A THIRD CENTURY OF NEW SPECIES OF

STELIS SW. OF ECUADOR

Organizing the genus Stelis into a single treatment would be overwhelming,

not only for the author, but also for anyone attempting to consult it. At this

moment of writing, 1201 names have been attributed to the genus, but that number

includes 197 species (including 27 homonyms) of several other pleurothallid

genera recently transferred to Stelis (Pridgeon & M.W.Chase, 2001). Because of

fundamental differences in morphology of sepals, petals, lips, columns, anthers,

and stigmas, these transfers are excluded from the treatment of the genus. Taxon¬

omy is the logical, ongoing science of classification and identification that should

not be arbitrarily set aside because of similarities of DNA regions.

Excluding the above transfers, the number of species presently attributed to

Stelis is about 1000, but possibly fewer than 900 are accepted. This total will soar

when the vast numbers of indeterminate collections and collections yet to be made

are identified. Species are frequent and widely scattered at various altitudes from

southern Mexico to northern Argentina. In pleurothallids the number of published

species is second only to Pleurothallis, but since numerous genera have been

carved from Pleurothallis, Stelis is the undisputed leader. Old Pleurothallis with

its numerous included taxa begging to be recognized was exceedingly poly¬

morphic, but the morphology of the species of Stelis is comparatively stable which

allows easier identification of the vast majority of species, while precluding divi¬

sion into smaller taxa.

Although vegetatively diverse, the species of Stelis are florally distinct. In

common, the petals, lip and column form a small, compact, central apparatus with

the column and anther upper center, the lip lower center, and all neatly embraced

by a pair of petals, one on either side. The petals of all the species are short and

about as long as the column; the lips of all the species are also short and usually

intricately sculptured; and the column of all the species is short and broad with an

apical anther and an apical stigma that is most commonly bilobed.

Fig. 1. Variations in the central apparatus: a. Stelis nambijae, b. S. reniformis, c. S. ciliatissima,

d. S. corniculata, e. S. nycterina, f. S. listrophylla, g. S. scaphoglossa, h. S. barbellata.

Cover: From left to right: S. brachiata, S. vollesii, S. scaleria, S. florianii. Title page: S. dirigens

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

The most logical alternative to a single, comprehensive treatment of Stelis is

a series of regional treatments. The largest number of known species is from the

region within the boundaries of Ecuador, but that is because Ecuador has been the

most intensively studied (Luer, 2002; Luer, 2004). After the similar amount of

time and effort have been expended in neighboring Colombia and Peru, Ecuador

may drop to third in numbers of species, because both these neighbors are more

than four times larger in geographic area. However, smaller Ecuador has the

advantage of straddling the equator, as well as the Andes with its varied habitats

on both eastern and western slopes.

In 1921, Schlechter published a list of 79 species of Stelis reported from

Ecuador. About 43 of these species are presently accepted, the remainder being

misidentified, erroneously attributed to Ecuador, or represented by synonymous

names. About 80 additional species known from other regions have now been

identified as inhabitants of Ecuador as well. With the 95 new species from Part

One of new species of Stelis of Ecuador, the 105 new species from Part Two, and

the present 100 new species for Part Three, the total number of newly recognized

species in Ecuador is now 300. The final lot of about 130 previously known

species, and the new species that will have been subsequently identified, will

comprise Part Four along with the systematics of the genus in Ecuador. This will

bring the total number of accepted species known from Ecuador to nearly 500, or

over half the number of species presently known. Similar numbers can be antici¬

pated for neighboring Colombia and Peru, possibly doubling the number of spe¬

cies now known.

As in the preceding two parts in the treatment of Stelis, the new species are

presented alphabetically in three artificial sections, groups of more or less allied

species with some similarities to aid in orientation and identification. The sections

Bilabiatae and Stelis used in the first two parts are combined, because their defin¬

ing features have proved to be indistinct, with too many species becoming inter¬

mediate. For a complete discussion of the terminology used in the description,

refer to Part One of leones Pleurothallidinarum XXIV, but briefly, the following:

Fig. 2. The central aparatus and column

Lip, type-A Lip, lype-B

Fig. 3. The two major types of labellum.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

NEW SPECIES

Section Nexipous

Fig. 206. Stelis encephalota Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 207. Stelis laudabilis Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 208. Stelis lynniana Luer

Fig. 209. Stelis mnemonica Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 210. Stelis orecta Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 211. Stelis pactensis Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 212. Stelis picea Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 213. Stelis uncifera Luer & Hirtz

Section Humboldtia

Fig. 214. Stelis bucculenta Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 215. Stelis glossulicles Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 216. Stelis inflata Luer

Fig. 217. Stelis lapoi Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 218. Stelis nigrescens Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 219. Stelis pelycophora Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 220. Stelis sparsiflora Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 221. Stelis strobilacea Luer

Section Stelis including Section Labiatae

Fig. 222. Stelis abbreviata Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 223. Stelis adinostachya Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 224. Stelis aliquantula Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 225. Stelis amabilis Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 226. Stelis anderssonii Luer & Endara

Fig. 227. Stelis aphidifera Luer & Dalstrom

Fig. 228. Stelis asplundii Luer & Endara

Fig. 229. Stelis atrocaerulea Luer

Fig. 230. Stelis barbimentosa Luer & Endara

Fig. 231. Stelis brevissimicaudata Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 232. Stelis carchica Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 233. Stelis cavernula Luer & Dalstrom

Fig. 234. Stelis celsa Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 235. Stelis coleata Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 236. Stelis copiosa Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 236a. Stelis copiosa Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 237. Stelis coracina Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 238. Stelis creodantha Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 239. Stelis crinita Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 240. Stelis crossota Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 241. Stelis cryophila Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 242. Stelis cryptopetala Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 243. Stelis delicata Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 244. Stelis dimidiata Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 245. Stelis dissimulans Luer & Dodson

Fig. 246. Stelis diversifolia Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 246a. Stelis diversifolia Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 247. Stelis dolichantha Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 248. Stelis drewii Luer & Endara

Fig. 249. Stelis elatissima Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 250. Stelis entrichota Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 251. Stelis eumeces Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 252. Stelis eustylis Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 253. Stelis graminosa Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 254. Stelis hymenopetala Luer & Endara

Fig. 255. Stelis janus Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 256. Stelis lacunata Luer & Endara

Fig. 257. Stelis lepidella Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 258. Stelis levicula Luer

Fig. 259. Stelis lilliputana Luer & F.Werner

Fig. 260. Stelis limbata Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 261. Stelis litensis Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 262. Stelis lorenae Luer

Fig. 263. Stelis madsenii Luer & Endara

Fig. 264. Stelis mammillata Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 265. Stelis micropetala Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 266. Stelis milagrensis Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 267. Stelis misera Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 268. Stelis molaui Luer & Endara

Fig. 269. Stelis monicae Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 270. Stelis moniligera Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 271. Stelis nikiae Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 272. Stelis ninguida Luer & Dalstrom

Fig. 273. Stelis obtecta Luer & Dalstrom

Fig. 274. Stelis ophioceps Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 275. Stelis orbiculata Luer & Endara

Fig. 276. Stelis panguiensis Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 277. Stelis paradisicola Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 278. Stelis paulula Luer & H.P.Jesup

Fig. 279. Stelis pluriracemosa Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 280. Stelis prolificosa Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 281. Stelis protuberans Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 282. Stelis ramificans Luer & Endara

Fig. 283. Stelis riozunagensis Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 284. Stelis satyrica Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 285. Stelis scaberula Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 286. Stelis scitula Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 287. Stelis septicola Luer & Endara

Fig. 288. Stelis similis Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 289. Stelis soricina Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 290. Stelis sororcula Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 291. Stelis stormii Luer & Endara

Fig. 292. Stelis strictissima Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 293. Stelis supervivens Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 294. Stelis tanythrix Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 295. Stelis tetramera Luer

Fig. 296. Stelis thamiostachya Luer & Endara

Fig. 297. Stelis thermatica Luer & Dodson

Fig. 298. Stelis translucens Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 299. Stelis trichoglottis Luer & Dodson

Fig. 300. Stelis tricula Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 301. Stelis triplex Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 302. Stelis tropex Luer & Endara

Fig. 303. Stelis umbonis Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 304. Stelis unifiora Luer & Hirtz

Fig. 305. Stelis wilhelmii Luer

Fig. 306. Stelis zamorae Luer & Hirtz

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Section NEXIPOUS

206. Stelis encephalota Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek encephalotos, “like a brain,” referring to the uppermost, spherical synsepal.

Planta grandis caespitosa, ramicaulibus quam foliis ellipticis petiolatis subaequilongis, racemo

subdenso breviore, sepalo dorsali profunde concavo orbiculato, sepalis lateralibus minoribus ellipticis

recurvis, petalis transversis crassis reniformibus et labello minuto oblongo unicalloso distinguitur.

Plant large, epiphytic, caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 15-18 cm long, the middle

half enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle, and 2-3 sheaths at the base. Leaf erect, coria¬

ceous, elliptical, tips missing, estimated 15 cm long including a petiole 2-2.5 cm long, 3 cm wide, cu-

neate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, subdensely many-flowered raceme, with many

flowers open simultaneously, 12 cm long including the peduncle 2-2.5 cm long, subtended by a spathe

1.5 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 6 mm long;

pedicels 2.5 mm long; ovary 4 mm long; sepals creamy white, the dorsal sepal glabrous, greatly inflated,

spherical, the aperture rounded, 9-10 mm long and wide, 9-veined, connate 2 mm basally to the laterals,

the lateral sepals pubescent, elliptical, subacute, recurved, 6.5 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-veined; petals

purple, thick, transversely reniform, with a broad margin, rounded apex, concave basally, 1 mm long, 1.4

mm wide, 3-veined; lip purple, oblong, 1 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, shallowly concave an¬

teriorly with a round apex, the bar thick with a central callus, the dorsum pubescent toward the base, the

base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1.4 mm wide, the foot

obsolescent, the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Zamora-Chinchipe: probably above Zumba, alt. 1500 m, collected and cultivated by Ecuagenera,

Gualaceo, flowered in cultivation 27 July 2004, A. Hirtz 8959 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20836.

This strange species is known only from the original collection in southernmost

Ecuador. It is characterized by a stout ramicaul and a crowded raceme shorter than

the leaf. The most distinctive flower is composed of a large, spherical dorsal sepal

with the smaller lateral sepals recurving from below the rounded entrance to the

interior. The small central apparatus is situated on the floor of the sphere. The

petals are thickly reniform, and the tiny, oblong lip has a central, rounded callus.

207. Stelis laudabilis Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin laudabilis, “praiseworthy,” referring to laudable aspects of the plant.

Species haec Stelidis juninensis Kraenzl. affinis sed folio oblongo obtuso petiolato racemis arcuatis

longiore, sepalis ovatis acutis incurvis ad basim in cupulam protuberantam connatis, et labello suboblon-

go obtuso ad dorsum breviter pubescentibus differt.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls slender, erect, 8-12 cm long,

enclosed by a loose, tubular sheath on the middle third and 2-3 other sheaths at the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, oblong, obtuse, petiolate, 10-12 cm long including the petiole 1.5 cm long, 2-2.3 cm wide,

cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence 1 to 2 suberect, more or less arching, congested, more or

less simultaneously multiflowered raceme with many flowers open simultaneously, 7-8 cm long includ¬

ing the peduncle ca. 0.5 cm long, subtended by a slender spathe 15 mm long, from an annulus below the

apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts tubular, oblique, subacute, 3 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 1.5

mm long; sepals light green, rigid, fleshy, glabrous, ovate, acute, connate basally over a convex circle

surrounding the central apparatus, the dorsal sepal 3 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals

incurved, 2.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined; petals green with a brown, central stripe, transversely

ovate, 0.75 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, 3-veined, the apex thick, broadly rounded, irregular, concave at the

base; lip purple-black, suboblong, 0.8 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 0.3 mm deep, the apex triangular, obtuse,

shallowly concave, the bar with a central concavity, the dorsum flat, minutely short-pubescent toward the

base, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.75 mm long and wide, the

stigmatic lobes protuberant laterally, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: collected near Macas and cultivated by Eduardo Sanchez in Cuenca, flowered in

cultivation, 26 July 2004, A. Hirtz 8957 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20919.

This species from the eastern slope of the Andes of southeastern Ecuador is

related to sympatric Stelis juninensis Kraenzl. It is distinguished from the latter as

well as from other species in section Nexipous by a protuberance formed by the

bases of the sepals. As in S. juninensis, the sepals are acute at the apex; the petals

are thick with an irregular surface and a depression to accommodate the spreading

stigmatic lobes from the column; and the oblong, obtuse lip is pubescent on the

dorsum.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

208. Stelis lynniana Luer, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for Lynn O’Shaughnessy of Howell, MI, who successfully cultivates this species.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, folio anguste ellipticis petiolatis caule longiore, racemo congesto folio

plus minusve aequilongo, sepalis glabrous, sepalo dorsali late elliptico quam lateralibus triangularibus

subacutis majore, petalis lunatis, et labello subcuneato acuto cum glenio protuberant! distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 4-8 cm long,

enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle and 2 other sheaths about the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 10-13 cm long including the petiole 1.5-3 cm long,

1.3-1.8 cm wide, cuneate below into the slender petiole. Inflorescence a congested, distichous, many-

flowered raceme with many flowers open simultaneously in opposite facing ranks, 7-13 cm long includ¬

ing the peduncle less than 1 cm long, with a spathe 7-9 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the

ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 4-5 mm long; pedicels curved, 2 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long;

sepals glabrous, dark purple, the dosal sepal broadly elliptical, obtuse, 6.5-8 mm long, 5 mm wide, 3-

(incompletely 5-) veined, connate to the lateral sepals 1.5 mm, the lateral sepals held forward, triangular,

subacute, 5-6 mm long, 2.5-3 mm wide, 3-veined; petals transversely lunate, the broadly rounded margin

thickened and longitudinally concave, 0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide, 1-veined; lip cuneate, 0.6 mm long, 0.6

mm wide, 0.4 mm deep, shallowly concave anteriorly within the acute, triangular apical portion, the bar

thick with a protruding, minutely bilobed glenion, the dorsum flat, quadrate, densely but minutely pubes¬

cent below the middle, the base truncate, hinged to the obsolescent column-foot; column stout, 0.6 mm

long, 0.6 mm wide, with the anther cap large and minutely papillose, the stigmatic lobes very small.

Without collection data, obtained from Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, flowered in cultivation, Oct. 2003, in

Howell, MI, by Lynn O’Shaughnessy 02856 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20530; without collection

data, flowered in cultivation, Jan. 2004, at Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, A. Hirtz 8620 (MO), C. Luer illustr.

20849.

This species, probably from southern Ecuador, is most similar to Stelis picea

Luer & Hirtz described below. Stelis lynniana is characterized by a narrowly ellip¬

tical leaf that is more or less equalled in length by a crowded raceme of overlap¬

ping, opposite-facing, purplish flowers. The broadly elliptical dorsal sepal is larger

than the combined, triangular, lateral sepals. The petals are obscurely single-veined

with the margin broad and longitudinally concave. The lip is cuneate with a shal¬

lowly concave, acute apex, and a protruding glenion on the margin of the bar.

209. Stelis mnemonica Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek mnemonikos, “of memory,” referring to the similarity to other species.

Planta mediocris grandisve caespitosa, racemo multifloro secundo congesto folio angusto elliptico

excedenti, sepalis oblongo-ellipticis late expansis quasi liberis, petalis lunatis, et labello oblongo apice

acuto distinguitur.

Plant medium to large, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 11 cm long,

enclosed by a loose, tubular sheath from near the middle and another 1-2 sheaths from near the base.

Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, obtuse, 14 cm long including a petiole ca. 2 cm long, the

blade 2 cm wide, narrowly cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, strict, densely con¬

gested, secund, simultaneously many-flowered raceme, to 15 cm long including the peduncle ca. 2 cm

long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul, with a spathe 15 mm long; floral bracts oblique,

acute, 3 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 2 mm long; sepals cream with a broad, tan-brown central

stripe, widely expanded and recurved, glabrous, broadly elliptical-oblong, obtuse, connate basally to

form a cup for the central apparatus, the dorsal sepal 7 mm long, 3.3 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral

sepals 6 mm long, 3.3 mm wide, 3-veined; petals tan-lavender, transversely lunate, broadly rounded at

the apex with a broad margin, shallowly concave below, 0.8 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, 3-veined; lip tan-

lavender, oblong, acute, 1 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 0.4 mm deep, shallowly concave before the bar, the

dorsum minutely pubescent near the base, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column

stout, 1 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: near Chiguinda, alt. 1800 m, collected and cultivated at Ecuagenera, Gualaceo,

flowered in cultivation 2 May 2004, A. Hirtz 8729 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer 20852.

This species with widely expanded, similar, nearly free, elliptical-oblong sepals

is reminiscent of several others, including Stelis fabulosa Luer & Endara and S.

tridactylon Luer. The flowers are borne on a many-flowered raceme as long as or

longer than a narrowly elliptical leaf. The petals have a broad, flat margin, and the

lip is oblong and acute.

6 ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

210. Steiis orecta Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek orektos, “spread out,” referring to the lateral sepals.

Species haec Stelidis apertae Garay persimilis, sed sepalis lateralibus 180° expansis ovatis subacutis

apiculatis, ad sepalum dorsale breviter connatis differt.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 6-12 cm long,

enclosed by a loose, tubular sheath from below the middle and 2-3 other sheaths at the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, elliptical-oblong, subacute to obtuse, petiolate, 10 cm long, 1 cm wide in the dried state,

contracted below into a petiole ca. 1 cm long. Inflorescence 2 simultaneous, erect, congested, dis¬

tichous, many-flowered raceme with several flowers open simultaneously, to 20 cm long including the

peduncle ca. 1 cm long, subtended by a spathe 1.3 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the

ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 4-5 mm long; pedicels 2-3 mm long; ovary 2-4 mm long; sepals

light green, glabrous, microscopically sparsely ciliate, the dorsal sepal ovate, subacute, 4 mm long, 3 mm

wide, 3-veined, connate to the lateral sepals for 1 mm, the lateral sepals expanded, obliquely ovate,

subacute, with a short, thick apiculum at the tip, 4.5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, 3-veined, connate to each

other for ca. 0.5 mm; petals rose, transversely oblong with round ends, 0.55 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 1-

veined, broadly rounded at the apex, shallowly concave; lip purple, erect, suborbicular, 1.6 mm long, 1.6

mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex rounded, thickened, shallowly concave centrally, with a pair of erect,

lamellae below the middle, channeled between, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column;

column stout, 0.5 mm long, 1 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: collected near Chigiiinda, alt. 2200 m, flowered in cultivation at Ecuagenera, Guala-

ceo, 10 Nov. 2001, A. Hirtz 7874 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20953.

This species is similar to Steiis aperta with which it is sympatric in southeastern

Ecuador. It is indistinguishable vegetatively, but the flowers appear distinct. The

sepals are narrower and subacute with the dorsal sepal connate only about a quarter

its length to the lateral sepals instead of half its length. The lateral sepals spread

180° instead of obliquely upward. The tips are contracted into short, thick apicula,

instead of simply obtuse. The lips are similar, but the central calli are separated by

a channel.

211. Steiis pactensis Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.; Named for the community of Facto, near where this species was collected.

Species haec Stelidis juninensis Kraenzl. affinis, sed habitu minore, folio anguste ovato petiolato,

sepalis minute pubescentibus obtusis incurvis ad basim in cupulam connatis, et labello subquadrato

obtuso ad dorsum ecalloso differt.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls slender, erect, 4-8 cm long,

enclosed by a loose, spotted, tubular sheath on the middle third and 2-3 other sheaths at the base. Leaf

erect, coriaceous, narrowly ovate, acute, petiolate, 6-8.5 cm long including the petiole 8-13 mm long,

1.5-2 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, distichous, subdense, successive¬

ly multiflowered raceme with many flowers open simultaneously, 12-16 cm long including the peduncle

ca. 5 cm long, subtended by a slender spathe 6-7 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of the rami¬

caul; floral bracts tubular, oblique, acute, 5-6 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 2 mm long; sepals

minutely pubescent, purple-black externally, purple with olive hue within, connate basally, concave

basally to form a shallow cup for the central apparatus, the dorsal sepal broadly elliptical, broadly obtuse

to round at the apex, 5 mm long, 4 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals incurved, ovate, oblique, obtuse,

4.5 mm long, 4.25 mm wide, 3-veined; petals purple-black, thick, transversely lunate, 0.8 mm long, 1.5

mm wide, 3-veined, the apex broadly rounded, irregular, concave at the base; lip purple-black, subqua¬

drate, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex triangular, obtuse, concave, the bar with an elevat¬

ed, superficial glenion, the dorsum flat to shallowly concave, minutely pubescent toward the base, the

base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, the stigmatic

lobes protuberant laterally, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the stigma apical.

Pichincha: between Facto and Bancos, alt. 1700 m, Aug. 2004, A. Hirtz 8988 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer

illustr. 20899.

This species from the western slope of the Andes of Pichincha is related to Steiis

juninensis from the eastern slopes of southern Ecuador and Peru. It is distinguished

by purple-black, obtuse sepals that are concave basally into a shallow cup for the

petals, lip and column. The petals of both species are large and fleshy. The lip of S.

pactensis is obtuse instead of acute, and the dorsum is flat and shallowly concave.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

212. Stelis picea Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin piceus, “pitch black,” referring to the flowers.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, folio anguste ellipticis petiolatis cauli longiore, racemo congesto folio

longiore, floribus piceis, sepalis glabrous, sepalo dorsali late elliptico quam lateralibus ovatis obtusis

majore, petalis transversis subquadratis, et labello subcuneato acuto distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 6-8 cm long,

enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle and 2 other sheaths about the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 12-13 cm long including the petiole ca. 2 cm long,

1.5-1.8 cm wide, cuneate below into the slender petiole. Inflorescence a congested, many-flowered

raceme with many flowers open simultaneously, to 17 cm long including the peduncle ca. 2 cm long,

with a spathe 1.2-1.5 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique,

acute, 4 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 2 mm long; sepals purple-black, glabrous, the dosal sepal

broadly elliptical, round at the apex, 7 mm long, 5.5 mm wide, 5-veined, connate to the lateral sepals 2

mm, the lateral sepals ovate, round at the apex, 5 mm long, 3.5 mm wide, 3-veined; petals black, trans¬

versely subquadrate with thickened, oblique margins, shallowly concave, 0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide, 1-

veined; lip black, cuneate, 0.6 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, shallowly concave anteriorly within

the acute, apical margin, the bar thick with a glenion, the dorsum flat, minutely pubescent below the

middle, the base truncate, hinged to the obsolescent column-foot; column stout, 0.5 mm long, 0.5 mm

wide, with the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Zamora-Chinchipe: Cordillera del Condor, near Paquisha, alt. 1400 m, collected and cultivated by

Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, flowered in cultivation 11 Jan. 2004, A. Hirtz 8624 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer

illustr. 20837.

This species from the Cordillera del Condor is allied to Peruvian Stelis juninen-

sis. Stelis picea is distinguished by a narrowly elliptical leaf that is longer than the

ramicaul, but shorter than the erect, congested raceme of deep purple-black flowers.

The broadly elliptical dorsal sepal is larger than the obtusely rounded laterals. The

petals are more or less quadrate with oblique margins and only one vein is visible.

The lip is cuneate with a shallowly concave, acute tip.

213. Stelis uncifera Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin uncifer, “hook bearing,” referring to the tip of the labellum.

Planta grandis caespitosa, racemo longissimo multifloro folio elliptico multilongiore, sepalis ovatis

obtusis sepalo dorsali profunde connato lateralibus latioribus obliquis inter se ad basim connatis, petalis

perparvis obtusis, et labello erecto ligulato ad apicem hamato distinguitur.

Plant large, robust, epiphytic, caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 14-15 cm long,

enclosed by a loose, tubular sheath from below the middle, 2-3 imbricating, tubular sheaths below. Leaf

erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute, 11 cm long including a petiole ca. 1.5 cm long, the blade 1.5 cm

wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, arching, successively many-flowered

raceme with many flowers open simultaneously, 37-44 cm long including the stout peduncle ca. 10 cm

long, with a spathe 2 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts tubular,

obtuse, 4-5 mm long; pedicels 3 mm long; ovary 2 mm long; sepals light yellow, purple toward the base,

glabrous except for rare, microscopic hairs, broadly ovate, obtuse, 3-veined, the dorsal sepal ovate,

connate to the laterals to near the middle to form a broadly cupped flower, 4-7 mm long, 3.25-4 mm

wide, the laterals oblique, connate basally for 1 mm, 4-6 mm long, 3.75-5 mm wide; petals light yellow,

broadly ovate, obtuse, thickened across the middle, 0.75 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 3-veined; lip black,

erect, oblong, 2 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex obtuse with a recurved, hooklike pro¬

cess, with short, acute, protruding, marginal angles between the lower and middle thirds that continue

medially, shallowly concave below on the apical half, the basal third flat, microscopically pubescent, the

base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, the foot obsoles¬

cent, the anther and small stigmatic lobes apical.

Morona-Santiago: between Guamote and Macas, alt. 2800 m, collected and cultivated by Eduardo

Sanchez, flowered in cultivation in Cuenca, 28 Sept. 2004, A. Hirtz 9079 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer il¬

lustr. 20894.

This robust member of Stelis sect. Nexipous is distinguished from the others by

the exceedingly long, stout raceme of many campanulate flowers. The dorsal sepal is

deeply connate to the laterals to form a broad sepaline cup. The laterals are connate

only basally. The petals are very small beside a much larger column with a pair of

small, stigmatic lobes. The oblong, sharply uncinate lip stands erect.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 208. Stelis lynniana

Fig. 209. Stelis mnemonica

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Section HUMBOLDTIA

214. Stelis bucculenta Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin bucculentus, “with full cheeks,’’ referring to the bar of the lip.

Inter species sectionis Humboldtiae planta parva racemo pendulo laxe paucifloro, sepalis intus dense

pubescentibus, petalis breviter dense pubescentibus et labello transverse subquadrato antice bucculento.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 4-5 mm long, enclosed by

2 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 2-3 cm long including the pe¬

tiole ca. 5 mm long, the blade 6-8 mm wide, contracted below into the petiole. Inflorescence a descend¬

ing to pendent, successively and distantly several-flowered raceme with few flowers open simultaneous¬

ly, up to 8 cm long, from the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, infundibular, acute, 1.5 mm

long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; flowers dark purple; sepals glabrous externally, densely

short-pubescent within, the dorsal sepal broadly ovate, broadly obtuse, connate basally, 4 mm long, 3.5

mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals connate below the middle but held in apposition to form an ovoid,

deeply concave, obtuse synsepalum, 3.5 mm long, 4 mm wide, 2 mm deep, 6-veined; petals semilunate,

0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined, the apical margin broadly rounded, thick, densely short-pubescent,

with a well-defined transverse callus, concave basally; lip subquadrate, 0.5 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, 0.5

mm deep, the apical margin narrowly thickened, broadly rounded, the bar convex to either side of a

narrow glenion, the dorsum mostly filled with a low, minutely pubescent callus, the base truncate, hinged

to the base of the column; column stout, 0.75 mm long and wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the

bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: near Pangui, alt. 1000 m, collected and cultivated at Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, by Lester

Lapo, July 2004, A. Hirtz 8833 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20918.

This species is similar to other small species of section Humboldtia, but it shares

a pendent raceme with only Stelis sumacoensis Luer & Hirtz. Stelis bucculenta is

distinguished from all of them by proportionately large petals with thick, densely

pubescent margins, and a lip with the bar convex to either side of the glenion.

215. Stelis glossulicles Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for the numerous large flowers similar to Stelis glossula Rchb.f.

Species haec Stelidis glossulae Rchb.f similis sed habitu multimajore, racemo erecto multilongiore,

sepalo dorsali quinquenervato, petalis trinervatis, et labello apice subacuto concavo distinguitur.

Plant small to medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 2-6

cm long, enclosed by a close, tubular sheath from below the middle and another 1-2 sheaths above the

base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, acute to subacute, petiolate, 5-6.5 cm long including

the petiole 1-1.5 cm long, the blade 1 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect,

strict, simultaneously many-flowered raceme with the flowers imbricating in 2 opposite-facing ranks, 7-

12 cm long including the peduncle 1.5-2 cm long, with a spathe 1.2 cm long, from a node below the apex

of the ramicaul; floral bracts tubular, obtuse, 2 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; flowers

purple; sepals more or less convex, microscopically cellular papillose, the dorsal sepal obovate, obtuse to

rounded at the apex, 4.5 mm long, 4 mm wide, incompletely 5-veined, connate nearly 1 mm to the lateral

sepals, the lateral sepals transversely ovate, markedly oblique, obtuse, 1.5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, each

3-veined, connate less than 1 mm into a shallowly concave, bifid synsepal; petals purple, transversely

ovate, 0.5 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, 3-veined, broadly obtuse at the thickened, cellular-papillose apex,

shallowly concave; lip purple, subovoid, 0.75 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 0.4 mm deep, the apex broadly

triangular, obtuse, concave, the bar shallowly cleft between a pair of thick, rounded, protuberant, micro¬

scopically pubescent calli, continuous with a flat, minutely pubescent callus that fills the basal 2/3 of the

lip, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, the

foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Imbabura: between Carolina and Buena Vista, alt. 1800 m, Nov. 2004, A. Hirtz, F. Tobar & H. Simbana

9155 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20884.

This species, known only from northwestern Ecuador, is closely related to Stelis

glossula Rchb.f. It is distinguished by a slender habit with narrowly ellip¬

tical leaves, often with two simultaneous racemes of small flowers exceeding them.

The sepals are more or less convex with the laterals held together as a synsepal.

The petals are transversely ovate, and the lip is subquadrate, shallowly concave

anteriorly with the apex broadly obtuse. A small glenion is present on the bar, and a

small, rounded callus is present on the dorsum.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

216. Stelis inflata Luer, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin inflatus, “inflated,” referring to the sepals, especially the synsepal.

Planta grandis prolificans, racemis multifloris folio elliptico petiolato excedentibus, sepalo dorsali

late ovato, synsepalo inflato, petalis crassis, labello transverse oblongo callo protuberant!.

Plant large, epiphytic, proliferating, roots slender. Ramicauls 6 to more than 10 cm long, enclosed

by a tubular sheath from below the middle and another below. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, sub¬

acute, 6-7 cm long including a slender petiole 1-1.5 cm long, the blade 1.5-2.5 cm wide, contracted

below into the petiole. Inflorescence 2 erect, congested, distichous, many-flowered racemes, with most

flowers open simultaneously, 11-13 cm long including the peduncle ca. 2 cm long, with a spathe 11-12

mm long, from a node below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 3-4 mm long; pedicels

2 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; sepals glabrous, the dorsal sepal ovate, obtuse, concave, 3 mm long, 2-3

mm wide, 5-veined, connate basally to the synsepal, the lateral sepals connate into a transversely con¬

cave, inflated synsepal 2 mm long, 3.5 mm wide expanded, 7-veined; petals transversely elliptical, the

margin broadly rounded, thick, concave below the margin with a transverse callus, 0.5 mm long, 1 mm

wide, 3-veined; lip transversely oblong, 0.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, the apex broadly

rounded with a broad, more or less flattened margin, the bar broadly transverse, protuberant centrally

with a deep glenion, the dorsum with a single, rounded callus, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the

column; column stout, 0.75 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, the anther and stigmatic lobes apical.

Cotopaxi: Sigchos, Triunfo Grande, alt. 2425 m, 4 Aug. 2003, J.E. Ramos et al. 6957 (Holotype: CUVC;

Isotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20952.

The supporting ramicaul of this prolific species has been broken off, with only

six centimeters remaining. Two simultaneous, congested racemes, longer than the

leaf, have been produced twice on the only specimen seen. The flowers are small with the

dorsal sepal broadly ovate and concave with the synsepal transversely inflated. The

petals are thickly margined, and the lip is transverse with the bar protuberant.

217. Stelis lapoi Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for Lester Lapo of Gualaceo, who collected and cultivated this species at Ecuagenera.

Planta mediocris, racemo multifloro folio elliptico longipetiolato excedenti, sepalo dorsali ovato

subacuto, synsepalo concavo bifido, petalis crassissimis hemisphaericis, labello transverse tricalloso.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls stout, 4-5 cm long, enclosed

by a tubular sheath from below the middle and another below. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, sub¬

acute, 9-10 cm long including a slender petiole 2.5 cm long, the blade 3 cm wide, abruptly contracted

below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, congested, distichous, many-flowered raceme, with

several flowers open simultaneously, 12-16 cm long including the peduncle 2-3 cm long, with a spathe

1.2 cm long, from a node below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts tubular, 2 mm long; pedicels 1.5

mm long; ovary 2 mm long; flowers translucent purple, sepals glabrous, the dorsal sepal ovate, subacute,

7 mm long, 4.75 mm wide, 5-veined, connate basally to the synsepal, the lateral sepals connate into a

concave, bifid synsepal 6 mm long, 8 mm wide expanded, 8-veined; petals hemispherical, the margin

thick and broadly rounded, over 180°, overlapping above the column, concave below the margin without

a transverse callus, 1 mm long, 1.6 mm wide, 3-veined; lip shallowly transverse, 1 mm long, 1.4 mm

wide, 0.75 mm deep, the apex broadly rounded with an indistinct, broad margin, the bar broadly trans¬

verse with a small glenion ending in a small, superficial cavity within the margin, the dorsum with three,

parallel call! (actually modifications of the 3 nerves), the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column;

column stout, 1 mm long, 1.25 mm wide, the stigmatic lobes apical, foot obsolescent, the anther white.

Zamora-Chinchipe: Cordillera del Condor, Los Encuentros, alt. 1800 m, collected and cultivated by

Lester Lapo at Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, flowered in cultivation July 2004, A. Hirtz 8790 (Holotype: MO),

C. Luer illustr. 20887.

The flowers of this long-petiolate species from the Cordillera del Condor are

similar to those of prolific Stelis neudeckeri Luer & Dodson from northwestern

Ecuador. The dorsal sepal of S. lapoi is five-veined, while that of S. neudeckeri is

multiveined; and the petals of the latter have a transverse callus, while those of the

former are without a transverse callus. The lips differ only in minor details.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

218. Stelis nigrescens Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin nigrescens, “becoming black,” referring to the flowers.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, racemis distichis longibracteatis folio purpureo elliptico longioribus,

sepalo late obtuso multinervato, sepalis lateralibus in synsepalum latum bifidum connatis, petalis lunatis

grandibus carinatis, et labello supra tricalloso distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls stout, erect, 5-10 cm long,

enclosed with a tubular sheath on the middle third, and 1-2 tubular sheaths at the base. Leaf purple,

erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute, 6-8 cm long including a petiole 1.5 cm long, the blade 2-2.5 cm

wide, contracted below into the petiole. Inflorescence 1-2 erect, congested, distichous racemes 9-14 cm

long including a peduncle 2-4 cm long, with many flowers open simultaneously, from a spathe 1 cm

long, near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 12 mm long below, 6 mm long near the

apex; pedicels 2-2.5 mm long; ovary 2 mm long; sepals purple-black, glabrous, the dorsal sepal broadly

ovate, 5 mm long, 6 mm wide, incompletely 7-9 veined, connate basally for less than 2 mm, the lateral

sepals connate 2/3 the length into an obtuse, transversely ovate, bifid lamina, 3 mm long, 7 mm wide, 6-

(incompletely 10-)veined; petals transversely lunate-orbicular, the margin broadly rounded and thick¬

ened, shallowly concave below, 1.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined, concave below a transverse carina

across the middle; lip thickly quadrate-cuneate, 0.8 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 0.8 mm deep, concave an¬

teriorly within the thickened margins of the rounded apex, the bar with a glenion, the dorsum shallowly

concave with 3 distinct, rounded calli, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the column; column stout, 1

mm long, 1.5 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Zamora-Chinchipe: along new road east of Loja, east of the pass, alt. 2000 m, 25 Jan. 1992, C. Luer, J.

Luer, R & A. Jesup & A. Hirtz 16156 (Holotype: MO).

This species of section Humholdtia from southern Ecuador is characterized by

purplish, elliptical leaves surpassed by a congested, long-bracted raceme of purple-

black flowers. The sepals are broadly obtuse and multi veined. The petals are large

with a broad, rounded margin and a sharp, transverse carina. The lip is broadly

rounded at the apex, and three round calli are present on the dorsum.

219. Stelis pelycophora Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek pelycophora, “bowl-bearing,” referring to the synsepal.

Inter species sect. Humboldtiae, planta mediocris caespitosa, folio ovato petiolato, racemo longissi-

mo laxo successivifloro, synsepalo ad centrum conspicue concavo distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 8-10 cm long,

the middle third enclosed by a tubular sheath, 2 other sheaths about the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous,

ovate, subacute, petiolate, 7-8 cm long including the petiole 1 cm long, the blade 1.6-1.8 cm wide, cu-

neate below into the slender petiole. Inflorescence a loose, successively many-flowered raceme with

few flowers open simultaneously, to 30 cm long including the peduncle ca. 7 cm long, with a spathe 1.2

cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 3.5 mm long;

pedicels 3 mm long; ovary 2 mm long; sepals light yellow, glabrous, the dorsal sepal triangular-ovate,

narrowly obtuse at the apex, 6 mm long, 5.5 mm wide, 5-veined, connate to the lateral sepals 2 mm, the

lateral sepals connate into a transversely ovoid synsepal, broadly obtuse at the apex, 4.5 mm long, 6.5

mm wide, 6-veined, abruptly deeply concave centrally; petals purple, transversely lunate, shallowly

concave within thickened, oblique margins, concave basally below a transverse callus, 1.2 mm long, 2

mm wide, 3-veined; lip purple, thickly cuneate, 1 mm long, 1.6 mm wide, 1.2 mm deep, shallowly

concave anteriorly within the broadly obtuse, apical margin, the bar thick with a small glenion, the

dorsum with a single, round callus, the base truncate, hinged to the obsolescent column-foot; column

stout, 1 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, with the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Carchi: Chical, alt. 1500 m, collected and cultivated by Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, flowered in cultivation

11 Jan. 2004, A. Hirtz 8625 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20860.

This species from northernmost Ecuador differs from other members of section

Humboldtia by having the ramicaul longer than an ovate, petiolate leaf, and a loose,

exceedingly long, solitary raceme of successive flowers. The dorsal sepal is broad¬

ly triangular, and five-veined. The synsepal is transverse with a deep, round con¬

cavity in the center. The petals and lip are not remarkable, except that a solitary,

rounded callus occupies the dorsum of the lip.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

220. Stelis sparsiflora Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin sparsiflorus, “sparsely flowered,” referring to the loose raceme.

Inter species sect. Humboldtiae planta mediocris caespitosa, racemo laxe plurifloro folio anguste

elliptico plus minusve duplolongiore, sepalo dorsali de synsepalo profunde concavo 180° expanso, et

labello subquadrato apice concavo obtuse incurvo distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 6-7 cm long,

enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle and another sheath at the base. Leaf erect, coria¬

ceous, narrowly elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 8-9 cm long including the petiole ca. 1.5 mm long, the

blade 1.3 cm wide in dried state, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, distichous,

loosely several-flowered raceme probably with most flowers open simultaneously, to 21 cm long, includ¬

ing a peduncle ca. 5 cm long, subtended by a spathe 1.2 cm long, below the apex of the ramicaul; floral

bracts oblique, acute, 3-4 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 3 mm long; sepals glabrous, the dorsal

sepal light lavender, broadly ovate, obtuse, 6 mm long, 4.5 mm wide, 5-veined, connate basally to the

synsepal, expanded 180° from the synsepal, the lateral sepals light yellow, connivent into an ovoid,

deeply concave synsepal, 4.5 mm long, 6.5 mm wide, 6-veined, connate basally less than 1 mm, in

apposition above the base; petals light green, lunate, broadly rounded at the apex with the margin thick¬

ened, concave, with a faint transverse callus, 1 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 3-veined; lip light green, sub-

triangular-quadrate, 1 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 0.8 mm deep, concave anteriorly within an obtuse, thick¬

ened, incurved apex, the bar with a shallow glenion extending from the dorsum, the dorsum with a 4-

lobed callus above the base, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1.5 mm

long and wide, with a rudimentary foot, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Zamora-Chinchipe; Jimbura, alt. 2800 m, collected and cultivated in Quito by A. Hirtz 8746 (Holotype:

MO), C. Luer illustr. 20908; “Road to Zamora,” alt. 2000 m, 9 July 2002, A. Hirtz, X. & N. Hirtz 8360

(MO), C. Luer illustr. 21039.

This species, known only from southernmost Ecuador, is similar vegetatively to

many other species of section Humboldtia, but with a distinctly loose inflorescence.

It is most similar to the larger Stelis alpina Luer & Hirtz and S. cajanumae Luer &

Hirtz with the abruptly concave chin in the center of the synsepal, but differs from

them by the thickened, obtuse, incurved apex of the lip.

221. Stelis strobilacea Luer, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin strobilaceus, “formed by overlapping scales,” referring to the floral bracts.

