Vanda ustii Gotamco, Claustro et de Mesa, SP. NOV. ANEW ORCHID SPECIES FROM THE CORDILLERA REGION OF LUZON ISLAND, PHILIPPINES by Andres S. Golamco, Jr, Alicia de Leon Claustro and Fr. Pompeyo de Mesa, O.P. ABSTRACT Vanda ustii, a species that is oftentimes confused with Vanda luzonica Loher ex Rolfe and Vanda merrili ‘Ames ex Quisumb. is described and illustrated as a ew species from the Cordillera Region of Luzon Island, Philippines. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Since the late "70s, flowering specimens of this new species, Vanda ustii Golamco, Claustro et de Mesa, Sp. nov., have appeared in the collections of Mr. and Mrs. Elias Javier of Kabukiran Orchids in Quezon City. Their plants came from a forested area near their nursery at Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya, just a few hundred meters from Dalton Pass, Its flowers, possessing a pale yellow color with white and deep red-magenta mid-lobe, look similar to Vanda luzonica. Thus, thinking that this unique species was just a color variant. In 1981, Mr. Kelvin B. Neil Manubay, an orchid species specialist and collector have acquired several blooming-sized specimens from his frequent visits to the actual sites. According to Mr. Manubay, there are several distinct features that distinguish it from Vanda luzonica, to wit 1. The inflorescence tends to develop almost terminally, ie., after 2 pairs of newly deve- loped strap-like leaves 2. The flowers have an unusually-shaped labellum; and 3. The flowers last from 6 to 8 days. In the October-December 1985 issue of the Philippine Orchid Review (Volume A-VII, No. 3, pp. 26-29), an article entitled "Is Anything New Under the Sun?” by ‘Arturo B. Rotor, this species was featured as a color variant, namely var. flava Perez, associating it closely to Vanda luzonica. The Philippines’ Book on Orchids by Andres S. Golamco, Jr., published in 1991, featured Vanda ustii as a possible new species. Another book on vandas, by Martin Motes, Ph.D. Vandas: Their Botany, History and Culture published in the USA in 1997, featured this species as Vanda luzonica var. immaculata (Plate 8-7, page 95). To end all the confusion, it was decided to describe the specimen into a species rank. However, it was also during this time that Ms. Carmen Escobar, 1997-1998 president of the Philippine Orchid Society (POS), was informed that the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila has expressed their intention to have an orchid species described for the University. This plant would have to bear flowers possessing the colors yellow, red and white ‘A few weeks later, a flowering orchid specimen was finally presented to the utmost excitement and satisfaction of the University’s representatives, Amazingly, the flowers satisfactorily matched the desired color requirements To complete the process, an orchid taxonomist, Mr. Danilo A. Tiu, was consulted. After some deliberations with the author on several choices for an appropriate name, the acronym U.S.T. was latinized to "ust" ( pronounced as yoo-es-tee-ee-ee) and was unanimously agreed upon to be used as the specific epithet with the genus name Vanda comprising the species name, Vanda ustil. TAXONOMY Vanda ustii Golamco, Claustro et de Mesa, sp. nov. Specimen collected at 1,250 meters above sea level in Imugan area, Nueva Vizcaya, Luzon Island, Philippines. Type specimen (UST-Gol and Claustro-1999-01) deposited at the Botany Department of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila DESCRIPTION Vanda ustii Golamco, Claustro et de Mesa, sp nov. is an herbaceous epiphyte of monopodial growth, habit found thriving on the uppermost branches of trees. Thick, cordiike roots are aerial and pendulous mostly developing at the lower portion of the stem. Roots are long (3 to 4 meters long) and branching The growth pattern is monopodial with the apex growing in an upward direction reaching a height of 2 to 3 meters, Large specimens oftentimes have clusters of Keikis (offshoots) surrounding the basal portion of the stem alin WPalras RecwLeaves are simple which are alternately arranged along each side of the stem. The smooth