Re: Galantharum kishii P.C.Boyce & S.Y.Wong

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Galantharum and its only species Galantharum kishii are diagnosed by the combination of a very strongly nodding (peduncle deflexed almost 180Â) powerfully fragrant (vanilla) inflorescence with an unconstricted spathe limb, spadix fertile to the tip, thecae in deep pits and lacking thecae horns, pollen released in oblong packages, basal-annular placentation, orthotropous ovules with a slender micropylar appendage, funnel-form splash-cups held erect by straightening of the distal portion of the peduncle, and indehiscent berries.

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Galantharum is unique in the Schimatoglottideae by the extreme nature of the nodding of its inflorescences and by inflorescences producing a powerful vanilla-like smell at anthesis. Galantharum shares with Fenestratarum, Hottarum Bogner & Nicolson and Bakoa lucens (Bogner) P. C. Boyce & S. Y. Wong thecae set in deep pits. Galantharum differs from Fenestratarum by lacking a fenestrate spathe limb and by the much broader leaf blades without a basally pulvinate petiole. Galantharum id distinguished from Hottarum in lacking an appendix. Galantharum differs from all Bakoa species by the caducous (vs persistent) spathe limb, and an erect splash-cup infructescence. Galantharum is additionally differentiated from Bakoa lucens by fleshy fruits (vs fruits drying to form a caryopsis), and from the remaining Bakoa species by indehiscent (vs dehiscent) berries. Galantharum is distinguished from Piptospatha by basal (vs parietal) placentation, and although sharing with Piptospatha a nodding inflorescence, the degree of the nodding is much heightened and furthermore the inflorescences of Galantharum are powerfully vanillaâfragrant. The only fragrant Piptospatha species are Piptospatha perakensis (Engl.) Ridl., P. ridleyi N. E. Br. ex Hook. f. occurring in Peninsular Malaysia, with P. perakensis rather widespread and extending into southern Peninsular Thailand, and P. ridleyi occurring primarily in Johor, and P. teijsmannii P. C. Boyce & S. Y. Wong, which is restricted to two islands of the Riau Archipelago. All three of these West Sunda species smell of isoamyl acetate, not vanilla. From Aridarum, Galantharum diagnostically lacks thecae horns.

Kind regards

Peter