Orchidaceae
Dichaea
Kingdom: Plantae Rank: Genus Parent: Orchidaceae Status: Valid
Morphological Description
Diagnosis:
##
1
1’
2
2’
Vegetative Morphology
Habit: Caespitose, pseudomonopodial epiphytes.
Main axis: Stems sparsely branched, erect to pendent, leafy throughout, rooting at the base.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, distichous, deciduous by abscission or withering and long-persistent.
Reproductive Morphology
Inflorescence: Inflorescences axillary short-pedunculate, one-flowered scapes, the floral bracts tubular.
Flowers: Flowers one to a few from axils usually near the stem apex, cupped. Sepals and petals free, spreading, subsimilar, subequal. Lip unlobed to three-lobed, clawed, often anchor-shaped, +/- basal callus. Column erect, with a short foot, without wings, the base of the stigma often extended as a tongue-shaped appendage; pollinia 4, in two pairs, on a slender common stipe and minute viscidium. Ovaries smooth, three-angled, or covered with fleshy trichomes (muriculate).
Other
Notes: Dichaea is extremely problematic at the species level. I have little confidence in the application of any names in this flora. In addition, there are many unidentified species in herbaria.