Pleurothallis sicula Luer & R.Vásquez 997 publ. 1998 SUBGENUS Acianthera [Scheidw.] Luer 1986
Photo by © Ron Parsons
TYPE Drawing TYPE Drawing by © Carl Luer and The Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Jany Renz Herbaria Website
Common Name The P sicaria-Like Pleurothallis
Flower Size .2" [5 mm]
Found in Pastaza province of Ecuador and Cochabamba department of Bolivia at elevations around 1000 to 1850 meters as a mini-miniature to small sized, cool growing, caespitose epiphyte with sharply three winged, erect, gradually widening above ramicauls enveloped by 2 to 3 thin tubular sheaths at the base and carrying a single, apical, erect, coriaceous, narrolwy elliptical-ovate, acute, the margins continuous with the ramicaul wings below into the sessile base leaf that blooms in the spring on a a short, arising through a spathe at the apex of the ramicaul, congested, to .6 to .8" [1.5 to 2 cm] long including the .2" [5 mm] long peduncle, simultaneously 4 to 5 flowered inflorescence with longer than the ovary floral bracts.
"The winged ramicauls are shorter than the narrow, acute leaves they bear and they are only slightly dilated at the junction with the leaf where the inflorescence is borne. The flowers are most similar to P wyvern but are only half the size. The sepals are fleshy and densely short pubescent, the petals are obtuse and serrate and the thick lip is distinguished by a prominent pair of calli on the middle third and a pair of small, erect lateral lobes on the lower third." Luer 2004
This species is highly variable in flower color and appearance of the lip.
Synonyms Acianthera sicula (Luer & R.Vásquez) Luer 2004
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ;
*Revista de la Sociedad Boliviana de Botanica 1[2]: 9-19 Luer 1997 drawing fide;
Orchids of Bolivia Vasquez & Ibisch Vol 1 2000 drawing fide;
Icones Pleurothallidinarum Vol XXVI Pleurothallis subgenus Acianthera and Three Allied subgenera, A Second Century of new Species of Stelis of Ecuador, Epibator, Ophidion and Zootrophion Luer 2004 as Acianthera sicula;
Pleurothallids Neotropical Jewels Vol 1 Karremans & Viera 2020 as Acianthera sicula photo fide
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