Epidendrum serpens

Epidendrum serpens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Epidendroideae
Tribe:	Epidendreae
Subtribe:	Laeliinae
Genus:	Epidendrum
Subgenus:	E. subg. Hormidium
Species:	E. serpens
Binomial name
	Epidendrum serpens; Lindl.

Epidendrum serpens is a sympodial pseudobulbous orchid that grows among lichens on trees near the tree line at altitudes of 1.6-3.5 km in Peru and Ecuador, including the states of Azuay and Pichincha.

Description

The flattened oblong cylindrical pseudobulbs grow to 2 cm long and bear one^[1] or two to three^[2] leaves. The short, terminal, racemose inflorescence bears three to seven rather large flowers, up to 2 cm across, colored deep violet (Reichenbach) to wine-red (Dodson & Dodson). The lip is heart-shaped where it diverges from the apex of the column, is bolobate at the apex, bears a low keel down the middle, and is slightly fringed on the edge.

References

^ CM Dodson & PM Dodson, Icones Plantarum Tropicarum, Series II, Orchids of Ecuador Plate 0487. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis. 1989
^ H. G. Reichenbach, "Orchides" in Carl Müller, Ed. Walpers Annales Botanices Systematicae VI(1861)346. Berlin.

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[1] CM Dodson & PM Dodson, Icones Plantarum Tropicarum, Series II, Orchids of Ecuador Plate 0487. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis. 1989

[2] H. G. Reichenbach, "Orchides" in Carl Müller, Ed. Walpers Annales Botanices Systematicae VI(1861)346. Berlin.

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