Orchidaceae
Campylocentrum
Kingdom: Plantae Rank: Genus Parent: Orchidaceae Status: Valid
Taxonomic Classification
Classification: Based on recent molecular studies, Campylocentrum has been reduced to a synonym of Dendrophylax. I am taking the conservative approach and keeping them under their long established name. Species level taxonomy is problematic as most species have been uncritically “lumped” under the name C. micranthum.
Morphological Description
Diagnosis:
The leafy species of this genus, such as the two recorded for the flora to date, are called “Toothbrush Orchids” because of their strongly second inflorescences of small white flowers which do resemble a toothbrush. In addition, Campylocentrum is the only genus of orchids in the flora with a miniature vining habit and white flowers with conspicuous spurs, the spurs usually subequal to the other floral segments.
1 C. hondurense
1’ C. micranthum
Vegetative Morphology
Habit: Monopodial epiphytes.
Main axis: Stems elongate and leafy, extremely short and leafless, or rarely elongate and leafless (one species).
Leaves: Leaves alternate, distichous.
Reproductive Morphology
Inflorescence: Inflorescences short to elongate densely flowered racemes, often secund.
Flowers: Flowers tubular, inconspicuous, usually white. Sepals and petals free or shortly fused at the base. Lip unlobed or three-lobed, with a conspicuous spur, the spur subglobose or elongate, straight or curved. Column very short; pollinia 2, attached to one or two filiform stipes.