Prescottia (orchid)
Prescottia stachyodes
Prescottia is a genus of the orchid family ( Orchidaceae). It consists of 27 species of herbaceous plants that are native to tropical America.
Description
The species of the genus are terrestrial Prescottia growing herbaceous plants. The tufts springing roots are hairy, fleshy and often thickened bulbous. The leaves are in a basal rosette, they are significantly or hardly stalked. Their shape is oval, the texture is fleshy.
The racemose inflorescence is terminal. He is usually long, erect, manned by some bracts, hairy at the top. It bears numerous small flowers, are the close together. The ovary is hairy and glandular, sessile. The flowers appear 'upside, the petals are of thinner texture. The three sepals are usually grown bowl-shaped at the base, the free part is spread out or repulsed. The petals are narrow and fused with the base of the falls. The lip is in contrast to the other petals fleshy, it is spread hoods or shell-shaped on the flower. At the base it is abruptly narrowed ( nailed ) and grown together with the pedestal, it is there along with the base of the other petals a nectary. The column is short and fleshy, winged front, at the base just above the joint with the ovary reaching out ( pedestal ). The scar consists of only one surface. The stamen contains four mealy pollinia. Are formed oval capsule fruits.
In Prescottia densiflora bees were observed from the family Halictidae as flower visitors who are attracted by the scent and nectar. Other types are self- pollinating.
Occurrence
Prescottia comes from Florida and Mexico southward through Central America and the Caribbean to the northern half of South America before. The southernmost occurrences are found in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. There are populated up to 3000 meters altitude. The sites are mostly in the shade of forests or thickets.
Systematics and botanical history
The genus Prescottia was erected in 1824 by Lindley ( in the notation Prescotia ). The name honors the botanist John Prescott. Type species is Prescottia plantaginifolia.
Prescottia is classified within the tribe Cranichideae in the subtribe Cranichidinae. The genus was eponymous for the subtribe Prescottiinae, was summarized in the Prescottia with some native to the high altitudes of the Andes genres. However, these are not particularly closely related to Prescottia.
The following species are known:
- Prescottia auyantepuiensis Carnevali & G.A.Romero
- Prescottia carnosa C.Schweinf.
- Prescottia cordifolia Rchb.f.
- Prescottia densiflora ( Brongn. ) Lindl.
- Prescottia epiphyta Barb.Rodr.
- Prescottia glazioviana Cogn.
- Prescottia lancifolia Lindl.
- Prescottia leptostachya Lindl.
- Prescottia Lojana Dodson
- Prescottia microrhiza Barb.Rodr.
- Prescottia montana Barb.Rodr.
- Prescottia nivalis Barb.Rodr.
- Prescottia octopollinica Barb.Rodr.
- Prescottia oligantha ( Sw. ) Lindl.
- Prescottia ostenii Pabst
- Prescottia pellucida Lindl.
- Prescottia petiolaris Lindl.
- Prescottia phleoides Lindl.
- Prescottia plantaginea Lindl. in W.J.Hooker
- Prescottia polyphylla Porsch
- Prescottia pubescens Barb.Rodr.
- Prescottia rodeiensis Barb.Rodr.
- Prescottia stachyodes ( Sw. ) Lindl.
- Prescottia stricta Schltr.
- Prescottia tepuyensis Carnevali & C.A.Vargas
- Prescottia tubulosa ( Lindl. ) L.O.Williams
- Prescottia villenarum Christenson