Epidendrum superpositum Garay 1958 GROUP Andean SUBGROUP Soratae
Photos by © Garay and The Harvard University Herbaria and Libraries Website
Common Name The One On Top of the Other Epidendrum [refers to the branching stem]
Flower Size 2.4" [6 cm]
Found in northern Venezuela at elevations around 2300 meters as a small to medium sized, cold growing epiphyte with an erect to slightly arcuate, superposed repeatedly stems carrying up to 5, distichous, ovate, acute, coriaceous leaves that blooms on a terminal, pendent, short peduncle, racemose, rachis, flat, strap like, .4 to .8" [1 to 2 cm] long, subcapitate, recurved, many flowered inflorescence with shorter than the ovary floral bracts and carrying small green flowers with the sepals on the dorsal face are shaded with brown.
"E. superpositum Garay is part of GROUP Andean SUBGROUP Soratae characterized by the branching habit starting on a monopodial, primary stem, infundibuliform, rugose leaf-sheaths, lanceolate, aristate, acute leaves, racemose, sub-capitate inflorescence on a short, thin peduncle, and the bicallose lip. The species is similar to E. curtisii A.D. Hawkes, Epidendrum homoion and E. tamaense Foldats, all of which have an emarginate midlobe, but these species can be distinguished by the differently proportioned floral parts from Epidendrum homoion. The plants are not very strong, the leaves being thin and the veining clearly visible. The lip with large semiorbicular lateral lobes and subquadrate midlobe is similar to E. incomptum, which has the midlobe acute, not emarginate. Epidendrum yambalense has acute segments, narrower lateral lobes and apiculate midlobe." Adapted from E homoion Icones 2 plate 145 1993
Synonyms
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Venezuelan Orchids Illustrated Vol 1 Dunsterville & Garay 1959 not = Epi curtisii; Orquideología 2(3): 27. 1967 photo not = Epidendrum envigadoense; Flora De Venezuela Volumen XV Tercera Parte Foldats 1970 drawing fide; Icones Orchidacearum 2 Plate 145 Hagsater & Sanchez 1993 see recognition section;
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