Lecanorchis multiflora J.J.Smith 1918

Lecanorchis multiflora was first described by Smith (1918) from Goenoeng, Jawa. Smith (1918) found abundant populations of this species in several locations ranging at altitudes from 400-1.200 m. Smith (1918) noted that L. multiflora has bigger “roots” as L. pauciflora (today: L. javanica). Smith (1918) recorded specimens from Central East Borneo, where they were growing at an altitude of 130-400 m in primeval forest on the hilly ridge side. Lecanorchis bihuensis was erected by Lin & Wu (2012) for a collection from Bihu, Pinglin Township in North Taiwan that was earlier identified for “an unknown species with a peloric flower” (peloric = lip and petals are alike) as L. nigricans by Lin (1987). Huang et al. (2019) noted that L. bihuensis has not been seen for 39 years although numerous efforts were dedicated to search for it. The species was rediscovered in 2017 by Huang and monitored for 3 continuos years. The small mountain ridge where it was found to grow was characterised by a mixed population of L. bihuensis and L. multiflora. It was observed that L. bihuensis very rarely blossoms but still produces fruits, indicating an autogamous reproduction. As mixed populations were often recorded Lin (Huang et al. 2019) proposed that L. bihuensis should rather be a variety, Lecanorchis multiflora var. bihuensis, as it could describe an autogamous, peloric form of its parental species. Lin also proposed (in Huang et al. 2019) that the species L. subpelorica should be degraded to the variety level, Lecanorchis multiflora var. subpelorica. This variety was collected in South Taiwan as well in mixed populations with L. multiflora and has a well-developed, but simplified lip. This variety also represents a peloric, though incomplete, variety of L. multiflora. Lecanorchis multiflora is widespread in South East Asia and has been recorded from South China, Thailand, Malaya, Borneo, Taiwan, the Philippines, Sumatra and Jawa (POWO 2021).