Editing Phragmipedium kovachii

{{short description|Species of plant}}
{{good article}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Phragmipedium kovachii.jpg
| image_caption = 
| genus = Phragmipedium
| species = kovachii
| authority = J.T.Atwood, Dalström & Ric.Fernández
| status = CR
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| synonyms = ''Phragmipedium peruvianum'' <small>Christenson</small>
|status_ref=<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Rankou, H. |date=2016 |title=''Phragmipedium kovachii'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T43324837A43328114 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T43324837A43328114.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
}}

'''''Phragmipedium kovachii'''''  is an [[orchid]] species found to be new to science in 2001, native to the Andean [[cloud forest]]s of northern [[Peru]]. A species with terrestrial habit and growing in clumps of several individuals, it displays showy pink to purple flowers up to {{convert|20|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} wide. It is currently considered a critically endangered species by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]], due to overcollection in the wild.

== Description ==
A terrestrial, or [[lithophytic]] orchid, ''Phragmipedium kovachii '' grows in clumps.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Atwood|first1=John T.|last2=Dalström|first2=Stig|last3=Fernandez|first3=Ricardo|date=2002|title=Phragmipedium kovachii, a New Species from Peru|jstor=41760112|journal=Selbyana|volume=23|issue=Supplement|pages=1–4}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> The short stems have up to nine leaves each,<ref name=":4" /> which are linear-lanceolate in shape, glossy green, and up to {{convert|64|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long and up to {{convert|5|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} wide. They are thick and have an acute tip; the primary vein is prominent beneath.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /> The flower stalk is {{convert|20|–|52|cm|in|abbr=on}} tall with a solitary flower that is {{convert|10|–|20|cm|in|abbr=on}} wide.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /> The [[sepal]]s are broadly elliptic in shape and covered with golden-brown hairs externally, and whitish to rose-pink internally.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /> The [[petal]]s are pink to dark purple, broadly elliptic to obovate in shape, up to {{convert|6|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, with recurved margins; except for the cup-shaped [[Labellum (botany)|lip or labellum]], which can be up {{convert|7.5|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|4|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide, and is purple to fuchsia in colour.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /> The fruits are [[Capsule (fruit)|capsules]] up to {{convert|10.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} long and up to {{convert|0.9|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter.<ref name=":4" />

[[File:Phragmipedium kovachii bloom.jpg|thumb|''Phragmipedium kovachii'' bloom|left|272x272px]]

== Taxonomy ==
The first published [[Species description|description]] of this species was made in June 2002 by John Atwood and Stig Dalström of [[Marie Selby Botanical Gardens]], and Ricardo Fernandez from the [[National University of San Marcos|San Marcos National University]] Herbarium (USM).<ref name=":0" /> An independent description prepared by orchid taxonomist Eric Christenson was published just afterwards in July 2002, using the name ''Phragmipedium peruvianum'',<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Christenson|first=E.|date=2002|title=Phragmipedium peruvianum: the most glorious new Phragmipedium species in two decades is described|journal=Orchids|volume=71|issue=7|pages=620–622}}</ref> which thereby became a [[Synonym (taxonomy)|synonym]] of ''P.&nbsp;kovachii''.<ref name=":4" />

It was initially assigned to subgenus ''Micropetalum'';<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|last=Braem|first=G.|date=2011|title=A Re-evaluation of the Infrageneric Taxonomy of the Genus Phragmipedium|journal=Richardiana|volume=12|issue=1|pages=16–24}}</ref> however, it was later moved to its own subgenus ''Schluckebieria''.<ref name="Schlukebieria">{{cite journal|first=G.|year=2004|title=Phragmipedium kovachii, Schluckebieria – nouvelle section du genre Phragmipedium et réflexions sur les pratiques taxinomiques|journal=Richardiana|volume=4|issue=3|pages=89–102|last=Braem}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Braem|first=G.|date=2011|title=Validation of Phragmipedium subgenus Schluckebieria (Orchidaceae: Cypripedioideae)|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278727326|journal=Richardiana|volume=15|pages=289–290}}</ref>

