Genus Bolusiella

Bolusiella fractiflexa Droissart, Stévart & Verlynde, Phytotaxa 114: 7 (2013).
Description:
Epiphytic herb with non-branching stem, 4–5 mm and 1 mm internodes. Leaves not deeply sulcate on upper surface, 15–20 × 4–5 mm, pointed at apex. Inflorescences 28–36 mm long, with a fractiflex base, 6–9 flowered, clustered at apex (10 mm long). Floral bract black, triangular, larger than flowers, 4.0–5.0 × 2.4–2.8 mm with an acuminate apex, sheathing, imbricate in the sterile portion of the inflorescence. Flowers 2.5–3.2 mm long, 1–2 mm diameter, 1 mm apart from each other. Dorsal sepal triangular, 1.8–2.8 × 0.9–1.0 mm. Lateral sepals triangular, 1.9–2.4 × 0.7–1.2 mm, carinate, with a basal pouch-like outgrowth. Petals triangular, 1.3–2.0 × 1.0 mm. Lip broadly triangular, 1.1–1.8 × 1.0–1.2 mm. Spur conical, short, 1.1 mm long, 0.6 mm diameter or almost absent in the Cameroon specimens. Column 0.4–0.8 mm long. Ovary 1.0–1.6 mm long and 0.5–0.8 mm in diameter.
Etymology:
The specific epithet refers to the shape of the basal part of the inflorescence that represents a diagnostic character of the species.
Habitat:
In Cameroon, living specimens were collected on fallen branches of 8–10 cm diameter, in lowland semi-deciduous forests under partial cultivation (banana and cocoa plantations). In Rwanda, the species was collected in montane forest with Parinari excelsa Sabine (1824: 451) and Syzygium guineense (Willd.) de Candolle (1828: 259). Flowering peak in September.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Notes:
This species is morphologically similar to Bolusiella maudiae and Bolusiella talbotii (Rendle, 1913: 108) Summerh. in Hutchinson & Dalziel (1936: 456) in its floral and vegetative features. It differs from Bolusiella maudiae in the shape of its leaves, which do not have a rounded apex, and it differs from Bolusiella talbotii in its fleshier leaves. In addition, the sinuate shape of the basal part of the inflorescence and reduced or absent spur easily distinguish it from both other species.
Distribution:
Lower Guinea Domain and Afromontane Region (Kivu-Ruwenzori regional mountain system): Cameroon, Burundi and Rwanda.
References:
WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 19.02-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
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Bolusiella zenkeri (Kraenzl.) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36(2): 106 (1918).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Listrostachys zenkeri Kraenzl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 19: 252 (1894).
Angraecum zenkeri (Kraenzl.) Engl. in H.G.A.Engler & O.Drude, Veg. Erde 9(II): 421 (1908).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Listrostachys batesii Rolfe in D.Oliver & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Trop. Afr. 7: 167 (1897).
Bolusiella batesii (Rolfe) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36(2): 106 (1918).
Description:
Epiphytic herb with non-branching stem, 12-15 mm long, and internodes1-4 mm long. Leaves not deeply sulcate on upper surface, 32-65 x 6-8 mm, acinaciform, rounded at the apex. Inflorescence 44(18)-91(211) mm long, 5-23 flowered. Floral bracts brown, widely triangular, smaller than flowers, 1.5-2.3 x 1.4-3.2 mm, with an acuminate apex, sheathing, not imbricate in the sterile portion of the inflorescence. Flowers 4.3-6.0 mm long, 3.1-5.2 mm diameter, 1-2 mm apart from each other. Dorsal sepal narrowly triangular, 3.0-5.0 x 1.1-1.8 mm. Lateral sepals narrowly triangular, 3.3-5.0 x 1.0-1.8 mm, carinate. Petals triangular, 2.4-4.1 x 1.1-2.0 mm, slightly carinate. Lip narrowly triangular, 2.4-3.9 x 1.0-1.2 mm. Spur cylindrical, with a right angle to partially curled under the lip, 1.8-3.0 mm long, 0.5-1.0 mm diameter. Column 1.1-2.1 mm long. Ovary 1.1-2.0 mm long, 0.7-1.0 mm diameter.
Etymology:
The species is dedicated to Georg August Zenker, collector of the type species.
