Mexipedium xerophyticum
Encyclopedia
Mexipedium is a monotypic
genus
of the Orchid
family Orchidaceae, subfamily Cypripedioideae, consisting of only one species, Mexipedium xerophyticum. It is also the single genus of tribe Mexipedieae and subtribe Mexipediinae. This species was initially described as Phragmipedium xerophyticum by Soto Arenas, Salazar & Hàgsater in 1990, but transferred to its own genus by Albert & Chase in 1992, in part based on results from DNA
analysis. Mexipedium xerophyticum is known from a single location in Oaxaca
, Mexico
. Only seven plants were observed at the time of its discovery.
Its name is derived from the country of origin Mexico and the Latin (“foot”), referring to the form of the lip
. The specific epithet xerophyticum means "preferring dry conditions".
A small number of plants were removed for propagation in case plant hunters eradicated the wild stock. Plants are now available as propagules.
This is a lithophytic
orchid, growing on cliffs, shielded from the sun, at an elevation of 320 m (1,049.9 ft). But it grows as well on rocks or in the detritus
in crevasses. Its growth form is unusual in that it tends to spread by runners, offset from the parent plant by several centimeters. The silvery-green leaves
are small, stiff and semi-erect. The tiny white-pink flowers show a shieldlike, pinkish staminode
and a slipper-shaped lip
. The curved petal
s are scythe-shaped. Inflorescences are multifloral and branched.
Allied genera include Cypripedium
, Paphiopedilum
, Selenipedium
and Phragmipedium
.
The genus Mexipedium is listed as Phragmipedium in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and for other legal purposes.
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of the Orchid
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,...
family Orchidaceae, subfamily Cypripedioideae, consisting of only one species, Mexipedium xerophyticum. It is also the single genus of tribe Mexipedieae and subtribe Mexipediinae. This species was initially described as Phragmipedium xerophyticum by Soto Arenas, Salazar & Hàgsater in 1990, but transferred to its own genus by Albert & Chase in 1992, in part based on results from DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
analysis. Mexipedium xerophyticum is known from a single location in Oaxaca
Oaxaca
Oaxaca , , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca is one of the 31 states which, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided into 571 municipalities; of which 418 are governed by the system of customs and traditions...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Only seven plants were observed at the time of its discovery.
Its name is derived from the country of origin Mexico and the Latin (“foot”), referring to the form of the lip
Labellum
Labellum is the Latin diminutive of labium, meaning lip. These are anatomical terms used descriptively in biology, for example in Entomology and botany.-Botany:...
. The specific epithet xerophyticum means "preferring dry conditions".
A small number of plants were removed for propagation in case plant hunters eradicated the wild stock. Plants are now available as propagules.
This is a lithophytic
Lithophyte
Lithophytes are a type of plant that grows in or on rocks. Lithophytes feed off moss, nutrients in rain water, litter, and even their own dead tissue....
orchid, growing on cliffs, shielded from the sun, at an elevation of 320 m (1,049.9 ft). But it grows as well on rocks or in the detritus
Detritus
Detritus is a biological term used to describe dead or waste organic material.Detritus may also refer to:* Detritus , a geological term used to describe the particles of rock produced by weathering...
in crevasses. Its growth form is unusual in that it tends to spread by runners, offset from the parent plant by several centimeters. The silvery-green leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
are small, stiff and semi-erect. The tiny white-pink flowers show a shieldlike, pinkish staminode
Staminode
In botany, a staminode is an often rudimentary, sterile or abortive stamen. This means that it does not produce pollen. Staminodes are frequently inconspicuous and stamen-like, usually occurring at the inner whorl of the flower, but are also sometimes long enough to protrude from the...
and a slipper-shaped lip
Labellum
Labellum is the Latin diminutive of labium, meaning lip. These are anatomical terms used descriptively in biology, for example in Entomology and botany.-Botany:...
. The curved petal
Petal
Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They often are brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. Together, all of the petals of a flower are called a corolla. Petals are usually accompanied by another set of special leaves called sepals lying...
s are scythe-shaped. Inflorescences are multifloral and branched.
Allied genera include Cypripedium
Cypripedium
Cypripedium is a genus of 47 species of lady's-slipper orchids native to temperate and colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere.Some grow in the tundra in Alaska and Siberia, which is an unusually cold habitat for orchids. They can withstand extreme cold, growing under the snow and blooming when...
, Paphiopedilum
Paphiopedilum
The paphiopedilums – often abbreviated Paph and colloquially known as paphs in horticulture – are flowering plants in the orchid family . It contains about 80 accepted species nowadays, some of which are natural hybrids...
, Selenipedium
Selenipedium
Selenipedium is a genus of the Orchid family . The genus has been given its own tribe, Selenipedieae, and subtribe, Selenipediinae...
and Phragmipedium
Phragmipedium
Phragmipedium is a genus of the Orchid family and the only genus comprised in the tribe Phragmipedieae and subtribe Phragmipediinae. The name of the genus is derived from the Greek phragma, which means "division", and pedium, which means "slipper" . It is abbreviated 'Phrag' in trade journals...
.
The genus Mexipedium is listed as Phragmipedium in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and for other legal purposes.