Luisia - Gaudichaud-Beaupre

An Indo-Malesian genus of about 40 epiphytic species, Luisia is represented in India by 16 species .Five species are found in Kerala .

1. Luisia abrahamii Vatsala in Abraham & Vatsala , Intr. Orch. 489. 1981.

This was described based on a collection from Thenmala -Aryankavu range.We also found it there and also near Koothattukulam.

Occurrence : Quilon and Kottayam Districts.

Distribution : Local Endemic (Kerala only) .

2. Luisia birchea Bl. , Rumphia 4: 50 . 1849; Seidenfaden 1971: 35; Abraham & Vatsala 1981: 481; Joseph 1982: 77; Seidenfaden in Matthew 1983: 1594 : Joseph 1987 : 106; Seidenfaden in Matthew 1999: 1266.

Birchea teretifolia A. Rich., Ann.Sci. Nat. Bot. (Ser.2) 15: 67. 1841.

Luisia tenuifolia auct .non (Luisia) Bl. : J.D. Hook . 1890 : 24 ; Fischer in Gamble 1928: 1438.

Cymbidium triste Wight , Ic. Pl. Ind. Or. 3(2) : 10. t. 911. 1844-45.

Luisia pulniana Vatsala in Abraham & Vatsala , intr. Orch. $86 . 1981.

Originally described based on a collection by Perrottet from Nilgiris as a separate genus Birchea by A. Richard (1841) commemorating Dr. Birch , Chief Physician and naturalist at Ootacamund . As Richard's specific epithet was already in use in Luisia , Blume introduced a new name while effecting the transfer , again commemorating Dr. Birch .

Occurrence : Idukki and Thrissur Districts.

Distribution : Peninsular India and Sri Lanka .

3. Luisia evangelinae Blatt . & Mc Cann. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 35 : 493.T. 11. 1932;Abraham & Vatsala 1981: 483.

Luisia tenuifolia Bl.var. evangelinae (Blatt.& McCann) Santapau & Kapadia , J. Bombay Nat. Hist .Soc. 59 : 829. 1962; Santapau & Kapadia 1966: 214.

Described by Blatter & Mc cann based on T.R. Bell's ms notes and a painting by Ms evangeline Bells (See pl. XI a)

Occurrence : Trivandrum , Idukki , palghat and Wayanad Districts.

Distribution : regional Endemic(Karnataka , Goa, Kerala).

4. Luisia macrantha Blatt .& Mc Cann, J. Bombay Nat. Hist.Soc. . 35 : 492 .t. 10 . 1932; Santapau & Kapadia 1966 : 217 ; Seidenfaden 1971 : 39 ;Saldanha in Saldanha & Nicolson 1976: 835; Chandrasekaran 1993: 69.

Described by Blatter& McCann based on a collection by Bell Canara .

Occurrence : Pathanamthitta , Idukki and Wayanad Districts .

Distribution : Regional endemic (Karnataka , Kerala ).

5. Luisia zeylancia Lindl. , Fol. Orch. Luisia 3. 1853; Seidenfaden 1971: 62 Saldanha in Saldanha & Nicolson 1976 : 830 ; Abraham & Vatsala 10981: 489; Joseph 1982 : 78 ;Seidenfaden in Matthew 1983 : 1594 ; Joseph 1987 : 108 ; Seidenfaden in Matthew 1999: 1265.

Cymbidium tenuifolium auct. non Willd.: Wight 1851: 11.t. 1689.

Luisia teretifolia auct .non Gaud .: Fischer in Gamble 1928: 1438 ; Santapau & Kapadia 1966: 213.

Described by Lindley based on Macrae's collection from Sri Lanka .

Occurrence: Trivandrum , Quilon , Idukki, Thrissur, Palghat, Malappuram , Kannur and Kasargod Districts.

Distribution : India , Sri Lanka and Nepal.

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