Planta grandis caespitosa, raceemo longibracteato folio oblongo petiolato longiore, petalis transver-

sis callosis et labello transverse ad apicem latissime rotundo distinguitur.

Plant large, epiphytic, caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 12-21 cm long, with a

loose, tubular sheath on the middle third, and another loose, tubular sheath at the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, elliptical-oblong, obtuse, petiolate, 12-15 cm long including the petiole 2 cm long, 4-6 cm

wide, contracted below into the petiole. Inflorescence 1-2 erect, distichous, many-flowered racemes,

loosely flowered below to congested with overlapping bracts above, more than 15 cm long including the

peduncle 8-10 cm long (immature in present collection), from a spathe 1.5 cm long below the apex of the

ramicaul; floral bracts acute, acuminate, 12 mm long below to 5 mm long above; pedicels 3-4 mm long;

ovary 1.5 mm long; flowers green, suffused with purple; sepals glabrous, the dorsal sepal ovate, narrow¬

ly obtuse, concave, 5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, 5-veined, connate less than 1 mm to the synsepal, the

lateral sepals connate into a broadly ovate, obtuse, deeply concave, shallowly bifid synsepal, 5 mm long,

3.5 mm wide unexpanded, 6-veined; petals transversely ovate, 1 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, 3-veined,

concave below the broadly obtuse apex with a flattened margin filled with crystals, with a transverse

callus; lip transversely oblong, 0.75 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, concave within the broadly

rounded apex, the bar low, shallowly cleft, with a low, round callus on the dorsum, the base truncate,

hinged to the column-foot; column stout, 1 mm long and wide, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: south of the pass between Sigsig and Chiqiiinda, alt. 2500-2700 m, Feb. 1988, U.

Molau, B. Eriksen & M. Fredrikson 2978 (Holotype: AAU; Isotype: GB), C. Luer illustr. 20525.

This species is characterized by a large, caespitose habit with a loose sheath

along the middle third of the ramicaul. The leaf is broad and petiolate. The inflor¬

escence of the only collection known is immature, barely reaching beyond the tip of

the leaf, but the raceme is densely congested at the apex with long, overlapping

floral bracts, appearing as though the inflorescence would eventually far exceed the

leaf. The dorsal sepal of a mature flower is acute with a blunt tip, and the synsepal

is deeply concave. The lip is shallow with a broadly rounded apex.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 216. Stelis inflata

Fig. 217. Stelis lapoi

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Section STELIS

222. Stelis abbreviata Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin abbreviatus, “abbreviated,” referring to the short racemes.

Planta parva dense caespitosa, racemo congesto plurifloro folio oblongo breviore, sepalis ovatis

anguste obtusis glabris lateraliorum apicibus incrassatis acutis, petalis obovatis uninervis et labello

subquadrato tenui leviter concavo distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, densely caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 5-7 cm long, en¬

closed by a tubular sheath from below the middle, and 2-3 sheaths at the thickened base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, oblong, round at the apex, 4-4.5 cm long including a petiole ca. 1 cm long, 1.2-1.5 cm wide,

cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, densely several-flowered raceme, with most

flowers open simultaneously, 1-2.5 cm long, flowering from the base, subtended by a spathe 6-7 mm

long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 1.5 mm long; pedicels

0.75 mm long; ovary 0.75 mm long; flowers light yellow; sepals glabrous, broadly ovate, narrowly

obtuse, connate basally, the dorsal sepal 1.2 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals oblique,

more or less held forward, 1.3 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 3-veined, the tip thickened, shortly acutely apicu-

late; petals broadly obovate, broadly obtuse, 0.4 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, 1-veined, shallowly concave

below a narrow, thickened margin; lip thin, subquadrate, 0.4 mm long, 0.6 m wide, 0.3 mm deep, shal¬

lowly concave anteriorly with the apex obtuse, the bar replaced by a low, flat, microscopically pubescent

callus that fills the dorsum, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.5 mm

long and wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and small, bilobed stigma apical.

Napo: Reventador, alt. 1300 m, 14 Sept. 2004, A. Hirtz, W. & J. Coeck 9044 (Holotype: MO).

This small species from the flank of Volcan Reventador is noted for having tiny

flowers in one of the shortest racemes in the genus. The oblong leaf about four

centimeters long bears a raceme that flowers from the base and reaches only about

half the length of the blade. The sepals are ovate with the thickly pointed laterals

held forward. The petals are single-veined, and the lip is thin and shallowly con¬

cave above the middle.

223. Stelis adinostachya Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek adinostachys, “crowded spike,” referring to the raceme.

Planta parva dense caespitosa, racemo congestissimo multifloro folio anguste elliptico leviter exce-

denti, sepalis late ovatis obtusis pubescentibus, petalis transversis incrassatis et labello obtuso non pro-

funde concavo distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, densely caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 1.5-4 cm long,

enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle, and 2-3 sheaths above and at the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, acute, 3-7 cm long including a petiole 1-2 cm long, 0.7-1 cm wide, cu¬

neate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, densely many-flowered raceme in 2 opposite-facing

ranks, with simultaneous, overlapping flowers, 3-4 cm long in addition to the peduncle 3-4 cm long,

subtended by a spathe 5-6 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts ob¬

lique, acute, 2 mm long; pedicels 1-1.5 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; sepals light yellow above the mid¬

dle, purple below the middle, diffusely pubescent, broadly ovate, obtuse, connate below the middle, the

dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals oblique, 2.25 mm long, 2.5 mm wide,

3-veined; petals purple, transversely ovate, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined, concave below a broad,

thick margin at the obtuse apex, also concave below a low, transverse callus; lip purple, thick, subtriang-

ular, 0.6 mm long, 0.85 m wide, 0.6 mm deep, shallowly concave anteriorly with the apex obtuse, the bar

thick with a medium-sized, shallow glenion, the dorsum with a low, rounded callus, becoming 3 toward

the base with the veins, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.6

mm long, 1 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Napo: along Rio Napo toward Puerto Napo, alt. 500 m, 22 Feb. 1982, flowered in cultivation at SEL, 17

Mar. 1983, C. Luer, A. Hirtz & X. Hirtz 8698 (Holotype: SEL).

This small species from lowland eastern Ecuador is known from only the origi¬

nal collection. It is characterized by a densely caespitose habit with narrowly ellip¬

tical leaves slightly exceeded by the racemes. About as long as the peduncle, the

raceme is densely packed with overlapping flowers in two opposite-facing ranks.

The sepals are broadly ovate and pubescent. The petals and lip are not remarkably

distinct.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

224. Stelis aliquantula Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin aliquantulus, “little,” referring to the habit.

Planta perparva caespitosa, racemo laxe paucifloro folio elliptico duplolongiore, sepalis late ovatis

obtusis, petalis transversis leviter concavis et labello obtuso glenio convexo distinguitur.

Plant very small, epiphytic, caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 4-6 cm long, en¬

closed by 2 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, subacute, 15-25 mm long in¬

cluding a petiole 2-3 mm long, 5 mm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect,

subflexuous, loosely few-flowered raceme, to 35 mm long including the peduncle 10-15 mm long, from

an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 1.5 mm long; pedicels 1 mm

long; ovary 1 mm long; flowers purple; sepals glabrous, but large cells visible, broadly ovate, obtuse,

connate below the middle, the dorsal sepal 2 mm long, 2.25 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals only

slightly oblique, 2 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined; petals transversely oblong, 0.6 mm long, 0.8 mm

wide, 3-veined, the apical margin round, thickened and shallowly concave, also concave below a narrow

transverse callus; lip thick, subquadrate, 0.4 mm long, 0.8 m wide, 0.5 mm deep, shallowly concave

anteriorly with the apex broadly rounded with a thin margin, the bar with a thick, elevated glenion, the

dorsum concave with a rounded callus near the base, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the

column; column stout, 0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and bilobed stigma

apical.

Morona-Santiago: along Rio Paute near Guarumales, alt. 2000 m, 20 Oct. 1999, A. Hirtz & E. Sanchez

7001 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20865.

Zamora-Chinchipe: east of the pass (El Toro) between Loja and Zamora, alt. 2550 m, 22 Oct. 2004, F.

Werner 1237 (MO).

This small species is apparently uncommon and endemic in southeastern

Ecuador. It is characterized by a very small caespitose plant with loose, few-

flowered racemes twice longer. The sepals are equal, broadly ovate and obtuse.

The petals are shallowly concave on the rounded margin, and the dorsum of the lip

is concave with a callus near the base. The glenion is solid and protuberant.

225. Stelis amabilis Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin amabilis, “beautiful, lovely,” referring to a flowering plant.

Planta grandis repens-scandens, racemo congesto multifloro folio elliptico obtuso plus minusve

aequilongo, sepalis late ovatis obtusis, petalis transversis et labello crasso obtuso cum glenione grand!

distinguitur.

Plant large, epiphytic, long-repent-scandent, rhizome stout, 1-2.5 cm long between ramicauls, roots

stout. Ramicauls ascending-erect, slender, 11-13 cm long, enclosed by a tubular sheath above the mid¬

dle, and 2-3 sheaths above and at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, obtuse, 10-12 cm long

including a petiole ca. 1.5 cm long, 2.5-3.3 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence

an erect, densely many-flowered raceme in 2 ranks, with many flowers open simultaneously, 10-15 cm

long including the peduncle 2 cm long, subtended by a spathe 5-6 mm long, from an annulus below the

apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts conspicuous, oblique, acute, 3.5 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long;

ovary 1.5 mm long; sepals light rosy brown, minutely short-pubescent, broadly ovate, obtuse, connate

below the middle, the dorsal sepal 2.6 mm long, 2.6 mm wide, 5-veined, the lateral sepals 2.3 mm long,

2.6 mm wide, 4-veined; petals red-purple, transversely oblong, with a broad margin at the rounded apex,

concave below a low, transverse callus, 0.6 mm long, 1.1 mm wide, 3-veined; lip red-purple, thick, 0.6

mm long, 0.6 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, shallowly concave anteriorly with a broadly obtuse apex, the bar

thick with a large glenion, the dorsum with a low, rounded callus, the base broadly truncate, hinged to

the base of the column; column stout, 0.6 mm long and wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and bi¬

lobed stigma apical.

El Oro: at the pass south of Pinas, alt. 950-1000 m, 20 Mar. 1985, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. Hirtz & W. Flores

10679 (Holotype: MO).

Morona-Santiago: forest north of Gualaquiza, alt. 1600 m, 17 May 1988, C. Luer, A. Hirtz, A.

Andreetta, W. Teague & W. Flores 13420 (MO).

This species, uncommon in southern Ecuador, is characterized by a stout, creep¬

ing rhizome and ascending ramicauls; an elliptical leaf; and a densely many-flow¬

ered, two-ranked raceme that is about as long as the leaf. The sepals are broadly

ovate and obtuse; the petals are transverse and concave; and the lip is thickly round¬

ed with a broadly obtuse, apical margin, and a large glenion.

18 ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

226. Stelis anderssonii Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for the late Lennart Andersson, co-collector of this and many other species.

Planta mediocris grandisve caespitosa, racemo dense multifloro folio breviore, foliorum bracteis

brevibus, sepalis glabris, petalis transversis tenuibus trinervis et labello subquadrato-oblongo obtuse plus

minusve subapiculato.

Plant medium to large, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 6-18 cm long,

enclosed by a tubular sheath from near the middle and another 1-2 sheaths at the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, elliptical-ovate, obtuse, petiolate, 6-12 cm long including a petiole 1-1.5 cm long, the blade

1.5-3.3 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence 1-2, densely many-flowered racemes

with most flowers open simultaneously, 6-9 cm long, including a peduncle ca. 1 cm long, subtended by a

spathe 0.7-1.5 cm long, below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts erect, oblique, acute, 2-2.5 mm

long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long, sepals glabrous, elliptical, obtuse, connate basally

below the middle, 3-veined, the dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, the lateral sepals oblique, 2 mm

long, 2 mm wide; petals thin, transversely ovate, shallowly concave within the broadly obtuse, slightly

thickened apical margin, 1-0.75 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 3-veined; lip subquadrate-ovoid, 0.75 mm long,

0.75 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the faintly subapicular margin, the bar with a

glenion, the dorsum with a low, rounded callus, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column;

column stout, 0.75 mm long, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Pichincha: between Chiriboga and San Juan, alt. 1900-2200 m, G. Hading, U. Eliasson & L. Andersson

14919 (Holotype: GB), C. Luer illustr. 20519; between Nono and Tandayapa, alt. 1700-1800 m, 24 Mar.

1979, B. L0jtnant & U. Molau 11339 (AAU, GB), C. Luer 20522.

This uncommon species, found on the western slopes of Pichincha, is similar to

Stelis fissa Lindl. In the few collections seen, it is characterized by two very

crowded, many-flowered racemes shorter to nearly as long as an acute, elliptical-

ovate, petiolate leaf. The sepals are obtuse with the laterals held forward. The

transverse petals are thin, concave, and three-veined. The lip is shallowly concave

anteriorly with a faint apiculum of the margin instead of the sharply acute process

as seen in S. fissa.

221. Stelis aphidifera Luer & Dalstrom, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin aphidifer, “aphid bearing,” referring to the appearance of the raceme.

Planta parva caespitosa, racemo sublaxo minutissime multifloro folio anguste elliptico obtuso plus

minusve subaequilongo, sepalis late ovatis obtusis minute pubescentibus, petalis subquadratis et labello

subquadrato-triangulari dorso cum callo minuto erecto distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose, roots very slender. Ramicauls erect, very slender, 5-13 mm long,

enclosed by 2 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, obtuse, 3-5.5 cm long includ¬

ing a petiole 5-12 mm long, 4-5 mm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect,

subdensely many-flowered raceme, with many flowers open simultaneously, 3-4.5 cm long including the

peduncle ca. 1 cm long, subtended by a spathe ca. 2 mm long, from below the apex of the ramicaul;

floral bracts oblique, acute, 1 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 0.5 mm long; flowers purple; sepals

similar, not widely spread, minutely short-pubescent within, broadly ovate, obtuse, connate below the

middle, 1.1 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined; petals subquadrate, 0.5 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, obscurely

3-veined, shallowly concave below the thickened, broadly rounded apex, with an indistinct transverse

callus; lip subquadrate-triangular, 0.5 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 0.3 mm deep, concave anteriorly with a

broadly obtuse, slightly acuminate apex, the bar thickly rounded on either side of a central depression,

the dorsum with a small, erect callus above the base, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the

column; column stout, 0.5 mm long and wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

El Oro: above Zaruma, alt. 1500 m, 6 Mar. 1982, C. Luer, A. Andreetta & S. Dalstrom 7206 (Holotype:

SEL).

This species, known from only the original collection, is characterized by a

small, caespitose habit with narrowly elliptical leaves, and a subdensely flowered

raceme nearly as long as the leaf. The minute flowers could be mistaken for a row

of aphids. The sepals are broadly ovate, obtuse and not widely spread; the petals

are faintly three-veined; and the lip is distinguished by a small, erect callus above

the base.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

228. Stelis asplundii Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for Erik Asplund who collected this species.

Species haec Stelis lanceae Lindl., affinis, sed habitu proliferanti, foliis latioribus, sepalis lateralibus

obliquis, petalis sine callo transversi et labello ad apicem crassiori differt.

Plant large, epiphytic, scandent, prolific; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, superposed, 8-16

cm long, enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle and another sheath at the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, elliptical, acute, petiolate, 6.5-7.5 cm long including the petiole 1.8-2.4 cm long, the blade 2-

2.3 cm wide, cuneate below into the slender petiole. Inflorescence 1-2 erect, congested, distichous,

many-flowered racemes with most flowers open simultaneously, 10-18 cm long, flowering to near the

base, subtended by a spathe 7 mm long, below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 2.5

mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; sepals yellow-green, glabrous externally, glandular-

cellular within, broadly ovate, obtuse, connate basally, the dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, 3-

veined, the lateral sepals oblique, 1.75 mm long, 2.2 mm wide, 3-veined; petals maroon, transversely

ovate, shallowly concave within the broadly rounded, thickened apical margin, 0.6 mm long, 1.25 mm

wide, 3-veined, with a faint, transverse callus; lip subquadrate, maroon, 0.5 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 0.5

mm deep, concave anteriorly with the apical margin thick and rounded, the bar tall with a deep glenion,

the dorsum with a rounded callus, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1

mm long, 1 mm wide, with a rudimentary foot, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Pichincha: on a cliff between Chiriboga and Guajalito, alt. ca. 2000 m, 20 Jan. 1956, E. Asplund 19057

(Holotype: S; Isotype: AMES), C. Luer illustr. 20506.

This species, known from only the original collection, is related to sympatric

Stelis lancea Lindl., but differs from the latter by a prolific habit instead of a repent

habit. The leaves of S. asplundii are elliptical, acute, and petiolate, and surpassed

by one or two many-flowered racemes; the sepals are broadly ovate; the petals are

three-veined; and the lip is rounded at the apex with a single, dorsal callus.

229. Stelis atrocaerulea Luer, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin atrocaeruleus, “dark blue,” referring to the flowers.

Species haec Stelis pusillae Lindl., affinis, sed habitu floribusque majoribus, et sepalis extus atro-

purpureis intus atrocaeruleis distinguitur.

Plant small, terrestrial, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls fasciculated, erect, slender, 2-5 cm

long, enclosed by 3-4 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, acute, petiolate, 3-5

cm long including the petiole 0.5-1 cm long, the blade 5-6 mm wide, cuneate below into the slender

petiole. Inflorescence an erect, congested, distichous, many-flowered raceme with most flowers open

simultaneously, 10-15 cm long including the peduncle 2-4 cm long, from below the apex of the ramicaul;

floral bracts oblique, acute, 2 mm long; pedicels 1-1.75 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; sepals dark purple

externally, dark blue within, cellular-glandular, broadly ovate with the margins more or less recurved,

obtuse, connate below the middle, the dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide expanded, 3-veined, the

lateral sepals oblique, 2-2.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined; petals dark purple, transversely oblong-

obovate, shallowly concave, the apex broadly obtuse or rounded, narrowly thickened on the margin, 0.75

mm long, 1 mm wide, 1-veined, without a transverse callus; lip dark purple, subquadrate, 0.6-0.8 mm

long, 0.8-0.9 mm wide, 0.4-0.5 mm deep, concave anteriorly with the apical margin slightly thickened

with a small, obtuse apiculum, the bar with a shallow glenion, the dorsum minutely pubescent, the base

truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, with a rudimentary

foot, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Bolivar: west of Salinas toward La Palma, alt. 3400 m, 10 Mar. 1991, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. & X. Hirtz et

al. 14947 (Holotype: MO).

Carchi: terrestrial on road embankment between Tulcan and Maldonado, alt. 3050 m, 14 Jan. 1992, C.

Luer, J. Luer, A. & P. Jesup 16011 (MO).

Imbabura: between Mariano Acosta and Puruanta, alt. 3400 m, 2 Jan. 1991, A. Hirtz 5120 (MO); El

Tambo Reserve, alt. 3500 m, 21 Feb. 1998, A. Hirtz & J. Del Hierro s.n. (MO), C. Luer 18777.

Azuay: cloud forest north of Cuenca, alt. 2900 m, 8 Feb. 1987, C. Luer, J. Luer & A. Hirtz 12730 (K,

MO); terrestrial on road embankment along the new road north of Cuenca, alt. 2900 m, 18 Jan. 1992, C.

Luer, J. Luer, A. & P. Jesup 16047 (MO).

This handsome species with sepals shiny dark purple externally and dark blue or

silvery blue inside sometimes covers road embankments in a fashion similar to the

common, smaller-flowered Stelis pusilla Lindl. It is most similar to S. atra Lindl.,

but the petals of the latter are three-veined, and the lip is type-A. The sepals of S.

caerulea and S. pusilla are single-veined, and their lips are type-A.

20 ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

230. Stelis barbimentosa Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin barbimentosus, “with bearded chin,” referring to the stubbly pubescence of the

column.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, racemo folds anguste obovatis longiore, sepalis glabris ellipticis petalis

suborbiculatis uninervis, labello discoideo, et columna infra ad apicem breviter pubescenti distinguitur.

Plant small to medium in size, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect,

slender, 1.5-3.5 cm long, enclosed by 3 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly obovate,

subacute to obtuse, 4.5-5.5 cm long including an indistinct petiole ca. 1 cm long, the blade 0.5-0.7 cm

wide, narrowly cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, congested, subsecund, many-

flowered raceme, with most flowers open simultaneously, 8-13 cm long including the peduncle 2-2.5 cm

long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul with a spathe ca. 5 mm long; floral bracts narrowly

oblique, acute, 2.5-3 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; sepals cream-colored, glabrous,

elliptical, obtuse, similar, connate basally, the dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 1.6 mm wide, 3-veined, the

lateral sepals 2.25 mm long, 1.75 mm wide, 3-veined; petals cream, orbicular, thin, concave, the margin

minimally thickened, 0.6 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, 1-veined; lip purple, discoid, 0.5 mm long, 0.6 mm

wide, 0.15 mm deep, shallowly concave the apex rounded with thin margins, the bar low with a small

glenion, microscopically pubescent at the truncate base, hinged to the base of the column; column stout,

0.6 mm long and wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the very small lobes of the stigma apical, the

column broadly thickened and shortly pubescent below the stigmatic lobes and rostellum.

Zamora-Chinchipe: Quebrada Honda, south of Yangana, alt. 2100 m, 4 Oct. 1986, D. D’Alessandro

739 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20478.

This species of southern Ecuador is known only from the type-collection.

Vegetatively, it is characterized by narrow leaves exceeded by a slender, many-

flowered raceme. The elliptical sepals are similar and connate basally; the petals

are round and single-veined; and the lip is shallowly discoid. Like a stubbly chin,

this portion of the column above the middle is shortly pubescent, or cellular-papil¬

lose. The only other known species with a similarly pubescent column is Stelis

intonsa, the pubescence of S. discolor (syn. S. barbicollis) being on the shaft.

231. Stelis brevissimicaudata Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin brevissime caudatus, “very short-tallied,” referring to the tips of the sepals.

Species parvula dense caespitosa, racemo plurifloro folio elliptico petiolato duplo longiore, sepalis

carnosis intus minute papuloso apicibus obtusis breviter acuminatis brevissime caudatis, petalis transver-

sis uninervis, et labello minuto antice breviter concavo.

Plant small, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 15-20 mm long,

enclosed by 2 close, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 20-30 mm

long including the petiole 6-8 mm long, the blade 5-6 mm wide, contracted below into the petiole.

Inflorescence an erect, lax, secund, successively several-flowered raceme with few flowers open simul¬

taneously, up to 5.5 cm long including the peduncle ca. 1 cm long, with a spathe 5 mm long, from below

the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 1.5 mm long; pedicels 0.75 mm long; ovary 1 mm

long; sepals light green with the midvein thick and darker green, thickly fleshy, glabrous externally,

microscopically cellular-papillose-pubescent within, transversely ovate with the apices obtuse but con¬

tracted into short, thick, acute apicula, the dorsal sepal 1 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, incompletely 3-veined,

connate below the middle, the lateral sepals oblique, 0.9 mm long, 1 mm wide, incompletely 2-veined;

petals dark green, cellular, transversely ovate, shallowly concave below the slightly thickened, rounded,

apical margin, 0.3 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 1-veined; lip dark green, subquadrate, 0.3 mm long, 0.4 mm

wide, 0.3 mm deep, the apex broadly rounded, the bar shallowly concave with a glenion, the dorsum

rounded, microscopically cellular-pubescent, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column

stout, 0.5 mm long and wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: near ChigUinda, collected and cultivated by Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, flowered in culti¬

vation 17 Apr. 2001, A. Hirtz 7707 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20507.

This minutely flowered species of southeastern Ecuador is distinguished by

slender ramicauls, and petiolate, elliptical leaves soon exceeded by a secund, suc¬

cessively flowered raceme. Usually few flowers are open with copious capsules

following. The sepals are fleshy with the obtuse apices contracted into short, tail¬

like apicula. The simple single-veined petals and lip are among the smallest of the

genus.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

232. Stelis carchica Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin carchicus, “from Carchi,” referring to the province of northernmost Ecuador

where the species was collected.

Planta mediocris repens rhizomate crassissimi, racemo dense multofloro foliis oblongis obtusis

brevioribus, sepalis late ovatis, petalis uninervis, et labello subquadrato subapiculato distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, ascending, the rhizome stout, ca. 5 mm long between ramicauls;

roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 6-10 cm long, enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle

and another sheath above the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical-oblong, obtuse, petiolate,

7-8.5 cm long including the petiole ca. 1 cm long, the blade 1-1.2 cm wide, contracted below into the

petiole. Inflorescence an erect, congested, distichous, several-flowered raceme with most flowers open

simultaneously, up to 4 cm long, flowering to near the base, with a spathe 7-8 mm long, from the apex of

the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 2 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1.25 mm long; flowers

yellow; sepals glabrous, at most cellular within, convex, broadly ovate, broadly obtuse, 3-veined, con¬

nate to near the middle, the dorsal sepal 1.75 mm long, 1.75 mm wide, the lateral sepals 1.75 mm long, 2

mm wide; petals thin, suborbicular, 0.6 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 1-veined, shallowly concave below the

thickened, apical margin; lip oblong, 0.75 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, concave within the

transversely obtuse apex with an indistinct apiculum, the bar thick with a small glenion, the dorsum

convex, microscopically pubescent, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout,

0.75 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Carchi: terrestrial in scrub forest north of El Play on, alt. 3300 m, 20 Mar. 1991, C. Luer, J. Luer & A.

Hirtz 15197 (Holotype: MO).

This species grows terrestrially at a high altitude in northern Ecuador. It is

distinguished by a repent habit with a thick, ascending rhizome. The ramicauls are

slender and a little longer than the narrowly oblong, obtuse leaves. A single, multi-

flowered raceme reaches only half way to the tip. The petals are broadly ovate and

three-veined, while the petals are round and single-veined. The lip is concave an¬

teriorly with an ill-defined apiculum on the margin.

233. Stelis cavernula Luer & Dalstrom, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin cavernula, “a small cavern,” referring to the concave labellum.

Planta parva caespitosa, racemo dense multifloro folio elliptico multilongiore, sepalis ovatis triner-

vis, petalis incrassatis trinervis, labello antico profunde concavo margine obtuse triangular!.

Plant small, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 2.5-4 cm long,

enclosed by a tubular sheath and 2-3 sheaths at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical,

subacute, 4-6.5 cm long including a petiole less than 1 cm long, the blade 0.9-1 cm wide, narrowly

cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, congested, distichous, many-flowered raceme

with many flowers open simultaneously, to 12 cm long including the peduncle ca. 2 cm long, with a

spathe 5 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramieaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 2 mm

long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1.25 mm long; sepals expanded, pale yellow, glabrous, broadly ovate,

obtuse, convex, connate basally, the dorsal sepal 2.75 mm long, 2.75 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral

sepals 2.25 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, 3-veined; petals purple, transversely ovate, with the apex broadly

rounded with a thick, rough margin, shallowly concave, and concave below a transverse callus, 0.75 mm

long, 1.25 mm wide, 3-veined; lip purple, thick, subquadrate-triangular, 0.75 mm long, 1 mm wide, 0.75

mm deep, with the apex triangular, obtuse, the margins obtusely angled below the bar, deeply concave

anteriorly with the bar deeply and broadly incised, the dorsum with a transverse, pubescent callus at the

base, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide,

the anther and the stigma apical, with the stigma bilobed, the foot obsolescent.

Carchi: between Tulcan and Maldonado, alt. 3500 m, 13 Jan. 1983, S. Dalstrom 432 (Holotype: SEL),

C. Luer illustr. 20496.

This small species is similar to Stelis congesta Luer & Hirtz, but the type-B lip

is similar to that of S. lanata Lindl. A strict, multiflowered raceme far surpasses an

elliptical leaf. The sepals are ovate and three-veined, and the transversely calloused

petals are also three-veined. The lip is subquadrate and deeply concave anteriorly

with the apex broadly triangular. The bar is deeply and broadly notched.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

234. Stelis celsa Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin celsus, “high, tall,” referring to the habit.

Species haec Stelis lindenii LindL, affinis, sed habitu graciliore, racemis strictis multifloris folio

multilongiorbus, bracteis floralibus parvis, sepalis membranaceis differ!.

Plant large, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 12-21 cm long, with a

close, tubular sheath from near the middle and another sheath or 2 above the base. Leaf erect, coria¬

ceous, elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 11-13 cm long including the petiole ca. 1.5 cm long, the blade 2.5-

2.8 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence 2 erect, congested, secund, many-flowered

racemes with most flowers open simultaneously, 23-33 cm or more long including the peduncle 6-9 cm

long, with a spathe 1.5 cm long, from a node below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts tubular, ob¬

tuse, 3 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 2 mm long; flowers dark red-purple, sepals glabrous, broad¬

ly ovate, obtuse, the dorsal sepal 3 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-veined, connate basally 1 mm to the lateral

sepals, the lateral sepals slightly oblique, 2.8 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-veined, connate 1 mm; petals

transversely oblong, 0.6 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, 3-veined, broadly round at the thickened, apex, shallow¬

ly concave below; lip subquadrate-cuneate, 0.6 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 0.3 mm deep, the apex broadly

obtuse, shallowly concave within, the bar with a shallowly concave glenion, the dorsum with a small,

rounded callus, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.6 mm long, 0.9 mm

wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Azuay: scrubby forest south of Cuenca, alt. 2800 m, 20 Jan. 1992, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. & P. Jesup

16057 (Holotype: MO).

Florally, this large species, found in scrubby forests at a high altitude in south¬

ern Ecuador, has flowers of a basic design that is seen in numerous species. Vege-

tatively, however, it is distinct with long ramicauls that are longer than elliptical

leaves. Two long, strict, congested, secund racemes bear numerous flowers simul¬

taneously. The sepals are broadly ovate and obtuse; they are membranous, not

fleshy as in Stelis lindenii. The petals are simply transverse and three-veined. The

lip is a common type-A with a single dorsal callus.

235. Stelis coleata Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin coleatus, “with sheaths,” referring to the ramicauls.

Planta mediocris, ramicaulibus grandivaginatis folds angusti ovatis sublongioribus, racemo congesto

disticho, sepalis late ovatis obtusis lateralibus concavis incurvis, petalis transverse oblongis supra

medium incrassatis uninervis, labello obtuso cum callo alto fissurato distinguitur.

Plant medium to large, epiphytic, caespitose. Ramicauls erect, slender, 3-6 cm long, enclosed by 1-

2 large, loose sheaths, and 2-3 others at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly ovate, acute, 10-14

cm long including a petiole 1-1.5 cm long, 1.5-2.3 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflores¬

cence a strict, erect, distichous, densely, many-flowered raceme, with most flowers open simultaneously

and facing in opposite directions, to 11 cm long including the peduncle 3 cm long, subtended by a spathe

6 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts infundibular, acute, 2.5 mm

long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; flowers light orange, white centrally, sepals glabrous,

broadly ovate, obtuse, the dorsal sepal 5 mm long, 5 mm wide, 5- or incompletely 7-veined, connate 1.5

mm to the laterals, the lateral sepals slightly oblique, 3.5 mm long, 4.25 mm wide, 3-veined, connate 1

mm, concave and directed forward; petals transversely oblong, with a low, broad, cellular margin of

apex, 0.6 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 1-veined; lip transversely oblong-cuneate, 0.6 mm long, 0.75 mm

wide, 0.5 mm deep, the margin narrowly thickened, broadly obtuse, shallowly concave within, the bar

tall medially and cleft into a deep glenion, the dorsum concave with median callus extending back from

the tall bar, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.75 mm long and

wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Esmeraldas: west of Lita, alt. 800 m, 13 Aug. 1986, A. Hirtz 2949 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr.

20867.

This species, apparently endemic in lowland coastal Ecuador, is characterized

by narrowly ovate leaves with ramicauls clothed by conspicuous, loose sheaths.

The raceme, about as long as the leaf, is crowded and distichous with relatively

large, pale orange flowers. The sepals are broadly obtuse with the laterals held

forward simulating a split synsepal. The petals are broad-margined and single-

veined. The bar of the lip is tall centrally and cleft into a deep glenion.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

236. Stelis copiosa Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin copiosus, “abundant supply,” referring to the numerous inflorescences.

Planta parva caespitosa, inflorescenciis numerosis folio plus minusve duplosuperantis, pedunculis

longissimis, racemis abbreviatis plurifloris secundis congestis, sepalis late ovatis obtusis, petalis uniner-

vis, labello semilunato supra unicalloso, et anthera orbicular! proportione grand! distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls slender, 1-2.5 cm long, enclosed by a

loose, tubular sheath from below the middle and 1-2 other sheaths below. Leaf erect, coriaceous, ellip¬

tical, petiolate, acute, 2-5 cm long including the petiole 0.5-1.5 cm long, the blade 1 cm wide, cuneate

below into the petiole. Inflorescence 2-8 or more erect inflorescences, the peduncles, 5-6 cm long, the

raceme simultaneously several-flowered, congested, secund, ca. 2 cm long, subtended by a spathe 5 mm

long at an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 1.5-2 mm long; pedicels 1

mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; sepals light rosy yellow, glabrous, broadly ovate, obtuse, connate basally,

the dorsal sepal 2.8 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals oblique, 2 mm long, 2.8 mm wide,

3-veined; petals salmon, transversely elliptical, 0.75 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 1-veined, shallowly con¬

cave below the broadly rounded, thickened margin; lip salmon, semilunate, 0.6 mm long, 1.2 mm wide,

0.9 mm deep, the apex rounded with an indistinctly thickened margin, the bar shallowly concave anteri¬

orly with an indistinct glenion continuous with a conspicuous, elongated, rounded callus on the concave

dorsum, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the column; column yellow, stout, 1 mm long and wide, the

anther cap rounded, proportionately large, the stigmatic lobes proportionately small.

Morona-Santiago: below Bomboiza, alt. 800 m, collected and cultivated by Ecuagenera, Gualaceo,

flowered in cultivation 27 July 2004, A. Hirtz 8944 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20907.

Cotopaxi: Tenefuerte, between Quevedo and Latacunga, alt. 800 m, 8 Mar. 1982, C.H. Dodson 12939

(SEL), C. Luer illustr. 20498.

This little species, found at a low altitude on both sides of Ecuador, is character¬

ized by a caespitose habit, and 2 to 8 or more, elongated peduncles, each bearing a

short, congested, simultaneously 6- to 8-flowered raceme, with all the flowers

facing the same direction. The number of racemes in flower simultaneously is

unknown. The sepals are broadly ovate and obtuse; the petals are transverse and

single-veined; and the shallow lip with a broadly rounded apex is distinguished by a

single callus on the concave dorsum. The anther is proportionately large with a

cellular-glandular surface, and the stigmatic lobes are proportionately small.

237. Stelis coracina Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin coracinus, “black as a crow,” referring to the flowers.

Planta parva, racemo congestissimo disticho folio elliptico acuto longipetiolato plus minusve aequi-

longo, sepalis late ovatis obtusis, petalis transverse lunatis, labello breve apice rotundo dorsaliter calloso.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose. Ramicauls erect, slender, 2.5-4 cm long, enclosed by two, loose,

tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, acute, 4-6 cm long including a petiole ca.

1.5 cm long, 1 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence a strict, erect, distichous, densely,

many-flowered raceme, with most flowers open simultaneously and facing in opposite directions, 6-7 cm

long including the peduncle 2-3 cm long, subtended by a spathe 5-6 mm long, from an annulus below the

apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts broadly infundibular, acute, 3 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1

mm long; flowers purple-black, sepals glabrous, broadly ovate, obtuse, the dorsal sepal 5 mm long, 5.5

mm wide, 3-veined, connate 2 mm to the laterals, the lateral sepals 4 mm long, 4.5 mm wide, 3-veined;

petals transversely lunate, with a low, smooth, transverse callus, thickened on the broadly rounded apex,

0.75 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 3-veined; lip transversely oblong, 0.5 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, 0.5 mm

deep, the margin thickened, broadly rounded, shallowly concave within, the bar bitumidous with a nar¬

row, deep glenion, the dorsum with a 3-lobed callous, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the

column; column stout, 0.75 mm long, 1 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and bilobed stigma

apical.

Morona-Santiago: between Sigsig and Chiguinda, alt. 2900 m, 1 May 2004, A. Hirtz, I Toshiyuki et al.

8716 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20854.

This handsome little species is characterized by narrowly elliptical, long-

petiolate leaves and an inflorescence with a tightly packed, double-rowed raceme of

opposite-facing flowers. The dark purple-black flowers are not extraordinary with

obtuse sepals; transversely lunate petals with a transverse callus; and a short,

concave lip with a round margin, a glenion, and a dorsal callus.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

238. Stelis creodantha Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek kreodanthos, “fleshy-flowered,” referring to the sepals.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, racemo stricto congesto foliis angustissime ovatis exceedenti, sepalis

obtusis carnosis brevissime pubescentibus convexis infra medium concavis lateralibus antrorsis, petalis

transversis trinervis, labello subquadrato obtuso antice leviter concavo ad dorsum tricalloso distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls slender, erect, 5-8 cm long,

the upper half enclosed by a tubular sheath from the middle, and another 1-2 sheaths at the base. Leaf

erect, coriaceous, narrowly ovate, acute, petiolate, 6.5-7.5 cm long including a petiole ca. 1 cm long,

0.7-1 cm wide, narrowly cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, strict, distichous, dense¬

ly many-flowered raceme with many flowers open simultaneously, to 12 cm long including the peduncle

1-2 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul, with a spathe 8 mm long; floral bracts

oblique, acute, 3 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 1 mm long. Flowers yellow, not widely spread,

with the lateral sepals directed forward, sepals thick, with a short pubescence and convex above the

middle, shallowly concave below the middle, the dorsal sepal ovate, obtuse, 2.75 mm long, 2.2 mm wide,

3-veined, connate basally to the lateral sepals, the lateral sepals ovate, obtuse, slightly oblique, directed

forward, 2.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined; petals transversely ovate, 0.75 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-

veined, concave within the broadly rounded apex with the edge thickened, with a low, indistinct, trans¬

verse callus; lip thick, subquadrate, 0.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex obtuse, shallow¬

ly concave within a slightly thickened margin, the bar with a small glenion, the dorsum shallowly con¬

cave with a 3-lobulate, mealy callus, near the base, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column;

column stout, 0.8 mm long and wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Carchi: cloud forest east of the pass east of Maldonado, alt. 2300 m, 17 Mar. 1991, C. Luer, J. Luer, A.

Hirtz et al 15137 (Holotype: MO).

This species, found in northernmost Ecuador at an altitude of 2300 meters, is

similar to S. graminosa (also described herein) found nearby at 1500 meters. The

former is distinguished by a densely caespitose habit with narrowly ovate leaves

borne by slightly longer ramicauls. The many-flowered raceme of yellow flowers is

nearly twice as long. The sepals are thick, and shortly pubescent and convex above the

middle. The lip is type-A with the dorsal callus three-lobed.

239. Stelis crinita Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin crinitus, “hairy,” referring to the long pubescence of the sepals.

Planta grande dense caespitosa, racemis paucis congestis parvifloris folio ovato plus minusve aequi-

longis, sepalis late ovatis intus longipubescentibus, petalis transversis trinervis, et labello ovoideo ad

apicem late triangular! ad basim breviter pubecenti distinguitur.

Plant large, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls slender, erect, 9-23 cm long,

with a short, tubular sheath just below the middle, and another 1-2 sheaths at the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, ovate, acute at the apex, broadly rounded at the base, the blade 5-8 cm long, 2-3.4 cm wide,

abruptly contracted below into a petiole 1-1.5 cm long. Inflorescence 2-3 erect, strict, distichous, dense¬

ly many-flowered, simultaneously flowered raceme with most flowers open simultaneously, 7-10 cm

long including the peduncle ca. 3 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul, with a spathe

1.5-1.7 mm long; floral bracts oblique, acute, 3 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long.

Flowers light yellow, sepals expanded, more or less equal, long-pubescent within, broadly ovate, obtuse,

2 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined, connate basally; petals transversely obovate, 0.8 mm long, 1.2 mm

wide, 3-veined, shallowly concave within the broadly rounded apex with the edge thickened, with a low,

indistinct, transverse callus; lip thick, subovoid, 1 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex sub¬

acute, triangular, shallowly concave within slightly thickened margins, the bar with a shallow glenion,

the dorsum densely short-pubescent, above the base, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column;

column stout, 1 mm long, 0.8 mm long, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: above Limon, alt. 3300 m, collected and cultivated by Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, 27 July

2004, A. Hirtz 8943 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20906.

This species, presently known only from a high altitude in southeastern

Ecuador, is characterized by long, slender ramicauls with a proportionately short,

tubular sheath just below the middle. The leaves are ovate, rounded at the base, and

more or less equaled in length by two or three densely small-flowered racemes.

The sepals are loosely long-pubescent within. The lip is type-B with a large glen¬

ion, with the dorsum densely short-pubescent.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

240. Stelis crossota Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek crossotos, “fringed,” referring to the sepals.