=== Controversy ===
Michael Kovach, an American orchid collector<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://huntingtonblogs.org/2013/01/orchid-collection-an-extraordinary-orchid-blooms-at-the-huntington/|title=ORCHID COLLECTION {{!}} An Extraordinary Orchid Blooms at The Huntington|date=2013-01-17|work=VERSO {{!}} The Huntington's Blog|access-date=2017-10-08|language=en-US}}</ref> who bought the live [[Type (biology)|type specimen]] of ''P.&nbsp;kovachii'' from a roadside vendor in Peru, had smuggled the plant into the US and taken it to the Selby Botanical Gardens.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Borrell|first=Brendan|date=2007-03-15|title=Linnaeus at 300: The big name hunters|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=446|issue=7133|pages=253–255|doi=10.1038/446253a|pmid=17361154|bibcode=2007Natur.446..253B |issn=0028-0836|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> According to a report in the journal [[Nature (journal)|''Nature'']], Selby Botanical Gardens knew that Eric Christenson would publish the same species in a forthcoming issue of the journal ''[[American Orchid Society|Orchids]]'', so they rushed to publish their description in a supplement of the Selby Gardens' journal, ''[[Selbyana]]''.<ref name=":1" />

Orchids in genus ''Phragmipedium'' are protected under the [[CITES]] treaty, so any trade or possession that doesn't comply with CITES standards is deemed illegal.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/archive/opa/pr/2004/June/04_enrd_397.htm|title=#397: 06-10-04 VIRGINIA ORCHID DEALER PLEADS GUILTY TO VIOLATING THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT|website=www.justice.gov|language=en|access-date=2017-05-08}}</ref> An investigation led by the [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] and assisted by the [[United States Department of Agriculture|U.S. Department of Agriculture]], [[United States Customs Service|U.S. Customs Service]] and the then [[CITES]] authority in Peru (INRENA) among others, brought Kovach to trial.<ref name=":2" /> Kovach was sentenced to 2 years probation and a fine of $1000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theledger.com/news/20041103/man-sentenced-for-bringing-plant-to-us?start=2|title=Man Sentenced for Bringing Plant to U.S.|agency=Associated Press|work=The Ledger|access-date=2017-05-08|language=en}}</ref> While Selby Botanic Gardens saw its CITES permit revoked, was sentenced to a fine of $5000, and staff member Wesley Higgins received a 6-month restriction order.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last=Cribb|first=Phillip|date=2005|title=511. Phragmipedium Kovachii|journal=Curtis's Botanical Magazine|language=en|volume=22|issue=1|pages=8–11|doi=10.1111/j.1355-4905.2005.00454.x|issn=1467-8748}}</ref>

A nomenclatural proposal was put forward in 2006 to declare the name ''Phragmipedium kovachii'' invalid and to add its original ''ad hoc'' publication "Selbyana vol. 23 Supplement" to the “[[opera utique oppressa]]” ([[International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants|ICN]] Appendix VI).<ref>{{cite journal|title=Proposal to add Selbyana vol. 23 Supplement to the "opera utique oppressa"|url=http://docserver.ingentaconnect.com/deliver/connect/iapt/00400262/v55n4/s41.pdf?expires=1196951286&id=41116003&titleid=6069&accname=Guest+User&checksum=8A118947CAFA7EBBB93C980B44A64F12|journal=Taxon|volume=55|issue=4|pages=1053|doi=10.2307/25065718|author=Van Rijckevorsel, Paul|jstor=25065718|year=2006}}</ref> Counterarguments were presented in several articles.<ref name="NC">{{cite journal|year=2009|title=Report of the Nomenclature Committee for Vascular Plants: 60|journal=Taxon|volume=58|issue=1|pages=280–292|last=Brummitt |first=R.K.|doi=10.1002/tax.581028}}</ref> The Nomenclature Committee for Vascular Plants declined to accept the proposal, stating "if all names based on specimens illegally collected or named after persons who have acted unwisely ... were to be rejected, we might have some major nomenclatural instability."<ref name="NC" />

