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WILD

Orchids OF CAMERON HIGHLANDS

REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS CAMERON HIGHLANDS

Orchids

WILD

OF CAMERON HIGHLANDS

REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS CAMERON HIGHLANDS

A community based project on environmental conservation and awareness

First published February 2009

W I L D COLOPHON O R Photography: Amran Nadzar Khan C Antony van der Ent H Kaliyannan Karupiah I D Technical Advisor: Embi Abdullah S Design: Antony van der Ent O F Press preparation: Naga DDB C Editors: Carrol Marie Lawrence A Cheam May Choo M Liau Tai Leong E R Authors: Cheam May Choo O Antony van der Ent Embi Abdullah N Balu Perumal H Printed by: Digital Impressions Sdn Bhd. I G H Front photo: Epigeneium macropodum L Referred literature: The Orchids of Peninsular Peninsular A Malaysia and Singapore by Gunnar Gunnar Seidenfaden & Jeffrey J. Wood, NOlsen & Olsen, Fredensborg, 1992. D   S  First published February February 2009  

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© 2009 R.E.A.C.H

R . E ISBN 978-983-44449 978-983-44449 . A This publication is available through: . C Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands . H 3rd Floor, No 1,Main Road, Brinchang, 39100, Cameron Highlands, .

Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia www.reach.org.my Email: [email protected]

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced reproduced or transmitted in any form or any means,electronic or mechanical,including photography, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from R.E.A.C.H.

CONTENTS 07

Prologue

Cameron Highlands 11 A hill resort The montane forest 16 Montane forests 18 Biodiversity hotspot in the highlands 21 Cameron Highlands; an orchid haven The Orchid family 25 Orchidaceae a family like no other Orchids in the wild 30 Terrestrial Orchids 71 Saprophytic Orchids 77 Epiphytic Orchids 166 A whole lot more! Threats to orchids 182 Development and land clearing 184 Illegal orchid poaching Conservation 189 Why protect the natural rainforest? 190 Conservation efforts of REACH 192 Ecotourism; plays a vital role 193 REACH orchid team 194 A new discovery 196 Lost and found 197 Photographing orchids 198 Index 201

Glossary

202

Acknowledgements

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Let the rivers run free.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS n o i t c u d o r t n I

Colonial buildings, Hilltop Bungalow in tudor-style (left) and Lin Lu Bungalow (above) set against a backdrop of mountain scenery.

Cameron Highlands a hill resort Cameron Highlands was discovered by a which includes both agro-tourism and British surveyor named William Cameron ecotourism, is the second most important in 1885. During a mapping expedition into economic activity. Hotels, apartments and the highlands of Malaya, he came across across a other housing have sprung up over the last beautiful plateau nestled in the moun- two decades to cater for this. Cameron tainous terrains at altitudes altitudes of between Highlands is the smallest district in the 1300-1700 meters. Drawn by the cool state of Pahang with a land area of only temperate climate, the British eventually 71,218 hectares. To the west it soars to turned this highland “Shangri-la” into a more than 2000 metres above sea level hill resort and health retreat for its officers. while it plummets to around around 300 metres in Bungalows, hospital, mansions and a golf the river valleys to the east. Coming from course were built. After the colonial era, the south ,the townships include Ringlet, the local affluent continued to settle in Bertam Valley, Tanah Rata, Brinchang. Cameron Highlands, attracted by its Tringkap, Kuala Terla, Kampung Raja British countryside charm. The temperate and Blue Valley. From only one winding climate also made this area ideal for tea road across the rugged Titiwangsa range cultivation and soon large areas were from Tapah in the 1920’s, Cameron cleared for it. Vegetable, flowers and fruit Highlands now enjoys better accessibility farming followed. The population slowly via 2 roads linking it to Perak and increased to more than 30,000. Tourism Kelantan.


Monkey cups basking in the sun on the mountain peak of Gunung Brinchang.


Cushions of soft moss in the cloud forest.

