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Malaxis allanii S. Y.
Hu & Barretto
In April, 1969, Dr. W. G. L. Allan found a species of
Malaxis in a gorge in the Repulse Bay area. A specimen
was sent to the Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, for identification.
The name given was "Malaxis sp. near to M.
calophylla (Reichb. f.) O. Ktze." (Sir George Taylor,
in lit., January 14, 1970). According to Holttum (Flora
of Malaya 1:195. 1953) Malaxis calophylla has
a flower pale pink or pink and cream, with the upper sepal 3.5
mm long, the lateral sepals 2.5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide, and
the lip 3 mm. long with 2 teeth at the pointed apex. In contrast
the Hong Kong material has a flower with a much larger shield-like
lip, round and retuse at the apex, measuring 9-11 mm. long,
7-8 mm. wide, yellowish green turning bright maroon with age,
the odd sepal 9-10 mm. long, and the lateral sepals 5-7 mm.
long, 2-3 mm. wide, with the margin curved backward. These characters
are sufficiently distinct to warrant a specific rank and the
orchid is named for its discoverer.
New Species
Found in Hong Kong by our team
(A section added to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of The
Chinese University of Hong Kong)
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