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Kingidium

Kingidium P.F.Hunt

An Indo-Malesian genus of about 12 species of epiphytic orchids, Kingidium is presented in India by five species. Three species are found in Kerala . Christenson (2001) treats this under Phalaenopsis .

1. Kingidium deliciosum (Rchb.f. ) Sweet .Ames . Orch. Soc. Bull . 39 : 1095. 1970 ; Seidenfaden 1988: 183.phalaenopsis deliciosa Rchb.f., Bonplandia 2: 93 . 1854; Christenson 1986 : 168 & 2001 : 220

P. wightii Rchb.f., Bot. Zeit . 20: 214. 1862.

Doritis wightii (Rchb.f.) Benth . 7 J.D. Hook ., gen. Pl. 3: 574. 1883; J.D. Hook . 1890 :32.

Phalaenopsis decumbens sensu Saldanha in Saldanha & Nicolson 1976: 842; Abraham & Vatsala 1981 : 464, non (Griff.) Holtt.

Originally described based on Zollinger's collection from Java.

Occurrence : Trivandrum ,Quilon , Kottayam , Thrissur and Wayanad Districts .

Distribution : Indo-Malesia .

2. Kingidium mysorense (Saldanda ) Satish in Satish Kumar & Manilal ,Cat. Ind. Orch. 95 . 1994 . Phalaenopsis mysorensis Saldanha , Ind. For. 100: 571. T. 3. 1974; Saldanha in Saldanha & Nicolson 1976: 842; Abraham & Vatsala 1981 : 464; Christenson 2001: 223.

Originally described by Saldanha based on his collection from Vanagur, Hassan District, karnataka .

Occurrence : Thrissur , Palghat and Wayanad Districts.

Distribution : Regional Endemic (Kerala , Karnataka [type]).

3. Kingidium niveum Sathish in Sathish Kumar& Manilal , Cat. Ind. Orch. 53. 1994.

This was described based on collections from Palghat. Christenson (2001) synonimises this under Phalaenopsis mysorensis . We would like to retain it for the time being .

Occurrence : Trivandrum , Thrissur and palghat Districts.

Distribution : Local Endemic (Kerala ).