THE MONTANE FOREST

Matonia pectinata; pectinata; a living fossil (left). Kacik Fatimah (Labisia pumila); pumila); is a local medicinal herb used as an aphrodisiac aphrodisia c for women (above).

Biodiversity hotspot in the highlands Biodiversity is the sum of all species support a rich variety of birds, insects and occurring in an area and the tropical small mammals. In Peninsular Malaysia rainforest is the most diverse ecosystem in there are more than 70 species of highland the world. Malaysia’s rainforest has a huge birds and bird watching is a popular variety of plant species (approximately (approximately a ecotourism activity. There is also an quarter of the world’s world’s total). Cameron abundance of insects with the more Highlands located at the centre of glamorous being the giant rhinoceros Peninsular Malaysia exemplifies this. beetle, the stag beetle and myriad There are more than 14,500 species of butterflies. butterflies. Many jungle trekkers will testify flowering plants in Malaysia and many are that bees, hornets and wasps are plentiful of the highland variety. variety. Orchids are widely too. Mammals include short-tail moles and represented with more than half of the mountain goats (which locals call serow). 1000 species in Peninsular Malaysia The orchid survey team once stumbled endemic to the highlands. Other exotic upon a serow carcass carcass during one of their plants in Cameron Highlands include the jungle forays. Of the reptilians the Nepenthes (monkey cups), a carnivorous dreaded ones include green pit vipers and plant (see photo), ferns such as Matonia oriental spitting cobras. The harmless pectinata (which is said to date back to the reptilians are monitor lizards, mountain Jurassic ages) and local herbs e.g. kacik impress tortoise and agama lizards. fatimah. The forest forest of the highlands also

TERRESTRIAL ORCHIDS s e i l i m a f d i h c r o d l i W

Dilochia cantleyi

Dilochia This is a small genus of about about 8 species. with beautiful violet. The other species The plants are tall with erect, tough, found in Cameron Highlands is Dilochia cane-like stems. The species are mostly wallichii . The plants grow in thick terrestrial but a few are epiphytic. The vegetative matter or sometimes on leaves leaves are two tiered, leathery and elliptic. branches and tree trunks where there is The inflorescences with fairly large an accumulation of vegetative matter. matter. colourful flowers are borne at the The species occurs on mountain ridges, in terminal ends of the erect stems. stems. They damp moss in the highlands where they are sparingly branched. Bracts are are normally exposed to direct sunlight. conspicuous and persistent. The flowers Most of the species are hardy hardy plants and usually do not open fully. fully. The sepals and occur only in the highlands. The genus is petals are almost equal in size. The lip is distributed in Southeast Asia and Papua parallel to the column. In Dilochia cantleyi New Guinea. the flowers are a creamy yellow tinged

Dilochia wallichii Flower Size 3.75cm

Found in Thailand, Malaysia, Java, Borneo, Sumatra and New Guinea in montane forests at elevations elevations of 170 to 1500 meters. They are giant sized terrestrial orchids. Leaves Leaves are elliptic and inflorescence erect with few or no branches. Sepals and petals do not open widely. They are pinkish on the outside and light yellow on the inside. The lips are light yellow in colour with purplish-red pur plish-red markings.

TERRESTRIAL ORCHIDS s e i l i m a f d i h c r o d l i W

Geodorum citrinum, a medium sized terrestrial orchid with pseudobulbs.

Geodorum A group of epiphytic orchids of medium to large size. The pseudobulbs are almost round and subterranean. The stems are fleshy, bearing leaves that are broad and plicate. The flowers are large, attractive and are borne on long drooping inflorescences. Colours are usually white to creamy yellow. yellow. Sepals and petals are similar and almost equal in size. The lip is broad and concave with a saccate base. The central part of of the lip is usually yellow lined with reddish orange veins. The column has a distinct foot.

