Lepanthes vaginosa Luer & Hirtz 2009 SECTION Lepanthes SUBSECTION Lepanthes SERIES Elongatae 1993

TYPE Drawing by © Carl Luer and Selbyana 30: 15 Luer & Escobar 2009

LATE EARLY

Common Name The Lots of Sheaths Lepanthes [refers to the sheaths on the ramicaul]

Flower Size .2" [5 mm]

Found in Morona-Santiago province of Ecuador without elevational data as a mini-miniature sized, caespitose epiphyte with erect, relatively stout ramicauls enveloped by 12 to 13 short, minutely scabrous lepanthiform sheaths and carrying a single, apical, coriaceous, erect, elliptical, acute, cuneate below into the petiolate base leaf that blooms in the late summer and early fall on an erect, peduncle .8" [2 cm] long, rachis 3.2" [8 cm] long, loose, flexuus, successively single, many flowered inflorescence with shorter than the pedicel floral bracts.

"This species from southeastern Ecuador is known from only the original collection. Vegetatively, it is remarkable in the number of short lepanthiform sheaths, a dozen squeezed onto a ramicaul 2.4" [6 cm] long. Similar to Lepanthes capitanea , a loose, flexuous raceme far surpasses the leaf. The comparatively large flowers are produced successively with a flower, a faded flower, and an advanced bud present simultaneously. The sepals are acute and microscopically ciliate; the lobes of the petals are obtuse; the blades of the lip are cuneiform, and the appendix resembles a tiny worm." Luer & Hirtz 2009

Synonyms

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; * Selbyana 30: 15 Luer & Escobar 2009 Drawing fide;

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