Oncidium meirax Rchb.f.

  • 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

    Oncidium meirax Rchb.f.

  • Description

    Species Description - Plants small, caespitose epiphytes. Roots slender, numerous from rhizome, 0.5-1 mm diam. Pseudobulbs laterally compressed, ovoid to cylindrical, 5-25 mm long, 3-15 mm wide, unifoliate at apex, subtended by lateral leaves. Leaves 3-5, fleshy, coriaceous, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, acute, 1-7.5 cm long, 3-12 mm wide; lateral leaves deciduous before the apical. Inflorescences lateral, racemose or paniculate and sparsely branched, few-flowered; peduncle and rachis somewhat flattened, ca. 2.5 mm wide; floral bracts ovate, 5-6 mm long. Flowers yellow, resupinate, produced sequentially. Pedicellate ovary slender, ca. 7 mm long. Dorsal sepal linear-oblanceolate, acute, 6-10 mm long, 1.5-3 mm wide; lateral sepals falcate, linear-oblanceolate, obtuse, 7-12 mm long, 1.5-3 mm wide. Petals slightly asymmetric, oblanceolate, acute, 5-9 mm long, 1.5-3 mm wide. Lip simple, ovate to ovate-triangular, acute, 6-10 mm long, 5-8 mm wide, basal callus 3-pronged with brownish spots; disc with 3 papillae. Column erect, inconspicuously winged, 3.5-4 mm long; pollinia obovoid, on a slender stipe attached to a viscidium. Fruits ellipsoidal, winged, 1.5-2 cm long.

  • Discussion

    1. Oncidium meirax Reichenbach f., Bonplandia 2: 12. 1854. Type. Wagener 34, from Caracas, Venezuela (W, photograph seen). Fig. 64. Oncidium alatum Cogniaux in Urban, Symb. Ant. 6: 642. 1910. Type. Sintenis 6566, from near Roncador, Puerto Rico (BR). Phenology & Pollination. Plants mature rapidly and may flower at any time during the year. Some populations in the Cordillera Central appear to be self-pollinating because often all flowers set fruit. In other localities plants produce few fruits, as is typical of other oncidiums. Pollinators are unknown.

  • Distribution

    General Distribution. Guadeloupe, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and tropical South America. Distribution in Puerto Rico. Known from the Cordillera Central; recorded from Adjuntas, Barranquitas, Cayey, Ciales, Guayama, Guayanilla, Jayuya, Orocovis, Utuado, and Villalba. Habitat. Epiphytic on twigs, branches, and trunks of trees and shrubs in wet forests at high elevations (800-1000 m); uncommon, but can be locally abundant.

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