The plants prefer a fairly shaded environment, thick well drained and moist medium on the rainforest floor. They are fairly hardy but will succumb under excessive sunlight. The species of this genus occur in the lowlands and also in the mountains at moderate elevations. They are distributed from India ,China to the Pacific Islands. The species found here are Geodorum densiflorum and Geodorum citrinum. The above picture was taken by Kali in a forest near Brinchang.

EPIPHYTIC ORCHIDS s e i l i m a f d i h c r o d l i W

Bulbophyllum aeolium, this extraordinary orchid occurs in hill and lower montane forests.

Bulbophyllum Bulbophyllum is the largest genus in the orchid family with about 2000 species. There are at least 200 species recorded in Cameron Highlands. The scientific name comes from the Latin word ‘ bulbus’ meaning bulb-like and the Greek word ‘ pyhllon’ meaning leaf. leaf. This is is in reference reference pyhllon to the pseudobulbs from which the leaves emerge. This is a broad genus genus of mainly epiphytic plants plants of varying sizes. The vegetative vegetative forms range from tall, cane-like plants, root climbers that cling onto trees and occasionally rock surfaces to pendulous plants. The flowers are borne on inflorescences that arise from the base of the pseudobulbs or the rhizomes. The plants are sympodials with wide variations in the bulbs, leaves and flowers. However the basic criteria for this genus is that the pseudobulbs are single-node, the inflorescences are basal and the lips mobile. The flowers emit an odour of of rotting carcasses, carcasses,

perfect for attracting flies, their usual pollinators. The plants prefer the cool shade of the rainforest and occur on trees by riverbanks and on hill-slopes. They are found both in the lowlands and in the highlands. Generally, however they are found growing in small clusters or climbers in small colonies on tree trunks or branches between the mid-storey to the canopy level. Sometimes they appear in the most common and unusual of places like on lamp posts, rooftops and crevices right smack in the town centre. The genus includes epiphytes, terrestrial and some lithophytic species. They are distributed in Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa, Central and South America. The above picture was taken by Antony, Antony, with him balancing precariously on the tree branches 5 metres above the ground!


Bulbophyllum lobbii Flower Size 6cm

This relatively large orchid is highly sought after by collectors. The sepals and petals come in different hues of yellow, yellow, orange and red. In full bloom the dorsal sepal is erect and the lateral sepals are curved towards each other. The petals are narrower, horizontally spread with fine purple veins on them. The lip is prominent and curved. Each pseudobulb pseudobulb has a single leaf and bears a single flower. flower. This epiphytic species is found in Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines at altitudes of 700 to 2000 meters. They thrive in lowland and montane forests forests on trunks and main branches of trees.


Bulbophyllum inunctum Flower Size 2.5cm

A very prominent feature of this orchid is the maroon coloured veins veins streaking across the petals and sepals like zebra stripes. The dorsal sepal tapers to a sharp point and the lateral sepals lie close together, together, edges almost touching. touching. The lip is relatively relatively small, bright orange in colour and warty looking. They are found in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. It is rarely sighted in Cameron Highlands now.


Bulbophyllum virescens Flower Size 30cm

Words Words cannot adequately describe this wonderful flower, flower, which is yet another proof of Mother Nature’s Nature’s creative genius. The flowers numbering 6 to 8 are beautifully arranged in a circle to form a crown of greenish-yellow greenish-yellow. The sepals are long and tapering with dark green veins. The petals are narrower than the sepals and their ends are almost whisker-like. whisker-like. The lip resembles a lolling tongue of white with a dark purple centre. They are found in the Peninsular Peninsular Malaysia, the Moluccas and Sumatra at elevations elevations of around 760 to 1000 meters.

