Epidendrum sophronitis

Epidendrum sophronitis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Epidendreae
Subtribe: Laeliinae
Genus: Epidendrum
Subgenus: E. subg.Hormidium
Binomial name
Epidendrum sophronitis
Linden & Rchb.f.
Synonyms

Hormidium sophronitis (Linden & Rchb.f.) Benth. & Hook.f.
Kalopteriz sophronitis (Linden & Rchb.f.) Garay & Dunst.

Epidendrum sophronitis Linden & Rchb.f. (1857) is a small Epidendrum orchid that bears a superficial resemblance to a Sophronitis, as the generic epithet was used prior to the year 2000.

Description

Epidendrum sophronitis is a small pendant pseudobulbous epiphyte that grows in deep shade on the lower part of tree trunks in the montane Tropical rainforest at altitudes of 1.5—3.5 km[1] in Ecuador (where the type was collected),[2] and in Peru, including Amazonas and Pasco.[3] The 1 cm tall ovoid pseudobulbs bear 1—3 elliptic 4–8 cm long fleshy leaves, keeled and bluish-green above, purple below. The 1—1.5 cm racemose inflorescence erupts from a sheath at the apex of the pseudobulb and bears up to three relatively large flowers, one at a time. The flowers are overall greenish yellow, with quite variable purple markings. The lanceolate acuminate recurved dorsal sepal is 2—3.5 cm long by 1 cm wide. The lanceolate-triangular acuminate lateral sepals are usually broader but the same length as the dorsal sepal. The lanceolate acuminate petals are smaller than the sepals. The unlobed, acuminate lip is adnate to the column to its apex and 2—3.5 cm long by 1—2.5 cm wide.

References

  1. ↑ The Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia
  2. ↑ C. Schweinfurth "First Supplement to the Orchids of Peru" Fieldiana:Botany 33(1970)43. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago
  3. ↑ C. Dodson & D. Bennett "EPIDENDRUM SOPHRONITIS Linden & Rchb.f.", Plate 0072 of Icones Plantarum Tropicarum, Series II, Orchids of Peru. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis. 1989

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