Planta perparva, racemo laxe paucifloro folio elliptico obtuso longiore, sepalis late ovatis obtusis

valde fimbriatis, petalis transverse oblongis, et labello illi Stelis argentata similis.

Plant very small, epiphytic, densely caespitose. Ramicauls stout, erect, 5-10 mm long, enclosed by

two tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, thickly coriaceous, elliptical-obovate, obtuse to rounded at the apex,

15-20 cm long including a petiole 3-4 mm long, 6-7 mm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflores¬

cence a loose, erect, successively few-flowered raceme, 3-4 cm long including the peduncle 1.5 cm long,

from a node below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts infundibular, obtuse, 1.5 mm long; pedicels 1

mm long; ovary 1 mm long; sepals translucent white, cellular-glandular with the margins thickened and

densely long-ciliate within, ovate, obtuse, the dorsal sepal 3 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-veined, connate

basally to the laterals, the lateral sepals 2.3 mm long, 2.3 mm wide, 3-veined; petals green, transversely

oblong, thickened on the broadly rounded apical margin, 0.6 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 3-veined; lip green,

transversely ovoid, 0.4 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, the margin thickened, broadly rounded,

with an acute, central apiculum, shallowly concave within, the bar broadly rounded, with an elongated,

flat glenion, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.5 mm long, 0.9

mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Napo: between Rio Jatunyacu and Pano, alt. 800 m, 22 Feb. 2004, A. Hirtz & X. Hirtz 8681 (Holotype:

MO), C. Luer illustr. 20855.

This tiny species is characterized by thick, obovate leaves borne by shorter

ramicauls, and a loose, successively three- to four-flowered raceme that eventually

reaches twice the length of the leaves. The sepals are white, obtuse, and densely ci¬

liated within a thickened margin; the petals are transversely oblong; and the lip is

similar to that of Stelis argentata Lindl. including a minute apiculum.

241. Stelis cryophila Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek kryophilus, “cold loving,” referring to the chilly habitat 3400 meters above

sea level.

Planta parva caespitosa prolificans, folio elliptico obtuso cauli plus minusve aequilongo, racemis

pluribus congestissimis folio longioribus, bracteis conspicuis, sepalis crassis ovatis obtusis imbricanti-

bus, et labello subcuneato antice concavo acuto distinguitur.

Plant small to medium in size, terrestrial, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, prolific,

2-8 cm long, with a tubular sheath from near the middle and 2 others about the base. Leaf erect, coria¬

ceous, elliptical oblong, obtuse, 3-5 cm long including a petiole 1-1.5 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, cuneate

below into the petiole. Inflorescence 1-3, congested, overlapping, many-flowered racemes with most

flowers simultaneously in flower, 8-10 cm long including the peduncle ca. 1 cm long, with a spathe 0.5

cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 3-4 mm long;

pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 2 mm long; sepals fleshy, not wide-spreading, dull yellow to purple, gla¬

brous or cellular-glandular within, broadly ovate, obtuse, connate below the middle, the dorsal sepal 3.5

mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals 2.75 mm long, 2.75 mm wide, 3-veined; petals dark

purple, transversely ovate, thickened along the transversely obtuse apex, shallowly concave, 1 mm long,

l. 5 mm wide, 3-veined, with a low transverse callus; lip dark purple, thickly sub-cuneate, 1 mm long, 1.3

mm wide, 1.5 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the triangular, subacute apex, without thickened

margins, the bar divided by a concave glenion extending from a large callus on the dorsum, the base

microscopically pubescent, truncate, hinged to the obsolescent column-foot; column stout, 1 mm long, 1

mm wide, with the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Carchi: terrestrial on the road embankment west of the pass between Tulcan and Maldonado, alt. 3400

m, 16 Mar. 1991, C. Luer, J. Luer, J. del Hierro, A. & X. Hirtz 15066 (Holotype: MO); same collection

data, C. Luer et al. 15067 (MO).

This species grows terrestrially in the cold, high, rocky terrain below a pass in

northernmost Ecuador, and probably also epiphytically in scarce, scrubby vegeta¬

tion nearby. The plants are stout with some ramicauls producing another. The

racemes are crowded with long-pointed floral bracts and overlapping flowers. The

sepals are fleshy, obtuse, and not widely spread. The concave lip with a triangular

apex is wedged between the lateral sepals.

26 ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

242. Stelis cryptopetala Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek kryptopetalus, “hidden petals,” referring to the out-of-sight petals.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, racemis congestis multifloris, flores minutissimis, sepalis subacutis,

petalis membranaceis post columnam occultis, et labello oblongo apiculato distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 5-9 cm

long, with a tubular sheath from below the middle and another 2 sheaths at the base. Leaf erect, coria¬

ceous, elliptical-oblong, subacute to rounded at the apex, 5-8 cm long including a petiole 6-7 mm long,

the blade 1.5-1.8 cm wide, narrowed below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, secund, congested,

simultaneously many-flowered raceme with many flowers open simultaneously, 10-13 cm long including

the peduncle ca. 1.5 cm long, with a spathe ca. 7 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of the rami-

caul; floral bracts tubular, oblique, 1.5 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; sepals light

yellow, glabrous, ovate, subacute, connate basally into a short tube, the dorsal sepal 3 mm long, 1.8 mm

wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals held forward, 2.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 3-veined; petals transversely

oblong, membranous, truncate, shallowly concave, 0.5 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 3-veined, borne against

the shaft of the column; lip subquadrate, 1.25 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, concave anteriorly

with the apex truncate and apiculate, the bar cleft into 2 convex halves, microscopically pubescent below

the middle, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1.5 mm long, 1 mm wide,

the anther and stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: beyond Sigsig, alt. 3000 m, 28 July 2004, A. Hirtz & family 8965 (Holotype: MO);

C. Luer illustr. 20893.

This species from southeastern Ecuador is similar to Stelis juncea Luer & Hirtz

of northwesternmost Ecuador. It is distinguished by slender ramicauls with ellipti¬

cal-oblong leaves that are surpassed by a similar, slender, congested, secund raceme

of numerous, minute flowers. The petals are short and membranous, and held

against the column below the middle. The lip is type-B with an apiculum.

243. Stelis delicata Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin delicatus, “dainty,” referring to the habit.

Planta parva caespitosa, ramicaulibus gracillimis folio anguste elliptico longipetiolato aequalilongis,

racemis elongatis tarde successivifloris multiflorisque, sepalis camosis ovatis subacutis vel obtusis later-

alibus minoribus obliquisque, petalis latissime lunatis microscopice papillosis, et labello subquadrato late

obtuso concavo cum callo dorsali distinguitur.

Plant small, delicate, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, very slender, 3-5.5 cm

long, with a close, tubular sheath from near the middle and 2 other sheaths about the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, acute, 3-5.5 cm long including a slender petiole 1.5-2 cm long, the blade

0.5-0.6 mm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, arching, subdense, successive¬

ly but slowly many-flowered raceme with 1-2 flowers open simultaneously, 10-14 cm long including the

peduncle 4-5 cm long, with a slender spathe 0.5 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the rami-

caul; floral bracts infundibular, oblique, acute, 2-2.5 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm

long; sepals expanded, dark purple, glabrous, cellular-glandular within, broadly ovate, subacute to

obtuse, the dorsal sepal 3.5 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals oblique, 1.8 mm long, 2.4

mm wide, 3-veined; petals dark purple, suborbicular or transversely ovate, narrowly thickened along the

rounded apex, microscopically papillose, concave in the lower third, 1 mm long, 1.1 mm wide, 3-veined;

lip dark purple, thickly subquadrate, 0.6 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 0.4 mm deep, concave anteriorly

within the broadly rounded apex with minimally thickened margins, the bar with a superficial glenion,

the dorsum shallowly concave with a rounded callus flanked by the pair of thickened, lateral veins, the

base truncate, hinged to the column-foot; column stout, 0.75 mm long and wide, with the anther and

bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: new road from Guamote to Macas, alt. 3100 m, 14-16 Oct. 2004, A. Hirtz, E.

Sanchez, F. Tobar, W. Bautz & Augustin 9097 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 9097.

This delicate species is characterized by slender ramicauls and acute, narrowly

elliptical, long-petiolate leaves that are far exceeded by a slender, successively

raceme. The broadly ovate sepals are connate to near the middle, the dorsal sepal

being slightly larger. The petals are proportionately large, hemispheric and cellular-

papillose. The type-A lip has a well-developed glenion and a rounded callus on the

dorsum.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

244. Stelis dimidiata Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin dimidiatus, “half smaller,” referring to the minute flowers.

Planta perparva caespitosa, racemis congestis multifloris multilongioribus, flores minutissimis,

sepalis carnosis late ovatis obtusis, petalis latissimis trinervis, et labello oblongo infra apicem transver-

sum concavo cum callo centrali rotundo distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 5-8 mm long, enclosed by a

tubular sheath from below the middle and another at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, obtuse

to round at the apex, 15 mm long including a petiole 3-4 mm long, 5-7 mm wide, cuneate below into the

petiole. Inflorescence an erect, congested, many-flowered raceme with several flowers simultaneously

in flower, 5-7 cm long including the peduncle 2-3 cm long, from within the sheath; floral bracts broadly

infundibular, obtuse, 1.5 mm long; pedicels 0.5 mm long; ovary 0.8 mm long; sepals fleshy, not wide-

spreading, brownish, glabrous externally, cellular papillose within, connate basally, the dorsal sepal

suborbicular, with the tip thick and contracted, 1.5 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals

1.4 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined; petals suborbicular, thickened along the broadly rounded apex,

shallowly concave, 0.5 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 3-veined; lip thickly oblong-obovate, 0.6 mm long, 0.8

mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the broadly rounded apex, without thickened margins,

the bar replaced by a protuberant callus without an obvious glenion, the callus continues to fill the

dorsum with a broad, microscopically pubescent callus, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the obsoles¬

cent column-foot; column stout, 0.5 mm long and wide, with the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Carchi: east of La Gruta La Paz, alt. 3200 m, 13 Sept. 2004, A. Hirtz, W. & J. Coeck 9022 (Holotype:

MO), C. Luer illustr. 20885.

This very small, high altitude species is similar superficially to many others, but

it is distinguished by broad, ovate leaves that are far surpassed by many-flowered

raceme of tiny flowers. The sepals are fleshy and do not spread; the petals are

broad and three-veined; and the type-B lip contains a broad callus that protrudes

anteriorly.

245. Stelis dissimulans Luer & Dodson, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin dissimulans, “differing,” in allusion to its differing from Stelis biserrula Lindl.

Species haec Stelis biserrulae Lindl. habitu persimili, sed sepalis ovatis expansis.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic to terrestrial, long-scandent; roots slender. Ramicauls ascending,

slender, prolific, to 16 cm long below to 7 cm long above, enclosed by a tubular sheath below the middle

and another sheath at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical-ovate, acute, petiolate, 6-8 cm

long including the petiole ca. 1.5 cm long, 1-1.2 cm wide, narrowly cuneate below into the petiole.

Inflorescence an erect to arching, distichous, densely many-flowered raceme with many flowers open

simultaneously, 8-13 cm long including the peduncle ca. 2 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of

the ramicaul with a spathe 7-8 mm long; floral bracts oblique, 2.5 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary

0.8 mm long, sepals expanded, glabrous, green, the dorsal sepal red externally, erect, ovate, obtuse,

slightly convex, 3 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined, connate 0.5 mm basally to the lateral sepals, the later¬

al sepals ovate, obtuse, slightly convex, 2.5 mm long, 1.8 mm wide, 3-veined; petals green, transversely

obovate, 0.8 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined, the apex broadly obtuse with the edge thickened, obtuse,

shortly acuminate, concave below the middle, the base truncate; lip thick, subquadrate-trilobed, 0.6 mm

long, 0.6 mm wide, 0.3 mm deep, the apex triangular, acute, shallowly concave, the bar with a concave

glenion, the dorsum with an obscurely lobed, microscopically pubescent callus, the base truncate, hinged

to the base of the column; column stout, 0.6 mm long and wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the

stigma apical, the stigma bilobed.

Pichincha: terrestrial along the new road above Tandapi, alt. 2300 m, 3 Mar. 1985, C.H. Dodson &

Piedad Dodson 15649 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20458.

This species, noted to be common when collected, is known only from the

original collection from west-central Ecuador. The long-prolific and scandent habit

with racemes about as long as narrow leaves is inseparable from the frequent and

sympatric Stelis biserrula Lindl. However, the flowers of the latter are bilabiate

with a deeply concave synsepal, while the flowers of S. dissimulans are widely

spread with ovate sepals that are connate only at their bases. The obtusely pointed

petals and lip of the two concepts are very similar. This finding places these two

nearly identical taxa in two different “sections” (Humboldtia and Stelis).

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

246. Stelis diversifolia Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin diversifolius, “with diverse leaves,” referring to variable shapes of the leaves.

Planta mediocris breviter ascendens-caespitosa, racemo folio excedenti, sepalis ovatis obtusis bre-

vissime pubescentibus trinervis, petalis transversis trinervis, labello subquadrato-triangulato antice

concavo margine rotundo encrassato, glenione concavo, dorsaliter cum callo erecto distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, shortly ascending-caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect,

slender, 2-4 cm long, enclosed by a loose tubular sheath and 2-3 other sheaths at the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, narrowly elliptical-subacute, to broadly oblong-obtuse, 3-7 cm long including a petiole 1-2.5

cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, narrowly or abruptly cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect,

sublax, several- to many-flowered raceme with several flowers open simultaneously, 5-12 cm long

including the peduncle 2.5-3 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts

infundibular, acute, 2-2.5 mm long; pedicels 1-1.5 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; sepals similar, purple,

glabrous externally, cellular-glandular to shortly pubescent within with the hairs more or less capitate,

broadly ovate, obtuse, 3-veined, connate basally, the dorsal sepal 2-2.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, the lateral

sepals 2 mm long, 2 mm wide; petals purple, transversely ovate, 0.75-1 mm long, 1-1.25 mm wide,

slightly concave below the middle, slightly thickened above the middle, with the apex broadly obtuse,

thickened and flattened on the margin; lip purple, thickly ovoid-subquadrate, 0.5 mm long, 0.5 mm wide,

0.5 mm deep, concave anteriorly with broad margins, the apex rounded, the bar with a central, ciliate

callus, cleft centrally into a glenion anteriorly, the dorsum shallowly concave with an erect, pubescent,

subcylindrical callus above the base, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout,

0.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Pichincha: forest between San Miguel de los Buncos and Mindo, alt. 1450 m, 1 Apr. 1984, C. Luer, S.

Dalstrdm, T Hdijer & A. Hirtz 9870 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 9870; old road between Chiriboga

and Santo Domingo, alt. 1650 m, 31 Mar. 1984, C. Luer, S. Dalstrdm, T Hdijer & A. Hirtz 9853, 9854,

9855 (MO).

Imbabura: Reserva Biologica Los Cedros, trail to Cerro de la Plata, alt. 2300-2400 m, 13 Mar. 2002, L.

Endara A. 960 (QCA).

Bolivar: tall forest south of Chillanes, alt. 2400 m, 11 Mar. 1991, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. Hirtz, et al. 14998,

14999 (MO).

Vegetatively, this locally abundant, medium-sized species is similar to many of

the other species characterized by a caespitose habit, elliptical leaves, and a con¬

gested raceme that exceeds the leaves in length. However, it is variable vegetative¬

ly with narrowly elliptical to broadly oblong leaves. The small, purple flowers are

distinguished by obtuse sepals pubescent within; transversely ovate petals; and a

thick, subquadrate lip that is concave anteriorly with thickened margins, with a bar

with a prominent glenion, and with the dorsum slightly concave with an erect,

rounded, ciliate callus above the base.

247. Stelis dolichantha Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek dolichanthus, “long-flowered,” referring to elongated inflorescence.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, racemo elongato multifloro folio anguste elliptico multilongiore, sepalis

glabris ovatis obtusis trinervis, petalis transversis trinervis supra basim crassimis, labello subquadrato-

triangulato antice concavo margine latissime obtuso, glenione parvo, dorsaliter subcalloso distinguitur.

Plant small to medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 2 cm

long, enclosed by a loose tubular sheath and another sheath at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly

elliptical, 4.5 cm long including a petiole ca. 0.5 cm long, the width undetermined, 3 mm wide in dried,

revolute state, estimated at least 5 mm wide. Inflorescence an arching, suberect, sublax, subflexuous,

many-flowered raceme with several flowers open simultaneously, up to 35 cm long including the pedun¬

cle ca. 5 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts infundibular, oblique,

acute, 2 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1.25 mm long; sepals similar, purple with yellow edge,

glabrous, broadly ovate, obtuse, 3-veined, connate basally, the dorsal sepal 4 mm long, 4.5 mm wide, the

lateral sepals slightly oblique, 2.3 mm long, 4 mm wide; petals yellow, transversely lunate, 1 mm long,

1-1.6 mm wide, 3-veined, the margin broad, thick and flattened, concave above and below a thick trans¬

verse callus; lip yellow, thickly ovoid-subquadrate, 0.5 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, concave

anteriorly with broad, flat margins, the apex rounded, the bar with a short, ill-defined callus, the dorsum

shallowly concave with a low, shortly pubescent, indistinct calli, the base truncate, hinged to the base of

the column; column stout, 1 mm long and wide, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

Morona-Santiago: below Pangiii, alt. 900 m, collected and cultivated by Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, flow¬

ered in cultivation by Lester Lapo, July 2004, A. Hirtz 8832 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20916.

This vegetatively small species from southeastern Ecuador is characterized by

an exceedingly long, sublaxly flowered raceme, in habit similar to Stelis elongatis-

sima Luer & Hirtz and S. longissima Luer & Hirtz as well as several small species

with racemes that elongate over a period of time. The sepals are glabrous, broadly

ovate and three-nerved; the petals are thickly transverse with a broadly rounded,

flat, sharp margin, and a broad, flat-margined transverse callus; and the margin of

the lip is also broad and flat.

248. Stelis drewii Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for W.B. Drew, collector of this species.

Planta grandis repens-ascendens, ramicaulibus quam foliis ellipticis acutis multilonioribus, racemo

laxefloro folio longiore, sepalis ovatis obtusis, petalis transversis crassis carinatis et labello hemispherico

levitissime concavo distinguitur.

Plant large, epiphytic, long-ascending-repent, rhizome stout, 1-3 cm long between ramicauls, roots

slender. Ramicauls ascending-erect, slender, 10-20 cm long, enclosed by a tubular sheath from near the

middle and 2-3 sheaths at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, acute, 8 cm long includ¬

ing a petiole ca. 1 cm long, 1.7 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, lax,

many-flowered raceme, probably with many flowers open simultaneously, 10-15 cm long including the

peduncle 2-3 cm long, subtended by a spathe 1 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul;

floral bracts oblique, acute, 3 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; sepals translucent

straw-colored, slightly suffused with purple at the base, ovate, obtuse, margined, glabrous, connate

below the middle, the dorsal sepal 4.5 mm long, 4.5 mm wide, 5-veined, the lateral sepals oblique, 3.5

mm long, 3.5 mm wide; petals green, thick, transversely ovate, with a broad margin at the rounded apex,

concave below a sharp, transverse callus, 1.2 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 3-veined; lip thick, subsemiorbicu-

lar, 0.9 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, very shallowly concave with a round, broadly margined

apex, the bar thick with a superficial glenion, the dorsum with a low, rounded callus, the base broadly

truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, the foot obsolescent,

the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Imbabura: trail to Laguna de la Virgen, east of Volcan Cayambe, alt. 8,850 ft., 27 July 1944, W.B. Drew

E-389 (Holotype; AMES), C. Luer illustr. 20492.

This species, known from only the original collection by Drew with the

Ecuadorian Cinchona Mission, is characterized by a stout, creeping rhizome and

ascending ramicauls that are much longer than the elliptical leaf. The loosely

flowered raceme is longer than the leaf. The sepals are ovate and obtuse with the

laterals distinctly smaller than the dorsal. The petals are thickly transverse and

concave below a broad margin and concave below a transverse callus. The lip is

thickly rounded with a broad, apical margin.

249. Stelis elatissima Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin elatissimus, “very tall,” referring to the raceme.

Species haec Stelidis vulcani Rchb.f. affinis, sed foliis angustioribus quam caulibus proportione lon-

gioribus, racemis congestissimis multifloris elatissimis et labelli ad dorsum callo solo erecto differt.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 5-8 cm long,

enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle and 1-2 other sheaths at the base. Leaf erect, coria¬

ceous, narrowly elliptical-oblong, subacute, 7-10 cm long including a petiole ca. 1.5 cm long, 1 cm wide,

narrowly cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence 1-2 erect, slender, congested, distichous, many-

flowered racemes, with most flowers open simultaneously, 23-34 cm long including the peduncle 5-8 cm

long, subtended by a spathe 1-1.5 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts

oblique, acute, 1-2.5 mm long; pedicels 1-1.5 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; flowers white, sepals fleshy,

microscopically cellular-glandular within, the dorsal sepal ovate, convex, obtuse, connate basally less

than 1 mm, 5 mm long, 3.4 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals ovate, oblique, obtuse, connate less

than 1 mm, in apposition into a concave synsepal with recurved margins, 3.5 mm long, 2.25 mm wide,

each 3-veined; petals transversely lunate, shallowly concave below the broadly obtuse, ill-defined

margin, 0.75 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined; lip thick, subquadrate, 0.6 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 0.5

mm deep, the apex broadly obtuse, concave anterior to the bicallous bar, with a large glenion, the dorsum

with a single, erect, rounded, pubescent callus, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the

column; column stout, 0.6 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Imbabura: Buenos Aires, alt. 2300 m, Feb. 2003, A. Hirtz & Family 8501 (Holotype: MO); C. Luer

illustr 20856.

This species from northern Ecuador is allied to Stelis multiflora Luer & Hirtz

from southwestern Ecuador. Both species produce crowded racemes of similar,

small flowers in great abundance. Instead of several racemes shorter than the leaf,

one or two exceedingly long racemes are produced. The leaves are narrow and

longer in proportion to the ramicauls. The sepals, petals and lip are similar, except

for the obtuse, instead of rounded apex of the lip, and the glenion is much larger.

The proximity of the lateral sepals gives the appearance of section Humboldtia.

250. Stelis entrichota Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek entrichotos, “hairy,” referring to the sepals.

Planta mediocris, ramicaulibus gracilis folio anguste elliptico petiolato longiore, racemis paucis

multifloris folio longiore, sepalis similibus ovatis obtusis longipubescentibus, petalis transversis obtusis

trinervis, et labello triangulato-subquadrato apice concavo obtuso distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 9-10 cm long,

with a close, tubular sheath on the middle third, and 2 other sheaths at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous,

narrowly elliptical, acute, long-petiolate, 7-8 cm long including the petiole 2 cm long, the blade 1.2-1.4

cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence 2-3 erect, congested, distichous, many-flowered

raceme with many flowers open simultaneously, 10-11 cm long including the peduncle ca. 3 cm long,

subtended by a spathe 1 cm long, with an annulus below the abscission layer; floral bracts tubular, 2-3

mm long; pedicels 3 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; flowers purple-brown, sepals similar, long-pubescent

within, ovate, obtuse, connate basally, 2 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals also 2 mm

long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined; petals transversely ovate, obtuse, 0.7 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined, shal¬

lowly concave below the broadly obtuse, thickened, apical margin, transversely thickened across the

middle, concave at the base; lip thick, subquadrangular, 0.8 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 0.7 mm deep,

concave anteriorly within the obtuse, apical margin, the bar with a longitudinal glenion, the dorsum filled

with a broad, flat, microscopically pubescent callus, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the

column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma

apical.

Morona-Santiago: below Gualaquiza, alt. 900 m, collected and cultivated by Ecuagenera, Gualaceo,

flowered in cultivation 27 July 2004, A. Hirtz 8941 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20913.

This species is distinguished by two or three racemes crowded with many small

flowers that eventually surpass the narrow, long-petiolate leaf. The sepals are

similar, ovate and loosely long-pubescent as seen in Stelis flexuosissima Luer &

Hirtz. The petals are obtuse, and the type-A lip has a longitudinal glenion.

251. Stelis eumeces Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek eumekes, “of good length,” referring to the inflorescence.

Species haec Stelis attenuatae Lindl. similis, sed habitu majore, bracteis floralibus brevioribus differt.

Plant large, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 9-18 cm long, with a close,

tubular sheath near the middle, and 2 others at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical,

acute, 12-19 cm long including an indistinct petiole 1-2 cm long, the blade 2.3-3.3 cm wide, cuneate

below into the conduplicate base. Inflorescence an erect, congested, distichous, many-flowered raceme

with many flowers open simultaneously, 20-30 cm long including the peduncle 5-6 cm long, from an

annulus near the base of the leaf, with a slender spathe 2.5-3 cm long; floral bracts thin, oblique, acute, 2-

3 mm long; pedicels 2-3 mm long; ovary 2 mm long; sepals sensitive, sea green, faintly suffused with

rose toward the base, very shortly pubescent within, ovate-triangular, subacute, connate basally, the

dorsal sepal 3.5 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals similar, 3 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-

veined; petals purple, thickly triangular, obtuse, 1 mm long, 1.25 mm wide, 3-veined, shallowly concave

below the broadly obtuse, thickened, flattened, apical margin, transversely thickened across the middle,

concave at the base; lip purple, thick, subquadrangular, 0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide, 0.8 mm deep, shallow¬

ly concave anteriorly with the apical margin thickened, obtuse, the bar with a glenion, the dorsum with a

round, central callus contiguous with the glenion, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the

column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma

apical.

Imbabura: Selva Alegre west of Otavalo, alt. ca. 2000 m, collected in 1979, flowered in cultivation at

SEL, 5 July 1981, C. Luer 6425 (Holotype: SEL).

STELIS OF ECUADOR

This large species is similar to the Colombian Stelis attenuata Lindl., but differs

from the latter with a much larger habit and short floral bracts. The floral bracts of

S, attenuata are conspicuous and imbricating. The raceme of both species is very

long, attenuated and congested. The sepals and petals are similar in size.

252. Stelis eustylis Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek eustylis, “well-formed column,” referring to the gynostemium.

Species haec Stelis columnaris Lindl. affinis, sed planta caespitosa, sepalorum pilibus capitatis,

petalis majoribus columnam labelloque includentis, et labelli glenio elongato differ!.

Plant small to medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 1.5-3.5

cm long, enclosed by 3 loose, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical-obovate,

subacute to obtuse, 3.5-8.5 cm long including a petiole 0.5-1.5 cm long, the blade 1.2-2.2 cm wide,

narrowly cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, congested, distichous, simultaneously

several- to many-flowered raceme, 7-14 cm long including the peduncle 4-6 cm long, from an annulus

below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 2 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 2 mm

long; sepals purple, expanded, densely short-pubescent with capitate hairs, broadly ovate, obtuse, con¬

nate less than 1 mm below the middle; the dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 2.6 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral

sepals 2.5 mm long, 2.75 mm wide, 3-veined; petals purple, thin, concave, transversely elliptical-oblong,

the apex transverse with the margin slightly thickened, with the ends rounded, 1 mm long, 2 mm wide;

lip purple, discoid, 1.25 mm long, 1.25 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex broadly rounded with a thin

margin, shallowly concave anteriorly with a long glenion, the dorsum flat, the base broadly truncate,

hinged to the base of the column; column stout, with the gynostemium elongate, 1.5 mm long, 1.5 mm

wide across the stigmatic lobes, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Pichincha: near Lloa, alt. 2700 m, 27 Oct. 1979, C. Luer, J. Luer & A. Hirtz 4353 (Holotype: SEL).

This species is similar to Stelis columnaris Lindl., a long-repent species found in

nearby mountains of central Ecuador. It is distinguished from the latter by a caespi¬

tose habit with larger leaves; minutely pubescent sepals with capitate hairs instead

of verrucae; and much larger petals that surround the column and lip. The lip is

circular, discoid, and shallowly concave, with a long glenion. The shaft of the

column is also elongate, but it is stouter, and the rostellar flap is shorter.

253. Stelis graminosa Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin graminosus, “grassy,” referring to the habit.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, racemis duobus strictis congestis folio anguste elliptico exceedentibus,

sepalis obtusis minutissime pubescentibus lateralibus in synsepalum convergentibus, petalis transversis

trinervis, labello subquadrato obtuso antice leviter concavo ad dorsum unicalloso distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 5-8 cm

long, enclosed by a close, tubular sheath from below the middle and another sheath above the base. Leaf

erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 7-8 cm long including the petiole ca. 1.5 cm

long, the blade 1 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence 2 erect, subcongested, dis¬

tichous, many-flowered racemes with most flowers open simultaneously, 13-16 cm long including the

peduncle ca. 4 cm long, with a spathe 1 cm long, from the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique,

acute, 2-2.5 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; flowers resupinate, bilabiate; sepals

cream, suffused with rose basally, microscopically pubescent, the dorsal sepal ovate, obtuse, convex, 3.3

mm long, 2.3 mm wide, 3-veined, connate basally to the synsepal, the lateral sepals ovate, obtuse,

convex, 2.5 mm long, 1.75 mm wide, 3-veined, semiconnate and in apposition; petals purple, transverse¬

ly ovate, 0.6 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 3-veined, broadly obtuse at the thickened, cellular-papillose apex,

shallowly concave below an ill-defined transverse callus; lip purple, subquadrate, 0.4 mm long, 0.6 mm

wide, 0.4 mm deep, the apex broadly rounded, the bar shallowly concave with a glenion, the dorsum with

a small, rounded callus, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.5 mm long,

0.6 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Carchi: below Maldonado toward Chical, alt. 1500 m, 15 Jan. 1992, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. & P. Jesup

16027 (Holotype: MO).

Imbabura: Selva Alegre, alt. 1400 m. May 1989, A. Hirtz & X. Hirtz 4221 (MO).

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Stelis graminosa, found at an altitude of 1500 meters in northwestern Ecuador,

is similar to S. creodantha (also described herein) found at 2300 meters, but differs

from the latter by narrowly elliptical leaves; usually two, simultaneous inflores¬

cences exceeding the leaf; lateral sepals semiconnate and in apposition; and a sin¬

gle, rounded callus on the dorsum of the lip.

254. Stelis hymenopetala Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek hymenopetalon, “thin petal,” referring to the membranous petals.

Planta parva caespitosa, racemo multifloro folio elliptico-obovato plus minusve duplolongiore,

sepalis obtusis intus crassipubescentibus, petalis transversis membranaceis trinervis, et labello transverse

oblongo ad apicem leviter concavo rotundo distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 8-12 mm long, enclosed by

2 loose, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptic-obovate, obtuse to subacute at the apex, 2.5-4

cm long including an ill-defined petiole ca. 0.5 cm long, the blade 0.6-0.8 cm wide, narrowed below into

the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, congested, distichous, many-flowered raceme, 6-7 cm long including

the peduncle 3-4 cm long, with several flowers open simultaneously, from an annulus below the apex of

the ramicaul; floral bracts infundibular, oblique, acute, 1.5 mm long; pedicels 1.5-2 mm long; ovary 0.75

mm long; flowers “brownish purple,” sepals glabrous externally, coarsely pubescent within, the hairs

thick, sometimes clavate, broadly ovate, obtuse, 2 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined, connate below the

middle; petals thin, concave, transversely oblong, the apex transverse with the margin not thickened, and

with the ends rounded, 0.75 mm long, 1.4 mm wide, 3-veined; lip transversely oblong, 0.6 mm long, 1.1

mm wide, 0.8 mm deep, shallowly concave anteriorly with the apex broadly rounded, the bar with a

shallow glenion, the dorsum pubescent, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column

stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Cotopaxi: between Quevedo and El Corazon, alt. 850-1000 m, 15 May 1980, G. Marling & L Andersson

19121 (Holotype: GB), C. Luer illustr. 20517.

This little, caespitose species lacks any distinctive morphological feature. The

elliptical-obovate leaves are exceeded by a raceme with several flowers open simul¬

taneously. It may be successively flowered, because on the single collection one

raceme bears fruit and another bears several flowers. The rounded sepals are

coarsely pubescent within with the hairs thick and occasionally clavate. The trans¬

verse petals are thin, concave and three-veined. The lip is transversely oblong,

short and shallowly concave within the rounded apex.

255. Stelis janus Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek god Janus with two, opposite-facing faces.

Planta parva, racemo congestissimo disticho folio obovato apice rotundo duplolongiore, sepalis late

ovatis obtusis, petalis transverse lunatis, labello brevi ecalloso apice rotundo distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose. Ramicauls erect, stout 2.5 cm long, enclosed by two, loose,

tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, obovate, round at the apex, 6 cm long including a petiole ca. 1

cm long, 2 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence a strict, erect, distichous, densely,

many-flowered raceme, with most flowers open simultaneously and facing in opposite directions, 10 cm

long including the peduncle 5 cm long, subtended by a spathe 3 mm long, from an annulus below the

apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts broadly tubular, obtuse, 2.5 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 2

mm long; flowers rose lavender, sepals minutely papillose within, broadly ovate, obtuse, convex, the

dorsal sepal 3 mm long, 4 mm wide, incompletely 7-veined, connate 1 mm basally to the laterals, the

lateral sepals 2.5 mm long, 3.5 mm wide, 5-veined; petals transversely lunate, thickened above the

middle to the broadly rounded margin, 0.7 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined; lip transversely oblong, 0.4

mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 0.7 mm deep, the margin thickened, broadly rounded, shallowly concave within,

the bar broad with a glenion, the dorsum ecallous, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the

column; column stout, 0.5 mm long, 1 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and bilobed stigma

apical.

Morona-Santiago: Guarumales, alt. 1500 m, collected and cultivated by Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, flow¬

ered in cultivation 11 Jan. 2004, A. Hirtz 8621 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20841.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

This precise species is characterized by an obovate leaf and a twice longer in¬

florescence with a tightly packed, double-rowed raceme of opposite-facing flowers.

The individual flowers are not extraordinary with minutely papillose, broadly ovate,

obtuse, convex sepals; transversely lunate petals with a thickened margin; and a

short lip with a rounded margin.

256. Stelis lacunata Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin lacunatus, “hollowed out,” referring to the deeply concave lip.

Planta mediocris, racemo multifloro folio oblongo plus minusve excedenti, sepalis atropurpureis

longipubiscentibus late ovatis, petalis crassis cum callo transversali, et labello ovoideo obtuso profunde

concavo distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, ascending-caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls stout, 3-4 cm long,

enclosed by a loose, tubular sheath and another below. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical-oblong, obtuse,

6-7.5 cm long including a petiole 5-7 mm long, the blade 12-15 mm wide, cuneate below into the petiole.

Inflorescence an erect, subcongested, distichous, several- or many-flowered raceme, with many flowers

open simultaneously, 6-8 cm long including the peduncle ca. 1 cm long, with a spathe 5 mm long, from

near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 3-4 mm long; pedicels 3 mm long; ovary 2

mm long; flowers “purplish black;” sepals broadly ovate, broadly obtuse, glabrous externally, long-

pubescent within, connate below the middle, 3-veined, the dorsal sepal 3.5 mm long, 3.5 mm wide, the

lateral sepals 3 mm long, 3.5 mm wide; petals thick, transversely ovate, concave below a thick, obtuse

margin, more deeply concave below a transverse callus, 1 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, 3-veined; lip thick,

ovoid, 1.3 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, 1 mm deep, deeply concave within the broadly obtuse, apical margin,

the bar shelf-like, cleft, with a low, round callus on the dorsum, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the

base of the column; column stout, 1.5 mm long, 1.25 mm wide, the stigmatic lobes and anther apical, the

foot obsolescent.

Loja: Parque Nacional Podocarpus, above Nudo de Cajanuma, alt. 3000 m, 10 Apr. 1989, J.E. Madsen

85972 (Holotype: AAU), C. Luer illustr. 20510.

This species is closely related to a sympatric species described herein as Stelis

madsenii. Both species are known only from collections from southeastern Ecuador

at a high altitude. Stelis lacunata differs from S. madsenii in obtuse leaves instead

of subacute; larger, “purplish black” flowers in a congested raceme; and a deeply

concave lip with a shelf-like bar.

257. Stelis lepidella Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin lepidellus, “pretty and little,” referring to aspects of the plant.

Species parva caepitosa, racemo subflexuoso laxe paucifloro folio elliptico longipetiolato excedenti,

sepalis ovatis obtusis subaequalibus, petalis semilunatis erosis, labello subcuneato obtuso concavo cum

callo mediano ad medium et callo orbiculato ad dorsum distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 1-1.5 cm long, enclosed

by 2 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, obtuse, long-petiolate, 2.5-5 cm long including a

slender petiole 1-2 cm long, the blade 0.9-1.2 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an

erect, lax, distichous, subflexuous, succeessively several-flowered raceme with 2-3 flowers open simul¬

taneously, to 8 cm long including the peduncle 2-3 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the

ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 2.5 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; sepals

glabrous, green above the middle, purple below the middle, ovate, obtuse, connate basally; the dorsal

sepal 5.5 mm long, 4.5 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals 5 mm long, 4 mm wide, 3-veined; petals

purple, transversely lunate-triangular, the apex rounded, cellular-erose, shallowly concave on the thick¬

ened margin, shallowly concave below the margin, and sharply concave below a transverse callus, 1 mm

long, 1.5 mm wide, 3-veined; lip purple, subovoid, 0.6 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex

obtuse with the margin thick, concave within, the bar prominent, bicallous centrally, the dorsum with a

central, round callus, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.8 mm long, 0.8

mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Zamora-Chinchipe: along new road east of Loja, east of the pass, alt. 2250 m, 25 Jan. 1992, C. Luer, J.

Luer, P. & A. Jesup & A. Hirtz 16163 (Holotype: MO).

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

This little species is another of innumerable new species of orchids found

around the famous pass east of Loja. It is distinguished by a caespitose habit with

elliptical, long-petiolate leaves, and a loose, flexuous, several-flowered raceme of

proportionately large, colorful flowers longer than the ramicauls. The sepals are

ovate and glabrous. The lunate petals are large with the thick margin cellular-erose.

The lip is obtuse with a prominent bar and a round callus on the dorsum.

258. Stelis levicula Luer, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin leviculus, “trifle, worthless,” referring to aspects of the plant.

Species perparva caepitosa, racemo subflexuoso laxe paucifloro folio anguste elliptico excedenti,

sepalis glabris ovatis obtusis subaequalibus, petalis semilunatis trinervis, labello subcuneato obtuso levit-

er concavo cum orbiculato proportione grandi ad dorsum distinguitur.

Plant very small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 10-12 mm long,

enclosed by 2 ribbed, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, subacute, 15-25 mm

long including a slender petiole ca. 5 mm long, the blade 4-5 mm wide, cuneate below into the petiole.

Inflorescence an erect, lax, distichous, subflexuous, successively several-flowered raceme with 2-3

flowers open simultaneously, to 6 cm long including the peduncle 2 cm long, from an annulus below the

apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 2 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1 mm long;

sepals glabrous, dull light gray-brown, the dorsal sepal ovate, obtuse, 2.5 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3- or 5-

veined, the lateral sepals ovate, oblique, 2.25 mm long, 2.25 mm wide, 3-veined; petals dull white,

transversely lunate-triangular, the apex obtuse with the margin thick, shallowly concave below, sharply

concave below a transverse callus across the center, 0.8 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined; lip dull white,

subovoid, 0.5 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex obtuse with the margin thick, concave

within, the bar with a center notch and a few microscopic hairs, and a descending, shallow glenion, the

dorsum with a proportionately large hemispherical, microscopically pubescent callus, the base truncate,

hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.8 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the

anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: forest remnant near the Paute dam site, alt. 1550 m, 23 Jan. 1989, C. Luer, J. Luer, P.

& A. Jesup 14067 (Holotype: MO).

This little species has no significant feature, except that the dorsal sepals of

flowers on a single plant may have five or seven veins. The outer veins are

sometimes absent, sometimes incomplete, and sometimes complete by originating

at the base of the inner pair of veins.

A few small, pale flowers are produced simultaneously in a loose, successively

flowered raceme from a hair-like rachis. The sepals are ovate and glabrous. The

lunate petals have a thick margin and a transverse callus, and the lip is obtuse with

a proportionately large, rounded callus on the dorsum.

259. Stelis lilliputana Luer & F.Werner, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for the Lilliputan empire, an eighteenth century creation of Jonathan Swift.

