Acrochaene

Acrochaene punctata is a plant species in the orchid family ( Orchidaceae). It is the only species in the genus Acrochaene. It grows as an epiphyte and occurs in Northeast India, Myanmar and Thailand.

Description

Acrochaene punctata is oval, two to three inches large pseudobulbs of a creeping, loose sheets of low- sheathed rhizome. At the top of the pseudobulbs each sits a leathery foliage leaf. The leaves are oblong-shaped, the leaf blade attaches twelve to 15 centimeters in length between three and five centimeters wide, added an eight to ten inches long petiole.

The racemose inflorescence appears laterally from the base of the pseudobulbs, it does not extend beyond the leaves. At the base it is surrounded by a broad leaf sheath, the bracts fall off soon. The inflorescence is densely covered with flowers, they are about 2.5 inches tall, spotted olive green and red. The median sepal is oval, the side are triangular shaped and not put on the ovary, but on the extension of the column ( pillar ) on. The lateral petals are smaller than the outer petals, they are ciliated at the edge. The lip is hinged to the pedestal, it is three-lobed, the lateral lobes stand upright. The column is short and ends blunt. The stamen is einkammrig with two pollinia, these are round shaped and each provided with a stem.

Dissemination

Acrochaene punctata occurs in Northeast India ( Sikkim, Darjeeling ), Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand. It grows at altitudes around 1300 meters under relatively cool conditions.

Documents

The information in this article come from mainly:

• Wilhelm Gerhard Walpers, Carl Müller: Annales botanices systematicae: Synopsis plantarum phanerogamicarum. Volume VI, 1861, p 634
• Emly S. Siegerist: Bulbophyllums and Their Allies: A Grower's Guide. 2001, p 185
• Acrochaene punctata at orchids.co.in, accessed 21 December 2008

Furthermore, quoting:

• Orchids
• Orchidaceae