Myrmechis
Myrmechis is a genus of the orchid family ( Orchidaceae). It consists of 17 species of herbaceous plants that are native to the tropical and subtropical East and Southeast Asia.
Description
The species of the genus Myrmechis form a fleshy rhizome. The typical thick roots related genera, which arise at the nodes of the rhizome, are missing. They are replaced by hair-like rhizoids that are in clumps at the internodes. The upturned shoot bears at intervals some leaves. The leaf base includes the shoot tubular, it is followed by a short petiole, and finally the oval to almost round, slightly asymmetrical leaf blade. The texture of the leaves is somewhat fleshy, they rarely measure more than two inches.
The racemose inflorescence is terminal, he wears only one or few flowers, it can be hairy or hairless. The peduncle bears some bracts. The bracts are about as long as ovary and pedicel together. The ovary is twisted, it also can be coated. The flowers are 'upside down ,' open, barely. The three outer bracts ( sepals ) can be grown in the bottom half together. They are shaped equal, the side lying with its base to the lip. The petals are oblong to oval, cling to the upper petal, its tip is sometimes free. The lip is deformed at its base to the edges of the column. The basal part of the lip, the Hypochil is bowl-shaped with lateral appendages two-part on the inside. In the long middle part, the Mesochil, the edges are beaten up. The front part, the Epichil is bilobed, he may be absent. The column is short, it has two elongated appendage. The oval stamen contains two oval pollinia, which are connected via a respective stalks with the viscid disc ( Viscidium ). The scar is bilobed. The separation between scar tissue and stamen ( rostellum ) is triangular in shape and cut.
Occurrence
Myrmechis is spread from southern China and from the south of Japan on Southeast Asia, the Philippines, to Indonesia. They grow at altitudes up to 3000 meters and are found in the humus layer of moist forests. They rarely grow as epiphytes.
Systematics and botanical history
Myrmechis is classified within the tribe Cranichideae in the subtribe Goodyerinae. After Dressler can this be further subdivided into two groups; Myrmechis is in the smaller group with two separate scars surfaces. The genus is closely related to Cheirostylis, can be distinguished by details of the blossom, however.
The genus Myrmechis 1840 was established by Lindley as a section of Anoectochilus. In 1825 she rose Carl Ludwig Blume to the rank of genus. The name comes from the Greek μύρμεξ Myrmex, " ant "; the reference is unclear. The type species is Myrmechis gracilis.
Currently, 17 species are counted to Myrmechis:
- Myrmechis aurea ( J.J.Sm. ) Schuit.
- Myrmechis bakhimensis D.Maity, N.Pradhan & Maiti
- Myrmechis bilobulifera ( J.J.Sm. ) Schuit.
- Myrmechis chalmersii ( Schltr. ) Schuit.
- Myrmechis chinensis Rolfe
- Myrmechis drymoglossifolia Hayata
- Myrmechis glabra Blume
- Myrmechis gracilis ( flower) flower
- Myrmechis japonica ( Rchb.f. ) Rolfe
- Myrmechis kinabaluensis Carr
- Myrmechis perpusilla Ames
- Myrmechis philippinensiis Ames
- Myrmechis pumila ( Hook.f. ) Tang & F.T.Wang
- Myrmechis quadrilobata ( Schltr. ) Schuit.
- Myrmechis seranica J.J.Sm.
- Myrmechis tsukusiana Masam.
- Myrmechis urceolata Tang & K.Y.Lang