Xylobium foveatum (Lindl.) G.Nicholson

  • Family

    Orchidaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Xylobium foveatum (Lindl.) G.Nicholson

  • Primary Citation

    Ill. Dict. Gard. 4: 225. 1887

  • Basionym

    Maxillaria foveata Lindl.

  • Description

    Author: Catherine V. Bainbridge

    Description: Epiphytic herbs, to ca. 50 cm. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 3-8 × 2.5-4 cm, sulcate at maturity. Leaves 2--3, petiolate; blades plicate, elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 20-48 × 2.5-5 cm, the apex acuminate. Inflorescences racemose, 14-25 cm long, of several white to cream colored flowers, flowering simultaneously. Flowers: dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic to lanceolate, 10-14 × 4-5 mm; lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal but apically carinate. Petals elliptic, 8-11 × 3-3.5 mm, the apex thickened. Lip obovate, 10-11 × 7-8 mm, white to cream with reddish veining, with 3 short lamellae, the base cuneate, the apex trilobed; midlobe ca. 2 × 2 mm, succulent, smooth to lightly verrucose, carinate below. Column ca. 3 mm long, with prominent foot, ca. 5 mm long. Pollinia 4, with lunate viscidum and reduced stipe.

    Common names: Not recorded.

    Distribution: Mexico to Peru, Brazil and the Antilles from sea level to 1300 m.

    Ecology: In moist to wet forests.

    Phenology: This species has been observed with flowers in Jan, Mar and Dec.

    Pollination: According to Dressler (1981), observations of Xylobium being pollinated by stingless bees of the genus Trigona have been made and that the floral resemblances between this genus and that of Maxillaria may be a convergence caused by the pollination mechanism.

    Dispersal: Wind dispersed.

    Taxonomic notes: Not recorded.

    Conservation: CITES II.

    Uses: Not recorded.

    Etymology: Not recorded.

  • Sorry, no descriptions available for this record.