Aceratorchis
Encyclopedia
Aceratorchis is a small genus
from the orchid family (Orchidaceae
).
The genus includes only two epiphytic
species
, occurring in mountainous forests and meadows from Tibet
to Central China
and Yunnan
.
These orchids are 6–15 cm (2.4–5.9 in) tall, with a fleshy, creeping, digitate rhizome
.
The cylindric stem
is erect, with 2 basal tubular sheaths.
The green, glabrous leaf
is basal and petiolate, oblong-spatulate or spatulate with obtuse apex. Its base is clasping around the stem
.
The inflorescence
has 1 to 6 small flowers with lanceolate floral bract
s. The sepal
s are oblong and 3-veined, with an obtuse apex. The lower sepal is concave, forming a hood with petals. The lateral sepals are spreading. The erect, oblong-lanceolate petal
s are purplish red, pale purple, or white, 2-veined, with an acute apex.
The ovate-lanceolate lip
is spreading, It is slightly broader than the petals. Its base is slightly concave, spurless, not lobed, margin entire or slightly undulate. The apex is obtuse.
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...
from the orchid family (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,...
).
The genus includes only two epiphytic
Epiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, occurring in mountainous forests and meadows from Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
to Central China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
.
These orchids are 6–15 cm (2.4–5.9 in) tall, with a fleshy, creeping, digitate rhizome
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
.
The cylindric stem
Plant stem
A stem is one of two main structural axes of a vascular plant. The stem is normally divided into nodes and internodes, the nodes hold buds which grow into one or more leaves, inflorescence , conifer cones, roots, other stems etc. The internodes distance one node from another...
is erect, with 2 basal tubular sheaths.
The green, glabrous leaf
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....
is basal and petiolate, oblong-spatulate or spatulate with obtuse apex. Its base is clasping around the stem
Plant stem
A stem is one of two main structural axes of a vascular plant. The stem is normally divided into nodes and internodes, the nodes hold buds which grow into one or more leaves, inflorescence , conifer cones, roots, other stems etc. The internodes distance one node from another...
.
The 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...
has 1 to 6 small flowers with lanceolate floral bract
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
s. The sepal
Sepal
A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms . Collectively the sepals form the calyx, which is the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. Usually green, sepals have the typical function of protecting the petals when the flower is in bud...
s are oblong and 3-veined, with an obtuse apex. The lower sepal is concave, forming a hood with petals. The lateral sepals are spreading. The erect, oblong-lanceolate 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 purplish red, pale purple, or white, 2-veined, with an acute apex.
The ovate-lanceolate 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:...
is spreading, It is slightly broader than the petals. Its base is slightly concave, spurless, not lobed, margin entire or slightly undulate. The apex is obtuse.
Species
- Aceratorchis albiflora Schltr., 1922 (Tibet to China - Yunnan).
- Aceratorchis tschiliensis Schltr., 1922 (Qinghai to C. China).