Habitat:
Epiphyte in humid forests, secondary humid forests and plantations of cocoa and coffee. This species is found from 100-1,000 m elevation. Flowering peaks in March, August-October and December.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Notes:
Kraenzlin described Listrostachys zenkeri in 1894 with only the specimen Zenker 623, which is then automatically the holotype. In 1900, Schlechter published the name Angraecum zenkeri, citing two specimens (Schlechter 12745, 12900), which is considered as a legitimate combination according to ICBN Article 41.5. This renders the combination of Engler (1908) illegitimate. In 1915, Kraenzlin (1915: 395) amended the description of Listrostachys zenkeri and cited Zenker 3356 as a new specimen, stating that this specimen better represented his taxon than Zenker 623. In 1918, he transferred Listrostachys zenkeri to Bolusiella without citing any specimens, but citing A. zenkeri as a synonym. Despite intensive search in main herbaria (BM, BR, BRLU, K, MA, P, WAG and YA), the type specimen, Zenker 623 and Schlechter 12900 have not been found. Therefore suspect that they were destroyed during the Second World War in 1943 in the burning of Berlin Herbarium.
Distribution:
Upper and Lower Guinea Domains: Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko and Rio Muni), Gabon and Republic of Congo. This taxon is recorded here from Liberia for the first time.
References:
Taxonomic revision of the genus Bolusiella (Orchidaceae, Angraecinae) with a new species from Cameroon, Burundi and Rwanda,by Simon Verlynde, Jean-yves Dubuisson, Tariq Stévart, Murielle simo-Droissart, Daniel Geerinck, Bonaventure Sonké, Valérie Cawoy, Pascal Descourvières & Vincent Droissart, Phytotaxa 114 (1): 1-22 (2013); WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 24.02-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 24.02-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
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Bolusiella talbotii (Rendle) Summerh. in J.Hutchinson & J.M.Dalziel, Fl. W. Trop. Afr. 2: 456 (1936).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Angraecum talbotii Rendle, Cat. Pl. Oban: 108 (1913).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Bolusiella alinae Szlach., Fl. Cameroun 36: 682 (2001).
Description:
Epiphytic herb with non-branching stems, 2-15 mm long, internodes 0.5-5.0 mm long. Leaves not deeply sulcate on upper surface, 15-44 x 0.5-7 mm, with an acute apex. Inflorescences 11-110 mm long, 2-22 flowered. Floral bracts triangular, 1.7-3.1 x 1.3-2.2 mm, smaller than flowers, apex acuminate, brown, sheathing, and not imbricate in the sterile portion of the inflorescence. Flowers 3.0-5.1 mm long and 2.0-3.5 mm diameter, 1-3 mm apart from one another. Dorsal sepal narrowly triangular, 1.7-4.0 x 0.9-1.2 mm. Lateral sepals triangular, 2.0-4.0 x 0.8-1.3 mm, carinate. Petals triangular, 1.7-3.3 x 0.8-1.3 mm. Lip partially trilobed, 1.6-3.0 mm x 0.9-1.5 mm. Spur cylindrical or conical, at a right angle with the lip, 1.3-2.3 mm long and 0.5-1.0 mm diameter. Column 0.6-1.2 mm long. Ovary, 1.0-1.4 mm long, 0.5-0.8 mm diameter.
Etymology:
Rendle (1913) named this species in honor of collectors of the type, Mr and Mrs P.A. Talbot.
Habitat:
Epiphyte in dense humid forests, river banks, inselbergs, undisturbed to disturbed areas and sometimes in direct sunlight. This species is found from 100-500 m elevation.
Phenology:
Flowering peaks in January-March and May-November.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus, warm to cool growing epiphyte.
Distribution:
Widespread in tropical Africa: Guinea Conakry, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Sâo Tomé & Principe, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (Annobon, Bioko, Rio Muni), Gabon, Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania.
References:
Encyclopedia of Cultivated Orchids Hawkes 1987 genus only; Flora of Tropical East Africa Orchidaceae Part 3 Cribb 1989; African Orchids in the Wild and Cultivation La Croix 1997; Angraecoid Orchids Stewart, Hermans, Campbell 2006; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 24.02-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
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Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ
Photograph© Ehoarn Bidault/ Missouri Botanical Garden. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Ehoarn Bidault/ Missouri Botanical Garden. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Ehoarn Bidault/ Missouri Botanical Garden. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Ehoarn Bidault/ Missouri Botanical Garden. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Ehoarn Bidault/ Missouri Botanical Garden. Image used with kind permission.

