Epidendrum alpicola
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Epidendrum
Subgenus: Epidendrum subg. Spathium
Species:
E. alpicola
Binomial name
Epidendrum alpicola

Epidendrum alpicola is a tropical orchid native to Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru,[2] and Venezuela at altitudes from 1.8—2.7 km.[3]

Description

Epidendrum alpicola is a sympodial epiphyte with slender, flattened stems, to 60 cm tall. The stems are covered by tubular sheathes, which bear leaves on the upper part of the stem. The distichous linear-lanceolate leaves are often bilobulate at the apex.[4] The cylindrical, racemose, many-flowered inflorescence erupts from a solitary spathe (sometimes twin spathes) at the apex of the stem, as is typical of the subgenus E. subg. Spathium.[5] The lanceolate-acuminate sepals are wedge shaped at the base: the dorsal 7–12 mm long by as little as 2 mm wide; the lateral sepals slightly larger and asymmetrical at the base. The linear petals are much shorter than the petals. The trilobate lip is adnate to the column to its apex: cordate at the base, with minute crenelations on the lateral lobes, two callosities at the base, and three or more shallow keels running down the midlobe from near the column apex.

Taxonomy

The species was first published under the name Epidendrum alpicolum in 1854.[6] However, epithets ending in -cola (meaning 'dweller') are treated as nouns in apposition rather than adjectives,[7] so the epithet has been corrected to alpicola.[8][1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Epidendrum alpicola Rchb.f.", International Plant Names Index (IPNI), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens, retrieved 2023-05-26
  2. ↑ "Epidendrum alpicola Rchb.f. & Warsz.", GBIF, retrieved 2023-05-26
  3. ↑ herbarium sheets available at http://orchid.unibas.ch/phpMyHerbarium/5245.2/1/Epidendrum/alpicolum/Reichenbach_Heinrich_Gustav/specimen.php
  4. ↑ Schweinfurth "Orchids of Peru Supplement", Fieldiana: Botany 33(1970)33—34 as "Epidendrum alpicola Reichb.f., Bonpl. 2:110. 1854."
  5. ↑ H. G. Reichenbach, "Orchides", nr. 189, in C. Müller, Ed. Walpers. Annales Botanices Systematicae 6(1861)366, as "Epidendrum Alpicolum"
  6. ↑ Reichenbach, G. H. (1854), "E. alpicolum Rchb. fil.", Bonplandia. Zeitschrift für die gesammte Botanik, vol. 2, p. 110, retrieved 2023-05-26
  7. ↑ Stearn, W.T. (2004), Botanical Latin (4th (p/b) ed.), Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, ISBN 978-0-7153-1643-6, p. 387
  8. ↑ "Epidendrum alpicola Rchb.f. & Warsz.", Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2023-05-26
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