Planta parva ascendens radicibus carnosis, racemis quam foliis brevioribus, sepalis subequalis

nonexpansis, petalis ad apicem incrassatis, labello microscopice pubescent! transverse ovato obtuso..Ih8

Plant small, epiphytic, densely caespitose-ascending; roots proportionately thick. Ramicauls erect,

fascicled with common sheaths, 8-10 mm long, enclosed by 1-2 loose, tubular sheaths, acuminate at the

apex. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, acute, petiolate, 20-25 mm long including the petiole 2-3 mm

long, 5 mm wide, contracted below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, suddense, subflexuous,

distichous, several-flowered raceme with most flowers open only partially, 10-15 mm long including the

peduncle ca. 2 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul within the sheath; floral bracts

oblique, acuminate, 2 mm long; pedicels 0.5 mm long; ovary 0.5 mm long; sepals dull white, not widely

spread, diffusely cellular pubescent-papillose, broadly ovate, obtuse, slightly convex, the dorsal sepal

1.75 m long, 1.9 mm wide, 3-veined, connate nearly 1 mm, the lateral sepals 1.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide,

3-veined; petals thick, transversely ovate, microscopically pubescent, 0.6 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 3-

veined at the base, the apex broadly rounded with a prominent thickening at the center, with a transverse

callus, concave below; lip microscopically pubescent, thick, transversely ovate, shallowly concave

STELIS OF ECUADOR

within the thickened margins of the transversely obtuse apex, 0.4 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 0.4 mm deep,

the bar with a glenion from a low, rounded dorsal callus, the base truncate, attached to the base of the

column; column semiterete, 0.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the stigma

apical, the stigma bilobed.

Zamora-Chinchipe: between Loja and Zamora, near Estacion Cientifica San Francisco, alt.2200 m, 1

Nov. 2004, FA. Werner 1306 (Holotype: QCNE; Isotypes: MO,), C. Luer illustr. 20981.

This species, apparently rare and endemic near the Loja-Zamora pass in south¬

eastern Ecuador, is distinguished by small, ascending, fascicled ramicauls and

proportionately thick roots. The short raceme of tiny, semiclosed flowers (“wool-

white,” as described by the collector) open only partially. The petals are broadly

margined with a thick, protuberant knob at the apex. The lip is transverse with a

broadly obtuse apex.

260. Stelis limbata Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin limbatus, “with a different border,” referring to the sepals.

Planta parva caepitosa, racemo sublaxe pluriUoro folio elliptico subacuto longiore, bracteis floralibus

conspicuis, sepalis glabris late ovatis crassilimbatis, petalis suborbiculatis membraneis univenosis, label-

lo late subquadrato antice leviter concavo callo central! canaliculate distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 1-2 cm long, enclosed by 2

tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute, 2.5-4 cm long including a petiole ca. 1 cm

long, the blade 1-1.3 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, sublax (extremely

congested toward the apex, successively several-flowered raceme with 6-7 flowers open simultaneous¬

ly, 8-10 cm long including the peduncle 2.5-4 cm long, from a spathe 7 mm long below the apex of the

ramicaul; floral bracts infundibular, oblique, acute, 3 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1 mm long;

sepals purple with yellow border, with the margin thick and concave at the tips, glabrous, broadly ovate,

obtuse, connate basally, the dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 2.25 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals 2 cm

long, 2 cm wide, 3-veined; petals purple, membranous, suborbicular, shallowly concave, the rounded

apex with a thin margin, 1 mm long, 1.25 mm wide, 1-veined; lip purple, thickly subquadrate, 0.6 mm

long, 0.9 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex broadly rounded, with a small, indistinct central apiculum,

shallowly concave above the margin, the bar divided medially to form a glenion continuous with a

channeled process on the dorsum, with a zone of microscopic hairs arranged in multiple, parallel rows,

the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide, the foot

obsolescent, the anther and stigmatic lobes apical.

Imbabura: Mojanda, alt. 3000 m, Nov. 1983, A. Hirtz 1355 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20872.

This species from northwestern Ecuador is characterized by a small, caespitose

habit with racemes exceeding the elliptical, subacute leaves. The floral bracts are

conspicuous and become successively closer together until they become overlap¬

ping with aborted flowers at the apex. The obtuse sepals are widely expanded, but

the margins are thick, especially at the apices. These thick borders are yellow while

the rest of the flower is purple. The petals are thin, round and single-veined. The

lip is transverse with a patch of microscopic hairs arranged in parallel rows present

at the base.

261. Stelis litensis Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for the community of Lita, near where the species was collected.

Species mediocris caepitosa, racemo sublaxe plurifloro successivifloro folio elliptico acuto plus

minusve aequilongo, sepalis glabris late ovatis, petalis carnosis rotundis, labello subquadrato, apiee

rotundo leviter concavo ad dorsum unicalloso distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 8-11 cm long,

the middle third enclosed by a close, tubular sheath, with 2-3 tubular sheaths at the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, acute, 7.5-9.5 cm long including a petiole ca. 1.5 cm long, the blade 1.5-2

cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, sublax, successively several-flowered

raceme with 1-2 flowers open simultaneously, 8-10 cm long including the peduncle 3-4 cm long, old

racemes usually persisting, from a slender spathe 1.5 cm long below the apex of the ramicaul; floral

bracts infundibular, oblique, acute, 2 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 0.5 mm long; sepals light

yellow, glabrous, broadly ovate, obtuse, convex, connate nearly to the middle, the dorsal sepal 3.5 mm

long, 4 mm wide, 3-(incompletely 5-)veined, the lateral sepals oblique, 2.25 cm long, 3 cm wide, 3-

veined; petals yellow-green, fleshy, semiorbicular, shallowly concave below a thick, rounded margin.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

concave below a low transverse callus, 0.8 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined; lip yellow-green, thickly

subquadrate, 0.6 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, the apex thickly rounded, shallowly concave

above the margin, the bar divided medially to form a glenion continuous with a round, dorsal callus, the

base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide across pedun¬

culate stigmatic lobes, the foot obsolescent, the anther and stigma apical.

Esmeraldas; forest west of Lita, alt. 700 m, 12 Jan. 1992, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. & X. Hirtz et al 15562

(Holotype: MO).

This species from lowland northwestern Ecuador is characterized by acute, ellip¬

tical leaves about as long as their slender ramicauls. The racemes, successively few

flowered, eventually reach the length of the leaves. The sepals are broadly ovate

and convex. The petals are rounded and three-veined, and the lip is thickly rounded

with a round callus on the dorsum.

262. Stelis lorenae Luer, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named of its collector, Lorena Endara A. of Quito, Ecuador, presently a Ph.D. candidate at the

University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida.

Planta parva longissime repens, racemo grandibracteata laxe plurifloro folio anguste ovato longiore,

sepalis late ovatis obtusis, sepalo dorsali quinquenervo, petalis transversis trinervis, labello subtriangulari

antice profunde concavo distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, long-repent, rhizome slender, 3-5 cm long between ramicauls, roots slender.

Ramicauls slender, 4-6 cm long, with a tubular sheath from below the middle and another sheath below.

Leaf erect, thinly coriaceous, narrowly ovate, acute, 3-4 cm long including a petiole 0.5-1 cm long, the

blade 0.5-0. 8 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, flexible, loosely several-

flowered raceme, with few flowers open simultaneously, to 11 cm long including the peduncle 2-3 cm

long, with a spathe ca. 0.9 cm long, from near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 3-4

mm long; pedicels 1.5-2 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; flowers white, suffused with purple, sepals

expanded, glabrous, at most microscopically cellular, ovate, obtuse, connate basally, the dorsal sepal 3

mm long, 3 mm wide, 5-veined, the lateral sepals oblique, 2.6 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, 4-veined; petals

transversely elliptical, concave below the broadly rounded, thickened, apical margin, 1.2 mm long, 1.9

mm wide, 3-veined; lip thick, orbicular-triangular, 0.6 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 1 mm deep, concave

anteriorly within the broadly rounded apex, the bar bitumidous, recessed at the center, the dorsum shal¬

lowly concave with a narrow callus across the base, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the column;

column stout, 1 mm long and wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Imbabura: Reserva Biologica Los Cedros, trail to Cerro de la Plata, alt. 2600 m, 2003, L. Endara 1001

(Holotype: QCA; Isotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20513,

This delicate, little species from the Los Cedros Reserve in west-central

Ecuador, is distinguished by the long-repent, vinelike habit. The flexible, loosely

flowered raceme bears conspicuous floral bracts. The sepals are broadly ovate; the

petals are three-veined; and the triangular lip is concave before the bitumidous bar.

263. Stelis madsenii Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for J.E. Madsen, Danish collector in southern Ecuador, co-collector of this species.

Planta parva mediocrisve, racemo plurifloro folio elliptico plus minusve aequilongo, sepalis ovatis

intus minutissime pubescentibus, petalis cum callo transversali, labello ad apicem subacuto crasso cum

callo dorsali distinguitur.

Plant small to medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls stout, 1.5-5 cm long,

enclosed by a loose, tubular sheath and another sheath below. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, sub¬

acute, 4-6.5 cm long including a petiole ca. 0.5 cm long, the blade 1-1.5 cm wide, cuneate below into the

petiole. Inflorescence an erect, loose, subflexuous, several-flowered raceme, with most flowers open

simultaneously, 4-9 cm long including the peduncle 1.5-3 cm long, with a spathe 0.7 cm long, from near

the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 3 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1 mm long;

flowers green to brown, sepals ovate, obtuse, glabrous externally, minutely short-pubescent within,

connate basally, 3-veined, the dorsal sepal 2 mm long, 1.75 mm wide, the lateral sepals 1.6 mm long, 1.6

mm wide; petals transversely ovate-semilunate, concave below the thick, rounded, apical margin, and

concave below the transverse callus, 0.75 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined; lip thick, orbicular-triangular,

0.6 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, concave anteriorly, the apex subacute with a thick margin, the

bar with a glenion, the dorsum concave with a rounded callus, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the

column; column stout, 1 mm long and wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

Loja: Parque Nacional Podocarpus, above Nudo de Cajanuma, alt. 2800-3000 m, 6 Sept. 1988, J.E.

Madsen & L. Ellemann 75234 (Holotype: AAU; Isotype: QCA), C. Luer illustr. 20488; same collection

data, J.E. Madsen et al. 75257 (AAU; QCA); Nudo de Sabanilla, road to Yangana, alt. 2500 m, G.

Hading & L. Andersson 21686 (GB); same area, alt. 2900 m, 23 Feb. 1985, B. 0llgaard, S. Lcegaard, K

Thomsen, J. Korning & T. Ilium 57997 (AAU).

This species is apparently confined to southeastern Ecuador where it is sympa-

tric with Stelis lacunata Luer & Endara (described herein), a closely allied species

also described herein. The former is characterized by a ramicaul shorter than the

leaves, and a raceme usually about as long as the leaves. It is loosely several-flow¬

ered with proportionately large floral bracts. The petals, concave below a thick

margin and below a transverse callus are three-veined. The lip is concave, but not

deeply so, subacute with a thick margin, and a bar with a glenion. The four collec¬

tions cited above differ consistently from S. lacunata.

264. Stelis mammillata Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ely.: From the Latin mammillatus, “mammillate,” referring to the bitumerous callus of the lip.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, racemo elongato stricto congestissimo foliis ellipticis longiore, floribus

parvis, sepalis late ovatis obtusis marginatis, petalis flabellatis et labello subquadrato obtuso nonconcavo

cum callo bimammillato distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, fasciculate, 7-

10 cm long, the middle third enclosed by a loose, tubular sheath and another sheath at the base. Leaf

erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute to acute, 4-6 cm long including a petiole ca. 1 cm long, the blade 8-

12 mm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence 1-2 erect, strict, densely congested, simulta¬

neously many-flowered racemes, 10-13 cm long including the peduncle 1-2 cm long, from an annulus

below the apex of the ramicaul, with a spathe 5-6 mm long; floral bracts oblique, acute, 1.5 mm long;

pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; sepals expanded, purple externally, gray-purple within, broadly

ovate, broadly obtuse, connate below the middle, the dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, 5-veined,

the lateral sepals 2 mm long, 2.25 mm wide, 4-veined; petals purple, transversely obovate, broadly

rounded at the apex with a thickened margin, shallowly concave, 0.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 3-veined;

lip purple, thick, transversely oblong-ovoid, 0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, the apex rounded,

the bar with a glenion, not concave anteriorly, the margin with a protuberant, rounded swelling on each

side of the glenion, dorsum with a low, rounded callus, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of

the column; column stout, 0.75 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the stigma

apical, the stigma bilobed.

Carchi: El Carmelo, alt. 2700 m, 17 May 1981, C. Luer, J. Luer & A. Hirtz 6290 (Holotype: SEL).

This species of northernmost Ecuador is distinguished by a densely caespitose

habit of slender ramicauls that are longer than the elliptical leaves; a strict, very

dense, simultaneously many-flowered raceme of small, purple flowers; broadly

obtuse sepals; flabellate petals with a thickened margin; and a transverse, obtuse lip

with a rounded callus on the dorsum flanked by a pair of mammillate calli on the

margin of the bar.

265. Stelis micropetala Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek micropetalon, “with very small petals,” for obvious reasons.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, racemis duobus strictis congestis multifloris folio anguste elliptico

longioribus, sepalis perparvis late ovatis obtusis marginatis, petalis proportione minutis trinervis et label¬

lo obtuso distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 5-6 cm

long, the upper half enclosed by a tubular sheath and 2-3 tubular sheaths on the lower half. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, linear-elliptical, acute, 8-12 cm long including an indistinct petiole 1-1.5 cm long, the blade

0.9-1.2 cm wide, gradually narrowed below to the base. Inflorescence 1-2 erect, strict, congested, simul¬

taneously many-flowered racemes, 10-14 cm long including the peduncle 2-3 cm long, from an annulus

below the apex of the ramicaul, with a spathe 8-10 mm long; floral bracts broadly tubular, 1 mm long;

pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 0.8 mm long; flowers light green, sepals expanded, broadly ovate, broadly

obtuse, thinly margined, connate below the middle, the dorsal sepal 1.75 mm long, 1.75 mm wide, 3-

veined, the lateral sepals 1.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 3-veined; petals transversely obovate, broadly

rounded at the apex with a thickened margin, shallowly concave, 0.5 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 3-veined;

lip thick, transversely oblong-ovoid, 0.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex rounded to

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

obtuse, shallowly concave, the bar divided into a glenion that is continuous with a round callus on the

dorsum, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.5 mm long, 0.5 mm

wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the stigma apical, the stigma bilobed.

Morona-Santiago: near Macas, alt. 600 m, 9-11 Oct. 1999, A. Hirtz, X. Hirtz, M. & H. Evans 6660

(Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20870.

Although somewhat larger, this species rivals Stelis minimiflora Schltr. in small

size both vegetatively and florally. Stelis micropetala, here described, is character¬

ized by one or two racemes of numerous, tiny flowers that exceed the narrow

leaves. The sepals are obtuse and three-veined. The distinctly three-veined petals

are smaller than the lip and the column. The lip is standard type-A. The petals of S.

minimiflora are single-veined, and the lip is a variation of type-B (Luer, 2001).

266. Stelis milagrensis Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for the Plan de Milagro in southeastern Ecuador, where the species was collected.

Planta parva caespitosa, racemo multifloro congesto folio elliptico excedenti, bracteis floralibus

conspicuis, sepalis suborbicularibus late expansis quasi liberis, petalis lunatis, et labello subdiscoideo

apice rotundo minute apiculato distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 2-3 cm long, enclosed by a

loose, tubular sheath from below the middle and 2 sheaths below the middle. Leaf erect, coriaceous, ellip¬

tical, subacute to obtuse, 5.5-6.5 cm long including a petiole 0.5-0.8 cm long, the blade 1.5-1.8 cm wide,

cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, strict, congested, mostly simultaneously many-

flowered raceme, to 13 cm long including the peduncle ca. 5 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of

the ramicaul and within the sheath; floral bracts infundibular, oblique, acute, 4 mm long; pedicels 1.5

mm long; ovary 2 mm long; sepals lavender externally, olive within, expanded and slightly convex,

glabrous, broadly elliptical or suborbicular, broadly obtuse, connate basally to form a shallow cup, the

dorsal sepal 4 mm long, 4 mm wide, 5-veined, the lateral sepals 3 mm long, 3.5 mm wide, 4-veined;

petals green, transversely lunate, broadly rounded at the apex with a narrowly thickened margin, shal¬

lowly concave below, 1 mm long, 1.6 mm wide, 3-veined; lip green, suborbicular, 0.8 mm long, 1.3 mm

wide, 1 mm deep, shallowly concave within the broadly rounded apical margin, minutely apiculate, the

bar with a superficial glenion extending from a densely pubescent area at the base, the dorsum truncate,

hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the

anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: Plan de Milagro, alt. 2000 m, collected and cultivated at Ecuagenera, Gualaceo,

flowered in cultivation 27 July 2004, A. Hirtz 8731 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer 20902.

This small species from southeastern Ecuador is characterized by elliptical

leaves that are considerably longer than short ramicauls clad in loose sheaths, and

exceeded by a congested, many flowered raceme. The sepals are round and ex¬

panded and more or less overlap. The petals, lip, and column are similar to the

larger Stelis jamesonii Lindl. The lip is round and shallow with a superficial glenion

extending down the front of the bar from a densely pubescent zone at the base. In

addition, the margin of the lip is minutely apiculate.

267. Stelis misera Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin miser, “wretched,” referring to the habit and flowers.

Planta parva misera caespitosa, racemo minutifloro secundo congesto folio angusto subaequilongo,

sepalis late ellipticis intus pubescentibus, petalis flabellatis trinervis, et labello ovoideo obtuso transverse

tricalloso ad basim unicalloso distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, fasciculate, 5-8 cm long,

enclosed by two tightly fitting tubular sheaths and another at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical,

acute, 5-6.5 cm long including a petiole ca. 1 cm long, the blade 5-6 mm wide, narrowly cuneate below

into the petiole. Inflorescence 1-2 erect, strict, densely congested, secund, simultaneously many-flow¬

ered racemes, 5-6 cm long including the peduncle ca. 1 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the

ramicaul, with a spathe 5-6 mm long; floral bracts oblique, acute, 1.5 mm long; pedicels 0.5 mm long;

ovary 0.5 mm long; sepals purple, not expanded, glabrous externally, pubescent within, broadly ellipti¬

cal, broadly obtuse, connate basally, the dorsal sepal 1.25 mm long, 1.25 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral

sepals 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined; petals light green, transversely obovate, broadly obtuse at the

apex with a thickened margin, shallowly concave, 0.5 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 3-veined; lip light green.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

oblong-ovoid, obtuse, 0.6 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 0.3 mm deep, shallowly concave before the obscurely

tripartite bar, the dorsum with a single, round, midline callus, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the

base of the column; column stout, 0.5 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the

stigma proportionately large, apical, the stigma bilobed.

Loja: old road between El Cisne and Puertovelo, alt. 1500 m, 1 Feb. 2003, A. Hirtz, E. Sanchez & W.

Bautz 8488 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer 20846.

This species is apparently endemic in semiarid southwestern Ecuador. It is

characterized by a small, densely caespitose habit of slender ramicauls that are

longer than narrowly elliptical leaves; one or two congested, secund, simultaneously

many-flowered racemes of minute flowers; obtuse sepals that do not spread; fla-

bellate petals with a thickened margin; and a minutely oblong-ovoid lip with a

rounded callus on the dorsum.

268. Stelis molaui Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for Danish U. Molau, co-collector of this species.

Planta mediocris, racemis paucis multifloris folio ovato multilongioribus, sepalis ovatis intus pubes-

centibus, petalis transversis tenuibus trinervis, labello suborbiculato profunde concavo distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, ascending-caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls slender, erect, 10-

14 cm long, with a tubular sheath above the middle and 2-3 imbricating sheaths toward the base. Leaf

erect, coriaceous, ovate, acute, 7-8 cm long including a petiole 1-1.2 cm long, the blade 1.5-1.8 cm wide

in the dry state, contracted below into the petiole. Inflorescence 3-5 erect, congested, distichous, many-

flowered racemes, 13-15 cm long including the peduncle 1-3 cm long, with a spathe 1.5 cm long, from

near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 1.5 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 0.75

mm long; flowers pale yellow; sepals ovate, obtuse, glabrous externally, diffusely pubescent within,

connate basally, 3-veined, the dorsal sepal 3 mm long, 2 mm wide, the lateral sepals 2.75 mm long, 2

mm wide; petals transversely elliptical, thin, concave below the broadly rounded, narrowly thickened

margin, 0.5 mm long, 1.25 mm wide, 3-veined; lip thick, orbicular, 0.8 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 0.8 mm

deep, deeply concave anteriorly, the apex thin and rounded, with the margin thin, the bar shallowly shelf¬

like, deeply incised centrally, the dorsum with a callus at the base, the base broadly truncate, hinged to

the column; column stout, 0.8 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed

stigma apical.

Pichincha: old road between Quito and Santo Domingo, southwest of Chiriboga, alt. 2200 m, 22 Mar.

1979, B. L0jtnant & U. Molau 11292 (Holotype: AAU; Isotypes: GB, QCA), C. Luer illustr. 20504.

This species is apparently rare. It is known from a single collection from an

area that has been more frequently collected than any other in Ecuador. With

several, long, slender, many-flowered racemes and sepals densely pubescent within,

this species resembles Stelis mononeura Lindl., but it is easily distinguished from

the latter by thin, narrowly transverse, three-veined petals, and an orbicular lip.

269. Stelis monicae Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for Monica de Navarro of Quito, Ecuador, co-collector of this species.

Planta mediocris, racemis saepe duobus multifloris folio anguste ovato duplolongioribus, sepalis

ovatis intus pubescentibus, petalis transverse ellipticis, labello ovoideo profunde concavo ad apicem late

triangular! cum lamina bifida distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, densely caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls slender, erect, 7-10

cm long, with a tubular sheath above the middle and 2-3 imbricating sheaths toward the base. Leaf

erect, coriaceous, narrowly ovate, acute, 7-9 cm long including a petiole 1-1.2 cm long, the blade 1.2-1.5

cm wide, contracted below into the petiole. Inflorescence 1-2 erect, congested, distichous, many-

flowered racemes, 12-15 cm long including the peduncle 3-4 cm long, with a spathe 1 cm long, from

near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 2.5 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1

mm long; flowers light yellow; sepals ovate, obtuse, glabrous externally, sparsely short-pubescent with¬

in, 3-veined, the dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, connate to the laterals for 0.5 mm, the lateral

sepals 2.2 mm long, 1.8 mm wide, antrorse, free between; petals transversely elliptical, 0.5 mm long, 1.3

mm wide, eoncave below the thickened margin, with numerous silver crystals, 0.5 mm long, 1.25 mm

wide, 3-veined; lip thick, ovoid, 0.8 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, deeply concave anteriorly, the

apex triangular, protruding, the bar a transverse shelf, deeply incised centrally, the dorsum with a pubes¬

cent callus at the base, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 0.6

mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Bolivar: west of Salinas and La Palma, alt. 1250 m, 12 Mar. 1991, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. Hirtz, M. Navarro

et al 15013 (Holotype: MO).

This species is similar to Stelis lanata Lindl. from which it differs with a dense¬

ly caespitose habit instead of ascending, and the leaves are narrowly ovate instead

of elliptical. Facing to one side, the flowers are held upward in a congested raceme.

Instead of densely villous within, the sepals are sparsely short-pubescent. The

petals are proportionately larger, considerably wider than the length of the lip,

instead of being narrower than the lip. The apex of the lip is broadly triangular, as

wide as the lip, instead of one-third the width of the lip.

270. Stelis moniligera Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin, moniliger, “necklace bearing,” referring to the row of minute, bead-like

flowers.

Planta parva mediocrisve, racemis multifloris folio elliptico, floribus perparvis cleistogamis,

sepalis ovatis obtusis intus papillosis, petalis transversis tenuibus trinervis, labello breve suborbiculato.

Plant small or medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose, roots thick. Ramicauls stout, erect, 1-1.17

cm long, enclosed by a tubular sheath above the middle and 2-3 imbricating sheaths toward the base.

Leaf erect, thickly coriaceous, elliptical, obtuse, 2.5-4 cm long including a petiole ca. 0.5 cm long, the

blade 1 cm wide, contracted below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, congested, secund, many-

flowered raceme of cleistogamous flowers, 10-25 cm long including a peduncle 5-13 cm long, with the

spathe fugacious, from near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts tubular, acute, 2.5-3 mm long; pedi¬

cels 1-1.5 mm long; ovary 3 mm long below, 1 mm long above; flowers purple; sepals fleshy, broadly

ovate, obtuse, minutely papillose within with thickened margins, glabrous externally, connate basally, 3-

veined, the dorsal sepal 2 mm long, 25 mm wide, the lateral sepals 2 mm long, 2 mm wide; petals trans¬

versely oblong, thin, concave below the broadly rounded, narrowly thickened margin, 1 mm long, 1.5

mm wide, 3-veined; lip thick, suborbicular, 0.6 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 1.2 mm deep, concave anteriorly

within the thin-margined, rounded apex, the bar reclining with an elongated glenion, the dorsum or base

minutely pubescent, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the column; column stout, 1.5 mm long, 1.5

mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Carchi: Bolivar, above La Paz, alt. 3000 m, 18 Feb. 1998, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. Hirtz £& 7. del Hierro

18744 (Holotype: MO).

This species from a high altitude in northern Ecuador is characterized by a

raceme of tiny, cleistogamous, spherical, purple flowers in a row. The small plant

is coarse with rigid, fleshy leaves that are longer than their short, stout peduncles.

The central apparatus fills the interior of the flower within the closed sepals.

271. Stelis nikiae Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for Nicole “Niki” Hirtz, daughter of Ximena and Alex, co-collector of this species.

Planta mediocris grandisve plusminusve prolificans, racemo multifloro successivifloro quam folio

elliptico petiolato multilongiore, sepalis ovatis glabris, petalis transversis lunatis, labello subcuneiformi

callo transverso protuberant! distinguitur.

Plant medium to large in size, epiphytic, ascending-prolific, roots slender. Ramicauls relatively

stout, erect, 10-18 cm long below, 4 cm long above, with a tubular sheath from below the middle and 2-3

imbricating sheaths toward the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, acute, 8-11.5 cm long including a

petiole 1-1.5 cm long, the blade 2-3 cm wide cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect,

distichous, subdense, successively many-flowered raceme, to 18 cm long including the peduncle 3 cm

long, 2-3 flowers open simultaneously, and capsules forming below, with a spathe 1-1.3 cm long, from

near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 4-6 mm long; pedicels 2.5 mm long; ovary 2.5

mm long; sepals dark purple-brown, ovate, convex, obtuse, glabrous, connate basally, the dorsal sepal 4

mm long, 3 mm wide expanded, faintly 5-veined, the apex acute, recurved, the lateral sepals 3.5 mm

long, 1.75 mm wide, 3-veined; petals lighter purple-brown, transversely lunate, shallowly concave

below the broadly rounded, thickened margin, 1 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined; lip colored as the pe¬

tals, thick, cuneate, 1 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 1 mm deep, the bar protuberant, bitumidous, shallowly

incised centrally, shallowly concave below, the apex obtuse, with the margin thin, the dorsum with a

single, central callus, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm

wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

Tungurahua: near Volcan Altar, road above Penipe, alt. 3000 m, 10 Apr. 2004, A. Hirtz, Ximena, Nikki

& Samantha Hirtz 8702 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illust. 20835.

This species is apparently rare, known from only the original collection from a

remote area on Volcan Altar. It is characterized by sometimes prolific ramicauls, a

petiolate, elliptical leaf, and a slowly successively flowered raceme with both fruit

and simultaneous flowers. The floral bracts are conspicuous; the acute tips of the

sepals recurve; and the proportionately large, transversely callous petals and lip

with a protruding bar protrude from the plane of the sepals.

272. Stelis mnguida Luer & Dalstrorn, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin ninguidus, “snowy,” referring to the snow white flowers.

Planta grandis ramicaulibus foliis acutis longioribus, racemis multifloris foliis plus minusve aequi-

longis, floribus niveis sepalis obtusis multinervatis, labelli apici latemarginato distinguitur.

Plant large, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, 18-20 cm long, with a

close, tubular sheath from below the middle and another 1-2 from the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous,

narrowly elliptical, acute, petiolate, 13-14 cm long including a petiole ca. 2 cm long, the blade 1.8-2.5

cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence 1-2 erect, congested, secund, many-flowered

racemes with many flowers open simultaneously, 12-15 cm long including the peduncle 4-5 cm long,

from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul, with a spathe 11-12 mm long; floral bracts dilated, acute,

3 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; flowers snow white, sepals glabrous, broadly ovate,

obtuse, irregularly 7-veined, flat, connate below the middle, the dorsal sepal 5 mm long, 5.5 mm wide,

the lateral sepals slightly oblique, 4.5 mm long, 4.75 mm wide, somewhat smaller toward the lip of the

raceme; petals transversely triangular, the apex broadly rounded with a broad, thick margin, concave

below a transverse callus, 1.3 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined; lip thickly subquadrate, 0.9 mm long, 1.3

mm wide, 1 mm deep, the bar with a shallow circular glenion in the center above the broad, thick margin

of the rounded apex, the dorsum with a large, round callus, the base truncate, hinged to an obsolescent

column-foot; column stout, 1 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, with the anther and the stigmatic processes apical.

Sucumbios: ridge above La Bonita, alt. 2300 m, 15 Mar. 1996, S. Dalstrorn, S. Ingram & K. Ferrell-

Ingram 2163 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20689.

Vegetatively, this species, apparently endemic in northernmost Ecuador, is

similar to Stelis striolata Lindl.: acute, narrowly elliptical, petiolate leaves borne by

much longer ramicauls, and more or less equaled by one or two racemes. The

flowers are relatively large and snow white. The sepals are broadly ovate, and the

petals are thickened with a transverse callus. The apex of the lip is broad, rounded

and flattened anteriorly, and a large, round callus nearly fills the dorsum.

273. Stelis obtecta Luer & Dalstrorn, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin obtectus, “hidden,” referring to the ramicaul covered by sheaths.

Species haec Stelis lindenii Lindl. similis, sed habiu minore, ramicaulibus vaginibus obtectis, brac-

teis floralibus minoribus, sepalis minoribus leviter convexis et petalis flabellatis tenuioribus differ!.

Plant large, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots coarse. Ramicauls erect, stout 4-5.5 cm long,

completely enclosed by a loose, tubular sheath from below the middle and another sheath at the base. Leaf

erect, thickly coriaceous, elliptical, subacute to obtuse, shortly petiolate, 8-11 cm long including a petiole

ca. 1 cm long, the blade 2-2.8 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence 1 (occasionally 2)

erect, distichous, congested, simultaneously many-flowered raceme, 12-24 cm long including the pedun¬

cle 3-4 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul, with a spathe ca. 1 cm long; floral

bracts oblique, acute, 1.5-2 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; flowers “greenish

brown”; sepals minutely short-pubescent, ovate, obtuse, slightly convex, connate below the middle, 3-

veined, the dorsal sepal 2 mm long, 2 mm wide, the lateral sepals oblique, 1.5 mm long, 2 mm wide;

petals transversely flabellate, thin, shallowly concave, 0.75 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined, the margin

broadly rounded and slightly thickened; lip subquadrate, 0.6 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the

bar shallowly concave anteriorly with the apex relatively thin, obtuse, with a large but shallow glenion,

the dorsum slightly convex, the base truncate, hinged to an obsolescent column-foot; column stout, 0.8

mm long and wide, with the anther and the stigma with concave stigmatic processes protruding.

Morona-Santiago: above El Pangui, alt. 1600 m. May 1984, S. Dalstrorn & T Hoijer 876 (Holotype:

SEL), C. Luer illustr. 20503.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

This species is apparently endemic in orchid-rich southeastern Ecuador. It

resembles a variation of Stelis lindenii LindL, but differs in shorter ramicauls that

are completely covered by loose, tubular sheathes. The raceme is multifloral with

small floral bracts. The flowers are also small with obtuse, minutely pubescent

sepals. The petals are relatively thin and broadly flabellate. The type-A lip is

basically similar.

274. Stelis ophioceps Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek ophioceps, “snake-headed,” referring to the ferocious-appearing flower.

Planta perparva caespitosa, foliis anguste ellipticis petiolatis cauli longioribus, racemo laxo longis-

simo successivifloro, sepalo dorsali nigro convexo pubescenti, sepalis lateralibus luteis nigrimarginatis

triangularibus antrorsis, petalis crassis ad medium tumidis, et labello minuto subquadrato distinguitur.

Plant very small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 6-8 mm long,

enclosed by 2 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 15-20 mm

long including the petiole 3-7 cm long, 4-5 mm wide, narrowly cuneate below into the slender petiole.

Inflorescence a loose, elongating, successively many-flowered raceme, to 13 cm long including the

peduncle 1-2 cm long, from a node below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts infundibular, oblique,

acute, 1 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; sepals membranous, the dorsal sepal black,

long-pubescent, convex, curving upward near the middle, broadly ovate, obtuse, with the tip recurved, 3

mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined, connate to the lateral sepals ca. 0.5 mm, the lateral sepals light yellow with

black border, sparsely short-pubescent, triangular, oblique, acute, antrorse, 4 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-

veined; petals cellular-glandular, transversely ovate with thickened, oblique margins, markedly thick¬

ened medially, concave below a transverse edge across the middle, 0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined;

lip subquadrate-cuneate, 0.5 mm long, 0.4 mm wide, 0.4 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the sub¬

acute, apical margin, the bar thick, bitumidous, with a deep, round glenion, the dorsum flat, with an

erect, orbicular, minutely pubescent callus in the center, the base truncate, hinged to the obsolescent

column-foot; column stout, 0.8 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, with the anther and stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: Chiviaza, east of Limon, alt. 1300 m, 21 Oct. 1999, A. Hirtz, E. Sanchez and S.

Marin 7016 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20864.

In habit, this species from southeastern Ecuador is similar to many tiny, caespi¬

tose species with a long, loose, successively small-flowered raceme. The flowers

are distinct with a black, forward and recurved, convex, long-pubescent dorsal

sepal. The larger, antrorse, triangular lateral sepals are yellow and bordered in

black. The petals are thick and swollen medially. The lip is minute with an erect,

orbicular callus on the dorsum.

275. Stelis orbiculata Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin orbiculatus, “circular,” referring to the sepals.

Planta perparva caespitosa, racemo successivifloro folio elliptico duplolongiore, sepalis orbiculatis,

petalis transversis uninervis, et labello antice rotundo cum glenione parvo protuberant! distinguitur.

Plant very small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 5-7 mm long, en¬

closed by 2 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 15-23 mm long in¬

cluding an indistinct petiole ca. 5 mm long, the blade 4-5 mm wide, narrowly cuneate below into the

petiole. Inflorescence a loose, successively several-flowered raceme with 2-3 flowers mature simulta¬

neously, 3-4 cm long including the peduncle 1.5-2 cm long, from near the apex of the ramicaul; floral

bracts oblique, acute, 1.5 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 0.75 mm long; sepals similar, purple with

the apices yellow, microscopically cellular within, suborbicular, broadly obtuse, connate below the

middle, 3-veined, the dorsal sepal 1.75 mm long, 2 mm wide, the lateral sepals 1.5 mm long, 1.75 mm

wide; petals purple, transversely ovate, with the apex broadly rounded, concave above and below a

transverse callus, 0.6 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 1-veined; lip purple, thickly sub-quadrate, 0.4 mm long,

0.75 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the broadly rounded, apical margin, the bar thick,

convex on either side of a small glenion, the dorsum concave, with a lobular, pubescent callus, the base

truncate, hinged to the obsolescent column-foot; column stout, 0.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, with the

anther and bilobed stigma apical.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

Morona-Santiago: near Campamento Guarumales, alt. 1650 m, 24 Mar. 1991, C. Luer, J. Luer, A.

Andreetta & L. Morocho 15238 (Holotype: MO).

This small, tufted plant appears similar to many other small, tufted plants. The

flowers are produced successively in a loose, several-flowered raceme. The sepals

are round and margined; the petals are single-veined; and the lip is shallowly

concave within the rounded margin, a single, pubescent, dorsal callus is present.

276. Stelis panguiensis Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for the community of Pangui, near where this species was reported to have been found.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, foliis anguste ellipticis petiolatis cauli breviter longioribus, racemo

congesto secundo folio plus minusve longiore, floribus viridescentibus, sepalis obtusis minute pubescen-

tibus, petalis transversis uninervis, et labello subquadrato acuto distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 7-8 cm long,

enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle and 2 other sheaths about the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 10-11 cm long including the petiole ca. 2 cm long, 1-

1.4 cm wide, narrowly cuneate below into the slender petiole. Inflorescence a congested, secund, simul¬

taneously many-flowered raceme, 8-10 cm long including the peduncle ca. 1 cm long, with a spathe 0.9-

1 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts narrowly oblique, acute, 3.5 mm

long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; flowers light green, sepals minutely ciliate and short-

pubescent, the dorsal sepal broadly ovate, obtuse, 3 mm long, 2.75 mm wide, 3-veined, connate to the

lateral sepals 1 mm, the lateral sepals ovate, oblique, subacute, 2 mm long, 2.75 mm wide, 3-veined;

petals transversely subquadrate with thickened, oblique margins, shallowly concave, 0.5 mm long, 1 mm

wide, 1-veined; lip cuneate, 0.8 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, shallowly concave anteriorly

within the acute, apical margin, the bar thick with a thick glenion, the dorsum flat, densely pubescent

below the middle, the base truncate, hinged to the obsolescent column-foot; column stout, 1 mm long,

0.8 mm wide, with the anther and narrowly bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: “Pangui,” alt. 1000 m, collected and cultivated by Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, flowered

in cultivation 2 Feb. 2002, A. Hirtz 8172 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20862.

This species from southeastern Ecuador is characterized by a narrowly elliptical,

petiolate leaf that is slightly longer than the ramicaul, and about as long as the erect,

congested, secund raceme of light green flowers. The sepals are shortly pubescent;

the petals are broadly subquadrate and single-veined. The type-B lip is cuneate with

a shallowly concave, acute tip.

277. Stelis paradisicola Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin paradisicola, “a dweller in Paradise,” referring to the famous Loja-Zamora

mountain pass in southern Ecuador.

Planta parvis caespitosa, foliis anguste ellipticis obtusis cauli longioribus, racemo laxe successivo

folio plus minusve duplolongiore, sepalis glabris, sepalo dorsali ovato irregulariter septemvenoso, petalis

transverse lunatis, et labello brevi ad dorsum irregulariter calloso distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 2-3 cm long, enclosed by a

tubular sheath from below the middle and 2 other sheaths about the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, nar¬

rowly elliptical, obtuse, petiolate, 4-6 cm long including the petiole ca. 0.5 cm long, 1-1.3 cm wide,

narrowly cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence a loose, successively several-flowered raceme,

to 12 cm long including the peduncle ca. 4 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul;

floral bracts oblique, acute, 3-4 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 2 mm long; sepals purple-brown,

glabrous, the dorsal sepal broadly triangular-ovate, obtuse, 6 mm long, 4.5 mm wide, irregularly 7-

veined, connate to the lateral sepals 1 mm, the lateral sepals ovate, oblique, obtuse, 5 mm long, 3.5 mm

wide, 3-veined, connate less than 1 mm; petals green, transversely lunate with thickened, margins, shal¬

lowly concave, 1.3 mm long, 1.6 mm wide, 3-veined, concave below a sharp, transverse callus below the

middle; lip green, cuneate-oblong, 1 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, 1 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the

thickened, subacute apex, the bar shallowly cleft with a glenion continuous with a thick, irregular callus

on the dorsum, the base truncate, hinged to the obsolescent column-foot; column stout, 1 mm long, 1.3

mm wide, with the anther bilobed stigma apical.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Zamora-Chinchipe: along the “new” road at the pass east of Loja, alt. 2250 m, 25 Jan. 1992, C. Luer,

J. Luer, A. Hirtz, A. & P. Jesup 16164 (Holotype: MO).

Morona-Santiago: Chiqiiinda, alt. 3000 m, 28 July 2004, A. Hirtz & family 8968 (MO).

This small species with relatively large flowers occurs in the high forests of

southern Ecuador, including the renowned Loja-Zamora pass noted for the quantity

of species of orchids. It is characterized by short ramicauls, longer, narrow leaves,

and a slowly successively flowered raceme with fruit and buds maturing simultane¬

ously. The dorsal sepal is five-veined or seven-veined, complete or incomplete, and

the veins vary in their origins and terminations. The lateral sepals are antrorse,

resembling a synsepal. The lunate petals have a thick, round margin, and the lip is

short and transversely cuneate-oblong. The dorsal callus continues forward into the

glenion.

278. Stelis paulula Luer & H.P. Jesup, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin paululus, “very small,” referring to the habit and flower.

Planta minuta caespitosa, racemo successivifloro elongatissimo flexuoso, folio elliptico petiolato,

floribus minutissimis, sepalis late ovatis obtusis, petalis transversis trininervis, et labello obtuso antice

concavo cum glenione parvo protuberant! distinguitur.

