Maxillaria aurea (Poepp. & Endl.) L.O.Williams

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Orchidaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Maxillaria aurea (Poepp. & Endl.) L.O.Williams

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - VENEZUELA. Bolivar: Ptari-tepui, 2100-2285 m alt., on densely forested steep south-facing slopes overlying sandstone, between "Cave Rock" and base of high sandstone bluffs, terrestrial with elongate stems 3 ft tall, leaves ascending, coriaceous and rich green, pedicels grass-green, flowers rich bright yellow, October 30, 1914, J. A. Steyermark 59575; same locality, just northeast of "Cave Rock," 1800-1850 m alt., terrestrial 3-4 ft tall, leaves subcoriaceous, rich green on both sides, pedicellate ovary spreading-recurved, pale green, November 4, 1944, Steyermark 59821; Cerro Guaiquinima, Rio Paragua, 1600-1700 m alt., "North Valley," occasional epiphyte in woodland along watercourse, January 10-12, 1952, B. Maguire 33078; Ilu-tepui, Gran Sabana, 1000-1300 m alt., occasional epiphyte, February 8, 1952, Maguire 33255; Chimantd Massif, Central Section, 1925 m alt., in thickets along Rio Tirica, below Summit Camp, locally frequent terrestrial 0.75-1 m high, leaves spreading-arching, olive green on both sides, pedicels arched-nodding, February 5, 1955, J. A. Steyermark & J. J. Wurdack 474; Auydntepui, 1800 m alt., in open savannas of the central part of the plateau, plant up to 1 m high, flowers very small, yellow, April 1956, E. Foldats 2633; Km 125-130 south of El Dorado, in rain forest, 1000 m or more alt, flanks of Cerro Venamo, in dwarf forest, 1000-1300 m alt., Auydn-tepui, on flanks in open scrubby slopes above Danta, and on summit, up to 2100 m alt., in very open positions, G. C. K. Dunstennlle 872; same locality, cumbre de la parte sureste del brazo noroeste (division occidental del cerro): faldas sobre piedras igneas, vecindad del "Rio Lomita Camp," 1800 m alt., terrestrial in moist rich mossy forest of quebrada northwest of Rio Lomita Camp, leaves rich green, flowers rich yellow. May 10, 1964, Steyermark 93632; same locality, cumbre de la parte sureste: faldas pedregosas con rocas grandes de arenisca, Vecindad del "Oso Woods Camp," 2050 m alt., erect terrestrial, stems 1 m tall, flowers yellow. May 14, 1964, Steyermark 93893 (flowers old). Amazonas: Cerro Sipapo (Paraque), 1500 m alt., "frequent in woodland overhanging Savanna Camp creek," December 6, 1918, B. Maguire & L. Politi 27552; same locality, 1600 m alt., occasional, overhanging stream in upper Caño Negro, January 6, 1949, Maguire ir Politi 28184; Cerro de la Neblina, Rio Yatua, 1650 m alt., just below edge of west escarpment, flowers yellow, fruit green, January 5, 1953, B. Maguire, J. J. Wurdack & G. S. Bunting 37057; Serrania Yutaje, Rio Manapiare, Cerro Yutaje, 2000 m alt., in shaded places on summit slopes, occasional terrestrial, 2 m high, February 17-19, 1953, B. & C. K. Maguire 35303; Cerro de la Neblina, Rio Vatua, 1100 m alt., in upper Cafion Grande basin, occasional terrestrial, flowers yellow, December 11, 1957, B. Maguire, J. J. Wurdack & C. K. Maguire 42352. ECUADOR (type of Ornithidium giganteum), COLOMBIA, PERU (type of Ornithidium aureum) and BOLIVIA.

  • Discussion

    Ornithidium aureuin Poepp. & Endl., Nov. Gen. & Sp. 1: 57, pl. 96. 1836.

    Ornithidium giganteum Lindl., Benth. PI. Hartw. 153. 1845.

    Maxillaria aurea (Poepp. & Endl.) L. O. Williams var. gigantea C. Schweinf., Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harvard Univ. 11: 263. 1945.

  • Distribution

    VENEZUELA. Bolivar: Ptari-tepui, 2100-2285 m alt., on densely forested steep south-facing slopes overlying sandstone, between "Cave Rock" and base of high sandstone bluffs, terrestrial with elongate stems 3 ft tall, leaves ascending, coriaceous and rich green, pedicels grass-green, flowers rich bright yellow, October 30, 1914, J. A. Steyermark 59575; same locality, just northeast of "Cave Rock," 1800-1850 m alt., terrestrial 3-4 ft tall, leaves subcoriaceous, rich green on both sides, pedicellat

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