Epidendrum serpens

Epidendrum serpens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Epidendreae
Subtribe: Laeliinae
Genus: Epidendrum
Subgenus: E. subg. Hormidium
Species: E. serpens
Binomial name
Epidendrum serpens
Lindl.

Epidendrum serpens is a sympodial pseudobulbous orchid that grows among lichens on trees near the tree line at altitudes of 1.6-3.5 km in Peru and Ecuador, including the states of Azuay and Pichincha.

Description

The flattened oblong cylindrical pseudobulbs grow to 2 cm long and bear one[1] or two to three[2] leaves. The short, terminal, racemose inflorescence bears three to seven rather large flowers, up to 2 cm across, colored deep violet (Reichenbach) to wine-red (Dodson & Dodson). The lip is heart-shaped where it diverges from the apex of the column, is bolobate at the apex, bears a low keel down the middle, and is slightly fringed on the edge.

References

  1. CM Dodson & PM Dodson, Icones Plantarum Tropicarum, Series II, Orchids of Ecuador Plate 0487. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis. 1989
  2. H. G. Reichenbach, "Orchides" in Carl Müller, Ed. Walpers Annales Botanices Systematicae VI(1861)346. Berlin.
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