Polystachya foliosa (Hook.) Rchb.f.

  • Authority

    Schweinfurth, Charles. 1967. Orchidaceae of the Guayana Highland. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 14: 69-214.

  • Family

    Orchidaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Polystachya foliosa (Hook.) Rchb.f.

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - BRITISH GUIANA. "Ite bog 1 mile East of Onoro mouth, 4' low down Epiphytic on G 395. Small epiphyte with linear 6" leaves and spikes of green inferior fruit," 200 m ak., '8/10/52' ", Field no. G 398, Record no. 7414. VENEZUELA. Bolivar: El Pescado, Medio Caura, 90 m alt., L. Williams 11311; Canaima, G. C. K. Dunsterville 148, 312 (as P caracasana); Gran Sabana, between Divina Pastora on Rio Kukendn and Sta. Elena, south of Mt. Roraima, on wooded margin of Uairén River, 915-1005 m alt., on tree, leaves erect, rich green on both sides, rachis and pedicellate ovary light green, flowers deep yellow, October 3, 1944, J. A. Steyermark 59289; Cerro Guaiquinima, Rio Pardgua, Raudal Ouraima, in dry riverine woodland, 175 m alt., infrequent epiphyte, flowers yellowish, January 16-19, 1952, B. Maguire 33148; 105 km from El Dorado near Sta. Elena, E. Foldats 2864. Amazonas: bank of the Orinoco 10 km to the south of Pto. Ayacucho, E. Foldats 3572; Rio Cuao, Rio Orinoco, in Cafio Cuao, 125 m alt., uncommon epiphyte, flowers yellow, December 30, 1948, B. Maguire & L. Politi 28029; along Rio Guainia between Comunidad and Santa Rita, 120 m alt., epiphyte, flowers orange-yellow, July 8, 1959, J. J. Wurdack & L. S. Adderley 43353; along Rio Orinoco just below the mouth of Caño Yapacana, 125 m alt., locally frequent epiphyte, flowers pale orange, July 30, 1959, Wurdack & Adderley 43680; along right bank of Rio Orinoco just below the mouth of Rio Atabapo, 125 m alt., frequent epiphyte, sepals pale orange, petals cream-color, August 6, 1959, Wurdack & Adderley 43779. An extremely polymorphic plant extending from Middle America and the west Indies through VENEZUELA and BRITISH GUIANA (type of Stelis foliosa) to PERU and BRAZIL.

  • Discussion

    Stelis foliosa Lindl., Ann. Nat. Hist. 2: 330, t. 17. 1839.

  • Distribution

    BRITISH GUIANA. "Ite bog 1 mile East of Onoro mouth, 4' low down Epiphytic on G 395. Small epiphyte with linear 6" leaves and spikes of green inferior fruit," 200 m ak., '8/10/52' ", Field no. G 398, Record no. 7414. VENEZUELA. Bolivar: El Pescado, Medio Caura, 90 m alt., L. Williams 11311; Canaima, G. C. K. Dunsterville 148, 312 (as P caracasana); Gran Sabana, between Divina Pastora on Rio Kukendn and Sta. Elena, south of Mt. Roraima, on wooded margin of Uairén River, 915-1005 m alt., on tree,

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