Epidendrum subsect. Spathacea
Encyclopedia
Epidendrum subsect. Spathacea Rchb.f. is a subsection of the section E. sect. Planifolia
Rchb.f. 1861 of the subgenus E. subg. Epidendrum
Lindl. 1841 of the genus Epidendrum
Lindl. of the Orchidaceae
. Like the other subsections of E. sect. Planifolia, the species of E. subsect. Spathacea are characterized by a sympodial
growth habit without pseudobulb
s, a lack of any spathes or sheathes covering the base of the racemose inflorescence
, and by flat (not round) leaves. The species categorized in Spathacea differ from the members of the other subsections by having large floral bracts, which make the inflorescence resemble a strobilus
. Reichenbach originally placed eight species in this subsection (page numbers refer to Reichenbach 1861):
Epidendrum sect. Planifolia
The section Epidendrum sect. Planifolia of the subgenus E. subg. Epidendrum Lindl. 1841 of the genus Epidendrum of the Orchidaceae was published in 1861 by Reichenbach It differs from the other three sections The section Epidendrum sect. Planifolia of the subgenus...
Rchb.f. 1861 of the subgenus E. subg. Epidendrum
Epidendrum subg. Epidendrum
The subgenus Epidendrum subg. Epidendrum was published as "Euepidendrum" in 1841 with the diagnosis "Caulis foliosus. Pedunculus brevis esquamatus...
Lindl. 1841 of the genus Epidendrum
Epidendrum
Epidendrum , abbreviated Epi in horticultural trade, is a large neotropical genus of the orchid family. With more than 1,100 species, some authors describe it as a mega-genus. The genus name refers to its epiphytic growth habit...
Lindl. of the Orchidaceae
Orchidaceae
The Orchidaceae, commonly referred to as the orchid family, is a morphologically diverse and widespread family of monocots in the order Asparagales. Along with the Asteraceae, it is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species,...
. Like the other subsections of E. sect. Planifolia, the species of E. subsect. Spathacea are characterized by a sympodial
Sympodial
Sympodial means "with conjoined feet", and in biology is often used to refer to the outward morphology or mode of growth of organisms.-In botany:...
growth habit without pseudobulb
Pseudobulb
The pseudobulb is a storage organ derived from the part of a stem between two leaf nodes.It applies to the orchid family , specifically certain groups of epiphytic orchids, and may be single or composed of several internodes with evergreen or deciduous leaves along its length.In some species, it is...
s, a lack of any spathes or sheathes covering the base of the racemose inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
, and by flat (not round) leaves. The species categorized in Spathacea differ from the members of the other subsections by having large floral bracts, which make the inflorescence resemble a strobilus
Strobilus
A strobilus is a structure present on many land plant species consisting of sporangia-bearing structures densely aggregated along a stem. Strobili are often called cones, but many botanists restrict the use of the term cone to the woody seed strobili of conifers...
. Reichenbach originally placed eight species in this subsection (page numbers refer to Reichenbach 1861):
- E. bifarium Sw.Olof SwartzOlof Peter Swartz was a Swedish botanist and taxonomist. He is best known for his taxonomic work and studies into pteridophytes...
(1799) on page 401 - E. bangii RolfeRolfeThe unusual and interesting English surname Rolfe derives ultimately from the Old Scandinavian and Germanic pre 5th century personal name "Hrodwulf". This was composed of the elements "hrod", meaning "renown", and "wulf", a wolf...
(1907) on page 401 as E. macrostachyum Lindl. (1845) nom. illeg. - E. coriifoliumEpidendrum coriifoliumEpidendrum coriifolium is a sympodial orchid which grows both terrestrially and epiphytically at altitudes of 1.4—1.7 km in dense forests in Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Central America, and Venezuela.-Description:...
Lindl.(1851) on page 400 - E. paranaense Barb.Rodr.(1882) on page 401 as E. imbricatum Lindl.(1831) nom. illeg.
- E. ramosumEpidendrum ramosumEpidendrum ramosum is a neotropical species of reed-stemmed Epidendrum orchid which grows both epiphytically and terrestrially at altitudes near 1 km.-Description:...
Jacq. (1760) on page 399 - E. rigidumEpidendrum rigidumEpidendrum rigidum is an epiphytic reed-stemmed Epidendrum orchid common throughout the Neotroical lowlands, below 600 m. Epidendrum rigidum is an epiphytic reed-stemmed Epidendrum orchid common throughout the Neotroical lowlands, below 600 m. Epidendrum rigidum is an epiphytic...
Jacq.( 1760) on page 400 - E. strobiliferum Rchb.f.(1859) on pages 399-400
- E. xylostachyum Lindl.(1845) on page 400