RARE BULBOPHYLLUMS

B. blumei

B. bot r yophor um

B. dipl antherum

B . f l av e s c e n s

B . o p t us i p e t a l u m

B. spp. aff. membr anac eum

B. tor tuosum

B.biflorum


Ceratostylis robusta

Bromheadia A group of epiphytic or terrestrial terres trial plants of slender and long stems up to heights heights of 2m. Leaves may be lanceolate or flattened. The flowers are borne on inflorescences at the terminal ends or laterally on the stems. The flowers are fairly large and quite striking in colour but only one or two bloom in succession. Sepals and petals are similar and widely spreading. spreading. Lips are shorter than sepals. Plants are often seen growing in clumps and hanging down from tree branches or clusters standing erect in semi-shaded habitat. The genus is found throughout the lowlands and also in the cool mountains at moderate to high elevations. elevations. In Sarawak, natives use the juice from pounded roots of B. finlaysoniana as a herbal medicine.

Ceratostylis A genus of small epiphytic plants plants that grows in clusters, creeping or sometimes pendulous. They are often seen on tree branches or on trunks where they cling in clusters with roots spreading. spreading. The stems maybe short or long and are seen hanging downwards from the branches. The leaves leaves are also short and narrow and in many instances rounded. The flowers are usually small borne on inflorescence at the apex of the stems and are not not particularly colourful. They are midstorey or canopy level epiphytes that prefer a semi-shaded environment and are easily vulnerable to environmental changes. This genus is usually found in higher elevations but is also found at low elevations. They are distributed from India, China through Southeast Asia and east to the Pacific Islands.

EPIPHYTIC ORCHIDS s e i l i m a f d i h c r o d l i W Coelogyne stenochila, grows in Peninsular Malaysia exposed ridges in upper montane forests.

Coelogyne This is a large genus of sympodial plants which has beautiful and outstanding flowers. flowers. Some species species of this genus genus are also known as “necklace orchids” because of their long pendant multi-flowered inflorescences. The characteristic feature of this genus genus is its deep stigmatic stigmatic cavity cavity from which it derives its name ( Koilos is the Greek word for ‘hollow’ and gyne means ‘woman’). ‘woman’). The pseudobulbs of the plants could be clustered or apart and have large, sometimes broad leaves. The flowers are large, fairly colourful on erect or pendulous, hanging inflorescence. They range from a few to as many as forty flowers which open simultaneously or in succession. The sepals are free, often concave. The petals are free and narrower than the sepals. The lip is tri-lobed with high lateral lobes along the basal part. The terminal part of the lips maybe maybe

smooth, toothed or warty. The column bears two long pollinia. In some species the flowers emit a sweet smell to attract pollinators such as bees, wasps and beetles. The flowers can be cultivated but do not last long and therefore not very popular with hybridists. Their habitat ranges from huge trees, along river banks, (the picture on page 1 and 2 was taken with great difficulty because the orchid was on an overhanging branch above a rushing river), slopes or deep valleys, where they grow as epiphytes or sometimes as terrestrials. The species are found in the lowlands and highlands at various elevations and localities. It is an interesting group of 190 species and is found in Himalayas, India, China, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. In Cameron Highlands alone a few Coelogyne species can be found.


Coelogyne xyrekes Flower Size 7.5cm

This is an epiphyt e piphytee with clustered pseudobulbs carrying a single leaf. It blooms on a 7.5 cm long inflorescence. The flowers are large and appear singly. The sepals and petals are pinkish-orange in colour. The lips are dark brown and have a ruffled appearance. They are found in Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra in montane forests at elevations of 700 to 1900 meters.


Coelogyne kaliana Flower Size 2.5cm

This is another lovely Coelogyne orchid. This epiphyte has pseudo-bulbs carrying long, pendulous, 4 to 12 flowered inflorescences. The flowers are predominantly white. Sepals and petals are snow white. Lips are white on the outer surface but brown on the inner surface which is streaked with white veins. The ‘landing pad’ on the lip is a bright attractive yellow to lure insects. This species is found in Peninsular Malaysia in montane forests. They live on shrubs, tree trunks and large branches at elevations of 1650 to 2000 meters.


Dendrobium revolutum, is found in Myanamar, Thailand, Malaysia and Laos.

