Comparettia falcata Poepp. & Endl.

  • Authority

    Ackerman, James D. 1995. An orchid flora of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 73: 1-203.

  • Family

    Orchidaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Comparettia falcata Poepp. & Endl.

  • Description

    Species Description - Plants glabrous, epiphytic. Roots white, numerous, 0.5-1 mm diam. Pseudobulbs small, aggregated, cylindrical, 1-2.5 cm long. Leaves solitary, rarely 2, from apex of pseudobulb, oblong-elliptic, obtuse, 6-17 cm long, 1.4-2.2 cm wide. Inflorescences lateral from base of the pseudobulb, generally unbranched, laxly severalflowered, peduncle and rachis 10-45 cm long; floral bracts scarious, lanceolate, 3-6 mm long. Flowers conspicuous, rose-colored, resupinate, nearly 2 cm across. Pedicellate ovary 15-23 mm long. Dorsal sepal narrowly elliptic, erect, 8-8.5 mm long, 2.5-3 mm wide; lateral sepals fused, 8-9 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, their bases extending to form a curved, filiform nectar spur, 10-15 mm long. Petals broadly elliptic, obtuse, 8-9 mm long, 4-5 mm wide. Lip membranous, flat, quite narrowed toward the base, retuse, lamina 12-18 mm long, 9-10 mm wide with 2 minutely pubescent, basal, filiform extensions, 6-8 mm long, forming part of the spur. Column short, clavate, ca. 5 mm long; pollinia yellow, stipe white. Fruits subcylindric. Chromosomes: 2n = 42, 44.

  • Discussion

    1. Comparettia falcata Poeppig & Endlicher, Nov. Gen. Sp. PL 1: 42, t. 73. 1836. Type. Poeppig 1646, from near Cuchero and between Cassapi and Pampayacu, Peru (W). Fig. 9. Comparettia rosea Lindley, Edward's Bot. Reg. 26: Misc. 78. 1840. Type. Loddiges s.n., from the Spanish Main (illustration at K-L). Phenology & Pollination. Plants bloom during the first few months of the year and may have as many as 10 flowers or more. Flowers are self-compatible but not autogamous. Like many species with reddish flowers, Comparettia falcata is pollinated by hummingbirds (van der Pijl & Dodson, 1966). The floral spur contains a meager reward of dilute nectar that nonetheless is sought after by the Puerto Rican emerald hummingbird (Rodriguez-Robles et al., 1992; Ackerman et al., 1994). Fruits mature, split open, and release seeds in late summer and fall.

  • Distribution

    General Distribution. Central America, Greater Antilles, Mexico, and tropical South America.

    Central America| Mexico North America| South America|