Lepanthes artificialis A.Doucette 2025 SECTION Lepanthes SUBSECTION Lepanthes SERIES Elongatae 1993

TYPE Photos by © Alfonso Doucette

Partial shadeCool LATE FallEARLY Winter

Common Name or Meaning The Artificial Lepanthes [The specific epithet artificialis (Latin: “artificial”) refers to the novel process by which the name of this species was produced and the article composed, with assistance from artificial intelligence. This name acknowledges the innovative use of technology in modern botanical research, symbolizing a bridge between traditional taxonomy and emerging tools]

Flower Size .4" [1 cm]

Found in Peru without locational data as a mini-miniature sized, cool growing epiphtye with erect, terete stems enclosed by 6 to 8, infundibular, microscopically pubescent along the vein, lepanthiform sheaths with the ostium ovate, microscopically pubescent along the margin and carrying an coriaceous, elliptical, obtuse, entire, , petiolate base leaf that blooms in the late fall and early winter on a racemose, peduncle terete, 9.0–23.0 mm long, rachis terete, glabrous, .032 to .24" [.8 to 6 mm] long, successively single, few flowered inflorescence

Lepanthes artificialis is most similar to Lepanthes acarina , but can be distinguished by the following characteristics: the overall plant size is larger, with stems 1.2 to 2" [3 to 5 cm] long (vs. .2 to 1" [.5 to 2.5 cm]); it is enveloped by more sheaths, 6 to 8 (vs. 3 to 4); the leaves are broader, measuring .22 to.42" [5.5 to 10.5 mm] wide (vs. .16 to .2" [4 to 5 mm] wide); the bracts are glabrous (vs. muricate); the dorsal sepal is longer and narrower, .156" [3.9 mm] long and .052" 2.3 mm wide (vs. .08 to .1" x .01" wide [2 to 2.5 mm long and 2.5 mm] wide), with glabrous external carinae (vs. serrulate-ciliate), an entire margin (vs. serrulate-ciliate), and an acuminate tip (vs. subacute); the petals are smaller, .02 long and .122" [.5 mm long and 2.8 mm] wide (vs. .052 long and .052" [1.3 mm long and 5.3 mm] wide), with a well-developed angle at the apex (vs. reduced), and a narrowly rectangular lower lobe (vs. narrowly oblong, sub-falcate). Alfonso Doucette 2025

Synonyms

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ;

* Andreettana 1(1): 21 H.Medina & J.Portilla 2025 photo/drawing fide

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