Scaphosepalum rapax Luer 1976 SECTION Leiocaulium Luer 1988
Photo courtesy of Lourens Grobler ©
Photo courtesy of © Milan Vágner.
TYPE Drawing by Carl Luer
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Common Name The Predatory Beast Scaphosepalum [refers to the appearance of the flower]
Flower Size .2" [1 cm]
Found in Pastaza and Napo provinces of Ecuador in wet montane forests at elevations of 450 to 1200 meters as a mini-miniature sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte with erect to suberect, slender ramicauls enveloped by 2 to 3 tubular sheaths carrying a single, apical, erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute leaf that is cuneate below to the slender petiole that blooms on aloose to subdense, successively few flowered, 1 3/5" [4 cm] long, racemose inflorescence arising from low on the ramicaul with oblique, apiculate, minutely spicate floral bracts.
"This species and Scaphosepalum ovulare are the two smallest known species of the genus. Although the primary stems of S. rapax are shortly creeping, dense, caespitose clumps of the little, green leaves are formed. The hair-like flower stem descends to bear in slow succession a vicious-looking flower with mouth open and fangs bared. This species is related to the much larger S. anchoriferum from Colombia.
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; * Selbyana Vol 3 36 Luer 1976 Drawing fide; Icones Pleurothallidinarum Vol V Systematics of Dresslerella and Scaphosepalum Luer 1988 drawing fide; AOS Bulletin Vol 64 No 3 1995; Native Ecuadorian Orchids Vol 5 Dodson 2004 photo fide;
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