Maxillaria uncata Lindl.

  • Family

    Orchidaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Maxillaria uncata Lindl.

  • Primary Citation

    Edwards's Bot. Reg. 23: t. 1986. 1837

  • Description

    Author: Catherine V. Bainbridge

    Description: Epiphytic, creeping herbs, to ca. 15 cm. Pseudobulbs cylindrical, ca. 1 cm, separated on rhizome, unifoliate. Leaf blades linear, terete, succulent, 1.5-6 x 0.2-0.6 cm. Inflorescences solitary. Flowers: ca. 1 cm, cream to creamy pink, with reddish or purple stripes. Dorsal sepal ovate, ca. 9 x 4 mm; lateral sepals triangular, ca. 15 x 5 mm. Petals ovate, 8-9 x ca. 4 mm. Lip ca. 14 x 5 mm, ridged in basal portion, contracted at the distal portion; callus ligulate. Column 14 mm long, with conspicuous foot, distally concave (appearing hook-like in profile). Pollinia 4, with stipe and viscidium.

    Common names: Not recorded.

    Distribution: Southern Mexico to Ecuador and Venezuela from 50 to 1500 m.

    Ecology: In wet forests.

    Phenology: Flowering from Jan to Dec.

    Pollination: According to Dressler (1981) available records indicate pollination by food seeking bees for the genus Maxillaria and that some Brazilian species are evidently pollinated by bees that gather wax from the lip.

    Dispersal: Wind dispersed.

    Taxonomic notes: Not recorded.

    Conservation: CITES II

    Uses: Not recorded.

  • Floras and Monographs

    Maxillaria uncata Lindl.: [Article] Mori, S. A., et al. 1997. Guide to the vascular plants of central French Guiana: Part 1. Pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and monocotyledons. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76: 1-422.

    Maxillaria uncata Lindl.: [Article] Schweinfurth, Charles. 1967. Orchidaceae of the Guayana Highland. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 14: 69-214.