Plant very small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 3 mm long, en¬

closed by 2 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 15-18 mm long in¬

cluding the petiole 5-7 mm long, 4-5 mm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence a loose,

flexible, flexuous, hair-like, successively many-flowered raceme with 1-2 flowers mature simultaneous¬

ly, to 12 cm long including the peduncle ca. 1 cm long, from near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts

oblique, acute, 1 mm long; pedicels 1-1.5 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; sepals similar, dull light rose,

cellular-glandular within, broadly ovate, obtuse, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, incompletely 3-veined, connate

below the middle; petals red-purple, transversely ovate, concave below the thickened, broadly obtuse

apex, and concave below a transverse callus 0.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 3-veined; lip red-purple, thick¬

ly subquadrate, 0.4 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, 0.4 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the broadly round¬

ed, apical margin, the bar thick, with a small, elevated glenion, the dorsum shallowly concave, with a

round, central, pubescent callus, the base truncate, hinged to the obsolescent column-foot; column stout,

0.5 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, with the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Ecuador, without collection data, cultivated by P. Jesup in Bristol, CT, 28 Mar. 1982, C. Luer 7428

(Holotype: SEL).

This tiny species from an unknown locality in Ecuador is related to Stelis

semperflorens Luer from Panama, but the latter is twice larger in dimensions. Stelis

paulula is about two centimeters tall, but the successively flowered raceme can

reach 12 centimeters in length. The rachis is hair-like and flexuous. The sepals are

one millimeter long and wide, and cellular-glandular; the petals are three-veined;

and the lip is notable for a small, protuberant, minutely pubescent glenion.

279. Stelis pluriracemosa Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin pluriracemosus, “with several racemes,” referring to the inflorescence.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, folio ovato acuto cauli breviore, racemis pluribus congestis folio bre-

vioribus, sepalis longivillosis late ovatis, petalis transversis uninervis, et labello obtuso antice concavo.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 5-14 cm long,

with a tubular sheath from near the middle and 2 sheaths about the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly

ovate, acute, petiolate, 6-9 cm long including the petiole 1-1.2 cm long, 1.5-2.3 cm wide, cuneate below

into the petiole. Inflorescence 3-6, congested, many-flowered racemes with few to many flowers simul¬

taneously in flower, 4-8 cm long including the peduncle ca. 1 cm long, with a spathe 1-1.2 cm long, from

an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 2.5 mm long; pedicels 1-1.5 mm

long; ovary 1.5 mm long; sepals yellow, long-villous within, broadly ovate, obtuse, incompletely 3-

veined, connate below the middle, the dorsal sepal 2 mm long, 2 mm wide, the lateral sepals 2 mm long.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

1.75 mm wide; petals yellow, transversely oblong, thickened and cellular-papillose along the transverse

apex, shallowly concave, 0.8 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined; lip yellow, thickly subquadrate, 0.8 mm

long, 0.9 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the broadly obtuse, apical margin, the bar

thick, the dorsum convex, microscopically pubescent, the base truncate, hinged to the obsolescent

column-foot; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, with the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: near Guarumales, collected and cultivated by Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, flowered in

cultivation 17 Apr. 2001, A. Hirtz 7698 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20490.

This species from southeastern Ecuador is characterized by an ovate, acute leaf

and several, shorter, congested, simultaneous racemes. The sepals are long-villous;

the petals are cellular-papillose and three-veined, and the type-B lip is shallow and

subquadrate with a broadly triangular apex, and with a convex callus filling more

than the basal half. Stelis millenaria Luer is similar, but the racemes are shorter and

few-flowered, with the flowers half the size with one-veined petals.

280. Stelis prolificosa Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin prolificus, “proliferative,” referring to the prolific habit.

Planta mediocris prolificans, ramicaulibus folio elliptico longioribus, racemis multifloris flexuosis

folio superantibus, sepalis late ovatis, et labello antice concavo obtuso distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, prolific; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 4-12 cm long,

with a tubular sheath from near the middle and 2 sheaths about the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, ellipti¬

cal, subacute, petiolate, 4-6 cm long including the petiole 0.5-1 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, cuneate below

into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, sublax, flexuous, many-flowered raceme with most flowers

open simultaneously, to 12 cm long including the peduncle 2-4 cm long, with a spathe 1-1.2 cm long,

from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 3-4 mm long; pedicels 1-1.5

mm long; ovary 1.75 mm long; flowers dark red; sepals glabrous, subsimilar, very narrowly margined,

broadly ovate, obtuse, 3-veined, an occasional dorsal sepal 5-veined, connate below the middle, the

dorsal sepal 3 mm long, 3 mm wide, the lateral sepals 2.5 mm long, 3 mm wide; petals transversely

lunate, thickened and with multiple crystals along the transverse apex, shallowly concave, 1.3 mm long,

1.8 mm wide, 3-veined; lip thickly subquadrate, 1 mm long, 1.8 mm wide, 0.8 mm deep, concave anteri¬

orly within the broadly obtuse, narrowly margined apex, the bar with the glenion cleft from the dorsum,

the dorsum concave, with a callus above the base, microscopically pubescent, the base truncate, hinged

to the obsolescent column-foot; column stout, 1 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, with the anther and bilobed

stigma apical.

Napo: between Papallacta and Cuyuja, alt. 2900 m, 15 June 2004, collected by the Hirtz family, A. Hirtz

8762 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20912.

This species from the eastern slope of central Ecuador is characterized by a

prolific habit, a habit shared by few others. The flowers, not remarkably distinct,

are borne in a many-flowered, flexuous raceme with prominent floral bracts that

exceeds the leaf in length. The broadly ovate sepals are very narrowly margined;

the transverse petals are three-veined; and the type-A lip is concave within a thin,

obtuse margin, and a single dorsal callus,.

281. Stelis protuberans Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin protuberans, “protuberant,” referring to the bulging bases of the sepals.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, folio anguste elliptico cauli racemoque plus minusve aequilongo,

racemo multifloro congesto, sepalis glabris ovatis acutis ad basim convexis protuberantibus, petalis

transversis indistincte quinquenervis, et labello transverso tricalloso distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 6-7.5 cm long,

with a tubular sheath from below the middle and 2 sheaths about the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, nar¬

rowly elliptical, acute, 7.5-9 cm long including a petiole ca. 1 cm long, 1-1.2 cm wide, cuneate below

into the petiole. Inflorescence a congested, many-flowered raceme with several to many flowers open

simultaneously, 7-8 cm long including the peduncle 1-1.5 cm long, with a spathe 1.3-1.5 cm long, from

an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts with revolute margins, oblique, acute, 6-7 mm

long; pedicels 2-3 mm long; ovary 2 mm long; sepals purple with an olive hue, glabrous, ovate, acute,

the bases connate and convex 1.5 mm to form a spherical protuberance, the dorsal sepal 6.5 mm long,

4.25 mm wide, the lateral sepals connate into a concave synsepal, but soon separate, 5 mm long, 4.25

mm wide; petals dark red, transversely ovate, thickened along the transverse, broadly rounded apex,

shallowly concave, 1 mm long, 2 mm wide, indistinctly 5-veined; lip dark red, transversely oblong, 1

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 0.75 mm deep, shallowly concave anteriorly within the broadly rounded, apical

margin, the bar with a glenion, the dorsum with 3 calli, the base truncate, hinged to the column-foot;

column stout, 1 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, with the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: Pangui Alto, alt. 1200 m, collected by Lester Lapo, and cultivated by Ecua-genera,

Gualaceo, flowered in cultivation July 2004, A. Hirtz 8792 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20886.

This species from southeastern Ecuador is characterized by a narrowly elliptical

leaf about as long as the ramicaul and its inflorescence. The raceme is erect and

crowded with flowers that retain adherent lateral sepals as in section Humboldtia,

eventually separating to expose a protuberance formed by the convex bases of the sepals

with the central apparatus mounted at the summit. The petals are transversely

calloused and three-veined, but a faint additional pair is visible. The lip is shallow¬

ly transverse with three calli on the dorsum.

282. Stelis ramificans Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin ramificans, “branching,” referring to the habit.

Planta scandens mediocris grandisve, ramicaulibus ramificantobus, racemis multifloris distichis

folio elliptico longioribus, sepalis ovatis libris, labello ’type 2’ simplex.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, repent, scandent, the rhizome stout, 1-6 cm long between rami-

cauls; roots slender. Ramicauls stout, 4-10 cm long, enclosed by 2-3 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coria¬

ceous, narrowly elliptical, petiolate, with the apex acute to subacute, 4-9 cm long including a petiole 1-2

cm long, the blade 0.8-1.3 cm wide, narrowly cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence a slender,

erect, congested, distichous, many-flowered raceme, with most flowers open simultaneously, 6-10 cm

long including a peduncle ca. 1 cm long, subtended with a spathe 7 mm long at an annulus below the

apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts tubular, obtuse, oblique, 2 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1

mm long; sepals pale yellow, glabrous, elliptical-ovate, subacute, connate basally, 3-veined, the dorsal

sepal 1.6 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, the lateral sepals expanded, 1.5 mm long, 1 mm wide; petals trans¬

versely obovate, 0.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 3-veined, shallowly concave below the broadly obtuse or

truncate, slightly thickened apical margin; lip oblong, 0.6 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex

broadly obtuse with a small, triangular apiculum, the bar concave, cleft, the dorsum shortly pubescent

toward the base, the base broadly truncate, hinged to the column; column stout, 0.75 mm long, 0.5 mm

wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: between Limon and Gualaceo, alt. 2700 m, 12 June 1979, B. L0jtnant, A. & U.

Molau 14649 (Holotype: AAU; Isotype: GB), C. Luer illustr. 20511.

This species is characterized by a robust, scandent, proliferating habit. The

rhizome is stout and branching, producing at intervals two or three ramicauls. The

raceme is densely flowered with minute, elliptical, nearly free sepals; the petals are

broad and triveined. The lip is type-B with the marginal apiculum very small.

283. Stelis riozunagensis Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for the remote Rio Zunag where the species was collected.

Species haec Stelis triplicatae Lindl. similis, sed floribus minoribus, sepalis quinque nervatis, sepalis

lateralibus obtuse acuminatis, petalis parvis sine callo transverse, et labelli glenione grandi profundo

differt.

Plant large, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 5-10 cm long, enclosed by a

large, loose, tubular sheath from below the middle and 2 other sheaths below. Leaf erect, thickly coria¬

ceous, elliptical, obtuse, 10-12 cm long, 2-2.5 cm wide, cuneate below into a petiole 1-1.5 cm long.

Inflorescence an erect, congested, distichous, many-flowered raceme with many flowers open simulta¬

neously, 15-22 cm long, flowering from near the base, with a spathe 1 cm long, from an annulus near the

apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts inflated, oblique, acute, more or less imbricating, 8-10 mm long, 6-8

mm wide below to 6 mm long above; pedicels 2.5 mm long, within the floral bract; ovary 2 mm long;

flowers purple; sepals glabrous, transversely ovate, obtuse, deeply connate, the dorsal sepal 4.5 mm

long, 6.5 mm wide, 5-veined, the lateral sepals 4 mm long, 5.5 mm wide, 5-veined, with the obtuse

apices acuminate; petals transversely ovate, 1 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, shallowly concave below the

broadly rounded apex, with only a faint transverse callus, the margin narrowly thickened; lip thickly

triangular, 1 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 0.8 mm deep, concave anteriorly with a broad, deep glenion, the

apex rounded with a thickened margin, the dorsum concave with a proportionately large, rounded callus,

the base broadly truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, the

anther and the bilobed stigma apical, the foot obsolescent.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

Pastaza: epiphytic in cloud forest along Rio Zunag, alt. 2400 m, 28 Feb. 1990, A. Him, S. Dalstrdm et

al. 4648 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20475.

This robust species is known from only the original collection made in a remote

area on the eastern slope of the Andes of central Ecuador. It is similar to Stelis

triplicata LindL, but differs with the raceme flowering from near the base; smaller, five-

veined sepals with the laterals obtusely acuminate; petals smaller, not overlapping

above the column, and with only a faint transverse callus instead of a thick, sharp-

edged, transverse callus; and a large, deep glenion.

284. Stelis satyrica Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ely.: From the Latin satyricus, “like a satyr, a Greek mythological woodland diety”.

Planta parva prolificans, recemo sublaxe-flexuoso plurifloro arcuato folio elliptico excedenti, brac-

teis conspicuis, sepalis obtusis, petalis transversis trinervis, et labello oblongo obtuso leviter concavo con

callo centrali oblongo distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose-prolific; roots slender. Ramicauls, erect, superposed, stout, 2-4

cm long, enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle and 1-2 other sheaths below. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, elliptical, subacute to acute, 2-4 cm long, 0.7-1 cm wide, narrowed below into a petiole 0.5-1

cm long. Inflorescence an erect, arching, loose, distichous, several-flowered raceme with most flowers

open simultaneously, 6-8 cm long, including a peduncle 3-4 mm long, with a spathe 3-4 mm long, from

an annulus near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts infundibular, oblique, acute, 3-4 mm long below,

2.5 mm long above; pedicels 4 mm long below to 2 mm long above; ovary 1 mm long; flowers not

noted; sepals glabrous, broadly ovate, obtuse, concave, connate basally, the laterals held forward, the

dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, incompletely 3-veined, the lateral sepals 2.75 mm long, 1.6 mm

wide, incompletely 5-veined; petals transversely obovate, 1 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 3-veined, concave

below the broadly rounded, thickened margin; lip subquadrate, 1.5 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep,

concave anteriorly within the broadly obtuse apical margin, the bar replaced with a flat, longitudinal

callus, covered at the base with multiple rows of microscopic pubescence, the base truncate and hinged

to the base of the column; column stout, microscopically pubescent, 1.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, the

anther and the small, transverse stigma apical, the foot obsolescent.

Zamora-Chinchipe: east of the pass east of Loja, alt. 2750 m, 21 Mar. 1985, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. Hirtz

& W Flores 10722 (Holotype: MO).

This little caespitose species from the area of the renowned Loja-Zamora pass

occasionally bears a superposed ramicaul. A long-pedunculate, arching, subflexu-

ous raceme of tiny flowers exceeds the leaves. The half-closed flowers are superfi¬

cially similar to those of sympatric Stelis pudens Luer with proportionately large

petals, lip and column. The petals are transverse and faintly three-veined. The lip

is subquadrate and more or less flat with a low, oblong callus along the middle

third, and minutely pubescent in microscopic rows at the base opposite the minutely

pubescent shaft of the column, reminiscent of the lip and column of sympatric S.

declivis (Lindl.) Luer.

285. Stelis scaberula Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ely.: From the Latin scaberulus, “scurfy,” referring to the interior of the sepals.

Species haec Stelidis hymenanthae Schltr. affinis, sed bracteis floralis abbreviatis, sepalis carnosis

intus scabrosis et labelli apiculo longiore differt.

Plant small, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 3-4 cm long,

enclosed by a ribbed, tubular sheath from near the middle, and 2-3 sheaths below the middle. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, narrowly obovate-oblong, obtuse, 4-5.5 cm long including an indistinct petiole less than 1 cm

long, 0.5-0.6 cm wide, narrowly cuneate below into the subpetiolate base. Inflorescence an erect, lax,

distichous, few-flowered raceme with most flowers open simultaneously, 2.5 cm long, flowering to near

the base, with a spathe 5 mm long, from below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 1

mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 0.75 mm long; sepals fleshy, subexpanded, light yellow, carinate

and glabrous externally, densely scabrous-papillose within, broadly ovate, obtuse, 1.2 mm long, 1.2 mm

wide, 3-veined, connate basally; petals green, oblong-obovate, 0.5 mm long, 0.3 mm wide, shallowly

concave below the subtruncate apex with the margin thickened, cellular-glandular; lip thick, subqua¬

drate, 0.6 mm long, 0.4 mm wide, 0.3 mm deep, the apex subtruncate with an abrupt, acute, triangular

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

apiculum, the disc with a broad callus filling the basal half, deeply cleft medially into the cavity below

the apiculum, the base broadly truncate, thickly pubescent, hinged to the base of the column; column

stout, 0.8 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Pichincha: between Pacto and Bancos, alt. 1700 m, collected by Hirtz, Aug. 2004, cultivated in Quito, A.

Hirtz 8987 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20896.

This small species is similar to both Stelis hymenantha Schltr. and S. spathulata

Poepp. & EndL, but differs from them by very small floral bracts that do not enclose

the peduncle and ovary. The raceme is short and loosely few-flowered. The sepals

are fleshy and diffusely scabrous-papillose within. The petals and lip of all three

species are similar, the apiculum of S. scaberula being slightly larger and longer.

286. Stelis sdtula Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin scitulus, “pretty,” referring to the flowers.

Planta mediocris brevicaulis caespitosa, recemo sublaxe plurifloro folio elliptico longiore, bracteis

conspicuis, sepalis flavis obtusis, labello illi Stelis viridibrunneo F.Lehm. & Kraenzl. similis distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 2-3 cm long,

enclosed by a large, loose, tubular sheath from below the middle and 2 other sheaths below. Leaf erect,

thickly coriaceous, elliptical, acute to subacute, 7-8 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, narrowed below into a

petiole 1-1.5 cm long. Inflorescence an erect, congested, secund, several-flowered raceme with most

flowers open simultaneously, 12-14 cm long, including a peduncle 3-6 mm long, with a spathe 6 mm

long, from an annulus near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts infundibular, inflated, oblique, acute, 3-

4 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; flowers yellow; sepals cellular-papillose, broadly

ovate, obtuse, convex, connate basally, the dorsal sepal 3.75 mm long, 3.75 mm wide, incompletely 5-

veined, the lateral sepals 2.5 mm long, 3.25 mm wide, incompletely 5-veined; petals transversely ovate,

0.75 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 3-veined, concave below the broadly rounded, thickened margin; lip

subquadrate, 0.5 mm long, 1.1 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the broadly rounded

apical margin, the bar with a broad, long glenion extending from near the base forward and downward on

the anterior surface, the dorsum with the base shortly pubescent, and broadly truncate, hinged to the base

of the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: new road between Mendez and Paute, alt. 1680 m, 3 Mar. 2001, C. Luer, J. Luer &

A. Hirtz 19629 (Holotype: MO).

This pretty, yellow-flowered species, similar in many ways to many others, is

found on the eastern slope of the Andes of central Ecuador. It is distinguished by

elliptical leaves surpassed by the raceme, but considerably longer than the rami¬

cauls. The floral bracts are conspicuous, and the flowers are yellow. The sepals are

broad and five-veined, and the transverse, three-veined petals are without a trans¬

verse callus. The length of the round lip is short, but deep with an elongated glen¬

ion extending over the dorsum, similar to the lip of Stelis viridibrunnea.

287. Stelis septicola Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin septicola, “dwelling on the fence,” in allusion to an indecisive relationship

among the species of the genus.

Planta mediocris, racemo congesto minutifloro folio anguste elliptico multilongiore, sepalis obtusis

scaberulis, petalis membranaceis truncatis uninervis, et labello oblongo concavo ad basim calloso.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls slender, erect, 2-4 cm

long, with a long, tubular sheath from below the middle and another sheath at the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, subacute, 6-8 cm long including an ill-defined petiole ca. 1 cm long, the

blade 1.2-1.4 cm wide, the base cuneate into the petiole. Inflorescence a single, densely and successive¬

ly many-flowered raceme with several flowers open simultaneously, 10-17 cm long including a peduncle

4-5 cm long, with a spathe ca. 1 cm long from near the apex of the ramicaul; flowers very small; floral

bract 0.75-1 mm long; pedicel 0.75-1 mm long; ovary 0.5 mm long; sepals similar, color not stated,

glabrous externally, microscopically pubescent within, broadly elliptical-suborbicular, broadly obtuse to

rounded at the apex, more or less convex, connate below the middle, the dorsal sepal 1 mm long, 0.8 mm

wide, 1-veined, the laterals 0.8 mm long, 0.6 mm wide; petals membranous, broadly cuneate, truncate,

0.3 mm long, 0.3 mm wide; lip thin, oblong-obovate, concave, obtuse, 0.75 mm long, 0.4 mm wide, with

an oblong or wedge-shaped callus extending a short way from the truncate base, hinged to the column-

foot; column stout, semiterete, erect, 0.5 mm long, the clinandrium trilobulate, the stigma ventral.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

Guayas: above Hda. La Elvira, 5 kilometers west of Bucay, alt. ca. 500 m, 6 July 1979, B. L0jtnant & U.

Molau 15605 (Holotype: AAU), C. Luer illustr. 20524; Teresita, 3 kilometers west of Bucay, alt. 270 m,

5-7 July 1923, A.S. Hitchcock 20441 (AMES, US), C. Luer illustr. 20508.

This species from lowland western Ecuador is similar to those species treated in

Pleurothallis subgenus Pseudostelis Schltr. (Luer, 1999), and a relationship with

Stelis declivis (Lindl.) Luer is also apparent. A thin, erect raceme of numerous, tiny

flowers with several open simultaneously surpasses the leaf. The one-millimeter-

long sepals are nearly round, the petals are single-veined, and the type-B lip is

scaphoid with a basal callus.

288. Stelis similis Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin similis, “similar,” in allusion to the similarity to several other species.

Planta parva caespitosa, racemo folio elliptico petiolato longiore, sepalis obtusis anguste marginata,

petalis transverse ovatis trinervis, et labello transverse oblongo unicalloso.

Plant small, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 2.5-5 cm long,

enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle and another sheath at the base. Leaf erect, coria¬

ceous, elliptical, subacute to obtuse, petiolate, 3-5.5 cm long including a petiole 1-2 cm long, the blade

0.5-1 cm wide, cuneate below into the slender petiole. Inflorescence an erect, distichous, subflexuous,

subdensely many-flowered raceme with many flowers open simultaneously, 6-8 cm long, including a

peduncle ca. 2 cm long, subtended by a spathe 6 mm long, from below the apex of the ramicaul; floral

bracts obliquely infundibular, obtuse, 2.5-3 mm long; pedicels 1-1.5 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; flowers

dark red, sepals glabrous, broadly ovate, obtuse, narrowly marginate, connate below the middle, 3-

veined, the dorsal sepal 3 mm long, 3 mm wide, the lateral sepals oblique, 2 mm long, 2.1 mm wide;

petals transversely ovate, broadly rounded at the apex with the margin thickened and pigmented, con¬

cave above the base below a transverse callus, 0.8 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 3-veined; lip broadly subqua¬

drate, 0.75 mm long, 1 mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the broadly rounded apical,

pigmented margin, the bar with a shallow glenion, the dorsum with a rounded callus, the base truncate,

hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, with a rudimentary foot, the

anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: new road between Guamote and Macas, alt. 2900 m, 14-16 Oct. 2004, A. Hirtz, E.

Sanchez et al. 9117 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20889.

This species is similar to a few others (Stelis scitula and S. stormii described

herein, and S. viamontis Luer & Hirtz) also known from high altitudes of the east¬

ern slopes of the Andes of Ecuador. It is distinguished from them by a small habit

with elliptical, petiolate leaves exceeded by a subflexuous, many-flowered raceme

of small flowers. The sepals are ovate, obtuse and glabrous; the petals are three-

veined; and the lip is broadly oblong with a broadly rounded apex. The margins of

the petals and lip retain a dark pigment in pickling solution.

289. Stelis soricina Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin soricinus, “of a rat,” in allusion to the rat tail-like raceme.

Planta grandis robusta scandens, racemo erecto dense multifloro folio ovato acuto longiore, bracteis

floralibus inflatis, sepalis ellipticis lateralibus conniventibus glabris, petalis extus incrassatis concavis, et

labello subdiscoideo antice concavo infra medium pubescenti distinguitur.

Plant large, robust, epiphytic, scandent, roots slender. Ramicauls stout, prolific, 8 to more than 18

cm long, enclosed by 3-4 close, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, acute, petiolate, 8-12

cm long including the petiole 1-1.5 cm long, the blade 1.5-3 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole.

Inflorescence a strict, erect to suberect, congested, secund, many-flowered raceme, with many flowers

open simultaneously, 7-12 cm long, flowering from the base, with a spathe ca. 1 cm long, from near the

apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts inflated, oblique, obtuse, 3 mm long, 3 mm wide; pedicels 1.5 mm

long; ovary 1.5-2 mm long; flowers light yellow-green, sepals connivent, glabrous, ovate, obtuse, con¬

nate basally, 3-veined with the midvein thick, the dorsal sepal convex, 4.5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, the

lateral sepals concave, 3 mm long, 3.6 mm wide; petals suborbicular, concave, thickened externally,

especially along the midvein, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined, the midvein strong, the lateral veins

vestigial; lip thick, subdiscoid, 1 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, concave anteriorly, the apex

rounded with a thickened margin, the bar low but thick with a glenion, densely short-pubescent above,

the base broadly truncate, hinged to the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, the foot obsoles¬

cent, the anther and the stigma apical, the stigma bilobed.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Imbabura: Mariano Acosta, alt. 3300 m, Aug. 1997, A. Hirtz, X. Hirtz & E. Sanchez 6589 (Holotype:

MO), C. Luer illustr. 20487.

This large species from a high altitude in northern Ecuador is characterized by a

stout, prolific habit; acute, elliptical leaves; and a straight, densely many-flowered

raceme that flowers from the base. The floral bracts are inflated and imbricating.

The flowers are small with connivent lateral sepals, the petals are concave and

thickened externally, and the lip is type-B.

290. Stelis sororcula Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin sororcula, “a little sister,” in allusion to the tiny habit.

Planta perparva dense caespitosa, racemo sublaxe paucifloro foliis duplolongiore, sepalis latissime

ovatis lateralibus obliquis microscopice papillosis, petalis trinervis, et labello ovoideo obtuso non pro-

funde concavo distinguitur.

Plant very small, densely caespitose, epiphytic; roots slender. Ramicauls slender, 3-7 mm long,

enclosed by 2 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 7-12 mm long

including the petiole 1-3 mm long, the blade 4-5 mm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflores¬

cence 1-2 erect, subcongested, flexuous, several-flowered racemes, with most flowers open simultane¬

ously, 25-35 mm long, the peduncle ca. 10 mm long, from near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts

oblique, acute, 1-1.5 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 0.75 mm long; sepals rose, green toward the

margin, glabrous externally, cellular-papillose within, transversely ovate, obtuse, connate below the

middle, 3-veined, the dorsal sepal 1.6 mm long, 2.2 mm wide, the lateral sepals oblique, 1.2 mm long,

1.8 mm wide; petals red, transversely ovate, shallowly concave below the broadly rounded, thickened

margin, sharply concave below a transverse callus, 0.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 3-veined; lip red,

subquadrate, 0.4 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, 0.4 mm deep, shallowly concave anteriorly, the apex rounded

with a narrow margin, the bar with a shallow glenion, the dorsum with a round, central callus, the base

truncate, hinged to the column; column stout, 0.4 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the

anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Tungurahua: Rfo Topo, alt. 1300 m, 15 July-15 Oct. 1983, A. Hirtz 1111 (Holotype: SEL), C. Luer

illustr. 20505.

This tiny species grows with another tiny species, Stelis cutucuensis Luer &

Hirtz, which is also known from the Cordillera del Cutucu. The former is character¬

ized by a minute, densely caespitose habit with elliptical leaves and twice longer,

several-flowered, flexuous racemes. The sepals, cellular-papular within, are trans¬

versely ovate with the laterals oblique with the lower margins short. The three-

veined petals are sharply concave below a transverse callus. The lip is obtuse with

a shallow glenion and a round callus on the dorsum.

291. Stelis stormii Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for G. Storm, Swedish co-collector of this species.

Planta parva caespitosa, racemis densifloris folio elliptico duplolongioribus, sepalis obtusis, petalis

suborbicularibus uninervis callo transverse latissimo, et labello transverse oblongo non profundo.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 12-20 mm long, enclosed

by a tubular sheath from below the middle and another sheath at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, ellipti¬

cal, subacute to obtuse, petiolate, 20-25 mm long including a petiole ca. 5 mm long, the blade 6-8 mm

wide, cuneate below into the slender petiole. Inflorescence an erect, distichous, densely many-flowered

raceme probably with many flowers open simultaneously, 4-6 cm long, including a peduncle ca. 2 cm

long, subtended by a spathe 3-4 mm long, below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute,

1.5-2 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; flowers yellow, sepals glabrous, broadly ovate,

obtuse, connate below the middle, 3-veined, the dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, the lateral

sepals oblique, 1.75 mm long, 2.2 mm wide; petals suborbicular, broadly rounded at the apex with the

margin slightly and narrowly thickened, concave above the base below a very wide transverse callus that

occupies most of the petal, 0.75 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, 1-veined; lip broadly and shallowly subqua¬

drate, 0.4 mm long, 1 mm wide, 0.4 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the transverse apical margin, the

bar with a shallow glenion, the dorsum with a rounded callus, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the

column; column stout, 0.5 mm long, 1 mm wide, with a rudimentary foot, the anther and the bilobed

stigma apical.

Azuay: above Campamento Molon, between Sigsig and Gualaquiza, alt. 2900-3000 m, G. Marling, G.

Storm & B. Strom 8225 (Holotype: GB), C. Luer illustr. 20518.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

This species, known only from one collection, is apparently confined to south¬

eastern Ecuador. It is distinguished by a small habit with elliptical leaves doubly

exceeded by a densely many-flowered raceme of small flowers. The broadly ovate

sepals are not remarkable. The rounded, single-veined petals are mostly composed

of a broad transverse callus. The transverse lip is broadly oblong, much broader

than long.

292. Stelis strictissima Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin strictissimus, “very straight,” referring to the inflorescence.

Planta parva mediocrisve caespitosa, racemis duobus vel tribus strictissimis sublaxe multifloris folio

anguste elliptico exceedentibus, sepalis obtusis pubescentibus, petalis transverse oblongis uninervis

duonervisve, et labello transverse subquadrato area centralis convexa-curvata distinguitur.

Plant small to medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 2-3.5

cm long, enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle and another sheath at the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, subacute, petiolate, 3.5-7.5 cm long including a petiole 1-1.5 cm long, the

blade 1-1.4 cm wide, cuneate below into the slender petiole. Inflorescence 2-3 erect, straight, dis¬

tichous, subdensely many-flowered racemes, with several flowers open simultaneously, 12-15 cm long,

including a strict peduncle 6-8 cm long, subtended by a spathe to 2 cm long, below the apex of the

ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 2 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1.25 mm long; flowers

purple, sepals long-pubescent, broadly ovate, obtuse, with margins somewhat recurved, connate below

the middle, 3-veined, the dorsal sepal 2 mm long, 2 mm wide, the lateral sepals oblique, 1.8 mm long,

1.8 mm wide; petals transversely suboblong, with sides broadly rounded and transversely obtuse at the

apex, shallowly concave below an ill-defined transverse callus, 0.5 mm long, 0.85 mm wide, 1-veined,

with or without a small, additional vein; lip transversely subquadrate with sides and apex broadly round¬

ed, 0.5 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, shallowly concave within the transversely obtuse apical

margin, the bar convex and curved from the base, with a small and narrow glenion, the base truncate,

cellular pubescent, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.5 mm long and wide, the anther

and the bilobed stigma apical.

Pichincha: collected between Nanegalito and Pacto, alt. 1900 m, flowered in cultivation in Quito, A.

Hirtz 9082 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20915.

This species, known only from a collection by Hirtz near Quito, is distinguished

by two or three straight, erect racemes that exceed the leaf in length. The sepals are

long-pubescent and ovate with the margins more or less recurved. The petals are

single-veined, but an additional vein is seen in some petals. The lip is transverse

with a broad apex. The bar is convex the entire width with a small, slit-like glenion.

293. Stelis supervivens Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin supervivens, “high living,” referring to the habitat.

Petalis labelloque illis Stelidis pusillae Kunth affinis, sed foliis carnosis crassissimis racemo con-

gesto plus minusve aequilongis, floribus successivis semiclausis fecundis, et sepalis marginatis intus

brevi pubescentibus.

Plant very small, terrestrial, caespitose to ascending; roots coarse. Ramicauls fasciculate, erect,

stout, 0.5-1.5 cm long, enclosed by 2 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, thickly coriaceous, elliptical, acute, 15-

20 mm long, 5-8 mm wide, 3-4 mm thick, cuneate below into the subpetiolate base. Inflorescence an

erect, congested, secund, successively several-flowered raceme with all flowers fertilized, 20-30 mm

long including the peduncle 10-15 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral

bracts tubular, acute, 1.5 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 3 mm long below, 1 mm long above;

sepals not expanded, orange, connate basally, glabrous externally, minutely pubescent within, broadly

ovate, obtuse, margined, dorsal sepal 1.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals 1.2 mm

long, 1.4 mm wide, 2-veined; petals transversely cuneate, 0.5 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, 1-veined, shallow¬

ly concave below the broadly obtuse, thickened, apical margin; lip thick, subquadrate, 0.6 mm long, 0.8

mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex obtuse with a short, obtuse apiculum, concave anteriorly, the bar indis¬

tinctly bilobed with a glenion, the dorsum minutely pubescent, the base truncate, hinged to the base of

the column; column stout, ca. 0.6 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bi¬

lobed stigma apical.

Carchi: terrestrial in paramo west of the pass west of Tulcan, alt. 3400 m, 16 Mar. 1991, C. Luer, J.

Luer, J. del Hiero, A. & X. Hirtz 15071 (Holotype: MO).

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

This little species is apparently a local deviation from the numerous populations

of Stelis pusilla Kunth that grow at high altitudes. The leaves are succulent, three to

four millimeters thick, and about as long as a mature raceme. The flowers are

crowded and successive. They remain mostly closed, each producing a capsule.

The sepals are fleshy with thickened margins, and minutely pubescent within. The

petals and lip do not differ significantly from those seen in S. pusilla.

294. Stelis tanythrix Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek tanythrix, “long-hairy,” referring to the sepals.

Species haec Stelidis argentatae Lindl. affinis, sed habitu minore, sepalis longivillosis, petalis uni-

nervis et labello sine apiculo differt.

Plant small, epiphytic, densely caespitose, roots slender. Ramicauls erect, 1-2 cm long, enclosed by

two tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, subacute, 4-5 cm long including a pe¬

tiole 1-1.5 cm long, 0.9-1.1 cm wide, narrowly cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect,

strict, sublax, distichous, simultaneously many-flowered raceme, 10-13 cm long including the peduncle

5-6 cm long, the spathe rudimentary, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts

oblique, obtuse, 1.5 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; sepals purple, glabrous external¬

ly, long-villous within, broadly ovate, obtuse, the dorsal sepal 2.25 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined,

connate 1 mm basally to the laterals, the lateral sepals 2 mm long, 2.25 mm wide, 3-veined; petals green,

thin, transversely oblong, with a narrow, thin margin, transversely obtuse at the apex, shallowly concave

below, 0.6 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, 1-veined; lip green, transversely oblong, 0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide,

0.75 mm deep, shallowly concave within the broadly rounded apex with a thickened margin, the bar

higher than the margins with a shallow, central glenion, the dorsum minutely pubescent, the base broadly

truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long and wide, the foot obsolescent, the

anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Loja: old road between El Cisne and Puertovelo, alt. 1500 m, 1 Feb. 2003, A. Hirtz, E. Sanchez & W.

Bautz 8486 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer 20847.

This species is apparently endemic in semiarid southwestern Ecuador. It is

related to the great swarm of variations of Stelis argentata Lindl. It differs from

them by a small, densely caespitose habit; densely long-villous sepals, single-veined

petals, and a lip without a marginal apiculum.

295. Stelis tetramera Luer, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek tetramerus, “with four parts,” referring to the pollinarium.

Species mediocris grandisve, racemo multifloro folio obovato longipetiolato superanti, sepalis latis

obtusis lateralibus semiconnatis, petalis transverse callosis, labello proportione parvo transverse obtuso

concavo, et pollinia quatuor semiovoidea distinguitur.

Plant medium to large, epiphytic, ascending-caespitose, roots stout. Ramicauls erect, stout, 6-10

cm long, enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle, and another tubular sheath at the base.

Leaf erect, coriaceous, obovate, rounded at the apex, narrowly petiolate, 8-12 cm long including the

petiole 2-3 cm long, 2-3 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, more or less

secund, subdensely many-flowered raceme, up to 20 cm long including the peduncle 3-4 cm long, the

spathe fugacious, from below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts inflated, acute, 5 mm long; pedicels

3-4 mm long; ovary 2 mm long; sepals pale yellow-green, glabrous, the dorsal sepal broadly ovate,

obtuse, 7 mm long, 5.5 mm wide, incompletely 7-veined, connate ca. 1.5 mm to the lateral synsepals, the

lateral sepals broadly elliptical-ovate, obtuse, 7 mm long, 5 mm wide, 5-veined, connate to near the

middle, with a small mentum at the base; petals green, transversely reniform, concave below the broadly

rounded apex, with a prominent, transverse callus, 1.5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, 3-veined; Lip green,

transversely cuneate, 1.25 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 0.75 mm deep, concave within the broadly obtuse

apex, the bar a shallowly cleft transverse callus, with a low, indistinct callus on the dorsum, the base

truncate, hinged to the column-foot; column stout, 1.25 mm long and wide, the anther and the bilobed

stigma apical, the pollinia 4, two pairs of semiovoid, naked pollinia.

Azuay: Rio Cumbe valley, south of Cumbe, alt. 2900-3000 m, 9 June 1979, B. L0jtnant A. & U. Molau

14361 (Holotype: AAU; Isotype: GB), C. Luer illustr. 20542.

This most unusual species is found in southern Ecuador at a high altitude. It is

characterized by an ascending, caespitose habit; ramicauls clad in tubular sheaths; and

long-petiolate, obovate leaves with a rounded apex that are surpassed by a subdense

STELIS OF ECUADOR

raceme. The sepals are broad and obtuse with the laterals semiconnate. The trans¬

verse petals possess a distinct, transverse callus. The lip is small and concave

within a broadly obtuse apex. The pollinia are equal and four in number: two pairs

of semiovoid, naked pollinia. No other species is known with four pollinia, but

often the pollinia are absent, so the pollinia of numerous collections are unknown.

296. Stelis thamiostachya Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek thamiostachys, “with crowded spikes,” referring to the inflorescence.

Planta mediocris grandisvs dense caespitosa, racemis pluribus folio crassissimo oblongo brevioribus,

sepalis crassis late ovatis marginatis intus minute papillosis, et labello obtuso antice concavo distinguitur.

Plant medium in size to large, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots coarse. Ramicauls erect, stout, 6-

11 cm long, enclosed by 3-4 loose, imbricating, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, thickly coriaceous, oblong,

obtuse, 8-11 cm long including a petiole ca. 0.5 cm long, 2-2.5 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole.

Inflorescence 6-8, crowded, stout, secund, many-flowered racemes with most flowers open simultane¬

ously, 6-8 cm long, flowering from the base, with a broad, thin spathe 6-7 mm long and wide, from an

annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 3.5 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long;

ovary 1 mm long; flowers yellow, sepals thick, margined, cellular papillose within, broadly ovate, ob¬

tuse, 3-veined, connate below the middle, the dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 2.6 mm wide, the lateral sepals 2

mm long, 2.5 mm wide; petals transversely ovate, thickened along the broadly obtuse apex, shallowly

concave, 0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined; lip thickly sub-cuneate, 0.8 mm long, 1 mm wide, 0.6 mm

deep, concave anteriorly within the broadly obtuse, apical margin, the bar thick, with a glenion, the

dorsum with a solitary callus, the base truncate, hinged to the obsolescent column-foot; column stout, 1

mm long, 1 mm wide, with the anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Azuay: south of Cumbe, new road to Giron, alt. 3000 m, 27 Febr. 1982, C. Luer & A. Pozo 7030 (Holo-

type: SEE).

Superficially, this species from southeastern Ecuador resembles in habit Croco-

deilanthe floribunda (Poepp. & Endl.) Luer. It is similarly characterized by stout

ramicauls clothed by loose, imbricating sheaths, and several congested, simultane¬

ously flowered racemes shorter than the leaf. However, the sepals are thick and

cellular-papillose within; the petals are proportionately small, three-veined and with

a thick, round margin; and the lip is shallow, subcuneate, and concave anteriorly

with a glenion.

If one were presbyopic, and had to rely only on some similarities in DNA analy¬

ses for classification, it could be understood how Crocodeilanthe floribunda could

be conceived to be Stelis floribunda (Poepp. & Endl.) Pridgeon & M.W.Chase.

297. Stelis thermatica Luer & Dodson, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek thermaticus, “capable of tolerating heat,” referring to the locality.

Planta grandis ascendens-caespitosa, racemo folio anguste elliptico multilongiore, sepalis late ovatis

obtusis intus minute pubescentibus, petalis extus minute pubescentibus et labello obtuso antice concavo

dorsaliter calloso distinguitur.

