Synopsis of the Genus Ocampoa (Orchidaceae)

Abstract

The Neotropical orchid genus Ocampoa A. Rich. & Galeotti was established as a monospecific taxon in 1845. Its generic separateness was questioned twice, and various authors included O. mexicana A. Rich & Galeotti in Cranichis Sw. or Ponthieva R. Br. The restitution of Ocampoa was proposed in 2013, and it was accompanied with a description of a second species within this genus. Two more orchids were transferred to Ocampoa in 2015. Based on morphological differences discussed in previous publications and some new insights presented in this paper, we postulate to maintain Ocampoa as a separate genus within Cranichidinae. Species of Ocampoa are characterized by the following combination of characters: cauline leaves, petals and lips connate with the gynostemium, petals simple, linear-lanceolate to obovate, and more or less falcate, lip base more or less concave to even subsaccate (which is caused by a C or an S curvation of the claw), prominent dendritic nervation on the lip lamina, and rather elongate, slender gynostemium, somewhat swollen at the apex only. In this paper, a taxonomic revision of this taxon is presented. A total of 10 species are recognized within Ocampoa. Six of them, O. acuminatissima (Ames & C. Schweinf.) Szlach. & Kolan., O. cucullata (Schltr). Szlach. & Kolan., O. gibbosa (Lindl.) Szlach. & Kolan., O. lehmanniana (Kraenzl.) Szlach. & Kolan., O. saccata (Ames) Szlach. & Kolan., and O. talamancana (Dressler) Szlach. & Kolan., were previously included in Cranichis or Goodyera R. Br., and the proper taxonomic transfers are proposed. The morphological characteristics of each Ocampoa representative are presented together with line drawings of perianth segments. Information about their distribution and ecology is provided, and a key to identification of Ocampoa species is presented.