Rediscovery of Prosthechea sessiliflora (Orchidaceae, Laeliinae) in the Brazilian Cerrado domain provides valuable taxonomic data and allows nomenclatural adjustments

Abstract

Prosthechea sessiliflora is a Brazilian endemic orchid species notably poorly represented in biological collections. The type material whereabouts is unknown, and the species had no further herbarium specimens until very recently. After the recent rediscovery of the species in the Cerrado domain, a deeper morphological evaluation was possible, as well as necessary nomenclatural adjustments. Herein, we present an updated morphological description of the species, together with a composite digital plate highlighting its morphology, perform a lectotypification and epitypification, and provide a preliminary conservation assessment of the species, in addition to nomenclatural and taxonomic notes.