Orchidaceae

Scaphyglottis

Representative Image
Representative image.

Kingdom: Plantae Rank: Genus Parent: Orchidaceae Status: Valid

Morphological Description

Diagnosis: Field characters: Plants of Scaphyglottis differ from other genera by having spindle-shaped pseudobulbs that are mostly superposed. In other words, some new pseudobulbs emerge from the base of older growths in typical sympodial growth but mostly they arise from the tips of previous pseudobulbs, eventually forming chains of growths. Unlike other genera with similar growth habits, the superposed pseudobulbs of Scaphyglottis rarely produce new roots (and usually only if the original [juvenile] plantlet is physically damaged).

1 Flowers not resupinate, leaves linear more than 10 times as long as broad. ... 2
1’ Flowers resupinate, leaves oblong. ... 3
2 Sepals and petals yellow .... S. boliviensis
2’ Sepals and petals bright amethyst purple. .... S. stellata
3(1’)
3’

Vegetative Morphology

Habit: Caespitose epiphytes. Pseudobulbs cylindric to club-shaped with a stipitate base, unbranched or forming superposed chains of pseudobulbs by branching from the apex of the previous pseudobulb, +/- producing adventitious roots and independently viable plantlets.

Leaves: Leaves 1--3, linear to elliptic.

Reproductive Morphology

Inflorescence: Inflorescences terminal subsessile racemes or rarely panicles, one to several, the floral bracts usually inconspicuous.

Flowers: Flowers cupped, mostly in shades of white, green, and brown. Sepals and petals free, spreading, subsimilar, subequal. Lip unlobed to three-lobed, sessile or short-clawed, often strongly recurved near the middle, +/- callus. Column straight, +/- wings, with short foot; pollinia 4 or 6, in two groups, each group sessile on one of two viscidia.