Rhipidoglossum delepierreanum (J. - P. Lebel & Geerinck) Eb. Fisch., Killmann, J. - P. Lebel and Delep., Die Orchidee 62 (6): 445 (2011).

Diaphananthe delepierreana J. - P. Lebel & Geerinck, Belg. J. Bot. 130: 136 (1998). Basionym.

Type.

Rwanda • Western Province (Cyangugu): forêt de Nyungwe-Kibazi, alt. 1800 m, G. Delepierre 39 (holotype BR [BR 0000008809643!], isotypes BR [BR 6102001375171 - spirit!, BR 6102016350385 - spirit!]).

Distribution.

Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Burundi, being a new country record for Uganda, the DRC and Burundi. Rhipidoglossum delepierreanum is found in the montane forests in the Western Rift System, between 1600–2000 m a. s. l.

Specimens examined.

Uganda • Western Province: Bushenyi District, S. Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest, Nzozi, 1330 m, Jun 1998, st. inf., D. L. N. Hafashimana 0643 (K s. n.); • Rukungiri district, Kayonza, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Reserve, 1520 m, Aug 1998, st. inf., D. L. N Hafashimana 0684 (K s. n.); • ibid. loc., ca. 1700 m (5500 ft), 4 Sep 1994, fl., Spurrier U. 16 (K s. n.); • sine loco accurato, cultivated by L. N. Mason, Talbot Manor, Fincham, Norfolk, Nov 1960, fl., Burgess s. n. (cult. num. 661) (K [KSPC 8301]). Democratic Republic of the Congo • Ituri: Baniari, Irimu, 14 Oct 1948, fl., J. de Wilde 140 (BR [BR 0000006803803], P [P 00388678], MO non visum, WAG [WAG.1134679]); • ibid. loc., Vallée de la Maginda, 1450 m, 19 Oct 1948, fl., J. de Wilde 167 (BR [BR 0000009930506]); • South-Kivu: Kalehe, km 110 route Kavumu-Walikale, 850 m, 13 Jul 1956, st., A. R. Christiaensen 974 (BR [BR 0000021827938]); • ibid. loc., km 40 route Kavumu-Walikale, 1700 m, 23 Jun 1956, fr., A. R. Christiaensen 928 (BR [BR 0000016158931]). Rwanda • Western Province (Cyangugu): Nyamasheke district, Route Pindura-Burundi, 2000 m, 1975, st. inf., G. Troupin 15739 (BR [BR 0000006627393, BR 6102009937432, spirit]); • ibid. loc., Piste Nyungwe, Piste Bweyeye, 1700 m, 22 Mar 2002, fl., G. Delepierre 105 (BR [BR 6102016348610, spirit]); • ibid. loc., Kibazi, 1800 m, Mar – Apr 1997, fl., G. Delepierre s. n. (BR [BR 0000006803575]); • Without locality: cultivated in Kigali, 20 Apr 2005, fl., G. Delepierre 150 (BR [BR 6102016351412]). Burundi • (Probably) Bujumbura Province: Plaine de Buhoro, 12 April 1942, fl., M. Arbonnier 330 (BR [BR 0000009931909; BR 0000021311871]); Mabaye, (river) Lua, 1650 m, 22 Jun 1969, st. inf., J. Lewalle s. n. (K s. n.).

Notes.

From Uganda, R. delepierreanum is here reported based on two non-flowering specimens previously identified in herbaria as Rhipidoglossum bilobatum (Summerh.) Szlach. & Olszewski; one cultivated specimen of unknown exact provenance first identified as Diaphananthe sp.; and one flowering specimen previously identified as R. xanthopollinium (Rchb. f.) Schltr. Seven specimens from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were located, including two gatherings from Ituri (J. de Wilde 140 and 167) and two gatherings from South-Kivu (A. Christiaensen 928 and 974), all originating in Eastern DRC, close to the borders with Rwanda and Uganda. They were previously identified as Diaphananthe sp. or Rhipidoglossum rutilum. Two vouchers from Burundi were located. A first gathering from Mabaye — Lua, was previously identified as Diaphananthe aff. tenuicalcar at K, while a second collection (M. Arbonnier 330, Fig. 1 D), previously identified as Diaphananthe bidens (Afzel. ex Sw.) Schltr. at BR, lacks an exact locality, being only labelled as “ plaine de Buhororo ”. This locality is here interpreted as being near the village of Buhororo (Bujumbura), in northern Burundi, based on its relative proximity to Parc National de la Kibira. This area represents a plausible ecological extension of the species habitat from Nyungwe National Park (the type locality) along the same forest block.