Plant large, epiphytic, ascending-caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender 5-10 cm long,

with a loose, tubular sheath on the upper half, and 2-3 imbricating sheaths on the lower half. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, acute, 11-14 cm long including a petiole ca. 0.5 cm long, 1.5-2 cm wide,

cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, distichous, many-flowered raceme with many

flowers open simultaneously, 20-28 cm long, including a peduncle 7-10 cm long, with a narrow spathe

10-18 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 5 mm long

below to 3 mm long above; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; flowers green, sepals densely short-

pubescent within, broadly ovate, obtuse, slightly acuminate, 3-veined, but faintly and incompletely 5-

veined, connate below the middle, the dorsal sepal 2.25 mm long, 2.75 mm wide, the lateral sepals simi¬

lar; petals transversely obovate, concave, thickened along the broadly obtuse apex, minutely pubescent

externally, 0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined; lip thickly subcuneate, 0.6 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, 0.6

mm deep, concave anteriorly within the broadly obtuse, apical margin, the bar thick, tall centrally with a

glenion, continuous with an oblong, rounded callus on the dorsum, the base truncate, hinged to the

obsolescent column-foot; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, with the yellow anther and bilobed

stigma apical.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Esmeraldas: seasonally dry forest near Esmeraldas, alt. 100 m, Sept. 1980, flowered in cultivation at

SEE, 23 Feb. 1982, C. Luer, J. Luer, C. & P. Dodson 6839 (Holotype: SEE).

This species occurs in the seasonally dry lowland around Esmeraldas in coastal

Ecuador. It is a large plant with loose sheaths on the ramicaul, and narrowly ellip¬

tical leaves far exceeded by a crowded, many-flowered raceme. The sepals are

ovate, minutely pubescent within and five-veined. The petals are truncate and

three-veined, and the lip is an unremarkable type-A.

298. Stelis translucens Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Eatin transluscens, “translucent,” referring to the visibility of the central apparatus

through the sepals of an unopened or closed flower.

Planta parva caespitosa, racemo plurifloro folio elliptico leviter excedenti, bracteis floribus conspi-

cuuis, sepalis translucentibus late ovatis, labello transverse subquadrato late obtuso dorsaliter calloso.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender 1-2 cm long, with a

tubular sheath from below the middle, and another sheath at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical,

subacute to obtuse 3-4.5 cm long including a petiole ca. 1 cm long, 1-1.8 cm wide, cuneate below into

the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, subcongested, distichous, several-flowered raceme, 4-5.5 cm long,

including a peduncle 1.5-2 cm long, with a narrow spathe 3 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of

the ramicaul; floral bracts infundibular, acute, 2.5-3 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 2 mm long;

flowers yellow, sepals glabrous but cellular, translucent, expanded, broadly ovate, obtuse, the dorsal

sepal 4.5 mm long, 5 mm wide, 3-veined, connate 2 mm to the laterals, the lateral sepals oblique, 3 mm

long, 4 mm wide, connate 1 mm; petals transversely ovate, thickened along the broadly rounded apex,

1.2 mm long, 1.6 mm wide, 3-veined, concave basally below a transverse callus; lip thickly subquadrate,

0.75 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 0.75 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the thick, broadly rounded mar¬

gin, the bar thick with a shallow glenion, but with a small, round, deep cavity in the center of the glenion,

the dorsum with a central, round, slightly irregular callus flanked by a few, small, incomplete calli, the

base truncate, hinged to the obsolescent column-foot; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, with the

yellow anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: Chigiiinda, alt. 2800 m, 28 July 2004, A. Hirtz & family 8966 (Holotype: MO),

C. Euer illustr. 20900.

This little species is identified by only a combination of minor characters. The

ramicauls are shorter than elliptical leaves, and a subdense, several-flowered raceme

with conspicuous, infundibular sheaths equals or slightly exceeds the leaves. The

sepals are yellow, broadly ovate, obtuse, and deeply connate into a slightly convex

flower. When the flowers are closed, the petals, lip and column are visible through

the translucent sepals. The petals are transverse with a thickened margin and with a

transverse callus. The lip is transverse with a broadly rounded apex, and a small,

deep cavity is present in an otherwise shallow glenion.

299. Stelis trichoglottis Luer & Dodson, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek trichoglottis, “a hairy trachea,” referring to the interior of the flower.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, racemo multifloro folio oblongo plus minusve aequilongo, sepalis

clusis intus villosis, petalis minutis transversis et labello subquadrato apiculato distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender 6-8 cm long,

with a tubular sheath from below the middle, and 2-3 imbricating sheaths toward the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, oblong, obtuse 7-9 cm long including a petiole 1 cm long, E5-E8 cm wide, cuneate below

into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, congested, distichous, many-flowered raceme, 9-11 cm long,

including a peduncle 1.5 cm long, with a narrow spathe 6-7 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of

the ramicaul; floral bracts tubular, acute, 2 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; flowers

bright yellow, sepals similar, fleshy, densely long-villous within, only slightly opening, ovate, subacute,

2 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined, connate basally; petals transversely elliptical, slightly thickened along

the broadly obtuse apex, 0.6 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, 3-veined; lip thickly subquadrate, 0.9 mm long, 0.9

mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the sharply apiculate margin, the bar thick, cleft a

third its length, dorsum shortly pubescent toward the base, the base truncate, hinged to the obsolescent

column-foot; column stout, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, with the yellow anther and bilobed stigma apical.

Carchi: Bolivar, above La Paz, alt. 3100 m, 18 Feb. 1998, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. Hirtz & J. Del Hierro

18722 (Holotype: MO).

STELIS OF ECUADOR

This species from a high altitude in northern Ecuador is characterized by the

oblong leaf that is slightly surpassed by the raceme of tiny, round flowers that

barely open. Within, the sepals are densely villous; the petals are proportionately

small; and the lip is sharply apiculate.

Stelis trichoglottis is similar to S. lanata Lindl., but differs in having a densely

caespitose habit with oblong leaves instead of loosely ascending with narrowly

elliptical leaves. The floral bracts are short and inconspicuous instead of being

larger and conspicuous. The petals are proportionately small without a transverse

callus. The lip is sharply apiculate. The stigmatic processes project beyond the

petals instead of being enclosed within the petals.

300. Stelis tricula Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin triculus, “a little trifle,” referring to the diminutive plant.

Planta minuta caespitosa, racemo paucifloro folio anguste elliptico duplolongiore, sepalis glabris

membranaceis late ovatis obtusis inter se profunde connatis, petalis tenuis lunatis, et labello peltato piano

ecalloso distinguitur.

Plant very small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender 7-10 mm long,

enclosed by two, ribbed, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, acute, 12-15 mm

long including a petiole 2-3 mm long, the blade 5-6 mm wide, narrowly cuneate below into the petiole.

Inflorescence an erect, distantly 2- to 3-flowered, simultaneous raceme, 2-3 cm long, including the

peduncle 1.5-2 cm long, from below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 1 mm long;

pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; sepals membranous, rose, glabrous, broadly ovate, obtuse, the

dorsal sepal 2 mm long, 2.75 mm wide, 3-veined, connate to the lateral sepals for nearly half the length,

the lateral sepals held forward, 1.75 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined, connate 1 mm; petals rose, trans¬

versely lunate, 0.6 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined, the rounded margin slightly thickened; lip dark rose,

subquadrate, broadly rounded at the apex, truncate across the bar, then the dorsum deflexed, 0.25 mm

long, ecallous, 1.6 mm wide, 1.6 mm deep, the anterior surface plain, shallowly concave, the deflexed

base hinged to the base of the column; column 0.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the

anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Napo: along Rio Jatunyaco, alt. 800 m, 26 Dec. 2002, A. Hirtz & family 8447 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer

illustr. 20839.

Pastaza: vicinity of Puyo, alt. 750-1000 m, Aug. 1939, A.E Skutch 4419 (AMES).

This tiny species is superficially similar to sympatric Stelis buccella Luer &

Hirtz, but it is distinguished from the latter by a plain, slightly concave surface of

the lip below the transverse, truncate bar, behind which the short dorsum is deflexed

without a callus. The sepals are broad and margined with the laterals antrorse,

simulating a concave synsepal. The petals are semilunate and three-veined.

301. Stelis triplex Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin triplex, “triple,” referring to the three similar sepals.

Planta mediocris caespitosa, racemo multifloro supra medium congesto foliis obovatis multilon-

giore, sepalis similis anguste triangularibus, petalis tenuis uninervis, et labello late ovoideo obtuso.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 3-5 cm long,

enclosed by a ribbed, tubular sheath from below the middle and another at the base. Leaf erect, coria¬

ceous, obovate, acute to round at the apex, 3.5-5.5 cm long including a petiole 0.5-1 cm long, the blade

1.5 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, simultaneously many-flowered

raceme, loosely flowered below, congested above, to 30 cm long, including the peduncle ca. 10 cm long,

from below the apex of the ramicaul with a slender spathe 1 cm long; floral bracts infundibular, inflated,

oblique, acute, 2-3 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1.75 mm long; sepals white, suffused with

purple basally, glabrous, expanded, nearly equal in size and shape, narrowly triangular-ovate, acute, 3

mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined, connate basally; petals purple, membranous, transversely elliptical, 1,2

mm long, 1.75 mm wide, 1-veined, the broadly rounded margin slightly thickened; lip purple, broadly

ovoid to subquadrate, 1 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, 1 mm deep, shallowly concave within the broadly

obtuse apex, the bar slightly convex with a slightly elevated glenion that extends from the base of the lip

down the anterior surface of the bar to near the apex, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column;

column 1.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Morona-Santiago: Limon, alt. 2400 m, collected and cultivated by Ecuagenera, Gualaceo, flowered in

cultivation 27 July 2004, A. Hirtz 8933 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20903.

Azuay: north of Sevilla de Oro, alt. 9,000-10,000 ft., 16 Aug. 1945, W.H. Camp E-4737 (AMES, NY), C.

Luer illustr. 21026; Rio Collay, south of El Pan, alt. 2650-3290 m, 6 July 1943, J.A. Steyermark 53381

(AMES).

This species from southeastern Ecuador is characterized by a long, simultane¬

ously many-flowered raceme of small flowers with narrow, triangular sepals similar

in size and shape; the petals are rounded and single-veined; and the lip is obtuse and

shallowly concave with a glenion extending over the bar from the base to near the tip.

302. Stelis tropex Luer & Endara, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek tropex, “an oar,” referring to the shape of the leaves.

Planta parva breviter repens, folio obovato ad apicem rotundo ad basim attenuato racemo multifloro

breviore, sepalis minutis obtusis intus ramentaceis, petalis uninervis, et labello minutissimo oblongo

concavo distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, shortly repent, the rhizome stout, 1-10 mm long between ramicauls; roots

slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 1.5-3.5 cm long, enclosed by 2 loose, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coria¬

ceous, obovate, obtuse to round at the apex, 2. 5-5.5 cm long including a petiole 0.5-1 cm long, the blade

0.8-1.4 cm wide, long-acuminate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, congested, distichous,

simultaneously many-flowered raceme, 6-9 cm long including the peduncle 3-4 cm long, with a spathe 3-

4 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts infundibular, obtuse, 1 mm

long; pedicels 0.75 mm long; ovary 0.5 mm long; flowers yellow-green; sepals glabrous externally,

ramentaceous within, broadly ovate, obtuse, 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined, connate below the mid¬

dle; petals thin, shallowly concave, transversely oblong, the apex transverse with the margin slightly

thickened, and with the ends rounded, 0.4 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 1-veined; lip oblong, 0.3 mm long,

0.3 mm wide, 0.4 mm deep, the apex broadly rounded with a thin margin, minutely apiculate, the bar

with a concave glenion, the dorsum with a microscopically pubescent callus, the base truncate, hinged to

the base of the column; column stout, with the gynostemium elongate, 0.5 mm long, 0.3 mm wide, the

foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Loja: Celica, Alamor road, alt. 1250 m, 18 Feb. 1985, G. Marling & L. Andersson 22201 (Holotype:

GB), C. Luer illustr. 20516.

According to the collector, this little species, known from only this collection,

grew in great masses on tree trunks. Racemes of tiny flowers surpass the most

distinctive leaves that are obovate with rounded tips and long-acuminate bases. The

broadly ovate sepals, only one millimeter long and wide, are smooth outside and

chaffy inside. The petals are single-veined, and the minute, rounded lip is concave

anteriorly with a minute, subapiculate margin.

303. Stelis umbonis Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin umbo, -onis, “of a boss, or knob,” referring to the callus on the dorsum of the lip.

Planta parva caespitosa, racemo laxe flexuoso multifloro folio elliptico duplolongiore sepalis trans¬

verse ovatis obtusis, petalis lunatis, labello transverse ovoideo ad dorsum unicalloso distinguitur.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, stout, 1.5-2 cm long, enclosed by

2 loose, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, obtuse to round at the apex, 2.5-3 cm long

including a petiole 0.5-0.8 cm long, the blade 0.7-0.8 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflores¬

cence an erect, lax, distichous, successively many-flowered raceme with 2-3 flowers open simultaneous¬

ly, to 11 cm long including the peduncle 3 cm long, the spathe 2-3 mm long, from an annulus below the

apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts infundibular, acute, 2 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1 mm

long; flowers dark yellow, sepals glabrous, transversely ovate, obtuse, the dorsal sepal 4 mm long, 5.25

mm wide, 3-veined, connate to the laterals to near the middle, the lateral sepals broadly ovate, obtuse,

oblique, 3 mm long, 3.75 mm wide; petals thin, transversely semilunate, broadly rounded at the apex,

concave below the well-defined thickened margin, and concave below a well-defined transverse callus,

0.8 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 3-veined; lip transversely oblong-ovate, 0.5 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, 0.5 mm

deep, the apex broadly rounded with a thin margin, the bar with a glenion, the dorsum with a prominent,

rounded, midline callus, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long,

1.3 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Loja: Jimbura, alt. 3000 m, 1 Feb. 2003, A. Hirtz, E. Sanchez & W. Bautz 8484 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer

illustr. 20844.

STELIS OF ECUADOR

This little species is distinguished by a combination of frequently seen

features. The elliptical leaves, about as long as the stout ramicauls, are surpassed

bya loose, distichous, flexuous raceme with about a dozen flowers, two or three

open simultaneously. The sepals are glabrous and transversely ovate; the petals are

lunate with a well-defined transverse callus; and the lip is short and transverse with

a single, prominent, spherical callus on the dorsum.

304. Stelis uniflora Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin uniflorus, “with one flower,” referring to the inflorescence.

Planta perparva caespitosa, inflorescentia uniflora inversa pedunculo folio elliptico plus minusve

aequilonga, sepalis minute ciliatis ovatis, petalis transverse oblongis, labello illi Stelis argentatae Lindl.

similis distinguitur.

Plant very small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, proportionately stout, 5-8

mm long, enclosed by 2 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute, 1.5-3 cm long

including a petiole 0.3-0.5 cm long, the blade 0.5 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflores¬

cence erect, single-flowered, the peduncle 2-3 cm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul;

floral bract oblique, acute, 2 mm long; pedicel 1.5 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; flowers non-resupinate,

sepals purple with thin white edge, minutely ciliate, ovate, the dorsal sepal subacute, 4 mm long, 3.5 mm

wide, 3-veined, connate basally to the laterals, the lateral sepals broadly ovate, obtuse, oblique, 3 mm

long, 3.5 mm wide; petals purple, thin, transversely oblong, broadly rounded at the apex, concave below

the thickened margin, 0.8 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, 3-veined; lip purple, subspherical, 0.8 mm long, 0.8

mm wide, 0.6 mm deep, the apex broadly rounded with a thin margin with a minute, central apiculum,

the bar low with a long, channeled glenion extending on the dorsum to the base, the base truncate, hinged

to the base of the column; column stout, 1 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and

the bilobed stigma apical.

Morona-Santiago: Plan de Milagro, alt. 1500 m, collected and cultivated at Ecuagenera, Gualaceo,

flowered in cultivation 11 Jan. 2004, A. Hirtz 8619 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 20850.

This little species is the only single-flowered species known in section Stelis.

Stelis ann-jesupiae is the only single-flowered species known in section Humbold-

tia. The former is characterized by the solitary, non-resupinate flower borne by a

capillary peduncle about as long as the leaf. The margins of the purple sepals are

white and minutely ciliate. The broad petals are three-veined. The apex of the lip is

round with a minute apiculum on the margin. A long glenion extends across the

dorsum.

305. Stelis wilhelmii Luer, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for Sherman Wilhelm, formerly of Sarasota, FL, co-collector of this species.

Planta mediocris fasciculata, racemo folio elliptico acuti plus minusve aequilongo, floribus minutis

crassis, sepalis ovatis obtusis intus breviter pubescentibus, petalis transversis uninervis, et labello sub-

quadrato obtuso distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, fas¬

ciculate, 3-6 cm long, with a tubular sheath horn below the middle, and 2-3 imbricating sheaths at the

base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, acute, 6-9 cm long including a petiole 1-1.5 cm long, 1-2 cm

wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, distichous, many-flowered raceme with

many flowers open simultaneously, 7-8 cm long, including a peduncle ca. 2 cm long, with a narrow

spathe 8-10 mm long, from an annulus below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 2 mm

long; pedicels 0.75 mm long; ovary 0.5 mm long; flowers light yellow; sepals thick, short-pubescent

within, broadly ovate, obtuse, 3-veined, connate basally, the dorsal sepal 1.5 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, the

lateral sepals oblique, 1.2 mm long, 1 mm wide; petals transversely obovate-subquadrate, shallowly

concave, thickened externally and at the obtuse apex, 0.5 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, 1-veined; lip subqua¬

drate, 0.5 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, 0.3 mm deep, concave anteriorly within the broadly obtuse, apical

margin, the bar thick, elevated centrally with a cleft, the dorsum with a minutely pubescent, cruciate

callus, the base truncate, hinged to the obsolescent column-foot; column stout, 0.5 mm long, 0.3 mm

wide, with the anther and minute lobes of the stigma apical.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Pastaza: forest below Banos, alt. ca. 1500 m, July 1975, flowered in cultivation at SEE, 24 Oct. 1981, C.

Luer, G. Luer & S. Wilhelm 6539 (Holotype; SEE).

This species, known from a single collection, is apparently rare in eastern cen¬

tral Ecuador. Vegetatively, the acute, elliptical, petiolate leaves are similar to those

of Stelis tridentata LindL, but the flowers of S. wilhelmii are minute with fleshy,

ovate sepals that are shortly pubescent within. The transverse petals are single-

veined, and the lip is obtuse and concave anteriorly.

306. Stelis zamorae Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov.

Ety.; Named for the locality “Zamora,” whence the species is reported.

Planta perparva caespitosa, racemo laxe paucifloro folio spathulato longiore, sepalis late ovatis

minute pubescentibus, petalis crassis transverse lunatis, et labello transverse subquadrato margine anteri-

ore crasso ad dorsum callo rotundo distinguitur.

Plant very small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, proportionately stout, 4-6

mm long, enclosed by 2 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, obovate, round at the apex, 1.5-2.5 cm

long including a petiole 0.5 cm long, the blade 0.8-1 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflores¬

cence an erect, flexuous, successively few-flowered raceme, to 5 cm long, including the peduncle ca. 2

cm long, from a node below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 2 mm long; pedicel 2

mm long; ovary 1 mm long: sepals yellow, suffused with olive basally, minutely short-pubescent, broad¬

ly ovate, obtuse, the dorsal sepal 2.5 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-veined, connate 1 mm basally to the later¬

als, the lateral sepals 2 mm long, 2.5 mm wide; petals red, thick, glandular-cellular, transversely lunate,

rounded at the apex with a broad, flat margin, concave basally, 0.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 3-veined; lip

red, subquadrate, 0.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep, the apex broadly rounded with a wide,

cellular-glandular margin, the bar low with a small glenion, the dorsum with a round, cellular callus, the

base hinged to the base of the column; column stout, 0.5 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, the foot obsolescent,

the anther and the bilobed stigma apical.

Zamora-Chinchipe: “Zamora,” alt. 1300 m, without further detail, collected and cultivated at Ecua-

genera, Gualaceo, flowered in cultivation 2 Feb. 2002, A. Hirtz 8065 (Holotype: MO), C. Euer illustr.

20861.

This little species was collected in “Zamora” and cultivated at Ecuagenera. It

is not known from any other collection. It is characterized by small, obovate leaves

that are exceeded by a lax, few-flowered raceme. The sepals are broadly ovate, and

the petals are proportionately large with wide margins. The apex of the lip is round

with a broad, cellular margin; the bar has a small glenion; and a round callus sits on

the dorsum.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 224. Stelis aliquantula

Fig. 225. Stelis amabilis

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 232. Stelis carchica

Fig. 233. Stelis cavernula

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 236. Stelis copiosa

Fig. 236a. Stelis copiosa

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 239. Stelis crinita

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 243. Stelis delicata

Fig. 244. Stelis dimidiata

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

ICONES PLEUROTHALUDINARUM

5 mm

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 252. Stelis eustylis

Fig. 254. Stelis hymenopetala

Fig. 255. Stelis janus

ICONES PLEUROTHALUDINARUM

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 262. Stelis lorenae

Fig. 263. Stelis madsenii

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 266. Stelis milagrensis

Fig. 267. Stelis misera

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 270. Stelis moniligera

Fig. 271. Stelis nikiae

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 272. Stelis ninguida Tig. 273. Stelis obtecta

Fig. 274. Stelis ophioceps

Fig. 275. Stelis orbiculata

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 278. Stelis paulula

Fig. 279. Stelis pluriracemosa

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 286. Stelis scitula

Fig. 287. Stelis septicola

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 290. Stelis sororcula

Fig. 291. Stelis stormii

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 298. Stelis translucens

Fig. 299. Stelis trichoglottis

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 300. Stelis tricula

Fig. 301. Stelis triplex

Fig. 302. Stelis tropex

Fig. 303. Stelis umbonis

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 306. Stelis zamorae

STELIS OF ECUADOR

INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES

Sect. Nexipous 4

Sect. Humboldtia 10, 23, 46, 57

Sect. Stelis 16, 21

Crocodeilanthe floribunda 49

Stelis abbreviata 3,16, Fig. 222.

Stelis adinostachya 3,16, Fig. 223.

Stelis aliquantula 3,17, Fig. 224.

Stelis alpina 13

Stelis amabilis 3,17, Fig. 225.

Stelis anderssonii 3,18, Fig. 226.

Stelis ann-jesupiae 57

Stelis aperta 6

Stelis aphidifera 3, 18, Fig. 221 ,

Stelis argentata 25, 52

Stelis asplundii 3, 19, Fig. 228.

Stelis attenuata 31

Stelis atra 19

Stelis atrocaerulea 3, 19, Fig. 229.

Stelis barbellata 1

Stelis barbicollis 20

Stelis barbimentosa 3, 20, Fig. 230.

Stelis biserrula 27

Stelis brevissimicaudata 3, 20, Fig. 231.

Stelis buccella 55

Stelis bucculenta 3, 10, Fig. 214.

Stelis cajanumae 13

Stelis caerulea 19

Stelis carchica 3, 21, Fig. 232.

Stelis cavernula 3, 21, Fig. 233.

Stelis celsa 3, 22, Fig. 234.

Stelis ciliatissima 1

Stelis coleata 3, 22, Fig. 235.

Stelis columnaris 31

Stelis congesta 21

Stelis copiosa 3, 23, Fig. 236,236a.

Stelis coracina 3, 23, Fig. 237.

Stelis corniculata 1

Stelis creodantha 3, 24, Fig. 238., 32

Stelis crinita 3, 24, Fig. 239.

Stelis crossota 3, 25, Fig. 240.

Stelis cryophila 3, 25, Fig. 241.

Stelis cryptopetala 3, 26, Fig. 242.

Stelis cutucuensis 50

Stelis declivis 47, 49

Stelis delicata 3, 26, Fig. 243.

Stelis dimidiata 3, 27, Fig. 244.

Stelis discolor 20

Stelis dissimulans 3, 27, Fig. 245.

Stelis diversifolia 3, 28, Fig. 246,246a.

Stelis dolichantha 3, 28, Fig. 247.

Stelis drewii 3, 29, Fig. 248.

Stelis elatissima 3, 29, Fig. 249.

Stelis elongatissima 29

Stelis encephalota 3, 4, Fig. 206.

Stelis entrichota 3, 30, Fig. 250.

Stelis eumeces 3, 30, Fig. 251.

Stelis eustylis 3, 31, Fig. 252.

Stelis fabulosa 5

Stelis fissa 18

Stelis flexuosissima 30

Stelis floribunda 53

Stelis glossula 10

Stelis glossulicles 3, 10, Fig. 215.

Stelis graminosa 3, 24, 31, Fig. 253., 32

Stelis hymenantha 48

Stelis hymenopetala 3, 32, Fig. 254.

Stelis inflata 3,11, Fig. 216.

Stelis intonsa 20

Stelis jamesonii 38

Stelis janus 3, 32, Fig. 255.

Stelis juncea 26

Stelis juninensis 4, 7

Stelis lacunata 3, 33, Fig. 256., 37

Stelis lanata 21, 40, 55

Stelis lapoi 3, 11, Fig. 217.

Stelis laudabilis 3, 4, Fig. 207.

Stelis lepidella 3, 33, Fig. 257.

Stelis levicula 3, 34, Fig. 258.

Stelis lilliputana 3, 34, Fig. 259.

Stelis limbata 3, 35, Fig. 260.

Stelis lindenii 22, 42

Stelis listrophylla 1

Stelis litensis 3, 35, Fig. 261.

Stelis longissima 29

Stelis lorenae 3, 36, Fig. 262.

Stelis lynniana 3, 5, Fig. 208.

Stelis madsenii 3, 33, 36, Fig. 263.

Stelis mammillata 3, 37, Fig. 264.

Stelis micropetala 3, 37, Fig. 265., 38

Stelis milagrensis 3, 38, Fig. 266.

Stelis millenaria 45

Stelis minimiflora 38

Stelis misera 3, 38, Fig. 267.

Stelis mnemonica 3, 5, Fig. 209.

Stelis molaui 3, 39, Fig. 268.

Stelis monicae 3, 39, Fig. 269.

Stelis moniligera 3, 40, Fig. 270.

Stelis mononeura 39

Stelis multiflora 30

Stelis nambijae 1

Stelis neudeckeri 11

Stelis nigrescens 3, 12, Fig. 218.

Stelis nikiae 3, 40, Fig. 271.

Stelis ninguida 3, 41, Fig. 272.

Stelis nycterina 1

Stelis obtecta 3, 41, Fig. 273.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Stelis ophioceps 3, 42, Fig. 274.

Stelis orbiculata 3, 42, Fig. 275.

Stelis orecta 3, 6, Fig. 210.

Stelis pactensis 3, 6, Fig. 211.

Stelis panguiensis 3, 43, Fig. 276.

Stelis paradisicola 3, 43, Fig. 277.

paulula 3, 44, Fig. 278.

Stelis pelycophora 3,12, Fig. 219.

Stelis picea 3, 5, 6, 7, Fig. 212.

pluriracemosa 3, 44, Fig. 279.

Stelis prolificosa 3, 45, Fig. 280.

Stelis protuberans 3, 45, Fig. 281.

Stelis pudens 47

Stelis pusilla 19

Stelis ramificans 3, 46, Fig. 282.

Stelis reniformis 1

Stelis riozunagensis 3, 46, Fig. 283.

Stelis satryica 3, 47, Fig. 284.

Stelis scaberula 3, 47, Fig. 285., 48

Stelis scaphoglottis 1

Stelis scitula 3, 48, Fig. 286., 49

Stelis semperflorens 44

Stelis septicola 3, 48, Fig. 287.

Stelis simacoensis 8

Stelis similis 3, 49, Fig. 288.

Stelis soricina 3, 49, Fig. 289.

Stelis sororcula 3, 50, Fig. 290.

Stelis sparsiflora 3, 13, Fig. 220.

Stelis spathulata 48

Stelis stormii 3, 49, 50, Fig. 291.

Stelis striolata 41

Stelis strobilacea 3,13, Fig. 221.

Stelis strictissima 3, 51, Fig. 292.

Stelis supervivens 3, 51, Fig. 293.

Stelis tanythrix 3, 52, Fig. 294.

Stelis tetramera 3, 52, Fig. 295.

Stelis thamiostachya 3, 53, Fig. 296.

Stelis thermatica 3, 53, Fig. 287.

Stelis translucens 3, 54, Fig. 298.

Stelis trichoglottis 3, 54, Fig. 299., 55

Stelis tricula 3, 55, Fig. 300.

Stelis tridactylon 5

Stelis tridentata 58

Stelis triplex 3, 55, Fig. 301.

Stelis tropex 3, 56, Fig. 302.

Stelis umbonis 3, 56, Fig. 303.

Stelis uncifera 3, 7, Fig. 213.

Stelis uniflora 3, 57, Fig. 304.

Stelis viamontis 49

Stelis viridibrunnea 48

Stelis wilhelmii 3, 57, Fig. 305., 58

Stelis zamorae 3, 58, Fig. 306.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

As with the preceding 200 new species of Stelis of Ecuador, most of these 100

new species were also collected by Alex Hirtz of Quito, Ecuador. Collections by

other persons are noted. Also as with the preceding, all illustrations were inked

by Stig Dalstrom. For their hours of proofreading, I thank Victoria Hollowell,

Mary Jane Hotaling, and Lisa Thoerle.

REFERENCES

Luer, C.A., 2002. A first century of new species of Stelis of Ecuador, part onelcones Pleurothallidinar-

um XXIV. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Card. 88: 1-86.

-2004. A second century of new species of Stelis of Ecuafor, part two. leones Pleurothalli-

dinarum XXVI. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Card. 95: 115-200.

Pridgeon, A.M. & M.W. Chase, 2001. A phylogenetic reclassification of Pleurothallidinae. Lindleyana

16(4): 235-271.

-2002. Nomenclatural notes on Pleurothallidinae. Lindleyana 17(2):

98-101.

ScHLECHTER, R., 1921. Die Orchideenflora der siidamerikanischen kordilleren staaten III. Ecuador.

Repert. spec. nov. regni veg. Beih. 8: 121-125.

SYSTEMATICS OV APODA-PROREPENTIA

(ORCHIDACEAE)

ABSTRACT

A brief history of Apoda-Prorepentia (Luer) Luer is given with a key to the

species, and the species are described.

Lindley proposed this taxon in 1859 for ten pleurothallid species with creeping

rhizomes, and with short ramicauls that he simply called “stems.” Pleurothallis

testifolia Sw. was chosen for the lectotype when the taxon was proposed as a

subgenus (Luer, 1986). The other nine species proved to be unrelated, and have

been dispersed into other taxa, such as Barbosella Schltr. Except for Apoda-Prore-

pentia testifolia (Sw.) Luer, the eight species that now constitute the genus have

been subsequently described.

Apoda-Prorepentia (Luer) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 95: 255,

2004.

Replaced syn.: Pleurothallis sect. Apodae-Prorepentes Lindl., Folia Orch. Pleurothallis. 42, 1859.

Lectotype: Epidendrum testaefolium Sw. [=Apoda-Prorepentia testifolia (Sw.) Luer].

Ety.: From the Greek apodion, “footless,” and the Latin prorepens, “creeping,” referring to the

creeping, short-stemmed habit.

Syn.: Pleurothallis subgen. Apoda-Prorepentia Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 20: 31,

1986.

Plants small to medium in size, epiphytic, repent or pendent, the rhizome stout, enclosed by tubular

sheaths; roots slender. Ramicauls stout, short, enclosed by inflated sheaths. Leaf suberect, prostrate to

pendent, often overlapping, coriaceous, elliptical, acute to obtuse, the base cuneate into the sessile base.

Inflorescence a single, or a successive flower borne in a very short, congested raceme from the apex of

the ramicaul at the base of the leaf, often within an inflated spathe, the peduncle short within the spathe

and with a filament (the vestigial bud of the aborted successive flower); sepals fleshy, glabrous to pubes¬

cent, variously connate, often hidden within the spathe; petals membranous, entire to minutely denticu¬

late; lip oblong, entire or lobed, the base often with basal lobules, hinged to the tip of the column-foot;

column semiterete, the foot well-developed, the anther with two pollinia, rostellum and stigma ventral.

This genus is remarkable for the repent, often pendent habit with a large, folia-

ceous spathe at the base of the leaf that conceals much of the inflorescence, but the

spathe is insignificant in other species. The broad, short-stemmed leaves often

overlap. The inflorescence arises terminally, and produces a single flower, or a

single flower successively. Although similar by virtue of the habit, the floral parts

of the species have evolved down separate paths.

The pedicel is abbreviated, and with a filament, the aborted next flower. The

sepals are fleshy and pubescent externally in five of the eight species. They are

variously connate from above the middle to below the middle. In none do the

sepals spread widely. The petals are single-veined, often more or less spathulate

and unguiculate. Two species possess a minute callus on the claw [Apoda-

Prorepentia melanochthoda (Luer & Hirtz) Luer and A. testifolia (Sw.) Luer]. The

apex of the lip is smooth in one species [A. kateora (Garay) Luer] and variously

denticulate to fringed in the others. Below the middle, the lip is vaguely to obvious¬

ly unguiculate with lateral lobes that vary from a broad, obtuse angle, to a narrow,

acute process in one species (A. kateora). The column is elongate and narrowly

winged except in one with denticulate wings (A. testifolia). The anther is hooded

and bears a pair of ovoid pollinia attached to a minute viscidium.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

BINOMIALS ATTRIBUTABLE APODA-PROREPENTIA

Apoda-Prorepentia calypso (Luer) Luer.Fig. 1.

A. dodsonii (Luer) Luer.Fig. 2.

A. hystrix (Kraenzl.) Luer.Fig. 3.

A. karlii (Pabst) Luer.Fig. 4.

A. kateora (Garay) Luer.Fig. 5.

A. melanochthoda (Luer & Hirtz) Luer.Fig. 6.

A. portilloi (Luer & R.Escobar) Luer.Fig. 7.

A. testifolia (Sw.) Luer.Fig. 8.

Cryptophoranthus hoehnei Schltr. = A. hystrix

Cryptophoranthus hystrix (Kraenzl.) Garay = A. hystrix

Cryptophoranthus pectinatus Schltr. = A. testifolia

Cryptophoranthus sarcophyllus (Rchb.f.) Schltr. = A. testifolia

Phloeophila hystrix (Kraenzl.) Garay = A. hystrix

Physosiphon hystrix Kraenzl. = A. hystrix

Physothallis kateora Garay = A. kateora

Pleurothallis calypso Luer = A. calypso

Pleurothallis dodsonii Luer = A. dodsonii

Pleurothallis helleriana L.O.Williams = A. testifolia

Pleurothallis karlii Pabst = A. karlii

Pleurothallis kateora (Garay) Luer = A. kateora

Pleurothallis melanochthoda Luer & Hirtz = A. melanochthoda

Pleurothallis portilloi Luer & R.Escobar = A. portilloi

Pleurothallis raduliglossa Pabst = A. hystrix

Pleurothallis sarcophylla Rchb.f. = A. testifolia

Pleurothallis testifolia (Sw.) Lindl. = A. testifolia

KEY TO THE SPECIES

1 Leaf covered with small, black warts.A. melanochthoda

r Leaf not covered with black warts.2

2 Spathe 3-4 cm long.A. calypso

T Spathe less than 2 cm long.3

3 Sepals pubescent externally.4

3’ Sepals glabrous externally.6

4 Lip not densely spiculate.A. dodsonii

4’ Lip densely spiculate.5

5 Sepals and ovary long-pubescent; petals obtuse.A. testifolia

5’ Sepals and ovary short-pubescent; petals acute.A. hystrix

6 Lip with narrow, acute, hook-like, marginal lobes.A. kateora

6’ Lip with low, rounded, marginal lobes.7

7 Lip unguiculate without a callus.A. portilloi

T Lip narrowly unguiculate with a callus.A. karlii

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE 85

Apoda-Prorepentia calypso (Luer) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard.

95: 255, 2004.

Bas.: Pleurothallis calypso Luer, Phytologia 46: 358, 1980.

Ety.: Named for the mythological nymph Calypso who hid Ulysses, in allusion to the hidden flower.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, repent, pendent, the rhizome stout, up to 40 cm long, 1-2.5 cm long

between ramicauls, enclosed by 2 loose, oblique, compressed sheaths; roots slender. Ramicauls stout, 5-

15 mm long, enclosed by 2 inflated, compressed sheaths. Leaf pendent, thinly coriaceous, elliptical,

acute to subacute, 3-7 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm wide, the base cuneate into the sessile base. Inflorescence a

single flower borne within a large, inflated, foliaceous spathe, 2-4 cm long, 0.5-1.5 cm wide, at the base

of the leaf, the peduncle less than 1 mm long; floral bract thin, 3-4 mm long; pedicel stout, 1-2 mm long

with a filament about as long; ovary shortly pubescent, 1.5-2.5 mm long; sepals yellow or white, suf¬

fused with rose, fleshy, pubescent externally, the dorsal sepal triangular, acute, 7 mm long, 2.5 mm wide

at the base, connate to the lateral sepals for 1.5 mm, the lateral sepals triangular-ovate, oblique, acute, 7

mm long, 2.5 mm wide, barely connate at the base; petals yellow or white, suffused with purple, gla¬

brous, obovate, obtuse, 4-4.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide; lip yellow, suffused with purple or brown, oblong-

subtrilobed, 4 mm long, 1.5 mm wide unexpanded, 3 mm wide across the lower margins expanded, the

margins fringed above the middle to the subacute apex, the margins erect and obtusely angled below the

middle, the disc shallowly concave between a pair of low, minutely verrucose calli above the middle, the

base truncate, hinged to the end of the column; column semiterete, 2.5 mm long, shallowly winged

above the middle, the foot nearly as long, the anther, rostellum and stigma ventral.

ECUADOR: Zamora-Chinchipe: between Loja and Zamora, alt. ca. 2000 m, Nov. 1979, W. Teague, D.

Welisch & L Figueroa s.n. (Holotype: SEL), C. Luer illustr. 4810; new road east of the pass east of Loja,

2000 m, 25 Jan. 1992, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. Hirtz, A. & P. Jesup 16151 (MO); pendant over edge of Rio

Jamboe, alt. 1250 m, 22 Jan. 1992, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. Hirtz, A. & P. Jesup 16118 (MO); Cordillera del

Condor, Feb. 1995, A. Hirtz 6225 (MO).

This species is endemic in lowland, southeastern Ecuador. It is characterized by

overlapping leaves in hanging chains up to a meter long. The rhizomes and rami¬

cauls are clothed in loose, imbricating sheaths. The large, similarly appearing

spathe is inflated, enclosing the peduncle with a single, purplish flower. The sepals

are fleshy, pubescent, and connate basally. The petals are obovate; the lip is oblong

with erect, lobe-like sides, and fringed at the apex.

Apoda-Prorepentia dodsonii (Luer) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard.

95: 255, 2004.

Bas.: Pleurothallis dodsonii Luer, Selbyana 3(1): 96. 1976.

Ety.: Named in honor of Calaway Homer Dodson who discovered this species.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, repent, pendent, the rhizome stout, branching, up to 20 cm long,

0.5-1 cm long between ramicauls, enclosed by loose, tubular sheaths; roots slender. Ramicauls stout, 3-

10 mm long, enclosed by 2 loose, imbricating sheaths. Leaf prostrate to pendent, thickly coriaceous,

more or less speckled with red, elliptical, subacute to obtuse, 2.5-4 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm wide, the base

cuneate into the sessile base. Inflorescence a single flower borne within an inflated spathe, 1-1.5 cm

long, 5-8 mm wide, at the base of the leaf, the peduncle less than 1 mm long; floral bract thin, 1.5 mm

long; pedicel stout, 1.5 mm long with a short filament; ovary shortly pubescent, 0.75 mm long; sepals

red with white pubescence, fleshy, the dorsal sepal triangular, acute, 5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide at the

base, connate to the lateral sepals for 1.5 mm, the lateral sepals triangular-ovate, oblique, acute, 5.5 mm

long, 2.5 mm wide, barely connate at the base; petals red, edged in yellow, glabrous, obovate, acute, 3.5-

4 mm long, 1.5 mm wide; lip orange, suffused with red below the middle, oblong-subtrilobed, subacute,

4 mm long, 2 mm wide expanded, the margins minutely denticulate above the middle, the sides erect and

obtusely angled below the middle, the disc shallowly concave between a pair of low calli on the middle

third, the base truncate, minutely lobed at the corners, hinged to the end of the column; column red,

semiterete, 3 mm long, shallowly winged above the middle, the foot 2 mm long, the anther, rostellum

and stigma ventral.

ECUADOR: Tungurahua: near Rio Blaneo east of Banos, alt. 1600 m, 8 Oct. 1961, C.H. Dodson &

LB. Thien 889 (Holotype: SEL); same area. Mar. 1976, C. Luer & R. Kent, flowered in cultivation, Aug.

1976, C. Luer 958 (SEL). Napo: trees in pasture near Baeza, alt. 1830 m, 25 Oct. 1971, B. MacBryde

843, 862 (AMES, SEL)); between Papallacta and Baeza, alt. 2050 m, 6 June 1973, L. Holm-Nielsen, S.

Jeppesen, B. L0jtnant & B. 0llgaard 6978 (AAU). Pastaza: along the banks of the Rio Pastaza, alt.

1500 m, 14 Dee. 1880, F.C. Lehmann 300 (W). Bolivar: near Balzapamba north of Babahoyo, alt. 730

m, C.H. Dodson 70 (SEL).