Bolusiella maudiae (Bolus) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36(2): 106 (1918).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Angraecum maudiae Bolus, Icon. Orchid. Austro-Afric. 1: t. 9 (1893).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Listrostachys imbricata Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1910: 161 (1910).
Bolusiella imbricata (Rolfe) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36(2): 106 (1918).
Description:
Epiphytic herb with non-branching stem (2-20 mm) and 1-3 mm internodes. Leaves not deeply sulcate on upper surface, 15-30 x 5-10 mm, rounded at the apex. Inflorescences 31-65 mm long, 16-24 flowered, grouped in the apical half. Floral bracts brown, widely triangular, 3.5-7.0 x 2.9-5.0 mm, apex acuminate, sheathing, imbricate in the basal half of the inflorescence. Flowers 3.5-4.1 mm long and 1.2-2.1 mm diameter, 1 mm apart from each other. Dorsal sepal narrowly triangular, 2.8-3.0 x 0.7-1.0 mm. Lateral sepals narrowly triangular, 2.8-3.2 x 0.6-1.0 mm, carinate, with a basal pouch-like outgrowth. Petals ovoid, 2.0-2.7 x 0.6-1.0 mm. Lip triangular, 1.3-2.2 x 1.0-1.6 mm. Spur cylindrical, curved under the lip, 1.2-1.6 mm long, 0.4-0.5 mm diameter. Column 0.8-0.1 mm long. Ovary 0.8-1.6 mm long and 0.5-0.8 mm diameter.
Etymology:
The name maudiae was given in honor of Mrs Emily Maud Eastwood Saunders, collector of the type.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus, cool to warm growing epiphyte.
Habitat:
Epiphyte in humid and dense forests or in moderately disturbed forests, from 600 to 1,800 m.
Phenology:
Flowering peaks in March, August-October and December.
Notes:
The name is often written as maudae in the literature and is used in some herbaria. In its protologue, Bolus (1893) indeed named the species Angraecum maudae in honor of Emily Maud Eastwood Saunders, the first spouse of Sir Charles James Renault Saunders. However, according to recommendation of the botanical nomenclatural code (McNeill et al. 2006), stating that «if the personal name ends with a consonant [...] substantial epithets are formed by adding -i- (stem augmentation) plus the genitive inflection appropriate to the sex and number of the person(s) honoured (e.g. wilson-iae for Wilson (f))», and according to the article 60.11, the ending of the specific epithet is in contradiction with the recommendation developed above. Moreover, examples of other taxa dedicated to a woman surnamed Maud have been named maudiae, such as Michelia maudiae Dunn (1908: 23) and Phyllostachys maudiae Dunn (1912: 330). Angraecum maudae must therefore be corrected to Angraecum maudiae.
Distribution:
Widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa: Conakry Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi and South Africa (Natal). This taxon is recorded here for the first time from Nigeria.
References:
An Introduction to the South African Orchids Schelpe 1966; Orchids of East Africa Piers; The Orchids of South Central Africa Williamson 1977; Miniature Orchids Northen 1980; Wild Orchids of Southern Africa Stewart, Linder, Schelpe & Hall 1982; Encyclopedia of Cultivated Orchids Hawkes 1987; Manual of Cultivated Orchids Bechtel, Cribb & Laurent 1982; Malawi Orchids La Croix 1983; Orchids of Kenya Stewart 1996; African Orchids in the Wild and Cultivation La Croix 1997; Flora Zambesiaca Vol 11 Part 2 Pope 1998; Angraecoid Orchids Stewart, Hermans, Campbell 2006; A Compendium of Miniature Orchid Species Parsons & Gerritsen 2013; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 24.02-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
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Shade house culture	Shade house culture	Shade house culture	Shade house culture	In culture	In culture	In culture	In culture
Photograph© Ehoarn Bidault/ Missouri Botanical Garden. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Ehoarn Bidault/ Missouri Botanical Garden. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Ehoarn Bidault/ Missouri Botanical Garden. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Ehoarn Bidault/ Missouri Botanical Garden. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.