Draconanthes

Classification

Epidendreae subtribe Pleurothallidinae

Overview

Miniature caespitose epiphytes or terrestrials. Ramicauls elongate, enclosed by lepanthiform sheaths. Leaves one per ramicaul, oblong-elliptic. Inflorescences terminal racemes, one to several per leaf, successively flowered, the floral bracts minute, tubular. Flowers minute, intricate. Sepals rigid-fleshy, the dorsal sepal free, ovate, concave, the lateral sepals fused at the base. Petals free, filiform to linear. Lip rigid, transversely two-lobed with the lobes erect and embracing the column, +/- a callus on the lower surface. Column slender, terete, without a foot; pollinia 2, on a common viscidium.

Etymology

From the Greek dracos, meaning dragon, and anthos, meaning flower, for the fanciful resemblance of the flowers to dragons.

Distribution

A genus of two species from Venezuela to Bolivia.

Care and Culture Card

See basic growing conditions and care information below.


Literature

Christenson, E. A. 1997. Dragon orchids. Orchids 66(6):610-611.

Luer, C. A. 1996. Icones Pleurothallidinarum XIV. Systematics of Draconanthes, Lepanthes subgenus Marsipanthes and subgenus Lepanthes of Ecuador. Monogr. Syst. Bot. 61:1-255.
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