Houlletia
Encyclopedia
Houlletia is a genus of large-growing epiphytic
orchids native to Mexico
, and possibly also Guatemala
through Central America
to Bolivia
. was established with the publication by Brogniartt of Houlletia brocklehurstiana in 1841. The genus is named in honor of orchid collector and grower M. Houllet, French orchid collector in Brazil
, later the director of the Botanic Jardin des Plantes in Paris, 19th century
They are found growing epiphytically and terrestrially on embankments in cool, humid, wet areas, 1,000-2,200 m elevation.
Gerlach (1999) places the genus Houlletia within the "Acineta-Verwandtschaftsgruppe," allied with Acineta
, Lueddemannia
and Vasqueziella
within the larger Stanhopeinae
Alliance.
Whitten, Williams, and Chase distinguish the Houlletia clade among the Stanhopeinae
, comprising Horichia
, Houlletia, Paphinia
, Schlimmia, and Trevoria
.
They write:
"As presently defined, Houlletia consists of two morphologically distinct groups. The group containing H. brockelhurstiana (the type species), H. tigrina, H. odoratissima (Linden ex Lindl.), and H. juruenensis (Hoehne) have open, resupinate flowers that are heavily spotted in red-brown. The epichile is triangular and the hypochile bears a pair of curved, acute projections; the lip shares many features of the lip of Paphinia
. The viscidium is narrow, approximately the same width of the long stipe, and the pollinaria are deposited on the bee's scutellum.
In contrast, the group containing H. sanderi, H. wallisii, H. clarae (Schltr.), and H. lowiana (Rchb.f). has globose, nonresupinate flowers that are white to yellow, mostly unspotted, and borne on an erect inflorescence. The epichile is rectangular or ovate (not triangular), and the lateral projections on the hypochile are broad instead of acute. The pollinarium has a broad, concave viscidium."
The plants have ovoid, ridged pseudobulbs, each bearing 2-4 large, pleated leaves. The inflorescences begin from the base of the pseudobulbs and are always pendant, with fleshy, showy flowers hanging downward ("nodding") on a simple raceme. The dorsal sepal is free and the lateral sepals form a short mentum with the column foot. The petals are similar to the dorsal sepal but smaller. The lip is deeply 3-lobed, the lateral lobes are upcurved and the mid-lobe is spreading. The anther is imperfectly two-celled and there are two waxy pollinia, cleft, with viscidium and a prominent stipe.
Note that in 1999, E. Luckel & H. Fessel published the new genus Jennyella
"to accommodate the globose, white flowered taxa." They segregate four species previously attributed to Houlletia into the new genus Jennyella: H. clarae (Schlechter 1924); H. kalbreyeriana (Kraenzlin 1920); H. lowiana (Rchb. f.); and H. sanderi (Rolfe 1910).
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...
orchids native to 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...
, and possibly also Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
through Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
to Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
. was established with the publication by Brogniartt of Houlletia brocklehurstiana in 1841. The genus is named in honor of orchid collector and grower M. Houllet, French orchid collector in Brazil
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...
, later the director of the Botanic Jardin des Plantes in Paris, 19th century
They are found growing epiphytically and terrestrially on embankments in cool, humid, wet areas, 1,000-2,200 m elevation.
Gerlach (1999) places the genus Houlletia within the "Acineta-Verwandtschaftsgruppe," allied with Acineta
Acineta
Acineta, abbreviated as Acn in horticultural trade, is a small genus belonging to the orchid family . The name is derived from the Greek word 'akinetos' , referring to the rigid labellum ....
, Lueddemannia
Lueddemannia
Lueddemannia is a genus of orchids comprising six species found from Venezuela to Peru....
and Vasqueziella
Vasqueziella
Vasqueziella is a genus of orchids, comprising two species native to Peru....
within the larger Stanhopeinae
Stanhopeinae
Stanhopeinae is a subtribe of plants in the Orchid family.The subtribe in the strict sense, have viscidia and stipes that are thin and strap-like, they are adapted for attachment to edge of the bee's scutellum or to a leg. Pseudobulbs are usually ribbed/four-angled or flattened. Leaves are...
Alliance.
Whitten, Williams, and Chase distinguish the Houlletia clade among the Stanhopeinae
Stanhopeinae
Stanhopeinae is a subtribe of plants in the Orchid family.The subtribe in the strict sense, have viscidia and stipes that are thin and strap-like, they are adapted for attachment to edge of the bee's scutellum or to a leg. Pseudobulbs are usually ribbed/four-angled or flattened. Leaves are...
, comprising Horichia
Horichia
Horichia dressleri is a species of orchid and the only species of the monospecific genus Horichia. It is endemic to Panama....
, Houlletia, Paphinia
Paphinia
Paphinia, abbreviated in horticultural trade Pna, is a genus of orchids, composed of an estimated 16 species from Guatemala south through northern South America. These species are medium-sized epiphytes with small ovoid pseudobulbs and 2 or more leaves. The generic name comes from Greek "Paphia",...
, Schlimmia, and Trevoria
Trevoria
Trevoria is a genus of orchids. It was described by FC Lehmann in 1897 with a black and white picture of Trevoria chloris....
.
They write:
"As presently defined, Houlletia consists of two morphologically distinct groups. The group containing H. brockelhurstiana (the type species), H. tigrina, H. odoratissima (Linden ex Lindl.), and H. juruenensis (Hoehne) have open, resupinate flowers that are heavily spotted in red-brown. The epichile is triangular and the hypochile bears a pair of curved, acute projections; the lip shares many features of the lip of Paphinia
Paphinia
Paphinia, abbreviated in horticultural trade Pna, is a genus of orchids, composed of an estimated 16 species from Guatemala south through northern South America. These species are medium-sized epiphytes with small ovoid pseudobulbs and 2 or more leaves. The generic name comes from Greek "Paphia",...
. The viscidium is narrow, approximately the same width of the long stipe, and the pollinaria are deposited on the bee's scutellum.
In contrast, the group containing H. sanderi, H. wallisii, H. clarae (Schltr.), and H. lowiana (Rchb.f). has globose, nonresupinate flowers that are white to yellow, mostly unspotted, and borne on an erect inflorescence. The epichile is rectangular or ovate (not triangular), and the lateral projections on the hypochile are broad instead of acute. The pollinarium has a broad, concave viscidium."
The plants have ovoid, ridged pseudobulbs, each bearing 2-4 large, pleated leaves. The inflorescences begin from the base of the pseudobulbs and are always pendant, with fleshy, showy flowers hanging downward ("nodding") on a simple raceme. The dorsal sepal is free and the lateral sepals form a short mentum with the column foot. The petals are similar to the dorsal sepal but smaller. The lip is deeply 3-lobed, the lateral lobes are upcurved and the mid-lobe is spreading. The anther is imperfectly two-celled and there are two waxy pollinia, cleft, with viscidium and a prominent stipe.
Note that in 1999, E. Luckel & H. Fessel published the new genus Jennyella
Jennyella
Jennyella The genus was published in 1999 by E. Luckel & H. Fessel separating four species previously grouped in Houlletia. The genus is named in honor of Rudolf Jenny, noted researcher and author on orchids....
"to accommodate the globose, white flowered taxa." They segregate four species previously attributed to Houlletia into the new genus Jennyella: H. clarae (Schlechter 1924); H. kalbreyeriana (Kraenzlin 1920); H. lowiana (Rchb. f.); and H. sanderi (Rolfe 1910).
Intergeneric hybrids
- Houllora (Gongora x Houlletia), in Orchid Rev., 108(1234), IPNI ID 1014858-1, February 7, 2003