Dendrobium This is a broad genus genus of sympodial plants with over 1200 species. Dendrobium is the second largest genus after Bulbophyllum. Dendrobium in Greek essentially means “one who lives on trees” or epiphyte. It is derived from the word dendron (“tree”) and bios “ life”. With so many species under this genus there is a wide variation in plant forms, leaves and flowers. Some stems are fleshy pseudobulbs, some are tough, large canes, whilst some are small and slender like. The leaves also vary widely, from small single fleshy leaves to flat or thin leaves, to cylindrical terete forms. The flowers vary from large to small, showy and colourful, singly or on inflorescences borne at the apex or laterally. laterally. The flowers may last for 1 day to months. They are usually epiphytic but are sometimes lithophytic. The species are

adaptable to various habitats, some prefer moist warm growth conditions whilst some prefer cool, dry and plentiful sunlight to grow g row.. The genus occurs over a wide area in the lowlands as well as the highlands ranging through all parts of Asia to the Pacific and is the second most common orchid genera after Cattleyas to be cultivated. Some species are grown as medicinal plants. Dendrobium nobile is used as traditional Chinese herbal medicine. This genus is widely hybridized by horticulturists. We have found many species of this genus all over over Cameron Highlands, from the Orang Asli villages to various forest reserves but because of rampant poaching they have become scarce. Dendrobium brinchangense is shown in REACH’s logo.


Dendrobium kentrophyllum Flower Size 2cm

This species has spectacular flowers that from afar look like pink bouquets. The stems are leafy, leafy, about 20 cm long bearing short single flowered inflorescences. inflorescences. The sepals and petals are pink lined with maroon veins and petals are narrower than sepals. Lips are not distinct. Dendrobium kentrophyllum is found in the eastern Himalayas, Laos, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra. They occur in peat swamp, hill, ridge-top and lower montane forests at elevations from sea-level to 1520 meters.


Epigeneium longipes Flower Size 2.5cm

The flowers of this species resemble the the flowers of Coelogyne kaliana but the sepals and petals are not pure white. They are tinged with pink. The pseudobulbs are 2 to 3 cm long and the leaves short and broad. The inflorescences are short with 3 to 5 flowers. The centre part of the lip is a bright yellow with reddish brown veins at the base. This species is found in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.


Oberonia anceps

Oberonia Oberonia is a group of small to medium sized epiphytic orchids. Occasional they are terrestrial. The plants have short or long slender stems, normally with flat fleshy lanceolate leaves. The inflorescence is borne terminally, covered with dense small flowers often quite colourful and bloom simultaneously. The flowers are often arranged in regular whorls. Sepals are usually broad, equal in size and reflexed. Petals are usually narrower than sepals and sometimes toothed. Lip is always at the top of the flower. flower. It is usually tri-lobed, concave at the base with the basal lobes embracing the column. Column is very short with 4 pollinia. The

species of this genus are mainly mainly found in the wild, on branches branches and limbs of host trees along riverbanks and valleys. They are also seen on trees in inhabited areas. The genus inhabits the lowland rainforest and mountain forest at mid-elevation. They are easy to recognize due to their laterally compressed leaves and slender terminal inflorescences with minute flowers. About thirty thirty species are recorded recorded in Peninsular Malaysia. There are around 330 species in this genus worldwide. They are usually found in the tropical regions. This orchid is one of our favourites, favourites, the inflorescences look like beautiful bracelets at close range.

Where have all the trees gone? Is there still hope for the future? f uture?

CONSERVATION

The ongoing REACH reforestation project is highly successful. Here members of the Japanese long-stay clubs are going out to plant trees (above and left).