leathery Strap-ike leaves are dark to medium green in color. The ieaf apex has an unequal blobed feature with a characteriste “Lom” Inflorescence is racemous and axilary which develops at the basal portion of the 4" or 5" leaf. The inflorescence develops relatively fast, that is, taking only 16 to 18 days from the first sign of spike development to the ‘opening of the first flower. The flowers, numbering from 8 to 12, are positioned along the sides of the pendent inflorescence in a spiral flashion Flower size is 4 to 5.5 centimeters across. Shape is similar to Vanda merniii. Sepals and petals are creamy yellow with a silky texture. Some specimens have tan or old rose markings near the apices. After 4 or 5 days, the apices tend to stain with a light brown coloration Dorsal sepal 1.8 cm wide, 2.4 em long; petals 1.7 em wide, 2.3 cm long, lateral sepals 1.7 cm wide, 2.5 tm long: and labellum 1.3 cm wide, 1.8 cm long. Pedicel 0.2 cm wide, 5 cm long Labellum is tri-lobed with cordate mid-lobe and side- Jobes that are larger than those of Vanda luzonica and Vanda merrill, The side-lobes are white with magenta stripes at the undersides of the column. The mid-lobe is white with red-magenta coloration at the apex. Polinia are paired and yellow, larger than those of Vanda luzonica. The stigmatic area is small, shallow and narrow. The plants of Vanda usti! blooms at an early stage con young plants with stems 4 inches high. The species is free blooming, that is, flowering 4 to 6 times a year. Flowers last from 6 to 8 days. For further elucidation of the individual characteristics of Vanda stil, Vanda luzonica and Vanda merrill, please refer to Table 1 and Figures 1,2, and 3. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Vanda ustif is endemic to the eastern-forested areas of the Sierra Madre Mountains from Nueva Vizcaya to Hugao Provinces, at elevations between 1,250 to 1,500 meters. Daytime temperatures range from 25° to 36° Celsius and nighttime temperatures from 14° to 23° Celsius. The species readily adapts well in cultivation at lower elevations as ong as additional shade and humidity is adequately provided for. DESCRIPTIO Vanda ustii Golamco, Claustro et de Mesa, sp. nov., herba epiphytica, increment habitus monopodialis jn supremis ramis arborum, Wang Wing Raow 10 rae et pendulae, dices crassae et funiceae, 36! Jere in inferore parte stipis evolutae. Redices 3 plerumaue mo esq ad exam extendontes monopodialis, cumque apice 2 m-3 m. Specimina tem inferiorem Incrementi habitus, mone ycum crescente usque Fragna saepe fascioulos keikis habenta, Pa stipis circumdentia, Jices, alternatim in unoquoque latere Frondes leves, scorteae, colores fusce idis inequalis br-/obataecum propria Frondes simpl stipis dispositae vindls. Apex fron ‘cum “Lfigura’: Flos racemes et axillaris evolvens in parte inferiore quai et quint frondis. Flos relative velociter evolvitur, Fein 16 diebus a prima indicatione. cuspidis evolutione uusque ad apertionem primi flor. Flores, numero 5-12, in lateribus flonis pendentis more incurvo collocantar. -5.5 cm horizontaliter. Forma similis ‘Sepala et petala coloris flavi, textura roclvitatem habentes Amplitudo: 4 Vanda meri serica. Post 4 vel 5 dies, apices pi esse fulvi colors. Sepalum posterius: 1.8 cm latum, 2.4 cm longum; petala’ 1.7 cm lata, 2.3 om longa; sepalum laterale: 1.7 fm latum, 2.5 cm longum. labellum: 1.3 om latum, 1.8 ‘cm longum, pedicelum: 0.2 om latum, 5 cm longum. Labellum tr-lobatum una cum funiceo lobo medio et lobis lateralibus majora sunt lobis Vanda luzonica et Vanda merrilii. Loba lateralia alba cum lineis violaceis inlateribus inferioribus columnae. Lobum medium album cum coloratione rubro-violacea in apice. Pollonia jugata et favia magnus quam Vanda luzonica. Locus stigmaticus parvus, levus et angustus Plantae Vanda ustiiflorescunt iam in statu initiall in plantis novellis cum stirpibus 4 digits altis. Species libere florecunt, ie. quarter usque sexies in anno. Flores supervivunt 6 bis 8 diebus. Ulterior explanatio circa naturam propriam Vanda ustii, Vanda luzonica et Vanda merrill, videri potest in Tabella 1 et Figuris 1, 2 et 3. SEDES ET