Pleurothallis iris (Luer & Endara) J.M.H.Shaw 2014 SUBGENUS Pleurothallis SECTION Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae Lindl 1859

TYPE Drawing of Acronia iris by Carl Luer and The Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Jany Renz Herbaria Website

Common Name or Meaning The Rainbow Pleurothallis [refers to the floral colors]

Flower Size .8" [2 cm]

Found in Antoquia department of Colombia at elevations around 1700 to 2050 meters as a miniature to medium sized, cool growing, caespitose epiphyte with slender, erect ramicauls with a tubular sheath below the middle and 2 others at the base and carrying a single, horizontal, coriaceous, cordate-ovate, acuminate, sessile, cordate leaf that blooms in the spring on a short, peduncle fasciculate, .4" [1 cm] long, arising through a short, fugaceous spathe, successively single, few flowered inflorescence with a tubular, shorter than the pedicel floral bract and carrying resupinate flowers with a yellow, brown veined dorsal sepal and light rose, purple veined lateral sepals, dark purple, pubescent-denticulate petals, a thick, black lip and a stout, purple column.

”This species is from the Western Cordillera of Antioquia and is distinguished by a long, slender ramicaul, an ovate-cordate leaf, and a relatively large, colorful flower. The dorsal sepal is 5 veined, the petals oblong, pubescent and denticulate and the black lip is diffusely studded with papillae.” Luer 2005

Synonyms *Acronia iris Luer & Endara 2005

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ;

* Icones Pleurothallidinarum Vol XXVII Systematics of Dryadella Systematics of Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae Luer 2005 as Acronia iris

Icones Pleurothallidinarum Vol XXVII Systematics of Dryadella Systematics of Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae Luer 2005 as Acronia iris drawing fide;

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