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Eltroplectris brachycentron Szlachetko (Orchidaceae), a New Orchid Species from Bolivia

1995; Missouri Botanical Garden Press; Volume: 5; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/3391968

1945-6174

Dariusz L. Szlachetko,

Flowering Plant Growth and Cultivation

Eltroplectris brachycentron Szlachetko from Bolivia is described and illustrated, and its taxonomic position is briefly discussed. An illus- trated key to the Bolivian species of Eltroplectris is provided. The genus Eltroplectris Rafinesque, with 12 spe- cies, is comprised of terrestrial orchids from Cen- tral and South America. The characteristic feature of this genus is the presence of a threadlike spur, formed by lateral sepals fused to each other in their lower parts and the basal part of the lip. At first glance, Eltroplectris appears similar to Pelexia Po- iteau ex Lindley. The two genera differ, however, in the structure of the rostellum and viscidium (Fig. 1). In Eltroplectris, the viscidium is semi-sheathlike and slips from the rostellum, leaving the subulate, sharp core of the rostellum. In Pelexia, the visci- dium originates on the external surface of the ros- tellum, is massive and nodular; the rostellum rem- nant is ribbonlike and obtuse at the apex. Eltroplectris also appears to be related to Ptero- glossa Schlechter. In both genera, the rostellum and viscidium are similar in structure; the differences primarily concern the structure of the spur. In El- troplectris the lateral sepals are fused into a tube along the entire length of the free section of the spur, whereas in Pteroglossa the lateral sepals re- main free to the apex of the spur. In Eltroplectris, the free section of the spur is more or less equal to the length of the part adhering to the ovary; in Pte- roglossa the spur is only free at the apex and fre- quently forms a chin at the base of the ovary. In view of such clear criteria differentiating the two genera, the fact that Garay (1982) transferred El- troplectris lurida (Correa) Pabst, a species closely related to E. misera (Kraenzlin) Szlachetko, to Pte-