Biermannia jainiana

Biermannia jainiana is a critically endangered species of orchid found only in Arunachal Pradesh of India.

Description

This orchid is an epiphyte with a 4 to 7 cm stem with many roots. The leaves are 6 to 15 cm long and 1.2 to 2.5 cm wide and can be 8 in numbers. The flowers are raceme and 2 to 6 individuals and can be 3 to 6 cm long. The flowers are white and sepals have a pale yellow base. The lip is white with brown hairs inside and the petals have 3 nerves.

Distribution

This species is known only from forests near Sessa orchid sanctuary in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Etymology

This orchid was named in honor of S.K.Jain director of Botanical Survey of India.

Ecology

It was recorded from the dense evergreen moist forests found at an attitude of 1200 meters. This orchid being epiphyte was found growing on trunks of Schima wallichi and Toona cilliata trees. It flowers and fruits between March and April.

Conservation and threats

In a 2018 survey, only 10 mature individuals were found in an area less than 10 km² at the buffer zone of Sessa Wildlife sanctuary making it vulnerable to illegal logging of its host trees.