PERU: Junm: Yapas, Pichis Trail, alt. 1350-1600 m, 28 June 1929, E.P. Killip & A.C. Smith 25523 (US).

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

This species is not uncommon in its distribution through central Ecuador on

both sides of the cordillera, as well as in adjacent Peru. It grows in shady leaf-litter

on trunks of old mossy trees. The elliptical leaves form tangled masses, or

sometimes hanging chains of overlapping leaves. The flower matures within a

large, inflated spathe at the base of the leaf, but as the ovary swells, the flower

begins to emerge.

Apoda-Prorepentia hystrix (Kraenzl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Syn.: Physosiphon hystrix Kraenzl., Ark. Bot. Stock. 16(8): 7, 1921.

Ety.: From the Latin hystrix, “a porcupine,” referring to the hispid lip.

Syn.: Cryptophoranthus hoehnei Schltr., Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo 1: 198, 1926.

Ety.: Named for F.C. Hoehne, noted Brazilian botanist, who collected this species.

Syn.: Pleurothallis raduliglossa Pabst., Orquidea 24: 44, 1962, replaced name for Physosiphon

hystrix.

Ety.: From the Latin radula, “a rasp,” and the Greek glossa, “tongue,” referring to the rough lip.

Syn.: Cryptophoranthus hystrix (Kraenzl.) Garay, Arch. Jard. Bot. Rio de Janeiro 13: 34, 1954.

Syn.: Phloeophila hystrix (Kraenzl.) Garay, Orquideologia 9: 118, 1974.

Plant small, epiphytic, repent, the rhizome stout, 3-5 mm long between ramicauls, roots slender.

Ramicauls stout, more or less prone, 1-2 mm long, enclosed by 2 loose, tubular sheaths. Leaf prostrate,

overlapping, coriaceous, broadly elliptical to suborbicular, rounded and notched at the apex, sessile, 12-

15 mm long, 8-15 mm wide, the base rounded. Inflorescence a single

flower, borne by a peduncle 1 mm long; floral bract inflated, 3-4 mm long; pedicel 1 mm long; ovary

densely short-pubescent, 1.5-2 mm long; sepals fleshy, shortly pubescent externally, the dorsal sepal

elliptical-ovate, subacute, 7-8 mm long, 2-3 mm wide, 3- to 5-veined, connate to the lateral sepals for 3-4

mm, the lateral sepals connate to near the apex into an ovoid, obtuse, minutely bifid, concave synsepal,

6.5-7 mm long, 5 mm wide, 6-veined; petals spathulate, unguiculate, 4.5-5.5 mm long, 1.8 mm wide, 1-

or 2-veined, the blade ovate, acute, microscopically denticulate, abruptly narrowed into a claw for the

basal third; lip oblong-subtrilobed, 4 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 2 mm wide expanded, the apex densely

echinate, subacute to rounded, the sides of the middle third erect, the disc with longitudinal carinae,

contracted in the basal third into a thick claw, with a lobule at each corner, hinged between to the col¬

umn-foot; column slender, 3.5 mm long, minutely dentate at the apex, the anther, rostellum and stigma

ventral, the foot thick, 1 mm long.

BRAZIL: Parana: Jaguariahyva, flowered in cultivation 27 Feb. 1911, P. Dusen 11577 (Holotype of

Physosiphon hystrix: S), C. Luer illustr. 17113.

Sao Paulo: Bosque da Saude, F.C. Hoehne s.n. (holotype of Cryptophoranthus hoehnei: SP 5254).

This species, endemic in southern Brazil, is characterized by prostrate, round,

alternating, overlapping leaves produced by a long-repent rhizome. A single flower

is produced on a short peduncle at the base of the leaf. The fleshy sepals are shortly

pubescent, with the dorsal sepal connate to the synsepal for about half its length.

The petals are spathulate and acute. The apex of the lip is densely muricate.

Apoda-Prorepentia karlii (Pabst) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard.

95: 255, 2004.

Bas.: Pleurothallis karlii Pabst, Arch. Jard. Bot. Rio de Janeiro 14: 14, 1956.

Ety.: named for Gehrhard Karl, who collected this species.

Plant small, epiphytic, repent-ascending, the rhizome stout, 3-5 mm long between ramicaul; roots

slender and filamentous and branching. Ramicauls erect to suberect, 4-6 mm long, enclosed by 1-2

tubular, glabrous, evanescent sheaths. Leaf rigidly coriaceous, broadly elliptical, obtuse, obscurely

emarginate, 1.7-2.5 cm long, 0.8-1.8 cm wide, the base rounded, sessile; spathe 3-5 mm long. Inflores¬

cence a successively few-(4)flowered raceme borne by a peduncle 3 mm long; floral bract 2-3 mm long;

pedicel 2 mm long; ovary 0.8 mm long; sepals dark purple, glabrous, fleshy, the dorsal sepal narrowly

elliptical-ovate, acute, 7-8 mm long, 2-3 mm wide, 3-veined, ecarinate, the lateral sepals falcate, acute,

connate 2 mm into a concave synsepal 8 mm long, each 2-3 mm wide, 3-veined; petals narrowly ellipti¬

cal, acute, 2.8-3 mm long, 0.7-1 mm wide, 1- to very faintly 3-veined; lip thick, oblong-trilobed, rounded

and minutely denticulate at the apex, 3-3.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide unexpanded, the basal half with

incurved, lateral lobes with appressed, subacute apices, that cannot be expanded without fracturing the

lip, the disc diffusely and minutely papillose-verrucose, the base truncate with a row of 3-4 small, erect,

digitiform calli, shortly unguiculate beneath, attached to the tip of the column-foot; column semiterete,

winged above the middle, denticulate at the apex, 3 mm long, the foot 2 mm long.

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE

BRAZIL: Rio Grande do Sul: San Francisco de Paula, alt. 900 m, Apr. 1952, G. Karl s.n. (Holotype

probably destroyed at HB). Rio de Janeiro: Munic. Nova Friburgo, Macea de Cima, alt. ca. 1600 m,

2006, H. Seehawer 1281 (Neotype here designated: RB, Isoneotype: MO).

This species is rare in southern Brazil. The holotype was published as being

in the author’s herbarium, which became included in the Herbarium Bradeanum.

No dry material is there, and if it existed as pickled material, it was probably dis¬

carded (pers. comm. Toscano de Brito).

Small, broadly elliptical, overlapping leaves are produced by short ramicauls

along a creeping rhizome. Slender roots produce capillary, branching roots. A

single, dark purple flower is produced successively in an abbreviated few-flowered

raceme from the base of a leaf. The sepals are fleshy and glabrous, the dorsal sepal

is narrowly ovate, and the lateral sepals are falcate and connate to near the middle.

The petals are narrowly elliptical. The lip is thickly three-lobed and diffusely

minutely papillose with incurved lateral lobes occupying the basal halfAn row of

three (or four, if the center callus is divided into two) small, erect, fingerlike calli

stand along the basal margin above a short claw.

Apoda-Prorepentia kateora (Garay) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard.

95: 255, 2004.

Bas.: Physothallis kateora Garay, Orquideologia 9: 133, 1974.

Ety.: of unexplained etiology.

Syn.: Pleurothallis kateora (Garay) Luer, Phytologia 49: 209, 1981.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, repent, pendent, the rhizome stout, branching, up to 20 cm long, 1-

2.2 cm long between ramicauls, enclosed by loose, oblique, compressed sheaths; roots slender. Rami¬

cauls stout, 1-1.3 cm long, enclosed by 2 oblique, compressed, imbricating sheaths. Leaf pendent, coria¬

ceous, elliptical, acute, 3-6 cm long, 1.2-2 cm wide, the base cuneate into the sessile base. Inflorescence

a single flower borne from an oblique spathe, 1-2 cm long, 0.5 cm wide, at the base of the leaf, the

peduncle less than 1 mm long; floral bract thin, 3-4 mm long; pedicel stout, 5-6 mm long with a slender

filament 1-2 mm long; ovary glabrous, 2-3 mm long; sepals yellow, suffused with red-brown toward the

base, fleshy, cellular-glandular, the dorsal sepal oblong-obovate, obtuse, concave, 9.5 mm long, 5 mm

wide, connate to the lateral sepals for 6 mm into a broad, cylindrical tube, the lateral sepals oblong,

oblique, obtuse, broadly acuminate at the tip, 7 mm long, 4 mm wide, connate 2 mm, lightly adherent for

3 mm more; petals yellow, glabrous, obovate, acute, 4.25 mm long, 1.75 mm wide; lip yellow, lightly

suffused with red, oblong-obovate, trilobed, 5.5 mm long, 2.3 mm wide, the apex smooth, dilated, ob¬

tuse, the lateral lobes narrow, erect, acute, uncinate, the disc smooth, shallowly concave, the base trun¬

cate, with a minute lobule at each corner, hinged to the end of the column-foot; column yellow, semiter-

ete, 3.5 mm long, the foot red-orange, 2.5 mm long, the anther, rostellum and stigma ventral.

COLOMBIA: Choco: Carmen de Atrato, Canon de Toro, cultivated in Medellin by Alvaro Mejia, G.

Escobar 1078 (Holotype: AMES); same collection R. Escobar 1012 (AMES); same collection, cultivated

by M. & O. Robledo at La Ceja, Antioquia, 16 Oct. 1977, C. Luer 2041 (SEL).

This rare species is known from only the original collection in the Western

Cordillera of Colombia. In habit, it is similar to Apoda-Prorepentia calypso (Luer)

Luer and A. portilloi (Luer & R.Escobar) Luer with long, pendent chains of over¬

lapping, elliptical leaves with large, loose, compressed sheaths of the ramicauls and

rhizome. The tubular flower protrudes from the margin of the spathe, compressed

and inflated as are the sheaths. The sepals are deeply connate into a broad, cylin¬

drical tube. Out of sight are the acute petals and an obovate lip with small, erect,

uncinate, marginal lobes.

Apoda-Prorepentia melanochthoda (Luer & Hirtz) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot.

Missouri Bot. Gard. 95: 255, 2004.

Bas.: Pleurothallis melanochthoda Luer & Hirtz, Lindleyana 11: 169, 1996.

Ety.: From the Greek melanochthodas, “with black warts,” referring to the leaves.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Plant small in size, epiphytic, repent, the rhizome stout, up to 20 cm long, 1-1.5 cm long between

ramicauls, enclosed by loose sheaths; roots slender. Ramicauls stout, 4-5 mm long, enclosed by 1-2 in¬

flated sheaths. Leaf more or less prostrate, thickly coriaceous, elliptical, subacute, 25-33 mm long, 12-15

mm wide, the surface green with numerous, black excrescences, the base broadly cuneate into the sessile

base. Inflorescence a single flower borne at the base of the leaf from a loose, crested spathe 6-10 mm

long, the peduncle less than 1 mm long; floral bract thin, 2 mm long; pedicel stout, 3 mm long with a

filament about as long; ovary shortly pubescent, 1.5 mm long and broad; sepals orange-brown, thickly

fleshy, non-spreading, pubescent externally, the dorsal sepal triangular, acute, 7 mm long, 3.5 mm wide

at the base, connate to the lateral sepals for 1 mm, the lateral sepals connate half the length into a deeply

concave, scaphoid, acute synsepal, 7 mm long, 5 mm broad unexpanded, the apices apiculate, approx¬

imate; petals orange-brown, glabrous, spathulate, 3.5 mm long, 1 mm wide, the apex dilated, obtuse,

shortly apiculate, with a low callus about midway near the base of the claw; lip orange, thick, ovate-

oblong, unguiculate, 4 mm long, 1.5 mm wide unexpanded, the margins long-fimbriate above the middle,

the apex subacute, spiculate, the disc with a pair of erect, parallel lamellae from the base of the blade and

becoming denticulate toward the apex, the blade with a transverse callus above the claw, the claw broad,

less than 1 mm long, bilobulate, hinged to the base of the column; column terete, 3 mm long, broadly

winged above the middle, the foot thick, nearly as long, the anther, rostellum and stigma ventral.

ECUADOR: Morona-Santiago: epiphytic in remnant of wet forest north of Macas, alt. 1,050 m, 15 Jan.

1989, C. Luer, J. Luer, P. Jesup, A. Jesup, A. Hirtz & S. Ortega 13906 (Holotype: MO).

This species is related to Apoda-Prorepentia testifolia (Sw.) Luer which is

widely distributed across Central America and the Antilles to Venezuela. This

species, however, is known only from one area in eastern Ecuador at a relatively

low altitude. It is easily identified by the creeping habit with rigid, elliptical leaves

covered by small, black warts. Although superficially similar to those of A. testifo¬

lia, the sepals are extremely thick and very acute instead of obtuse or rounded. The

petals and lip are basically similar, but the calli of the lip of A. melanochthoda

(Luer & Hirtz) Luer are erect and well-developed, and the fimbriate margins of the

lip are less well-developed.

Apoda-Prorepentia portilloi (Luer & R.Escobar) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri

Bot. Card. 95: 255, 2004.

Bas.: Pleurothallis portilloi Luer & R.Escobar, Orquideologia 15: 144, 1982.

Ety.: Named for the late David Portollo, co-collector of the species.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, repent, pendent, the rhizome stout, up to 40 or 50 cm long, 8-16

mm long between ramicauls, enclosed by 2 fugacious, oblique, tubular sheaths; roots slender. Ramicauls

stout, 10-15 mm long, enclosed by an oblique, tubular sheath. Leaf pendent, thinly coriaceous, mottled

with purple beneath, elliptical, slightly conduplicate, acute to subacute, 3-4.5 cm long, 2 cm wide ex¬

panded, the base cuneate into the sessile base. Inflorescence a short, 3.5 mm long, congested, succes¬

sively 4- to 5-flowered raceme borne within a large, inflated, foliaceous spathe, 16-22 mm long, 5-7 mm

wide, at the base of the leaf, the peduncle 3 mm long; floral bract thin, 3 mm long; pedicel stout, 2 mm

long, the terminal flower with a filament ca. 1 mm long; ovary white, suffused with rose, 2 mm long;

sepals yellow, suffused with red toward the base, fleshy, glabrous, the dorsal sepal nearly free, oblong,

acute, 7.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, the lateral sepals connate into an oblong, concave, obtuse synsepal, 6

mm long, 5.5 mm wide, barely bifid at the tip with the tips of the sepals obtuse, abruptly short-acuminate

or apiculate; petals yellow, red at the base, obovate-spathulate, obtuse, unguiculate basally, glabrous, 4

mm long, 1.75 mm wide; lip yellow, suffused with orange medially, suffused red at the base, oblong-

obovate, subtrilobed, 3.75 mm long, 1.5 mm wide unexpanded, the apex round, minutely denticulate,

with small, low, rounded marginal lobes below a pair of intramarginal calli, the disc shallowly concave

between, the base unguiculate, thinly hinged between a pair of minute, basal lobules, to the end of the

column; column white, semiterete, 3 mm long, shallowly winged above the middle, the foot nearly as

long, the anther, rostellum and stigma ventral.

COLOMBIA: Norte de Santander: Municip. Villacaro, Llanitos, between Tara and Sardinata, alt. 1730

m, 12 Nov. 1981, C. Luer, J. Luer, R. Escobar & D. Portillo 6688 (Holotype: SEL; Isotype: JAUM).

This species, endemic in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, is similar vegeta-

tively to the Ecuadorian Apoda-Prorepentia calypso (Luer) Luer, both plants pro¬

ducing long, pendent chains of heavy, overlapping leaves with the inflorescence

hidden in a large, sheathlike spathe, but not unlike other members of the genus. The

sepals are glabrous externally; the petals are unguiculate; and the lip is obovate with

the rounded apex minutely denticulate.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

MEXICO: Oaxaca: alt. 3,000 ft., 1840, A.Rich. & Galeotti 5175 (W).

GUATEMALA: Alta Verapaz: near Coban, cultivated by O. Mittelstaedt in Coban, 27 Nov. 1990, C.

Luer 14846 (MO).

HONDURAS: Comayagua: Barranco Trincheras, north of Signatepeque, alt. 1200 m, 14 Apr. 1951,

L.O. Williams & A. Molina 18055 (EAR).

NICARAGUA: Matagalpa: near Santa Fe, east of Matagalpa, alt. ca. 1000 m, 1962, flowered in cultiva¬

tion 18 Feb. 1963, L.O. Williams & A. Heller 25086 (holotype of Pleurothallis helleriana: F).

COSTA RICA: Cartago: Irazu, ca. 1870, A. Endres 78 (W) as P. sarcophylla; Agua Caliente, Jan. 1924,

C.H. Lankester 577 (AMES). Alajuela: vicinity of San Ramon, 1921, G. Acosta s.n. (holotype of P.

pectinata, destroyed at B).

Although uncommon, this species is widely distributed in Central America, the

Antilles, and northern South America, at both medium and high altitudes. It is

characterized by a repent rhizome that often hangs on tree trunks. The pendent or

prostrate leaves are elliptical and often alternately overlapping. The small, darkly

colored flower emerges within a spathe at the base of a leaf. The sepals are various¬

ly pubescent, the laterals connate into a concave synsepal. The lip is fimbriate-

spiculate with small lateral lobes above the base.

REFERENCES

Lindley, J., 1859. Fol. Orchid. Pleurothallis. J. Matthews, Covent Garden, London p. 2.

Luer, C.A., 1986. leones Pleurothallidinarum I. Systematics of the Pleurothallidinae. Monogr. Syst. Bot.

Missouri Bot. Gard. 20: 31.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 2. Apoda-Prorepentia dodsonii

Fig. 3. Apoda-Prorepentia hystrix

Fig. 4. Apoda-Prorepentia karlii ’

ICONES PLEUROTHALUDINARUM

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE

INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES

Apoda-Prorepentia 83, 84

calypso 83, 84, 85, Fig. 1., 87, 88

dodsonii 84, 85, Fig. 2.

hystrix 84, 86, Fig. 3.

karlii 84, 86, Fig. 4.

kateora 83, 84, 87, Fig. 5.

melanochthoda 83, 84, 87, Fig. 6., 88

portilloi 84, 87, 88, Fig. 7.

testifolia 83, 84, 88, 89, Fig. 8.

Barbosella 83

Cryptophoranthus hoehnei 84, 86

Cryptophoranthus hystrix 84, 86

Cryptophoranthus pectinatus 89

Cryptophoranthus sarcophyllus 84

Cymbidium testaefolium 83, 89

Epidendrum testaefolium 89

Humboldtia sarcophylla 89

Humboldtia testaefolia 89

Physosiphon hystrix 84, 86

Phloeophila hystrix 84, 86

Physothallis kateora 87

Pleurothallis 83

subgen. Apoda-Prorepentia 83

sect. Apodae-Prorepentes 83

calypso 84, 85

dodsonii 84, 85

helleriana 84, 89

karlii 84, 86

kateora 84, 87

melanochthoda 84, 87

portilloi 84, 88

raduliglossa 84, 86

sarcophylla 84, 89

testaefolia 83, 84, 89,

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

MISCELLANEOUS SMALL PLEUROTHALLID GENERA

not previously treated in an leones Pleurothallidinarum

The following small, diverse genera are orphans without obvious relationships,

which might be determined eventually by DNA analyses. Those species of genera

that have not been treated in a previous leones Pleurothallidinarum are featured

here with descriptions, and with illustrations that have not been published.

CUCUMERIA

Cucumeria Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 95: 257, 2004.

Bas.: Pleurothallis subgen. Specklinia sect. Cucumeres Luer, Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri

Bot. Gard. 20: 81, 1986.

Ety.: From the Latin cucumeris, “like a cucumber,” referring to the verrucose flowers.

Type: Pleurothallis cucumeris Luer [^Cucumeria cucumeris].

A genus of one species characterized by well-developed ramicauls; a short,

congested raceme; and a verrucose pedicel, ovary, and sepals.

Cucumeria cucumeris (Luer) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 95:

257, 2004.

Bas.: Pleurothallis cucumeris Luer, Selbyana 5: 162, 1979.

Ety.: From the Latin cucumeris, “like a cucumber,” referring to the verrucose flowers.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, terete, 5-11 cm long,

enclosed by 4-6 loose, ribbed, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute to acute, 5-8

cm long, 1.3-2 cm wide, cuneate below into a petiole 1-2 cm long. Inflorescence a 2- to 5-flowered

raceme from a node below the abscission layer; peduncles verrucose, 5 mm long; floral bracts white,

tubular, papery; pedicels verrucose, 4 mm long; ovaries verrucose, 1 mm long; sepals light yellow-green,

thickly fleshy, carinate-verrucose externally, the dorsal sepal ovate, narrowly obtuse, 8 mm long, 3 mm

wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals connate into an oblong, obtuse synsepal, 7.5 mm long, 4 mm wide, 6-

veined, forming an obtuse mentum with the column-foot; petals translucent yellow, obliquely ovate,

unguiculate, obtusely angled on the lower margin, entire, 3 mm long, 1.75 mm wide, 2-veined; lip light

yellow, oblong, obtuse, 3 mm long, 1 mm wide, cellular-glandular toward the apex, the margins broadly

angled and erect on the lower two thirds, the base truncate, broadly hinged to the column-foot; column

green, longitudinally winged, semiterete, stout, 2 mm long, denticulate at the apex, anther and stigma

ventral, the foot thick, shorter than the column.

PANAMA: Chiriqui: cloud forest, Cerro Colorado, alt. ca. 1700 m, collected Feb. 1977, flowered in

cultivation 10 Dec. 1977, C. Luer, J. Luer & R.L Dressier 2258 (Holotype: SEL).

This species, apparently endemic in western Panama, is without close relatives.

It is characterized by well-developed ramicauls enclosed by a series of tubular

sheaths; elliptical, petiolate leaves somewhat shorter than the ramicauls; a short,

few-flowered raceme with a verrucose peduncle and verrucose pedicels and ovaries.

The sepals are thickly fleshy and carinate-verrucose; the petals are obliquely ovate,

and the lip is oblong with erect margins below the apical third.

Illustration: Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 20 (Icones-III): 82, 1986, Plate 41.

EMPUSELLA

Empusella (Luer) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 95: 258, 2004.

Bas.: Pleurothallis subgen. Empusella Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 20: 41, 1986.

Ety: From the Latin empusella, “a little hobgoblin,” alluding to the fancied appearance of the

flowers.

Type: Pleurothallis endotrachys Rchb.f. [=Empusella endotrachys].

A unispecific genus with a habit similar to Masdevallia Ruiz & Pav., a com¬

pressed peduncle, and rigid sepals verrucose within.

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE 95

Empusella endotrachys (Rchb.f.) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard.

95: 258, 2004.

Bas.: Pleurothallis endotrachys Rchb.f., Linnaea 41: 95, 1877.

Ely.: From the Greek endotrachys, “rough inside,” referring to the sepals verrucose within.

Syn.: Pleurothallis pfavii Rchb.f., Flora 69: 555, 1886.

Ety.: Named for Herr Pfau who collected this species.

Syn.: Masdevalliaplatyrachis Rolfe, Gard. Chron. (2): 178, 1888.

Ety.: From the Greek platyrachis, “flat rachis,” referring to the ancipitous rachis.

Syn.: Pleurothallis platyrachis (Rolfe) Rolfe, J. Bot. 136, 1890.

Syn.: Humboldtia endotrachys (Rchb.f.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. PI. 2: 667, 1891.

Syn.: Pleurothallis spectabilis Ames & C.Schweinf., Sched. Orch. 8: 34, 1925.

Ety.: From the Latin spectabilis, “spectacular,” referring to the appearance of the plant.

Plant medium to large in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots coarse. Ramicauls stout, terete, erect, 1-2

cm long, enclosed by 2-3 tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, thickly coriaceous, narrowly obovate, subacute to

obtuse, 9-17 cm long, 1.5-3 cm wide, narrowly cuneate below into an ill-defined, conduplicate, subpe-

tiolate base. Inflorescence a loose, distichous, subflexuous, successively several- to many-flowered

raceme, to 20 cm long, borne by a compressed peduncle, up to 22 cm long, up to 6 mm broad, with a few

bracts, from the ramicaul above the base; floral bracts conspicuous, oblique, compressed, subacute, 5-10

mm long; pedicels 6-15 mm long; ovary 4-5 mm long; sepals fleshy, green, yellow, orange, brown to

red, carinate, glabrous externally, verrucose within, the dorsal sepal oblong-ovate, acute to narrowly

obtuse, 16-22 mm long, 6 mm wide, 3-veined, free from the lateral sepals, the lateral sepals oblong,

oblique, subacute to acute, 14-20 mm long, 4-5 mm wide, 3-veined, connate 2-3 mm at the base to form

a mentum beneath the column-foot; petals thick, yellow to red-brown, minutely verrucose, oblong,

obtuse, 3.5-5 mm long, 1 mm wide; lip thick, yellow to orange, elliptical-oblong, arcuate, obtuse, 5 mm

long expanded, 2-2.5 mm wide, the disc shallowly concave between a pair of calli on the middle two

thirds, the base truncate, recurved, hinged to the free tip of the column-foot; column greenish white,

stout, winged above the middle, 5 mm long, the apex denticulate, the foot stout with a pair of calli, 3 mm

long.

COSTA RICA: Alajuela: San Ramon, along “Barranca,” 1867, A.R. Endres 92 (Holotype: W); La

Palma, alt. 1150 m, 6 Dec. 1922, A.M. Brenes 164 (AMES); Monteverde, San Gerardo, Rio Cano

Negro, alt. 1050 m, 20 Oct. 1989, E. Bello 1413 (INB, MO). Guanacaste: La Tejona, north of Tilaran,

alt. 600-700 m, 25 Jan. 1926, PC. Standley & J. Valerio 45875 (AMES). Heredia: Fila Canon del Rio

Sucio, alt. 450-700 m, 12 Nov. 1983, LA. Chacon <Sc G. Herrera 1716 (CR). Limon: Cordillera de

Talamanca, between Rio Terbi and Rio Sini, alt. 2300-2500 m, 11 Sept. 1984, G. Davidse, G. Herrera &

M. Grayum 28921 (CR, MO). San Jose: Vasquez de Coronado, Parque Nac. Braulio Carrillo, Sendero

La Botella, alt. 750 m, 21 Sept. 1990, S. Ingram & K. Ferrell-Ingram 559 (CR, K, MO, SEL). Without

collection data, cultivated at Kew, imported by Shuttleworth s.n. (holotype of M. platyrachis: K).

Puntarenas: Coto Brus, Las Mellizas, border with Panama, alt. 2465 m, 15 Aug. 1989, G. Herrera 3411

(MO).

EL SALVADOR: Ahuachapan, San Benito, east of La Cumbre, 8 July 1992, E. Sandoval 491 (LAGU,

MO); same area, alt. 1250 m, 30 Mar. 1995, M. Sandoval & E. Sandoval 876 (B, K, LAGU, MO, SEL).

MEXICO: Oaxaca: Colonia Rodolfo Figuero, cultivated by J & L Orchids, 21 Oct. 1975, C. Luer 1216

(SEL).

GUATEMALA: Alta Verapaz: near Coban, alt. 4,400 ft., cultivated by Otto Mittlestaedt, 13 Feb. 1990,

C. Luer 14606 (MO).

BELIZE: Cayo: La Flor at Rio de la Flor, alt. 1,700-2,000 ft., 3 June 1973, T.B. Croat 23747 (MO).

Toledo: Little Quartz Ridge, alt. 940-1040 m, 21 Feb. 1997, T. Hawkins 1510 (MO, SEL).

PANAMA: Chiriqui: without locality, 4 Dec. 1880, Pfau 4 (holotype of P. pfavii: W); Guadelupe, above

Cerrro Punta, alt. 6,000-7,000 ft., 22 Oct. 1977, J.P Folsom 6014 (MO); Fortuna dam site, collected by

A. Pridgeon et al., 20 Mar. 1978, flowered in cultivation 29 Apr. 1980, C. Luer 5238 (MO); Cerro Punta,

Parque Amistad, alt. 2100 m, 20 Oct. 1992, G. McPherson 15941 (MO). Veraguas: Santa Fe, alt. 1500

m, Feb. 1924, C.W. Powell 382 (MO). Los Santos: Azureo Peninsula, southwest of El Cortezo, alt.

2,900-3,000 ft., 26 Oct. 1978, B. Hammel 5328 (MO). Herrera: above Chepo de las Minas, alt. 700 m,

19 Dec. 1977, J.P. Folsom, R.B. Channel & G. Small 6976 (MO). Darien: Punta Guayabo Grande, alt.

less than 100 m, 22 Jan. 1982, S. Knapp & J. Mallet 3004, 3145 (MO).

This species was described by Reichenbach from a Costa Rican collection by

Endres who had made meticulous illustrations and a detailed description. It is

indeed a spectacular species for a genus without close relatives. The habit resem¬

bles that of a Masdevallia Ruiz & Pav. with a short ramicaul and a long leaf that is

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

gradually narrowed below. The inflorescence with a flattened peduncle arises from

near the base of the ramicaul, and surpasses the leaf. The successively flowered

raceme is subflexuous with conspicuous, conduplicate bracts. The flowers are

variable in size and color with a free dorsal sepal and lateral sepals forming a

mentum below the column-foot. The sepals are verrucose within; the petals are

small, oblong and also verrucose; and the lip is oblong and arcuate with a pair of

calli.

Illustration: Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Card. 20 (Icones-III): 43, 1986, Plate 18.

MIRANDOPSIS

Mirandopsis Szlach. & Marg., Polish Bot. J. 46(2): 117, 2001.

Syn.: Pleurothallis subgen. Mirandia Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Card. 20: 47, 1986.

Ety.: From Mirandia and -opsis, “like Mirandia”

Type: Pleurothallis miranda Luer [=Mirandopsis miranda].

A genus with a single species characterized by long-petiolate leaves borne by

small but well-developed ramicauls; an erect spathe; single, long pedunculate flow¬

ers; an acutely deflexed lip; and an apical anther and stigma.

Mirandopsis miranda (Luer) Szlach. & Marg., Polish Bot. J. 46(2): 117, 2001.

Bas.: Pleurothallis miranda Luer, Phytologia 46: 369, 1980.

Ety.: From the Latin mirandus, “strange, causing wonder,” alluding to the unusual characters of

the species.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls slender, suberect, 1-4.5 cm long, en¬

closed by 3-4 loose, ribbed sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, ovate, subacute, petiolate, the blade 18-27

mm long, 11-15 mm wide, the base contracted into a twisted and bent petiole 3-7 mm long. Inflores¬

cence single flowers, borne ny capillary peduncles 12-24 mm long, enclosed within an erect spathe 8-13

mm long, borne from near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts 3-4 mm long; pedicels 3-4 mm long;

ovary green with purple stripes, 2 mm long; sepals membranous, glabrous, greenish white, mottled with

purple along the veins, the middle sepal ovate, acute, 5.5 mm long, 4 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral

sepals connate into a suborbicular, uppermost synsepal, 4.75 mm long, 4.75 mm wide, conically concave

centrally, with a pair of small, rounded lamellae near the center, the apex rounded and shortly bifid;

petals translucent, greenish white suffused and striped with purple, ovoid, unguiculate below the middle,

inflated and deeply concave above the middle, 2.5 mm long, 1.9 mm wide; lip yellow, suffused with

brown, acutely deflexed upon itself at the middle, 1.4 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, subquadrate above the

middle, subtruncate with broadly rounded angles, held against the cuneate, lower half, which is held

against the column, the base thick narrowly truncate, fixed to the base of the column; column erect,

stout, cylindrical, 2.5 mm long, the anther apical, exposed, the stigma subapical, the foot obsolescent.

ECUADOR: Pichincha: forest along river toward Nanegal, alt. ca. 2500 m, Oct. 1979, collected by A.

Hirtz and A. Andreetta, flowered in cultivation at SEL, 1 Jan. 1980, C. Luer 4372 (Holotype: SEL).

This unusual species with no close relative has been collected only once in a

forest near Quito. The ramicauls are suberect with an oblique, elongated spathe

emerging from near the apex where the twisted petiole angles in the opposite direc¬

tion to bear the leaf at an angle back in the other direction. The bilabiate flower

with a cucullate synsepal is borne singly in a fascicle of elongated pedicels within

the spathe. Within the cavity of the synsepal is a small, rounded pair of lamellae.

The unguiculate petals are dilated and deeply concave above the middle. The lip is

acutely deflexed upon itself at the middle, with the subquadrate apical half held

against the cuneate basal half. The cylindrical column with an exposed, apical

anther and stigma lies against the lip.

Illustration: Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Card. 20 (Icones-III): 49, 1986, Plate 22.

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE

MIXIS

Mixis Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 95: 258, 2004.

Ety.: From the Greek mixis, “a mixing,” referring to the various morphological features.

Type: Pleurothallis incongrua Luer [=Mixis incongrua].

A unispecific genus distinguished by a well-developed ramicaul; a sessile leaf; a

fascicle of peduncles; short racemes; connate lateral sepals; spathulate petals; a

concave, truncate, bilamellate lip; and an elongate, dentate column.

Mixis incongrua Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 95: 258, 2004. Fig. 1.

Bas.: Pleurothallis incongrua Luer, Orquideologia 21: 127, 1999.

Ety.: From the Latin incongruus, “incompatible,” referring to strange morphological features.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots numerous, slender. Ramicauls slender, erect, 12-

20 cm long, with a thin, tubular sheath below the middle and 2-3 others at the base. Leaf erect, coria¬

ceous, ovate, acute, slightly acuminate, long-mucronate, 6-7 cm long, 2-2.5 cm wide, the base sessile,

broadly cuneate to rounded. Inflorescence racemose, 1 to a few erect, lax, simultaneously few-Bowered

racemes, 4-5 cm long including the peduncle 2-3 cm long, subtended by a slender spathe ca. 5 mm long,

at the base of the leaf; floral bracts infundibular, 2 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 2.5 mm long;

sepals translucent with red-violet spots, glabrous, the dorsal sepal concave, elliptical, obtuse, 7 mm long,

4.5 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals completely connate into an oblong, obtuse, more or less flat

lamina, 8.5 mm long, 3.5 mm wide, 4-veined; petals membranous, spathulate, obtuse, 5 mm long, 2 mm

wide, 3-veined; lip ovoid-subtrilobed, concave with erect and incurved sides, 3.5 mm wide, 2 mm broad

unexpanded, the apex transverse, obtuse, decurved, the margins of the lobes at the apex with flat, intra¬

mural calli, the base broadly truncate attached to the base of the column; column longitudinally winged,

semiterete, 3.5 mm long, footless, the anther dentate, and the stigma large, broad, ventral.

COLOMBIA: Valle del Cauca: Munic. of El Cairo, Cerro del Ingles, Serrania de los Paraguas, alt. 2400

m, 28 Dec. 1986, P Silverstone-Sopkin, N. Paz, R. T Gonzalez, L Cabrera, D. Garces & A. Henao 2686

(Holotype: CUVC; Isotype: MO).

The combination of morphological features of this species seems contradictory,

failing to indicate a close relationship with any other species within the Pleurothal-

lidinae. The habit is compatible with Acianthera Scheidw., Acronia C.Presl, and

Pleurothallis R.Br. It is characterized by a long, slender ramicaul with thin, close

sheaths and an ovate, sessile leaf. The loose, long-pedunculate, few-flowered

raceme is a little shorter than the leaf. The dorsal sepal is obtuse and concave. The

lateral sepals are fully connate into a flat, oblong synsepal. The petals are

spathulate. The more or less truncate lip with incurved sides and intramural calli

suggests Crocodeilanthe Rchb.f. & Warsz., but the habit and elongate column are

incompatible. The lip also suggests Orbis truncata (Lindl.) Luer. The column is

elongate, as long as the lip, and semiterete with the apex long-denticulate. Unfor¬

tunately, the pollinia were missing from the only specimen.

MYSTACORCHIS

Mystacorchis Szlach. & Marg., Polish Bot. J. 46(2): 117, 2001.

Syn.: Pleurothallis subgen. Mystax Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 20: 50, 1986.

Ety.: From the Greek mystacos-orchis, “mustachioed orchid,” referring to the appearance of the

flower.

Type: Pleurothallis mystax Luer [=Mystacorchis mystax].

A genus with a single species characterized by sessile leaves; a successively

few-flowered raceme; a spathulate lip with a long, channeled claw; and a short

column with an apical anther and stigma.

98 ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Mystacorchis mystax (Luer) Szlach. & Marg., Polish Bot. J. 46(2): 117, 2001.

Bas.: Pleurothallis mystax Luer, Selbyana 3: 146, 1976.

Ely.: From the Greek mystax, “a moustache,” in allusion to the diverging lateral sepals.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls slender, erect, 1-2.5 cm long, mostly

enclosed by a loose tubular sheath and 1-2 sheaths at the base. Leaf erect, broadly elliptical, obtuse, 16-

21 mm long, 12-15 mm wide, the base rounded, sessile. Inflorescence a distantly and successively 2-

flowered raceme, ca. 2.5 cm long, borne by a capillary peduncle from the base of the leaf, with a spathe 2

mm long; floral bracts 2-3 mm long; pedicels 5-8 mm long; ovary 2-3 mm long; sepals membranous,

glabrous, tall-carinate, white with the outer halves purple, the dorsal sepal elliptical-ovate, acute, acu¬

minate, 14 mm long, 4 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals more or less linear, acute, 14 mm long, 3.5

mm wide together above the base, connate basally for 3-4 mm, then each sepal abruptly diverging 90°,

the carinae 1 mm tall; petals brown, ovate, oblique, shortly unguiculate, subacute, 4 mm long, 2 mm

wide, 3-veined; lip red-brown, spathulate-unguiculate, 8 mm long, 2.75 mm wide, the blade ovoid,

convex, rounded at the apex, the claw below the middle narrow, tubular, 4 mm long, longitudinally

channeled between involute margins, the base with a small, transverse callus, connected to the base of

the column; column erect, stout, cylindrical, 1.5 mm long, the anther red and yellow, terminal, exposed,

the stigma subapical, 1 mm long, the foot obsolescent.

PANAMA: Veraguas: epiphytic in cloud forest near the continental divide above Santa Fe, alt. 650-750

m, 5 Sept. 1976, C. Luer <&. R.L. Dressier 1261 (Holotype: SEL); northwest of Sana Fe, 20-21 Dec. 1974,

5. Mori & J. Kallunki 3926, 4002 (MO); north of Cerro Tute, 24 Oct. 1975, J.T & F Witherspoon 8824

(MO); near Santa Fe, trail to Cerro Tute, 30 Nov. 1979, T. Antonio 2925 (MO).

This species is endemic and locally abundant in a small area of central Panama.

It is without close relatives. The leaves are broadly ovate and sessile, nearly as long

as the ramicaul, and the loosely two-flowered raceme is longer than the leaf. The

tall-carinate sepals are white with broad, purple margins. The lateral sepals diverge

abruptly from below the middle with the apices opposite, 180°. The petals are small

and shortly unguiculate. The lip is spathulate with an ovoid blade and a channeled

claw. The footless column is small and erect with an apical anther nearly as large.

Illustration: Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Card. 20 (Icones-III): 51, 1986, Plate 23.

PHYSOSIPHON

Physosiphon Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 21: sub t. 1797, 1835.

Type: Physosiphon loddigesii Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 21: sub t. 1797, 1835.

Ety.: From the Greek physosiphon, “a bladder-like tube,” referring to the sepaline tube.

Syn.: Pleurothallis mbgtn.Physosiphon (Lindl.) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 20:

50, 1986.

This genus of only two species is characterized by ramicauls about as long as

or shorter than the leaves; a multiflowered raceme; sepals deeply connate into a

tube constricted above the middle; small, membranous petals; a small, thick lip with

intra-marginal calli; and a winged column.

Physosiphon asperrimus Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 105: 292,

2006. Fig. 2.

Ety.: From the Latin asperrimus, “very exasperate,” referring to the inner surfaces of the sepals.

Syn.: Pleurothallis asperrima Luer, Phytologia 49: 201, 1981.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender; ramicauls slender, erect, 3-5 cm

long, occasionally prolific, with a tubular sheath from below the middle and 2-3 sheaths at the base.

Leaf coriaceous, elliptical, obtuse, 3.5-7.5 cm long including a petiole 0.5-1 cm long, 1.6-2.8 cm wide,

cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence a loose, subsecund, simultaneously several-flowered

raceme, to 13 cm long including the peduncle 4-5 cm long; spathe ca. 0.5 cm long; floral bracts tubular,

3-4 mm long; pedicels 3-4 mm long; ovary 2-3 mm long; sepals white, bright orange above the middle,

glabrous externally, densely short-pubescent within above the middle, the dorsal sepal oblong, obtuse, 10

mm long, 2 mm wide, connate to the lateral sepals for 5 mm into a cylindrical tube, slightly constricted

near the middle, the lateral sepals 10 mm long, 2 mm wide, reflexed beyond the orifice; petals white,

oblong, obtuse, 3.5 long, 1.5 mm wide, 1-veined; lip white, oblong, trilobed, arcuate, 4 mm long, 1.25

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE

mm wide, with tall, erect, rounded lobes near the middle, with the anterior margins subverrucose, extend¬

ing onto the apical third, the apex subacute, the disc shallowly concave, the base truncate, hinged to the

tip of the column-foot; column white with purple spots, semiterete, 2.5 mm long, the anther and stigma

subapical.