== Distribution and habitat ==
[[File:Phragmipedium kovachii - Flickr 003.jpg|left|thumb|322x322px|''Phragmipedium kovachii'' at The Pacific Orchid Exposition, San Francisco, CA. 2011.]]
''Phragmipedium kovachii'' is known only from a small area of five localities in the regions of [[Amazonas (Peruvian department)|Amazonas]] and [[San Martín Region|San Martín]], Peru.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> It grows in [[Primary forest|primary]] [[Montane Forest|montane forest]], at 1600–1950 (−2000) m of elevation, on [[limestone]] cliffs.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last=Koopowitz|first=H.|date=2003|title=The Manrique Expedition|journal=Orchid Digest|volume=67|issue=4|pages=248–255}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite journal|last=Decker|first=G.|date=2007|title=Phragmipedium kovachii|journal=Orchids|volume=76|issue=11|pages=826–833}}</ref> The habitat of this species provides constant rainfall, organic matter and [[calcareous]] soil, with a [[Soil pH|pH]] of 6.8–7.1 (−7.9).<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> Temperature in the area has an average of 26&nbsp;°C in summer and 18&nbsp;°C in winter; precipitation average is in the range of {{convert|1000|–|1500|mm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":5" />

== Ecology ==
''Phragmipedium kovachii'' grows in clumps of 15 to 20 individuals on [[cretaceous]] [[limestone]] cliffs facing south, in east–west oriented valleys.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> It is apparently a soil [[Generalist and specialist species|specialist]] since, unlike other ''Phragmipedium'' species, it prefers calcareous soils with an 85.7% of [[calcium carbonate]] content.<ref name=":5" />

Pollinators of this species are still unknown to science, but thought to be larger than in other ''Phragmipedium'' species, due to the bigger size of the lip.<ref name=":3" /> It is also hypothesized that the color pattern of the flowers mimics that of ''[[Tibouchina]]'' species, and helps attract pollinators that are sensitive to color.<ref name=":3" />

== Conservation ==
Overcollecting is a major threat to the survival of ''P. kovachii'' in the wild as it was found that one locality of ''P. kovachii'' was depleted of plants, possibly even before the scientific publication in ''Selbyana''.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> Following the publication, other three localities were also overcollected.<ref name=":4" /> It is estimated that 5000 plants or more have been extracted from the wild.<ref name=":5" /> Despite its inclusion in Appendix I of [[CITES]], there's criticism on the measure, as it is believed that it is an ineffective tool against smuggling as it slows the introduction of wild species in the legal market.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Zelenko|first=H.|date=2007|title=Not a single orchid...|journal=Lankesteriana|volume=7|issue=1–2|pages=164–166}}</ref>

The Peruvian government, in an effort to officialize the trade of ''P. kovachii'' and reduce its illegal extraction, licensed some plant nurseries for the propagation of this species.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />

Due to the reduction of its population by overcollection and its small area of extent, Phillip Cribb (orchid expert from [[Kew Gardens]]) and the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]] have assigned ''Phragmipedium kovachii'' the [[critically endangered]] conservation status.<ref name=":4" /><ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" />

== Cultivation ==
''Phragmipedium kovachii'' will thrive in any moist growing medium with calcium content similar to the soil of its habitat, always watching for the [[Soil pH|pH levels]].<ref name=":5" /> Fertilizers must be applied carefully especially in young plants, as fertilizers contain salts.<ref name=":5" /> Light requirements are medium, avoiding intense light especially when young; mature individuals can tolerate more light.<ref name=":5" /> Being an orchid of high elevations, temperature must be in the range of its natural habitat.<ref name=":5" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite journal | last=Cribb| title=Plant portraits: 511. Phragmipedium kovachii. Orchidaceae| journal=Curtis's Botanical Magazine | year=2005| volume=22| issue=1| pages=8–11 | doi=10.1111/j.1355-4905.2005.00454.x|first=P.J.}}
*Damian, M. L., Williams, N. H., Whitten, W. M.  (2005).  ''Phragmipedium kovachii: molecular systematics of a New World orchid''. Orchids 74(2): 132–137.
*Decker, G. (2007). "Phragmipedium kovachii". Orchids. American Orchid Society. 76 (11): 826–833
*http://www.ottawaorchidsociety.com/september_2007.pdf

== External links ==
* {{Commons-inline|Phragmipedium kovachii|''Phragmipedium kovachii''}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q3280471}}

[[Category:Phragmipedium|kovachii]]
[[Category:Endemic orchids of Peru]]
[[Category:Terrestrial orchids]]
[[Category:Flora of Peru]]