. ^ "Pinalis". APNI. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  6. ^ Naive, Mark Arcebal; Ormerod, Paul (2018). "Pinalia jimcootesii (Orchidaceae: Eriinae), une nouvelle espèce endémique du sud des Philippines" (PDF). L'Orchidophile. 217: 141. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  7. ^ "Pinalia". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
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  •   Media related to Pinalia at Wikimedia Commons