Conservation of orchids 

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efforts of REACH

One of REACH’s maiden projects was reintroducing Paphiopedilum barbatum into the wild. This species used to be found in abundance abundance in the jungles of Cameron Highlands. Resembling Resembling a carpet of flowers in some areas! But no longer. highly sought Paphiopedilum barbatum is very highly after. As it is difficult to propagate this plant in the nursery and the time taken for it to flower is long, demand has exceeded supply. This eventually led to a poaching frenzy and within within a couple of years one could hardly find them in the jungles anymore. In April 2003, a few of these Lady’s Slippers were returned to the wild at two designated plots. Unfortunately all the plants in one plot have been removed by unscrupulous individuals and the success success of this project project is now dependent dependent on

the second site. All Paphiopedilum species species are listed on CITES. REACH is currently attempting to establish the region as a National Park, as this status would ensure stricter legislation and enforcement, providing better protection for the local rainforests. rainforest s. One of our primary aims is to maintain the biodiversity of the local area and secure it for for future generations. In our efforts to promote sustainable management REACH is also involved in encouraging re-cycling. To facilitate transport of recyclables recyclables a compactor site is being constructed. Plans are now afoot to set up a wild orchid sanctuary with the help help of the local forestry department. This is to house the wild orchids confiscated from the poachers.

CONSERVATION

Ecotourism can be a vital factor in achieving sustainable development and nature conservation.

Ecotourism plays a vital role 

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in nature conservation

Ecotourism is defined by the International a constant, sustainable source of revenue Ecotourism Society (TIES) as “Res- to the people of Cameron Highlands. On ponsible travel to natural areas that the contrary if the forests are cleared cleared for conserves the environment environment and improves improves its products e.g. timber this will provide provide the well-bring of local people.” To To do this only a one-off source of revenue and several criteria should ideally be satisfied. future generations generations will be deprived of its This includes conservation conservation of biological benefits. Conserving the forests will also diversity and cultural diversity through serve to protect the cultures cultures of our Orang ecosystem ecosyst em protection, promotion of sus- Asli (indigenous people). With their tainable use of biodiversity by by the sharing extensive knowledge knowledge of the forests they can of socio-economics benefits with local be excellent ecotourism guides. From local communities and minimizing the environ- data available the influx of tourists tou rists has mental impact of tourism. In Cameron exceeded the the carrying capacity of CameHighlands where ecotourism is a major ron Highlands. Water resources, sanitsource of income, these guiding guiding principles ation, traffic flow are now compromised should be applied. By preserving the due to the uncontrolled development in remaining forests here the biological recent years. In conclusion it does not diversity of the flora and fauna will will be make sense to our destroy forest, the very conserved. This will draw ecologically thing that attracts tourists here. conscious visitors here and provide

CONSERVATION

The REACH orchid survey team in action! From left to right: Rama, Embi, Liau and Amran (left). Antony, Amran and Liau (above).

REACH orchid team 

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and the orchid book

Documentation of any wildlife species especially those nearing extinction is important. It reminds reminds us of the urgent need for preservation of their natural habitat. The orchid survey team led by En. Embi Abdullah was formed in 2002 for this purpose. Other members include Amran Khan, Kaliyannan Karupiah, Liau Tai Leong, Zulkifli Mohd Ariffin and Ramakrishnan Ramasamy. This enthusiastic group has sacrificed numerous weekends traversing the forests in search of wild beauties and naming them. Their sojourns have always been interesting and sometimes hilarious; from crossing raging rivers, falling into ravines, getting lost, chased by hornets, to stumbling across new orchid species while answering the call of nature! The task of identification and verification of the

orchids has been done with due diligence using published references and verification by local experts. This book does not aim to be a reference book. It is a pictorial book and text has been intentionally kept simple. Pictures of whole orchid plants plants have been minimal to reduce the chances of poachers identifying them them in the forest.

REACH Orchid Survey: Species of Wild Orchids Newly recorded Genus New recorded Species New Forms Probable new Species

605 1 25 35 3

Cymbidium simulans

Dendrobium aduncum

Dendrobium aloifolium

Dendrobium anosmum (forma)

Dendrobium erosum

Dendrobium hasseltii

Dendrobium mannii

Dendrobium pachyphyllum

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