DISTRIBUTIO Vanda ustii Golamco, Claustro et de Mesa, sp. nov. nativa in silvis orientalibus Montium Sierra Madre a Nuova Vizcaya et Hugao, im atitudine inter 1,260 et ,500 m, Temperatura diurnal 25 bis 35 Celsius, temperatura, nocturna: 14 bis 23 Celsius. Species sese prompte et bene accomodat cultui in inferioribus locis, dummodo sufficienter provideatur additis umbra et humiditate. (Latin description by Fr. Pompeyo de M ae ipeyo de Mesa of theur Flower © sve © Color, form © Sepals, petals © Labellum © Texture © Substance © © Oterfeatures © Roos Vanda ustii Golamco, Claustro et de Mesa © Near apex (4-5 leaf base node) © Pendent, 25-30 om long © Spike developmentto 1st fower = 1610 18 days © 40-55 cmacoss © Yellow (ight) © In some cultivars, wih tan or old rose markings © 45° and twisting backwards © White side-obes, larger © MictJobe with white lateral lobes and red-magenta apex No stripes at base of micHobe Form cordate Profile convex Sides of mictlobe sightly curve cownnards © Siky © Thick © Concentrated basally Vanda luzonica Loher ex Rolfe © 6-9 leaf base node © Pendent, 50-60 cm long © Spike developmentto ‘st fower = 25days © 65-75cmacross © White with magenta blotches © 45? and arching sideways to overiap lateral sepals slightly (horizontal stance) © White sidelobes, smaller ‘Mictlobe with white lateral lobes and ‘magenta apex Four stipes at base of micobe Form spade-lke and slightly cleted Profle fat surface Sides of mitobe bent backwards © siky © Thick © Roots freely and to the top sides of the stem Vanda merrillii Ames ex Quisumbing © 6 -Pleat base node © Pendent 25-30 om long © Spike developmentto tstfower = 25days © 35-45cmacuss © Yelow wih red-maroon markings with yellow border or outine © 45° andbentbackwards © Lightyelow sidelobes, smaller (© Micobe with yello lateral iobes and re- ‘maroon markings at apex © Sicstipes at base of micobe © Form spade-tke and slightly clefted © Profle shoe-shaped with raised apex (© Sides of michlobe bent backwards © Lacquered © Hard, cardboardike © Rois freely and to the top sides of the stemer arr) Fira UPAD © 45° angle-undulated margins (© 45% angle-unduated margins © Nopigmentation © Two. Equetsved and raised © Two. Equalsized and raised. © Lager © Smaller © apex; clefted: unequally blobed © V-apex, very cefted, unequal bilobed © 6 to8days © 24days (+) © Free-biooring (© February to March, August to ‘September © 41012 © 101018 © Sierra Madre, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao © Nueva Vizcaya, Negros © = 1,250t0 1,500 meters © = 1,250to 1,500 meters Table 1. Comparative descriptions of Vanda ustii Golamco, Claustro et de Mesa, Vanda luzonica Loher ex Rolfe, and Vanda merrillii ames ex Quisumb.BIBLIOGRAPHY Golamco, Andres S., Jr. Philippines’ Book_on Orchids. Cainta, Rizal: Jemma Publishing, Inc., 1991 Motes, Martin R. Vandas: Their Botany, History, and Culture. Oregon: Timber Press, 1997. Plates 8-7 and 95. Rotor, Arturo B. “Is There Anything New Under the Sun" Philippine Orchid Review. Volume AVI, No.3 (October-December 1985): 26-29, Valmayor, Helen L., Ph.D. Orchidiana Philippiniana Philippines: Eugenio Lopez Foundation, Inc., 1984. RESOURCE PERSONS 1. Aureada, Antonio, O.P. Dean of Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 2, Claustro, Alicia de Leon, MS Botany. Former faculty member - College of Science, Pharmacy, Graduate School, Ecclesiastical Studies. University of Santo Tomas, Manila. 3. de Mesa, Pompeyo, O.P. University of Santo Thomas, Manila Escobar, Carmen. Former Philippine Orchid Society (POS) President, 1997-1998. Valley Road, Quezon City. 5. Javier, Elias and Alice Javier. Kabukiran Orchids, 81 Maginoo Street, Quezon City. 6. Kanapi, Carmen, Ph.D. Former Dean, Graduate School and College of Science, University of Santo Thomas, Manila. 7. Manubay, Kelvin Neil B. Orchid collector. Paranaque City, Metro Manila 8. Pajes, Paulina, Ph.D. University of the Philippines at Los Banos. Presently based in Bukidnon Province, Mindanao 9. Sarmiento, Francisco Ill E., M.D. Orchid Collector. Malabon, Metro Manila 40. Tiu, Danilo A. Orchid taxonomist. Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila