taxonID	type	description	language	source
039FB143AF5068774801FF1BFE35FE1D.taxon	description	densely hairy to hirsute on upper surface, along Li et al. (2021, final version in press) have margins, with elliptic cushion on upper surface, keel estimated the suitable habitat of this species in or broad conical swelling sub-terminally on lower China to be less than 500 ha. (= 5 km 2), surface, slightly reflexed at apex. Column 0.12 – 0.15 harbouring around 200 mature individuals and cm long, broader at base; rostellum bilobed. Anther considered its threat status as 0.1 – 0.15 cm long; pollinia 2, globular, porate; stipe ‘ Critically Endangered’ [CR B 1 ab (iii) filiform, 0.06 – 0.1 cm long; viscidium oblong, 0.03 – + 2 ab (iii)] based on single location and 0.06 cm long; fruits not observed. decline in quality of habitat. Globally, the species is known to exist at only two Flowering & fruiting: Flowering From July – distinct sites, in China and India, September in China; October – November in constituting an Area of Occupancy (AOO) of India; fruiting not observed. 8 sq. km 2 (Fig. 2). According to A. N. Rao Habitat: Growing on moss covered slender branches (pers. comm., 12.9.2021) the type locality (Sessa, India) had less than half a dozen of small trees in wet evergreen subtropical mixed, mature individuals only in 1996 and after coniferous broad-leaved forests at 1100 m elevation. that, he could not observe any individual. The Distribution: China and India. two localities in India and China are separated by a distance of nearly 900 km and Etymology: The specific epithet was coined after hence, the possibility of gene flow between the type locality (Sessa) of the species. them is highly unlikely. This implies that the Specimens examined: CHINA: Yunnan species can be considered ‘ Severely province, Simao district, Yixiang township, N Fragmented’ at present. However, it is a 22.79 ̊, E 100.97 ̊, 1287 m, 13.09.2020, D. P. fact that not much area in between the two Ye 1922 (HITBC, photo; specimen cited as localities is properly explored, particularly in holotype of G. minimus). INDIA: Arunachal Myanmar, and it is possible that the species Pradesh, West Kameng district, Sessa, 16.09.1996 can be found in more localities in future. The (not in fl.), A. N. Rao 29420 (OHT). extent and quality of habitat are on the decline due to developmental work, Conservation status: Gastrochilus sessanicus was broadening of roads, tourism and other until now considered endemic to India. anthropogenic activities even at Sessa in India However, it was found to be present in China and its surrounding area. Hence, the species under different names (G. pumilus, nom. inval. and can be assessed as ‘ Critically G. minimus, nom. inval.), which have now been Endangered’ [CR B 2 ab (iii)] at present treated under G. sessanicus. following IUCN guidelines (IUCN 2019). Note: The colour, size, density and intensity of blotches on perianth and colour of the perianth as a whole are variable (Seidenfaden, 1988) in several species of Gastrochilus. The minute differences in size of some floral parts between plants / subpopulations fall under range of variation only due to climatic / altitudinal factors.	en	A., Bhattacharjee, D. K., Agrawala, J. S., Jalal, Deori, C. (2021): Status of Gastrochilus minimus (Orchidaceae) - a recently described species from China. Rheedea 31 (3): 181-185, DOI: 10.22244/rheedea.2021.31.03.07, URL: https://doi.org/10.22244/rheedea.2021.31.03.07
