Elleanthus caricoides Nash

  • Family

    Orchidaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Elleanthus caricoides Nash

  • Primary Citation

    Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 34: 119. 1907

  • Type Specimens

    Specimen 1: Holotype -- G. V. Nash 25151, verif. K. S. Walter, 1982

  • Description

    Author: Catherine V. Bainbridge

    Description: Epiphytic herbs, to ca. 30 cm tall. Pseudobulbs lacking. Stems very slender, reed-like. Leaves distichous; blades plicate, narrow, lanceolate, 9-14 x 0.5-0.8 cm, the apex acuminate, obliquely notched. Inflorescences terminal, capitate, of several, off-white colored flowers, produced in succession, enveloped within conspicuous floral bracts; floral bracts elliptic, 2-2.5 x 0.5 mm, the apex acuminate. Flowers: dorsal sepal elliptic to elliptic-oblong, 7-8.5 x 1.6-2.5 mm, off-white with ferruginous scales on external surface, the apex apiculate; lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal. Petals 7-8.5 x 1.6-2.5 mm, translucent white with ferruginous margins, the base cuneate. Lip reniform, somewhat saccate, ca. 8 x 12-15 mm, the base with two fleshy and somewhat papillose glands, the margins crenate. Column not winged, hourglass form, 8 mm long, with prominent foot. Pollinia 8, ovoid, with highly elastic caudicles, sectile.

    Common names: Not recorded.

    Distribution: Southern Mexico to Costa Rica from (100-)350 to 1650 m.

    Ecology: In wet forests. The basal glands of the lip can be removed intact. They are very fleshy and somewhat papilose. When crushed, these release an abundant, clear, sweet tasting liquid.

    Phenology: This species has been observed with flowers in Jan, May, Jun, and from Sept to Dec.

    Pollination: Although not as brightly coloured as other native species (e.g. Elleanthus tonduzii or E. hymenophorus), most of the species of this genus are pollinated by hummingbirds (Dressler, 1993).

    Dispersal: Wind dispersed.

    Taxonomic notes: Not recorded.

    Conservation: CITES II

    Uses: Not recorded.

  • Sorry, no descriptions available for this record.