A New Species of Orchidaceae from the Philippines.

(First published Orchids Australia Vol.10 No.5, October 1998)

Abstract
Amesiella monticola, from Nueva Vizcaya (central Luzon) in the Philippines, is described and illustrated as new.

Introduction
The genus Amesiella was previously considered to be monotypic. During the past decade, the authors have cultivated and studied many clones of Amesiella philippinensis including a population of what was loosely referred to as the "albinistic form" of this taxon. We believe these clones constitute a separate, and readily identifiable species, which is described here as new.

Taxonomy
Amesiella monticola J.E. Cootes et D.P. Banks sp. nov.
TYPE: PHILIPPINES. Cultivated ex Luzon, Nueva Vizcaya: Imugan area, alt. c. 2,000 metres, November 1995, M. Errington ME001/97 (holotype: NSW [sheet no. 421898]; isotype CANB [sheet no. 9804189]). Species haec A. philippinensis (Ames) Schltr. affinis, sed aliter forma labelli; floribus odoratis; calcari nectarii multo longiore, differt.

Description
Growth habit: upright, monopodial, 2.5 cm tall x 16 cm wide. Roots: 4.5 mm in diameter, not branching. Leaves: leathery, linear to obovate, unequally bi-lobed at their tips, up to 9.5 cm long x 2.4 cm wide. Inflorescences: up to 3, bearing up to 5 flowers about 6 cm in diameter. Flower colour: pure white, pedicel pale green. Pedicel with ovary: 5.8 cm long x 3 mm in diameter. Dorsal sepal: elliptic, concave, strong ridge down centre, up to 2.5 cm long x 1.8 cm wide. Petals: elliptic, concave, up to 2.5 cm long x 2.1 cm wide. Lateral sepals: elliptic, strong ridge down centre, 2.9 cm long x 2.1 cm long. Labellum: three lobed, side lobes semi-circular, 7 mm long x 5 mm high; mid lobe semi-circular, appears as if it has been folded, 1 cm wide x 7 mm long. Nectary: 9.5 cm long x 2.5 mm in diameter. Column: spathulate, 1 cm long x 6 mm wide.

Flowering Period
In cultivation, in New South Wales (southern hemisphere), Amesiella monticola flowers between July and September. It flowers in January and February in the Philippines.

Habitat and Distribution
Amesiella monticola is endemic to the mountains of central Luzon at elevations of between 1,800 and 2,200 metres. It grows as an epiphyte on the fringes of rainforest. Recognition A. monticola is readily identified from A. philippinensis by the following significant features:

1. The nectary (spur) of A. monticola is always longer.
2. The flowers are usually larger (minimum 6 cm across the lateral sepals) with wider petals and sepals.
3. The flowers of A. monticola are always pure glistening white and perfumed (in the evening). A. philippinensis generally has off white to light cream blooms, without a discernible scent.
4. The lateral lobes of the labellum in A. monticola are straight whereas the lateral lobes of A. philippinensis are rounded (this feature is most noticeable when the labella are flattened).
5. The plants are usually larger and more robust in their growth habit. The leaves of A. monticola are wider, longer and thicker. 6. A. monticola comes from much higher elevations than A. philippinensis, which is generally found at altitudes of between 400 and 1400 metres.
7. In the wild, A. monticola generally flowers about eight weeks before A. philippinensis. In cultivation, A. monticola flowers about four weeks before plants of A. philippinensis which are grown in a heated
glasshouse.
8. The labellum of A. philippinensis always has a blotch of yellow or pale orange. A. monticola always has a pure white labellum, however some clones may also have a couple of small spots of lemon yellow at the base of the lip.

Pollination
The pollinator for A. monticola is unknown. However, we know the flowers are highly perfumed in the early evening and the spur is almost full with nectar. It is presumed that it is pollinated by a species of moth, in a similar way to members of the Angraecum family from Madagascar and Africa. It is highly doubtful that both of these Amesiella species would share the same pollinator.

Cultivation Notes
This horticulturally attractive new species is still scarce in cultivation. One of the authors (DPB) has been cultivating numerous clones of this taxon for the last six years. It likes to be grown in pots of live sphagnum moss. This is replaced with fresh moss every two years. A. monticola also demands cooler temperatures than A. philippinensis. In western Sydney, the plants take a winter minimum of 2șC, when grown in a shadehouse with a fibreglass roof. However, many of these cold mornings will be followed by clear skies and temperatures up to 18șC. In summer, the plants will take extremes of over 40șC as long as there is adequate shading (50 - 70%) and air circulation. The heat of summer poses more threat to this species than the cool of winter.

Etymology
From the Latin monticola, meaning "dwelling in mountainous regions", referring to the habitat of this species.

Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Madge Errington and Keith & Fay Harris for providing additional flowering material for study. Sincere thanks to Karen Wilson (of the NSW Herbarium) for checking and modifying the Latin description. We also wish to thank David L. Jones and Dr. Mark Clements (CANB) for suggestions regarding the manuscript.

References·
· Banks, D.P. & J. Cootes (1998). Amesiella philippinensis. Orchids Australia 10:(4) 18-19.
· Golamco, A. (1991). Philippines' Book on Orchids.
· Quisumbing, E.A. (1981). Philippine Orchids.
· Stearn, W.T. (1983). Botanical Latin.
· Valmayor, H.L. (1984). Orchidiana Philippiniana