Revision of Coelogyne section Verrucosae (Orchidaceae): a new sectional delimitation based on morphological and molecular evidence

Section Verrucosae Pfitzer & Kraenzl. of the genus Coelogyne Lindl. is revised using morphological and molecular data. Eight species are recognized, including two new ones ( C. marthae and C. verrucosa). One name is reduced to synonymy. Four species formerly included by several authors in sect. Verrucosae (C. brachyptera, C. papillosa, C. parishii and C. virescens) are excluded. A total evidence analysis of morphological characters and ITS and matK sequence data supports the monophyly of the section as here recognized. Coelogyne virescens (sect. Brachypterae) is identified as nearest neighbour to the species of sect. Verrucosae. The number of sterile bracts on the rhachis and the shape of the ornamentation on the epichile appear to be phylogenetically informative characters, in contrast with the inflorescence type, ovary indumentum and number of keels on the hypochile.