Constantia (orchid)
Constantia cipoensis
In the genus Constantia from the orchid family (Orchidaceae), there are six species of plants, all of which occur in Brazil. The very small plants measure only a few millimeters and grow as epiphytes or on stones.
Description
All species of this genus are evergreen, perennial herbaceous plants. From a rhizome to the roots, which are surrounded by a velamen. The pseudobulbs are close together on the rhizome, they are roundish, laterally compressed and shaped asymmetrically. The surface is wrinkled. Measure depending on the type of four to 15 millimeters in diameter. Each pseudobulb bears two leaves. They are broad - oval shaped, leathery and wrinkled or slightly ribbed, they measure about half a centimeter in length. The terminal inflorescence appears from a spathe. He wears only a resupinierte bloom, which is large relative to the rest of the plant and reaches approximately the same dimensions as pseudobulbs and leaves together. The flower color is white or pink. The sepals are broad - lanceolate, the petals only about half as wide. Undivided lip has about the same dimensions as an outer petal. It forms no externally visible nectary, it can be formed from the column within the flower but a small cavity, which is interpreted as a nectary. All petals are free, the lip may be grown together at their base with the column. At the top of the column bears the stamen that contains eight pollinia.
Dissemination
The species are native to eastern Brazil. They colonize dry locations and grow on rocks or on Vellozia.
Systematics and Botanical History
The genus Constantia is classified within the family of orchids in the tribe Epidendreae. Are closely related to the genera Adamantinia, Isabelia, Leptotes, Loefgrenianthus, Pseudolaelia and Pygmaeorchis. The other relationship is summarized in the subtribe Laeliinae.
João Barbosa Rodrigues named the genus in 1877 after his wife Constantia Constança. The only known way back then was rupestris Constantia. Two other species were provided by Porto and Brade in the genus in 1935, one of them, Constantia australis, already longer than Sophronitis australis known. 1991 Miranda described two additional species, the last discovery in this genus is the Constantia described gutfreundiana 2005.
Species
- Constantia australis ( Cogn. ) Porto & Brade
- Constantia cipoensis Porto & Brade
- Constantia cristinae F.E.L.Miranda
- Constantia gutfreundiana Chiron & V.P.Castro
- Constantia microscopica F.E.L.Miranda
- Rupestris Constantia Barb.Rodr.
Culture
The species are rare in cultivation, occasionally Constantia cipoensis. Of this kind there is a variety called 'Roll 's Choice ' with a flower diameter of 25 millimeters. A hybrid between Constantia cipoensis and Sophronitis cernua, Conphronitis ' Cerci ' was grown.