Isochilus linearis (Jacq.) R.Br.

  • Authority

    Ackerman, James D. 1995. An orchid flora of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 73: 1-203.

  • Family

    Orchidaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Isochilus linearis (Jacq.) R.Br.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Plants caespitose, epiphytic or lithophytic. Roots white, numerous, 1.5-2 mm diam. Stems numerous, slender, ascending to erect, covered by persistent leaf sheaths, to 50 cm tall, but usually shorter. Leaves numerous; blades thin, erect-spreading, linear, apices asymmetrically notched, 2-6 cm long, 2-4 mm wide. Inflorescences terminal, subsessile, spike barely exceeding the upper leaves, 0.5-1.5 cm long, several-flowered; floral bracts scarious, ovate-lanceolate, 5-18 mm long. Flowers rose-colored, small, tubular, membranous, nonresupinate. Ovary sessile, 6-8 mm long. Sepals basally connate, lanceolate, acute-acuminate, 6-10 mm long, 2-3 mm wide. Petals obovate to slightly rhombic, acute, 5-9 mm long, 2-3 mm wide. Lip simple, linear-subpandurate to subspatulate, blunt to obtuse, sigmoid in lateral view, 6-10 mm long, 1-2.5 mm wide. Column straight, slender, semiterete, 4.5-7 mm long. Fruits ellipsoidal, 6-10 mm long.

  • Discussion

    1. Isochilus linearis (Jacquin) R. Brown in Aiton, Hort. Kew., ed. 2, 5: 209. 1813. Epidendrum lineare Jacquin, Enum. Syst. PL 29. 1760. Type. Jacquin s.n., from Martinique (original illustration at P?, not seen; reproduction: Jacquin, Select. Stirp. Amer. Hist. t. 131. 1763). Phenology & Pollination. Plants bloom in the winter and spring. The tubular, rose-pink flowers suggest that they are pollinated by hummingbirds.

  • Distribution

    General Distribution. Central America, Mexico, tropical South America, and West Indies.

    Central America| Mexico North America| South America| West Indies|