Polystachya foliosa (Hook.) Rchb.f.

Creator(s): R. Aguilar

Description: Inflorescence of Polystachya foliosa based on Reinaldo Aguilar 9962 from the Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Rights: Rights reside with creator, otherwise property of NYBG.

  • Family

    Orchidaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Polystachya foliosa (Hook.) Rchb.f.

  • Primary Citation

    Ann. Bot. Syst. 6(4): 640. 1863

  • Basionym

    Stelis foliosa Hook.

  • Description

    Author: Catherine V. Bainbridge

    Description: Epiphytic herbs, to ca. 40 cm. Pseudobulbs small, ovoid, with sheathing leaves (the persistent veins from old leaves appear as matted fibers at the base of the pseudobulb). Leaves several (2-5), distichous, lanceolate-ligulate, 6-20 x 0.5-2 cm, the apex obtuse. Inflorescence a terminal branching raceme, of many small, non-resupinate, greenish-tan colored flowers, the rachis laterally flattened; dorsal and lateral sepals similar, ovate to elliptic-triangulate, 2-3 x 1.5-2.5 mm, succulent, the apex apiculate; lateral petals ligulate-spatulate, 1.6-2 x ca. 0.5 mm, keeled inward toward the apex, the apex obtuse; lip tri-lobed, 2.5-3 mm long, the lateral lobes rounded, the midlobe with pseudopollen present, the margins microscopically crenate, the apex retuse and reflexed; column short (ca. 1mm long), subcircular; pollinia 4, with viscidium and a short stipe present; fruits elipsoid.

    Common names: Not recorded.

    Distribution: Mexico to Peru, Brazil and the Antilles from sea level to 1500 m.

    Ecology: In moist to wet forests.

    Phenology: Flowers observed from Jul to Dec.

    Pollination: According to Dressler (1981), the genus Polystachya is known to be pollinated by small bees, which gather the pseudopollen from the surface of the lip.

    Dispersal: Wind dispersed.

    Taxonomic notes: Not recorded.

    Conservation: CITES Appendix II - Trade controlled to avoid use incompatible with species survival. (UNEP WCMC 2003. Checkl. CITES Sp. 1-339).

    Uses: Not recorded.

    Etymology: Not recorded.

  • Floras and Monographs

    Polystachya foliosa (Hook.) Rchb.f.: [Article] Mori, S. A., et al. 1997. Guide to the vascular plants of central French Guiana: Part 1. Pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and monocotyledons. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76: 1-422.

    Polystachya foliosa (Hook.) Rchb.f.: [Book] Britton, Nathaniel L. & Millspaugh, Charles F. 1920. The Bahama Flora.

    Polystachya foliosa (Hook.) Rchb.f.: [Article] Ackerman, James D. 1995. An orchid flora of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 73: 1-203.

    Polystachya foliosa (Hook.) Rchb.f.: [Article] Schweinfurth, Charles. 1967. Orchidaceae of the Guayana Highland. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 14: 69-214.