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Epidendrum serpens

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Epidendrum serpens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Epidendrum
Subgenus: Epidendrum subg. Hormidium
Species:
E. serpens
Binomial name
Epidendrum serpens

Epidendrum serpens is a sympodial pseudobulbous orchid that grows among lichens on trees near the tree line at altitudes of 1.6-3.5 km in Peru and Ecuador, including the states of Azuay and Pichincha.

Description

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The flattened oblong cylindrical pseudobulbs grow to 2 cm long and bear one[1] or two to three[2] leaves. The short, terminal, racemose inflorescence bears three to seven rather large flowers, up to 2 cm across, colored deep violet (Reichenbach) to wine-red (Dodson & Dodson). The lip is heart-shaped where it diverges from the apex of the column, is bolobate at the apex, bears a low keel down the middle, and is slightly fringed on the edge.

References

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  1. ^ CM Dodson & PM Dodson, Icones Plantarum Tropicarum, Series II, Orchids of Ecuador Plate 0487. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis. 1989
  2. ^ H. G. Reichenbach, "Orchides" in Carl Müller, Ed. Walpers Annales Botanices Systematicae VI(1861)346. Berlin.