Orchidaceae
Bletia catenulata Ruíz & Pav.
Kingdom: Plantae Rank: Species Parent: Bletia Status: Valid
Morphological Description
Diagnosis: Corms globose, to 8 cm in diameter. Leaves linear-lanceolate, acuminate, to 85 x 8 cm. Inflorescences erect long-pedunculate racemes to 1.6 m, many populations less than ½ as long. Flowers 9-18, produced over long periods of time, pale pink to magenta. Sepals elliptic, acute, to 5.1 x 2 cm. Petals oblique, broadly ovate-suborbicular, acute, inflexed, to 5.1 x 3.5 cm. Lip 3-lobed, to 5.3 x 6.6 cm, the lateral lobes erect-incurved, suborbicular, obtuse-rounded, the midlobe transversely elliptic, notched at the apex, the callus of five keels. Column club-shaped, arching, winged, to 2.1 cm long.
Vegetative Morphology
Habit: Corms globose, to 8 cm in diameter.
Leaves: Leaves linear-lanceolate, acuminate, to 85 x 8 cm.
Reproductive Morphology
Inflorescence: Inflorescences erect long-pedunculate racemes to 1.6 m, many populations less than ½ as long.
Flowers: Flowers 9-18, produced over long periods of time, pale pink to magenta. Sepals elliptic, acute, to 5.1 x 2 cm. Petals oblique, broadly ovate-suborbicular, acute, inflexed, to 5.1 x 3.5 cm. Lip 3-lobed, to 5.3 x 6.6 cm, the lateral lobes erect-incurved, suborbicular, obtuse-rounded, the midlobe transversely elliptic, notched at the apex, the callus of five keels. Column club-shaped, arching, winged, to 2.1 cm long.
Other
Notes: See Christenson, E. A. 2006. Orchids of Peru: Bletia catenulata. Orchid Review 114(1270):218-219.