Restrepia
(pronounced: reh-STREP-ee-ah)
Classification
Epidendreae subtribe Pleurothallidinae. Historically some authors have included Restrepia in a very broadly defined Pleurothallis. Luer (1996) divides Restrepia into three subgenera. Subgenus Ecmeles Luer, consisting of one species, R. aberrans Luer, bear
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Overview
Caespitose epiphytes. Ramicauls ascending to erect, as long or longer than the leaves, concealed by imbricating, flattened sheaths, the sheaths frequently marked with bold near-black spots. Leaves one per ramicaul, usually elliptic-ovate, usually shortly petiolate, frequently suffused with purple. Inflorescences fascicles concealed by the uppermost ramicaul sheath, sequentially one-flowered, the peduncles filiform, persistent. Flowers usually boldly spotted and(or) striped. Dorsal sepal erect, with an elongate, club-shaped apex, the lateral sepals fused for most of their length, concave. Petals free, spreading, variously shaped at the base with long, filiform-linear blades terminating in club-shaped osmophores. Lip three-lobed, the lateral lobes (hypochile) usually erect, falcate, hook-like, the midlobe (epichile) oblong, pandurate, or ovate, with a pair of basal keels. Column elongate, club-shaped, with a shrot foot, the foot with a pair of knee-like knobs; pollinia 4, in two pairs, without a stipe or viscidium.
Etymology
Dedicated to José E. Restrepo, an early student of natural history in Colombia.
Distribution
A genus of 48 species ranging from Mexico to Bolivia.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow Restrepia in small pots with a fine seedling-grade mixture or on slabs with a pad of moisture-retaining material at the roots. Provide cool-intermediate temperatures, medium light levels, and steady watering throughout the year. Aerial plantlets (keikis) often form at the base of the leaf in Restrepia and these plantlets can be induced by taking leaf cuttings with 1 in. (2.5 cm) or more of ramicaul attached. Most species flower periodically throughout the year with a concentration of flowers from November through April coinciding with cooler temperatures. ............................................ R. elegans
Literature
Braem, G. J. 1993. Restrepia mohrii. Schlechteriana 1-2/93:44-45. Luer, C. A. 1996. Icones Pleurothallidinarum XIII. Systematics of Restrepia (Orchidaceae). Monogr. Syst. Bot. 59:1-168. Luer, C. A. 1996. New species of Restrepia. Orquideologia 20(2):117-182. Mohr, H. 1991. Taxonomic problems in the genus Restrepia HBK. Schlechteriana 2/91:78-85. Mohr, H. and H. Herzum 1993. Restrepia flosculata. Schlechteriana 1-2/93:46-48. Pridgeon, A. M. and W. L. Stern 1983. Ultrastructure of osmophores in Restrepia (Orchidaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 70:1233-1243. Schlechter, R. 1918. Die Gattung Restrepia H. B. u. Kth. Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 15:255-270. Taylor, P. 1998. Selected species: Restrepia guttulata. Orchids Austral. 10(4):14-15.
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