The Orchidaceae is one of the most diverse vascular plant families in the Neotropics and the most diverse in Panama. The number of species is triple that of other well-represented families of angiosperms such as Rubiaceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae. Despite its importance in terms of diversity, the latest checklist was published ten years ago and the latest in-depth taxonomic treatments were published in 1949 and 1993. The accumulation of information over the years and the need to update the nomenclature and to clarify taxonomic concepts made necessary the publication of an up-dated checklist of the Orchidaceae of Panama. This checklist was completed by studying specimens strictly collected in Panama and vouchered in herbaria. Species are presented alphabetically with their synonyms and herbarium vouchers. The data were analyzed to explain the patterns of geographic distribution, most diverse taxa, endemism, exotic species and relationships with other nearby floras. The checklist contains 1365 species (including two natural hybrids and three subspecies) in four subfamilies, 16 tribes, 27 subtribes and 187 genera. Four exotic species were recorded. A total of 296 (21.7%) species are endemic. Epidendroideae is the most diverse group housing more than 90% of species. The most diverse subtribes are Pleurothallidinae (30 genera, 405 spp.), Laeliinae (16 genera, 292 spp.), Oncidiinae (29 genera, 157 spp.) and Maxillariinae (18 genera, 132 spp.). The most diverse genera are: Epidendrum (206 spp.), Stelis (88 spp.), Lepanthes (66 spp.) and Pleurothallis (54 spp.). Nomenclatural changes are proposed in Maxillariella, Pleurothallis, Specklinia, Stelis and Trichocentrum. Many areas remain unexplored for orchids, and we estimate that much work remains to complete a floristic treatment that reveals more realistic data on the orchid flora that Panama harbors. This checklist is an important initial step toward the development of an illustrated treatment of the Orchidaceae of Panama.
La taxonomía de grupos discretos de taxones dentro Pleurothallidinae es fundamental para una mejor comprensión de la diversidad de especies, evolución y filogenética. Este documento se centra en la taxonomía y sistemática de las especies relacionadas a Specklinia condylata en Costa Rica y Panamá. Se discute su historia taxonómica y posición filogenética. El grupo comprende cinco especies, tres de ellas se proponen como nuevas para la ciencia. Cada taxón se describe con base en material vivo y se ilustra en una lámina compuesta. Para cada taxón se presenta la distribución general, mapas, derivación del nombre, notas sobre ecología, variación natural y características diagnósticas. Se proporciona una clave para las especies y un cuadro comparativo para ayudar a la identificación de especies.
In Panama, the Orchidaceae comprise 187 genera, of which one of the most conspicuous is Sobralia. The flowers of Sobralia are mostly ephemeral but colorful, often fragrant, and of variable sizes. Despite being a prominent group, its taxonomy is still underdeveloped in most neotropical countries. To continue with taxonomic studies in the Orchidaceae of Panama, we investigated a species of Sobralia, which differs from any recorded species of the genus. We documented the species with digital images and compared it with morphologically similar taxa. This paper describes and illustrates a new Sobralia from the Bosque Protector Palo Seco in the Fortuna area, Panama. Sobralia rinconiana differs from all other species recorded in Panama by the combination of a large plant size that reaches up to 120 cm high and the larger and broader, elliptical-lanceolate leaves (30–35 × 14–16 cm). Sobralia rinconiana is most similar to S. carazoi but differs in the spreading flowers with reflexed petals and the infundibuliform, cream-yellow lip, the wider, longer sepals and petals, and the longer, suberect column. The accurate estimate of the number of Sobralia species in Panama is still uncertain. Its diversity may increase as new areas are explored or species complexes are resolved.
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