Restrepia antennifera
| Antennae-carrying restrepia | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Genus: | Restrepia |
| Species: | R. antennifera
|
| Binomial name | |
| Restrepia antennifera | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Restrepia antennifera, the antennae-carrying restrepia, is an epiphytic, miniature species of orchid found at higher altitudes in cool, moist montane forests in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.[1][2]
These tiny orchids lack pseudobulbs. The erect, thick, leathery leaf is elliptic-ovate in shape. The aerial roots seem like fine hairs.
The attractive flowers are 5–6 cm long. They develop one at a time at the base of the leaf. They are borne on a slender peduncle, originating from the base of the back of the leaf. The long dorsal sepal is erect, triangular at the base and ends in a somewhat thicker club-shaped tip (= clavate). They have fused lateral sepals (synsepals) which may be quite colorful: yellow, orange or tan with contrasting maroon lengthwise stripes.[3] The long, slender, lateral petals equally end in a thickened club-shaped tip.[2] The long lip is ovoid and widest at its apex. It shows a reddish lengthwise stripe. In rare cases, the synsepals may split, resulting in two separate sepals. The column has four pollinia.
Restrepia antennifera is well-known to orchid growers, although many other Restrepias are misidentified as "antennifera". The flower blooms for 1 to 2 weeks.[1] They flower again and again in sequential order from the same growth.
References
- ^ a b Puccio, Pietro (2008-08-07). "Restrepia antennifera". Monaco Nature Encyclopedia. Translated by Mario Beltramini. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- ^ a b "Restrepia antennifera". Conservatory Of Flowers. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- ^ "PlantFiles: Species Orchid, Antennae Carrying Restrepia". Dave's Garden. Retrieved 2023-07-13.