Epidendrum fulgens
Encyclopedia
Epidendrum fulgens is a crucifix orchid native to Brazil
. Like E. secundum
, with which it has been found to hybridize in habitats disturbed by human activity, E. fulgens flowers are non-resupinate and are born in a congested racime at the end of a long spike. Like all crucifix orchids, the lip is adnate to the column and bears three lobes, producing the effect of a cross. Like E. cinnabarinum
, E. denticulatum
, and E. puniceoluteum (also Brazilian members of subsection carinata), E. fulgens grows in the litoral restinga
habitat.
The specific epithet, fulgens, is the present participle of the Latin verb fulgere "to shine, to glow" and refers to the brilliant yellow-orange flowers with red spots on the yellow lip.
E. fulgens is easily distinguished from E. radicans
and E. ibaguense
by its non-resupinate flowers.
Perhaps the most noticeable difference between E. fulgens and E. secundum
is the callus: E. fulgens has a small keel in front of the column, flanked by two calli, whereas E. secundum
has a single, much larger callus in front of the column. Additionally, E. fulgens is not found in the mountainous habitat where E. secundum
usually grows.
E. fulgens differs from E. puniceoluteum and E. cinnabarinum
by having slightly smaller yellow-orange flowers with a yellow lip, instead of bright red.
The chromosome number of E. fulgens has been determined by two separate investigators as 2n = 24 This number differs from E. puniceoluteum (with 52), E. secundum (with 28—80), E. cinnabarinum (with 240), E. radicans (with 40—64), and E. ibaguense (with 70).
in the north to Rio Grande do Sul
in the south, at a typical elevation of 10 m.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Like E. secundum
Epidendrum secundum
Epidendrum secundum, one of the crucifix orchids, is a poorly understood reed stemmed species, which Dressler describes as "the Epidendrum secundum complex." According to Dressler, there are dozens of varieties, some of which appear to deserve species rank...
, with which it has been found to hybridize in habitats disturbed by human activity, E. fulgens flowers are non-resupinate and are born in a congested racime at the end of a long spike. Like all crucifix orchids, the lip is adnate to the column and bears three lobes, producing the effect of a cross. Like E. cinnabarinum
Epidendrum cinnabarinum
Epidendrum cinnabarinum, is a terrestrial reed-stemmed Epidendrum, discovered by the German collector Philipp Salzmann in Bahia, close to Salvador, and published by John Lindley in 1831. The specific epithet refers to the vermilion flowers. E. cinnabarinum is similar to E. fulgens and E...
, E. denticulatum
Epidendrum denticulatum
Epidendrum denticulatum, one of the crucifix orchids, is a reed stemmed species which, at least in herbarium specimens, is frequently confused with E. secundum Jacq....
, and E. puniceoluteum (also Brazilian members of subsection carinata), E. fulgens grows in the litoral restinga
Restinga
Restinga is a municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The population in 2004 was 6,188 and the area is 246.37 km². The elevation is 910 m....
habitat.
The specific epithet, fulgens, is the present participle of the Latin verb fulgere "to shine, to glow" and refers to the brilliant yellow-orange flowers with red spots on the yellow lip.
Distinguishing characteristics
E. fulgens has a noticeably wider angle (nearly 180°) between the lateral sepals than most of the crucifix orchids, as well as a noticeably narrower angle (little more than 90°) between the petals. The yellow lip bears striking red spots in two lines near the callus. The roots are produced mostly near the bottom of the stem.E. fulgens is easily distinguished from E. radicans
Epidendrum radicans
This ground-rooting orchid is a common roadside weed at middle elevations in Central America. A crucifix orchid, it is often confused with many other members of the section Schistochila, including E. calanthe, E. cinnabarinum, E. denticulatum, E. erectum, E. fulgens,...
and E. ibaguense
Epidendrum ibaguense
Epidendrum ibaguense is a species of epiphytic orchid of the genus Epidendrum which occurs in Trinidad, French Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia and Northern Brazil.There is a good article on this species in the Português Wikipedia...
by its non-resupinate flowers.
Perhaps the most noticeable difference between E. fulgens and E. secundum
Epidendrum secundum
Epidendrum secundum, one of the crucifix orchids, is a poorly understood reed stemmed species, which Dressler describes as "the Epidendrum secundum complex." According to Dressler, there are dozens of varieties, some of which appear to deserve species rank...
is the callus: E. fulgens has a small keel in front of the column, flanked by two calli, whereas E. secundum
Epidendrum secundum
Epidendrum secundum, one of the crucifix orchids, is a poorly understood reed stemmed species, which Dressler describes as "the Epidendrum secundum complex." According to Dressler, there are dozens of varieties, some of which appear to deserve species rank...
has a single, much larger callus in front of the column. Additionally, E. fulgens is not found in the mountainous habitat where E. secundum
Epidendrum secundum
Epidendrum secundum, one of the crucifix orchids, is a poorly understood reed stemmed species, which Dressler describes as "the Epidendrum secundum complex." According to Dressler, there are dozens of varieties, some of which appear to deserve species rank...
usually grows.
E. fulgens differs from E. puniceoluteum and E. cinnabarinum
Epidendrum cinnabarinum
Epidendrum cinnabarinum, is a terrestrial reed-stemmed Epidendrum, discovered by the German collector Philipp Salzmann in Bahia, close to Salvador, and published by John Lindley in 1831. The specific epithet refers to the vermilion flowers. E. cinnabarinum is similar to E. fulgens and E...
by having slightly smaller yellow-orange flowers with a yellow lip, instead of bright red.
The chromosome number of E. fulgens has been determined by two separate investigators as 2n = 24 This number differs from E. puniceoluteum (with 52), E. secundum (with 28—80), E. cinnabarinum (with 240), E. radicans (with 40—64), and E. ibaguense (with 70).
Occurrence
E. fulgens grows in the restinga vegetation near the Atlantic shore from Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
in the north to Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state in Brazil, and the state with the fifth highest Human Development Index in the country. In this state is located the southernmost city in the country, Chuí, on the border with Uruguay. In the region of Bento Gonçalves and Caxias do Sul, the largest wine...
in the south, at a typical elevation of 10 m.