Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms → Monocots → Asparagales
- Family: Orchidaceae
- Subfamily: Epidendroideae
- Genus: Epidendrum
- Section: Schistochila – Subsection Integra
- Species: Epidendrum orchidiflorum Salzm. ex Lindl.
Description
Epidendrum orchidiflorum is an epiphytic or terrestrial orchid native to Brazil. The plant forms a caespitose (tufted) habit with numerous coriaceous leaves that are flat, ovate‑oblong, and obtuse when mature. Leaves are distichous (arranged in two vertical rows).
The inflorescence arises from a stout terminal peduncle approximately 30 cm long, covered by rough imbricate sheaths. At the apex is a short raceme bearing green flowers. Individual flower morphology includes:
- Dorsal sepal: obovate; lateral sepals: oblong.
- Petals: linear‑subcuneate.
- Lip (labellum): subrotund with two basal calli, tridentate at the apex (the middle tooth smaller than the lateral teeth).
Flowering is reported in February.
Distribution and Habitat
The species grows in sandy thickets, particularly in Bahia, Brazil, where it occupies bushy, sandy sites. Historical botanical literature cites collections from locations such as Macero within this region.
Synonyms and Taxonomic Notes
- Epidendrum caespitosum Barb.Rodr. (1877) – nomen illegitimum
- Epidendrum huebneri Schltr. (1925)
- Epidendrum acrirachis Pabst (1955)
- Epidendrum garayanum A.D.Hawkes (1957) – nomen illegitimum
References
- Wikipedia contributors, “Epidendrum orchidiflorum,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, accessed 2024‑06‑26. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidendrum_orchidiflorum.