ECUADOR: Azuay: Santa Isabella, alt. 1500 m, collected by A. Hirtz, flowered in cultivation, 19 Mar.

1979, C. Luer4039 (Holotype: SEE).

This species, apparently endemic and rare in southern Ecuador, is closely related

to the variable Physosiphon emarginatus (Ruiz & Pav.) Lindl., which is common

and widely distributed within Mexico and Guatemala, but rare in the Andes as far

south as Colombia and Peru. It is distinguished from the latter by broader leaves

about as long as the ramicauls; a dense, brush-like pubescence on the inner surfaces

of the sepals; and the smooth, bicarinate, apical lobe of the lip.

Physosiphon emarginatus (Ruiz & Pav.) Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 21, sub. t.

1797, 1836. Fig. 3,4.

Bas.: Epidendrum emarginatum Ruiz & Pav., Syst. Veg. FI. Peruv. Chil. 1:247, 1798, non Epiden-

drum emarginatum Sesse & Moc., FI. Mexic., 2: 202, 1894.

Ety.: From the Latin emarginatus, “emarginate,” referring to the tip of the leaf.

Syn.: Pleurothallis emarginata (Ruiz & Pav.) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 6, [Apr.?] 1830.

Syn.: Humboldtia emarginata (Ruiz & Pav.) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 6, [Apr.?] 1830, in synon., not

Kuntze 1891.

Syn.: Stelis tubata G.Lodd., Bot. Cab. 17(161): t. 1601 [Sept.] 1830, in synon., not Kuntze 1891.

Ety.: From the Latin tubatus, “tube-shaped,” referring to the sepals connate into a tube.

Syn.: Physosiphon loddigesii Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 6, [Apr.?] 1830, in synon., not Kuntze 1891.

Syn.: Physosiphon loddigesii Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 21: sub t. 1797, 1835.

Ety.: Named for George Loddiges who illustrated and described the species.

Syn.: Physosiphon carinatus Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 24: misc. 72, 1838.

Ety.: From the Latin carinatus, “carinate,” referring to the sepals.

Syn.: Pleurothallis tubata G.Lodd. ex Steud., nomen nudum, Nomencl. Bot. ed. 2: 356, 1841.

Syn.: Physosiphon ochraceus A.Rich. & Galeotti, Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. 3(3): 17, 1845.

Ety.: From the Latin ochraceus, “ochre,” referring to the yellowish color of the flowers.

Syn.: Physosiphon tubatus (G.Lodd.) Rchb.f., Ann. Bot. Syst. 6(2): 188, 1861.

Syn.: Physosiphon guatemalensis Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 197, 1891.

Ety.: Named for Guatemala, country where the species was collected.

Syn.: Physosiphon lindleyi Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 61, 1893.

Ety.: Named for John Lindley, most prominent English orchidologist.

Syn.: Physosiphon moorei hort. Kew Hand List Orch. PI. ed. 1, 189, 1896.

Ety.: Named for F.W. Moore of the Royal Botanic Garden at Glasnevin, Ireland.

Syn.: Stelis tacanensis Solano & Soto Arenas, Icon. Orch. (Mex.) 5-6: t. 693, 2003.

Ety.: Named for the area near Volcan Tacana where the specimen was collected.

Syn.: Specklinia tubata (Lodd.) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 103: 308, 2005.

Plant small to medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender; ramicauls slender, erect, 2-6 cm

long, mostly concealed by 2-3 imbricating, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical to

elliptical, subacute to obtuse, 4-14 cm long including a petiole 1-1.5 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm wide, narrowly

cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence a subdense to lax, secund, simultaneously several- to

many-flowered raceme, 8-30 cm long including the peduncle 3-4 cm long; borne near the apex of the

ramicaul, with a spathe 0.5-1 cm long; floral bracts tubular, 3-5 mm long; pedicels 3-4 mm long; ovary 3

mm long; sepals white, pale green, yellow or orange, glabrous, connate half or more than half the length

into a sepaline tube, more or less constricted above the middle, the dorsal sepal 6-20 mm long, 1-2 mm

wide, faintly 3-veined, the apex subacute, minutely apiculate, more or less recurved, the lateral sepals

similar, 6-20 mm long (most commonly ca. 10 mm long), 1-2 mm wide; petals translucent, oblong-

obovate, truncate to broadly obtuse, 1.25-1.5 long, 0.6-1 mm wide, 1-veined, sometimes with irregular

margins; lip green, suffused with purple, elliptical-trilobed, 1.75-2.5 mm long, 0.5-1.25 mm wide, the

apical lobe oblong, rounded at the apex, minutely to coarsely verrucose, the lateral lobes erect, near the

middle, broadly rounded, the anterior margins thickened or with a distinct callus, the disc shallowly

concave, the base truncate, hinged to the tip of the column-foot; column semiterete, low-winged above

the middle, 2-2.5 mm long, the anther and stigma ventral.

100

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

PERU: Jumn: near Huasa Huasi, fide Schweinfurth; Huanuco: fide Schltr., ca. 1780, Pavon 595 (Holo-

type of Epidendrum emarginatum: W; isotype: K), C. Luer illustr. 19015.

Representative collecions:

COLOMBIA: without collection data, EC. Lehmann 4108 (G).

MEXICO: Vera Cruz: Jalapa, 1828, Deppe s.n. (holotype of Stelis tubata: W); near Sorocola, May

1829, Schiede & Deppe 10 (holotype of Physosiphon carinatus: W); lectotype: P. loddige-

sii, Pfeiffer, Nom. Bot. 2: 705, 1873; Mirador, 1838, J. Linden 24 (K); Orizaba, 26 Nov. 1866, M.

Bourgeau 3371 (K, LE, P); Orizaba, 1904, CA. Purpus s.n. (BR); Jalapa, Leibold44 (W); Orizaba, 1853,

Fred. MUller 1417 (LE); Orizaba, 26 Nov. 1866, M. Bourgeau 3371 (K, LE, P); Jalapa, alt. 4,000 ft., 1

Apr. 1899, C.G. Pringle 8120 (BR, K, LE, M, US, W); Mirador, alt. ca. 1000 m. Sept. 1906, H. Ross 766

(M); Volcan Perote, near Bandervilla, alt. 1800 m, 15 June 1935, Juan G. 4720 (US); Zacuapan, July

1906, C.A. Purpus 2132 (US); near Zacuapan, alt. 900 m, 2 June 1932, O. Nagel 2666 (US). Uruapan,

alt. 4,000 ft., Galeotti 5223 (W). Oaxaca: Oaxaca, May 1940, “macrostachya,” H. Galeotti 5076 (BR,

K, W); Oaxaca, alt. 6,000 ft., H. Galeotti 5838 (BR); Oaxaca, alt. 5,000 ft., H. Galeotti 5839 (holotype of

Phy. ochracea: BR); near San Andres Teotilalpan, alt. 650 m, 1 July 1939, R.E. Schultes 770 (BR, K,

LE, US). Michoacan: Uruapan, Tancitaro, alt. 1950 m, 14 Nov. 1930, G.B. Hinton et al. 15683 (W);

Sierra Naranjillo, Coalcoman, alt. 1240 m, 25 Nov. 1938, G.B. Hinton 12674 (K). Morelia: near Cuer¬

navaca, alt. 2000 m, 18 June 1936, Juan G. 2675 (US). Guerrero: west of Omiltemi, alt. 1700 m, 21

Jan. 1932, Juan G. 928 (US). Chiapas: near Chiapas, alt. 4,500 ft., J. Linden 1234 (K; W); Mt. Ovando,

alt. 1250-2370 m, July 1938, E. Matuda 2551 (K, US); East of Comitan, alt. 1500 m, 15 Feb. 1935, O.

Nagel 4451 (US); East of Comitan, alt. 1500 m, 6 July 1936, O. Nagel 5659 (US); Yola, cult. U. Calif.

Berk., 57.656-1, 24 Feb. 1962, R. Alava s.n. (AMES, K, MO, UC, US); Rt. 190 east of Teopisca, 12

June 1960, R.M. King 2856 (US); 8 Km north of Temascaltepec, 21 Aug. 1959, R.L. Dressier 2557

(US); SW of Autlan, alt. 1300-1600 m, 16 Nov. 1952, R. McVaugh 14191 (US); Mt. St. Nicolas, 8 Aug.

1932, alt. 2200 m, Juan G. & O. Nagel 1161 (US); Uruapan, Tancitaro, alt. 1850 m, 11 Nov. 1940, G.B.

Hinton 15670 (K, US); Venustiano Carranea, between Aguacatenango and Pinola Las Rosas, alt. 5,600

ft., 15 July 1966, D.E. Breedlove 14542 (US); Uruapan, Tancitaro, alt. 1850 m, 11 Nov. 1940, G.B.

Hinton 15670 (K, US).

GUATEMALA: without collection data, cultivated at Glasnevin, from F.W. Moore, June 1890, 1891,

Rolfe s.n. (holotype of Physosiphon guatemalensis: K); Dept. Ouichi, alt. 1800 m, 7 June 1884, F.C.

Lehmann 1551 (K); between Santa Rosa and Jalapa, alt. 1500 m, July 1882, F.C. Lehmann 1295 (K);

Santa Rosa, Volcan Jumay, alt. 2000 m, Apr. 1993, Heyde & Lux 4620 (BR, K, M, US); Quiche, Cunen,

alt. 2000 m. May 1992, Heyde & Lux 3490 (BR, K, M, US); Sacatepequez, Volcan de Agua, alt. 1300-

2100 m, 4 Apr. 1989, H. Fortner 2230 (M).

This species is frequent and extremely variable in southern Mexico and Guate¬

mala, but rare in the Andes of Colombia and Peru. It is characterized by a relatively

stout ramicaul that is shorter than the narrowly elliptical, petiolate leaf it bears. The

usually many-flowered, loose raceme, borne a short distance below the abscission

layer, surpasses the leaf. The sepals are connate above the middle into a tube that is

constricted above the middle with the apices free. The petals are thin, single-

veined, and more or less obovate and irregular at the apex. The lip is oblong with

the sides broadened and erect above the middle, each with an irregular callus. The

apex is obtuse and variably verrucose and denticulate. The column is semiterete

and about as long as the lip.

The first recorded collection of this species was made late in the eighteenth

century by Ruiz, and published by Ruiz and Pavon in 1798 as Epidendrum emargi¬

natum. Probably because the specimens deposited were in an advanced state of

fructification, they had been passed over for over two centuries as indeterminate. In

Orchids of Peru, Schweinfurth dismissed it as “an obscure species.” Ruiz appar¬

ently had intended to describe the collection in Humboldtia, the genus to which he

attributed species known today as Stelis. Superficially, the collection does indeed

appear to be similar to a species of Stelis. The sepals were described as being

deeply connate to above the middle with the apices free. Lindley accordingly

placed it in his genus Physosiphon.

Today, most of the flowers of the Ruiz collection are largely disintegrated, but

portions remain at the summit of dehiscing capsules. One of the capsules with rem¬

nants of a flower has been hydrated, and both petals and the lip are found well

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE

101

preserved. They are the same as the petals and lip of Mexican and Guatemalan

collections known as Physosiphon tubatus (G.Lodd.) Rchb.f. Were it not for the

fact that Epidendrum emarginatum Ruiz & Pav. was collected in Peru, there would

be no doubt that the two concepts represent the same species, but in spite of the

distance, they are too similar not to be presumed to represent the same species.

Several extremes of variations of this species have been recognized, but far too

many intermediates exist to try to maintain them all. Rolfe described as Physosi¬

phon lindleyi Rolfe, a clone with larger, more colorful flowers on a shorter raceme.

Some populations produce flowers four times the dimensions of those of others,

which create distinctly different appearances. Perhaps the extremes should be

recognized, because it is doubtful that they utilize the same pollinators. The larger,

more colorful flowers may be pollinated by hummingbirds, while the small, white,

tubular flowers possibly attract nocturnal moths.

PHYSOTHALLIS

Physothallis Garay, Svensk Bot. Tidskr. 47: 199, 1953.

Type: Physothallis harlingii Garay.

Ety.: A combination of the generic names Physosiphon and Pleurothallis, alluding to a similarity to

the two genera. From the Greek physosiphon, “a bladder-like tube,” referring to the sepaline

tube, and from the Greek Pleurothallis, “rib-like branches,” referring to the ramicauls.

Syn.: Pleurothallis subgen. Physothallis (Garay) Luer.

This genus of two coarse terrestrial species is characterized by stout ramicauls

shorter than the leaves; an elongated, multiflowered raceme; the dorsal sepal deeply

connate to the lateral sepals; small petals; a small, thick lip; and a semiterete or

shallowly winged column with two pollinia.

Physothallis cylindrica Luer, Selbyana 3: 224, 1976. Fig. 5.

Ety.: From the Latin cylindricus, “cylindrical,” referring to the tubular flowers.

Syn.: Pleurothallis cylindrica (Luer) Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 20: 53, 1986.

Plant medium in size, terrestrial, caespitose; roots coarse; ramicauls stout, erect, 5-18 cm long,

enclosed by a tubular sheath from below the middle and another 1-2 sheaths at the base. Leaf erect,

thickly coriaceous, elliptical, obovate, obtuse to rounded at the apex, 5-14 cm long, 2-3.5 cm wide,

cuneate below into the subpetiolate or sessile base. Inflorescence a loose, successively several-flowered

raceme with several, erect flowers open simultaneously, to 50 cm long including the peduncle 20-30 cm

long; spathe ca. 0.5 cm long; floral bracts 2-3 mm long; pedicels 5 mm long; ovary 4-5 mm long; sepals

purple, glabrous, fleshy, deeply connate to near the thickened apices into a cylindrical, slightly sigmoid

tube, 10-12 mm long, connate 8-9 mm into a lamina 10 mm wide expanded; petals obovate, translueent

white, suffused with red at the rounded apex, 2.5 long, 1 mm wide, 1 -veined; lip pale green, suffused

with red-purple, thick, obovate-oblong, 3 mm long, 1 mm wide, with the margins erect and thickened,

shallowly sulcate centrally, the apex rounded, the base truncate, hinged to the tip of the column-foot;

column spotted with purple, semiterete, 2.5 mm long, the anther and stigma ventral, the foot 1 mm long.

ECUADOR: Loja: terrestrial on roadside hills north of Loja, alt. ca. 2000 m, 5 Mar. 1977, C. Luer, J.

Luer & K. Cordoba 1538 (Holotype: SEL); terrestrial, Argelia, alt. 2300 m, 5 June 1946, R. Espinosa

628 (AMES, LOJA); terrestrial on road cut near El Cisne, alt. 2350 m, 26 Feb. 1986, C. Luer, J. Luer &

A. Embree 12040 (MO); rocky slopes west of Catamayo, alt. 2250 m, 26 Jan. 1992, C. Luer, J. Luer, A.

& P Jesup 16170 (MO).

This terrestrial species is uncommon on high, scrubby slopes in southern

Ecuador. It grows on mostly unshaded, hard, rocky soil, in a habitat similar to that

of Physothallis harlingii Garay. The relatively large, thick leaves are obovate with

round apices. A tall, successively flowering raceme produces erect, tubular flowers

with deeply connate sepals that part only near their apices.

102

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Physothallis harlingii Garay, Svensk Bot. Tidskr. 47: 199, 1953. Fig. 6.

Ety.: Named for Gunnar Harling of Goteborg, Sweden, who collected this species.

Syn.: Pleurothallis neoharlingii Luer, Monogr, Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 20: 53, 1986.

Plant medium in size, terrestrial, shortly repent, the rhizome thick, ca. 0.5 cm long between rami-

cauls; roots coarse; ramicauls stout, swollen at the base, erect, 2-9 cm long, enclosed by a tubular sheath

from below the middle and another 1-2 sheaths at the base. Leaf thickly coriaceous, elliptical, subacute,

obtuse to rounded at the apex, 3.5-8 cm long, 1.5-3 cm wide, cuneate below into the subpetiolate base.

Inflorescence a loose, subflexuous, successively several-flowered raceme, to 70 cm long including the

peduncle 10-40 cm long; spathe ca. 0.5 cm long; floral bracts tubular, 4 mm long; pedicels 5 mm long;

ovary 3 mm long; sepals yellow-green, suffused with red, glabrous, fleshy, thickened at the apices, the

dorsal sepal oblong, subacute, 8 mm long, 2 mm wide, connate to the lateral sepals for 5 mm into a

lamina 10 mm wide espanded, the lateral sepals 8 mm long, 3 mm wide, connate basally for 1-2 mm;

petals white, oblong, obtuse, thick at the apex, 2.25 long, 1.25 mm wide, 1-veined; lip green, thick,

ovate, obscurely trilobed, 3 mm long, 2 mm wide, with the margins erect and broadly rounded lobes

below the middle, with thick intramarginal calli, the apex rounded, the disc shallowly concave, the base

truncate, hinged to the tip of the column-foot; column semiterete, 2 mm long, the anther and stigma

ventral, the foot 2 mm long.

ECUADOR: Azuay: mountain slopes, alt. 3000 m, without date recorded, G. Harling 838 (Holotype: S);

terrestrial on slopes near Cuenca, alt. 7,000-9,000 ft., 12 Aug. 1878, EC. Lehmann s.n. (W); C. Luer 413

(SEE); between Cuenca and Loja, shrubby slopes, alt. 2700 m, 18 June 1979, B. L0jtnant U. Molau

15122 (AAU, GB); southeast of Sigsig, alt. 2800 m, 6 Mar. 1981, C. Luer 6111 (SEE); terretrial in

scrubby forest south of Cuenca, alt. 2800 m, 20 Jan. 1992, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. & P. Jesup 16055 (MO);

east of Cuenca, above Cumbe, alt. 3000 m, 6 Mar. 2001, C. Luer, J. Luer, A. Hirtz, E. Sanchez & L. Suin

19784 (MO).

This species occurs relatively frequently on high, scrubby slopes in southern

Ecuador. It is a coarse plant with thick, short-stemmed leaves borne by a thick rhizome

that clings to the mostly unshaded, hard, rocky soil. A tall, successively flowering

raceme produces the flowers erect with the lateral sepals parted to near the base,

and with the dorsal and lateral sepals deeply connate with the three, thick apices

pointing upward.

PSEUDOCTOMERIA

Pseudoctomeria Kraenzl., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 34: 219, 1925.

Ety.: From the Greek pseudo-, “false,” and the genus Octomeria R.Br., referring to the vegetative

and floral differences between the two.

Type: Pseudoctomeria lentiginosa (F.Eehm. & Kraenzl.) Kraenzl.

Syn.: Pleurothallis subgen. Pseudoctomeria (Kraenzl.) Euer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot.

Gard. 20: 67, 1986.

A genus with one species distinguished by fleshy, verrucose sepals with the

laterals connate; membranous petals dilated on the labellar margin; an oblong,

channeled lip; and a winged, denticulate column with a ventral anther.

Pseudoctomeria lentiginosa (F.Lehm. & Kraenzl.) Kraenzl., Repert. Spec. Nov.

Regni Veg. Beih. 34: 220, 1925.

Bas.: Pleurothallis lentiginosa F.Eehm. & Kraenzl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 26: 446, 1899.

Ety.: From the Eatin lentiginosus, “covered with freckles,” referring to the verrucose sepals.

Syn.: Pseudoctomeria lentiginosa (F.Eehm. & Kraenzl.) Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 116, 1925,

nom. superf.

Syn.: Physosiphon lentiginosus (F.Eehm. & Kraenzl.) Brieger, in Schlechter Orchideen, 7(2528): 436,

1975.

Plant small, epiphytic, densely fasciculate-caespitose; roots slender, numerous, fasciculate. Rami¬

cauls stout, ascending, terete, 3-4 cm long, enclosed by 4-5 imbricating, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, elliptical, subacute to acute, 3-4.5 cm long including the petiole 5-8 mm long, 0.9-1 cm wide,

cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence a fascicle of successive, single-flowered peduncles, 3-4

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE

103

mm long, emerging from near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bract tubular, 5 mm long; pedicel 4-8 mm

long, papillose; ovary 1.5 mm long, papillose; sepals light yellow, more or less fleshy, verrucose exter¬

nally, smooth within, the dorsal sepal ovate, concave, subacute to obtuse, 5.5 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-

veined, connate above the middle to the laterals, forming a thick, cylindrical tube, the lateral sepals

completely connate into an elliptical, concave, obtuse synsepal, 4.5 mm long, 3.5 mm wide, 4-veined,

forming a broad, obtuse mentum with the column-foot; petals yellow, orange toward the base, obliquely

broadly obovate, obtuse, entire, 2.5 mm long, 1.75 mm wide, the base unguiculate; lip white, oblong,

truncate, 2.5 mm long, 1 mm wide, with a longitudinal pair of calli within the margins, the base rounded,

hinged to the column-foot; column white, stout, semiterete, longitudinally winged, toothed at the apex, 2

mm long, anther and stigma ventral, pollinia 2, the foot thick, about as long as the column.

COSTA RICA: Cartago: above San Isidro, Volcan Irazu, alt. 2000 m, 27 Dec. 1881, /^C. Lehmann 1750

(Holotype destroyed at B; Lectotype: AMES; Isolectotype: US); above San Isidro, alt. 1600 m, 29 Dec.

1881, F.C. Lehmann 1064 (BR, G); same area, flowered in cultivation 14 Dec. 1979, collected by L.D.

Gomez 7202 (SEE), C. Luer illustr. 4829.

This small species, apparently endemic in Costa Rica, is without close relatives.

It is characterized by the densely fasciculated ramicauls; petiolate leaves about

equally long; a fascicle of short, single-flowered peduncles; papillose ovaries; and

fleshy, verrucose sepals connate two-thirds the length into a broadly cylindrical

tube. The petals are broadly obovate, and the lip is oblong with a longitudinal pair

of calli that fit within the longitudinal wings of the column.

Kranzlin saw the collections from Costa Rica by Lehmann with the questionable

identification of Octomeria R.Br. He recognized the distinctive morphology of the

species for which he proposed the genus Pseudoctomeria.

Illustration: Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Card. 20 (Icones-III): 69, 1986, Plate 34.

104

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Holotype Common variation

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALUS

105

106

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

ADDENDA: MISCELLANEOUS NEW GENERA, NEW SPECIES

AND NEW COMBINATIONS

1. New Genera

Effusiella gen. nov. Luer

Type: Pleurothallis amparoana Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 19: 23, 1923.

Syn.: Pleurothallis subgenus Ejfusia Luer.

Inflorescencia racemosa. Sepala saepe pubescentia, sepalo dorsali liberi, lateralibus connatis vel

semiconnatis. Labellum distincte vel obscure unguiculatum, obscure lobatum, disco bicarinato. Colum-

na semiteres, polinnia duobus.

Species of this polymorphic genus were treated in Pleurothallis R.Br. subgenus

Ejfusia Luer in leones Pleurothallidinarum-XX. They were transferred en masse to

Stelis Sw. (Pridgeon & M.W.Chase, 2001). Morphologically, some species are

extremely similar to some species of the equally polymorphic genus Pabstiella

Brieger & Senghas, the genera to which they are assigned relying on interpretation

of subtle floral characters and distribution. Were Effusiella and Pabstiella not

separated by today’s DNA analyses, the two might constitute a single genus.

Forty species of Effusiella are identified in Central America and the Andean

countries of South America, only one species [Effusiella imraei (Lindl.) Luer] also

occurring in the Antilles.

Effusiella amparoana (Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis amparoana Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 19: 23, 1923.

Effusiella brenneri (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis brenneri Luer, Selbyana 3(1-2): 64, 1976.

E^usiella chlorina (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis chlorina Luer, Phytologia 47(2): 75, 1980.

Effusiella cocornaensis (Luer & R.Escobar) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis cocornaensis Luer & R.Escobar, Orquideologia 20: 45, 1996.

Effusiella convallaria (Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis convallaria Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 19: 185, 1923.

Effusiella convoluta (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis convoluta Lindl., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 1, 15: 107, 1845.

Effusiella cypripedioides (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis cypripedioides Luer, Selbyana 1(1): 70, 1975.

Effusiella dilatata (C.Schweinf.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis dilatata C.Schweinf., Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harvard Univ. 10: 177, 1942.

Effusiella diminuta (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis diminuta Luer, Phytologia 49(3): 204, 1981.

Effusiella erucosa (Luer & R.Escobar) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis erucosa Luer & R.Escobar, Orquideologia 21(1): 88, 1998.

Effusiella flexuosa (Poepp. & Endl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis flexuosa (Poepp. & Endl.) Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 28: Misc. 69, 1842.

Effusiella fornicata (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis fornicata Luer, Lindleyana 11(3): 160, 1996.

Effusiella immersa (Linden & Rchb.f.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis immersa Linden & Rchb.f., Bonplandia 3(15-6): 224, 1855.

Effusiella imraei (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis imraei Lindl., Fol. Orchid. Pleurothallis 9, 1859.

Effusiella jalapensis (Kraenzl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis jalapensis (Kraenzl.) Garay, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harvard Univ. 30(3): (58)192, 1986.

Effusiella lehmanneptis (Luer & R.Escobar) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis lehmanneptis Luer & R.Escobar, Orquideologia 21: 100, 1998.

Effusiella listerophora (Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis listerophora Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 3(33-34): 107, 1906.

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE

107

Effusiella longispicata (L.O.Williams) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis longispicata L.O.Williams, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harvard Univ. 12(7): 240, 1946.

E^usiella niesseniae (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis niesseniae Luer, Orquideologia 22(1): 59, 2001.

Effusiella nigriflora (L.O.Williams) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis nigriflora L.O.Williams, Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 11(5): 168, 1942.

Effusiella nonresupinata (Solano & Soto Areanas) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Stelis nonresupinata Solano & Soto Arenas, Icon. Orchid. Mex. 5-6: 688, 2003.

Syn.: Pleurothallis ignota Luer, Rev. Soc. Bol. Bov. 4(1); 16, 2003.

E^usiella oestlundiana (L.O.Williams) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis oestlundiana L.O.Williams, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harvard Univ. 12(7): 243, 1946.

Effusiella ornata (Rchb.f.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis ornata Rchb.f., Gart. Zeitung (Berlin) 1: 106, 1882.

Effusiella petiolaris (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis petiolaris Luer, Orquideologia 20: 220, 1996.

Effusiella platystylis (Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis platystylis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 10(257-259): 395, 1912.

Effusiella prolixa (Luer & Hirtz) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis prolixa Luer & Hirtz, Lindleyana 11(3): 179, 1996.

Effusiella pseudocheila (Luer & R.Escobar) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis pseudocheila Luer & R.Escobar, Orquideologia 16(2): 173, 1984.

Effusiella resupinata (Ames) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis resupinata Ames, Orchidaceae 2: 272, 1908.

Effusiella retusa (La Llave) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis retusa (La Llave & Lex.) Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 28: Misc. 81, 1842.

Effusiella rostratissima (Luer & J.J.Portilla) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis rostratissima Luer & J.J.Portilla, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Card. 88: 108, 2002.

Effusiella scabrata (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis scabrata Lindl., Fol. Orchid. Pleurothallis 30(n. 176), 1859.

Effusiella tarantula (Luer & Hirtz) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis tarantula Luer & Hirtz, Lindleyana 11(3): 186, 1996.

Effusiella thomasiae (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis thomasiae Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Card. 79: 84, 2000, as P thomasii.

Effusiella tortilis (Luer & R.Escobar) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis tortilis Luer & R.Escobar, Orquideologia 14(2): 180, 1981.

Effusiella trichostoma (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis trichostoma Luer, Selbyana 5(2): 185, 1979.

Effusiella trulla (Rchb.f. & Warsz.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis trulla Rchb.f. & Warsz., Bonplandia 2: 114, 1854.

Effusiella vaginata (Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis vaginata Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 19: 197, 1923.

Effusiella villosa (Knowles & Westc.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis villosa Knowles & Westc., FI. Cab. 2: 78, 1838.

Effusiella ximenae (Luer & Hirtz) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis ximenae Luer & Hirtz, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Card. 95: 238, 2004.

Niphantha Luer, gen. nov.

Ety.: From the Greek niphantha, “snow flake-flower,’’ referring to the frosted appearance of the

pubescent sepals.

Type: Pleurothallis gelida Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 27: Misc. 91, 1841.

The genus Niphantha is distinguished from Effusiella Luer, with which it had

been associated in Pleurothallis subgenus Effusia (Luer, 2000), by a large, strongly

petiolate leaf; a comparatively large spathe; obcuneate lip; lateral sepals free nearly

to the base; and a semiterete, longitudinally winged column with a pair of pollinia.

A DNA analysis (unpub. comm.) isolates it from Effusiella.

Two species are included.

Niphantha gelida (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis gelida Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 27: Misc. 91, 1841.

Syn.: Stelis gelida (Lindl.) Pridgeon & M.W.Chase, Lindleyana 16: 263, 2001.

Niphantha pidax (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis pidax Luer, Selbyana 5(2): 174, 1979.

108

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

2. Miscellaneous New Species

Effusiella hamiltonii Luer, sp. nov. Fig. l.

Ety.: Named in honor of A.C. Hamilton, co-collector of this species.

Planta grandis racemo coaetaneo multifloro folio sessile multilongiore, sepalis acutis intus pubescen-

tibus lateralibus semi connatis, petalis acutis, et labello ovato acuto unguiculato distinguitur.

Plant large, presumably epiphytic, presumably caespitose; roots unknown. Ramicauls stout, erect,

more than 12 cm long, undoubtedly with tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, obtuse, 14 cm

long, 6.5 cm wide, cuneate below into the sessile base. Inflorescence a strict, erect, loose, distichous,

simultaneously many-flowered raceme, up to 28 cm or more long including the peduncle ca. 10 cm long,

subtended by a broad spathe ca. 2 cm long; floral bracts tubular, oblique, 5-7 mm long; pedicels 3-4 mm

long; ovary 3 mm long; sepals (colors not noted), long-pubescent within, subcarinate, the dorsal sepal

narrowly ovate, acute, 19 mm long, 4 mm wide, 3-veined, the lateral sepals narrowly ovate, acute, 19

mm long, 3.75 mm wide, 3-veined, connate 7 mm to near the middle and shallowly concave, with a basal

mentum with the column-foot; petals elliptical, acute, entire, 9.5 mm long, 2.8 mm wide, subunguiculate

toward the base; lip ovate, acute, arcuate, 7 mm long, 3.5 mm wide, the apex narrowly obtuse with a low,

midline callus, the sides broadly rounded and erect in the middle third, unguiculate in the lower quarter,

hinged to the column-foot; column semiterete, denticulate at the apex, 5 mm long, the foot 2 mm long,

the anther, rostellum and stigma ventral.

PERU: San Martin: Dist. Huallaga, valley of Rio Apisoncho, 30 km above Jucusbamba, alt. 3200 m, 5

Aug. 1965, A.C. Hamilton & PM. Holligan 1064 (Holotype: K; Isotype: AMES), C. Luer illustr. 16389.

This species was published in Systematics of Pleurothallis subgenus EJfusia in

leones Pleurothallidinarum-XX, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 79: 70,

2000. Due to an oversight, it was published with the citation of Trichosalpinx

hamiltonii Luer instead of being described as a new species.

This species is known from a single collection made in 1965 at a high altitude in

north central Peru. Unfortunately, the ramicaul has been broken off about 12 cen¬

timeters below the leaf, and no color notes are present. It is distinguished by a

large, elliptical, sessile leaf far surpassed by a strict, distichous, simultaneously

many-flowered raceme. The flowers are large and gaping with the sepals long-

pubescent within. The petals are narrowly acute, and the lip is narrowly obtuse at

the apex and unguiculate at the base with erect sides at the middle.

Effusiella scolnikiae Luer & Endara, sp. nov. Fig. 2.

Ety.: Named for Rosa Scolnik, who first collected this species.

Planta grandis caespitosa, racemo multifloro quam folio elliptico petiolato plus minusve aequilongo,

sepalis ovatis concavis intus pubescentibus, petalis oblongis ad basim uncinatis marginibus tenuibus

irregularibus, labello oblongo infra medium lobulato ad basim concavo ad pedem columnae articulato.

Plant large, epiphytic, caespitose; roots coarse. Ramicauls erect, slender, 25-30 cm long, with a

close tubular sheath about the middle third, another below the middle, and another at the base. Leaf erect,

coriaceous, elliptical, slightly acuminate, 11-17 cm long including the petiole 2-3 cm long, 2-4 cm wide

dried, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence a pair of erect, simultaneously multiflowered

racemes, 18-20 cm long including the peduncle 3-5 cm long, with a spathe 12 mm long, from an annulus

below the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, 2.5 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 1 mm

long; sepals described as maroon, glabrous externally, pubescent within above the middle, the dorsal

sepal elliptical, acute, concave, 4.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined, free from the lateral sepals, the later¬

al sepals free but held forward as a concave synsepal, ovate, acute, 4.5 mm long, each 2 mm wide, 3-

veined; petals membranous, oblong, obtuse, with thin, minutely irregularly jagged margins, 2 mm long,

0.8 mm wide, 3-veined, the base narrowed into an incurved, uncinate claw; lip thick, elliptical, with

minutely irregular margins, rounded at the apex, 2.75 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 3-veined, with a pair of

irregularly rounded lobes above the lower quarter and continuous into a pair of low carinae on the middle

third, the base with a circular cavity that accommodates the free tip of the column-foot, the under surface

of the lip with a thick, shallowly cleft, longitudinal callus above the middle; column terete, 1 mm long,

with the anther and stigma ventral, pollinia 2, naked, the foot curved with the tip free, articulated within

the cavity at the base of the lip.

ECUADOR: Pichincha: between Chiriboga and Dos Rios, terrestrial, alt. 950-1850 m, 4 Feb. 1949,

Rosa Scolnik 1620 (Holotype: AMES), C. Luer illustr. 21033.

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE

109

This rare species is known from only a single collection along a road not far

from Quito that has been thoroughly collected by every botanist ever to have visited

Ecuador. The strange morphology of the floral parts seems most compatible with

Ejfusiella Luer, being vaguely similar to E. flexuosa (Poepp. & Endl.) Luer.

The plant is large with tall ramicauls with distant, closely fitting, tubular

sheaths, and the leaf is elliptical and petiolate. Two densely many-flowered, elon¬

gated racemes were produced by each of the ramicauls of the specimen. The sepals

are ovate, acute and pubescent within with the laterals held forward as a synsepal.

The petals with minutely jagged margins emerge with a curved claw to lie parallel

to the column. A cavity at the base of the lip is articulated with the free tip of the

column-foot. Above the lower quarter of the lip is a pair of short, erect lobes that

merge into a pair of calli. The apex is thick and rounded, with a thick, cleft, longi¬

tudinal callus on the under surface.

Lepanthes cuatrecasasii Luer, sp. nov. Fig. 3.

Ety.: Named in honor of the late Dr. Jose Cuatrecasas, distinguished Spanish botanist, who collected

this species.

Planta mediocris ramicaulibus crassis cum vaginibus atrantibus, racemo disticho folio ovato

breviore, sepalo dorsali obtuso, sepalis lateralibus acutis, petalis transverse bilobis oblongis cum angulo

marginali brevi inter se, laminis labelli oblongis apicibus columnam amplectentibus, appendice minuta.

Plant medium in size; roots slender. Ramicauls stout, erect, 6-11 cm long, enclosed by 6-9 dark,

lepanthiform sheaths with microscopically echinate margins. Leaf erect, coriaceous, ovate, subacute, 2-

3.5 cm long, 2-2.5 cm wide, the base cuneate to a petiole 5 mm long. Inflorescence a subcongested,

successively several-flowered raceme up to 20 mm or more long, borne along the back of the leaf by a

filiform peduncle up to 15 mm long; floral bracts 1 mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 2 mm long;

sepals appear to have been either white or yellow, carinate, entire, the dorsal sepal broadly ovate, obtuse,

4.5 mm long, 3.5 mm wide, 3-veined, connate to the lateral sepals for 1 mm, the lateral sepals ovate,

oblique, acute, 5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, 1-veined, connate 1.5 mm; petals glabrous, transversely bi¬

obed, 0.5 long, 4 mm wide, with a small angle-like lobe on the margin between the lobes, the lobes

oblong with rounded ends; lip glabrous, bilaminate, the blades oblong, 2.25 mm long, with rounded

ends, the apex embracing the apex of the column, the connectives broadly cuneate, the body broad,

connate to the column above the base, the sinus acute with a small, triangular appendix; column terete, 2

mm long, the anther apical, the stigma ventral.

COLOMBIA: Valle del Cauca: western slopes of the central cordillera, branch of the Rio Bugalagrande,

Cuchilla de Barragan, alt. 3250 m, 12 Apr. 1946, J. Cuatrecasas 20601 (Holotype: AMES), C. Luer

illustr. 19287.

This species is apparently endemic in Central Cordillera of southern Colombia,

where it was collected by Cuatrecasas. The species is characterized by stout

ramicauls with dark sheaths, and an ovate leaf with a shorter, subcongested raceme

of successive flowers. No color notes are present. The floral parts are glabrous.

The dorsal sepal is obtuse while the laterals are acute and diverging. The lobes of

the petals are oblong with a marginal angle between them. The blades of the lip are

oblong with the apices embracing the column. The appendix is minute.

Pleurothallis davisii Luer & Endara, sp. nov. Fig. 4.

Ety.: Named for E.W. Davis, collector of this species.

Planta parva caespitosa, racemo multifloro quam folio ovato breviter petiolato plus minusve lon-

giore, sepalo dorsali synsepaloque suborbicularibus, petalis labelloque late obovatis.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots fine. Ramicauls erect, very slender, 1-3 cm long, with a

close tubular sheath about the middle third, and another at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, ovate, acute,

3-4.8 cm long including the petiole ca. 0.5 cm long, 0.8-1 cm wide dried, cuneate below into the petiole.

Inflorescence an erect, simultaneously multiflowered raceme, 5-8.5 cm long including the peduncle ca.

1 cm long, with a spathe 5-6 mm long, from near the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, 2-2.5

mm long; pedicels 1 mm long; ovary 1 mm long; sepals purple-brown, glabrous, the dorsal sepal subor-

110

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

bicular, concave, 2.6 mm long, 2 mm wide, 3-veined, free from the synsepal, the lateral sepals connate

into a similar suborbicular synsepal, obtuse, minutely biapiculate, 2.8 mm long, 2 mm wide, 2-veined;

petals membranous, broadly obovate, obtuse, 1.2 mm long, 1 mm wide, 1-veined; lip broadly obovate,

obtuse, 1.6 mm long, 1.8 mm wide, 3-veined, with the sides curved up in the natural position, the base

truncate, connate to the end of the column-foot; column terete, 1 mm long, with the anther apical and the

stigma subapical.

ECUADOR: Napo: between Archidona and Cotunda, alt. 800 m, 14 Dec. 1976, E.W. Davis 474

(Holotype: AMES), C. Luer illustr. 21034.

This species, from a low altitude on the eastern slope of the Andes of central

Ecuador, is without close relationships within the genus Pleurothallis R.Br. It is

characterized by a small, caespitose habit; acute, ovate, petiolate leaves; a longer,

congested, many-flowered raceme of small, bilabiate flowers; a concave dorsal

sepal and synsepal; and broadly obovate, featureless petals and lip.

Restrepia fritillina Luer & V.N.M.Rao, sp. nov. Fig. 5.

Ety.: From the Latin fritillus, “like the black spots on white dice,’’ referring to the sepals.

Inter species generis Restrepiae Lindl., sepalis niveis cum maculis bicoloratis, petalis proportione

longissimis integris sine processibus, et labelli processibus paucis brevibusque distinguitur.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, 5-9 cm long, enclosed

by 5-6 thin, whitish, loose, compressed, more or less imbricating sheaths, the lowermost sheaths more or

less dotted with black. Leaf erect, coriaceous, solid purple beneath, ovate, acute, 3-9 cm long, 2.2-3 cm

wide, the base broadly cuneate contracted into a twisted petiole 0.5 cm long. Inflorescence a solitary

flower, produced successively in a fascicle rising up the back side of the leaf; peduncle slender, 4-5 cm

long; floral bract thin, tubular, 7 mm long; pedicel stout, 3 mm long, with a short filament; ovary purple,

5 mm long; sepals snow white, the dorsal sepal more or less with a few purple spots, free, erect, narrow¬

ly ovate on the basal quarter, attenuated above, thickened near the apex, 30 mm long, 4 mm wide above

the base, 5-veined, the lateral sepals with irregular dark purple spots, the larger spots with an orange

center, connate to near the apex into a longitudinally concave, elliptical lamina, with the sides more or

less slightly convex, 26 mm long, 10 mm wide expanded, multiple-veined, the apex subacute to obtuse,

minutely bifid; petals translucent white, veined and more or less spotted with dark purple, narrowly

linear-triangular, entire, attenuated above the basal fifth with the apex minimally clavate-thickened, 22

mm long, 1 mm wide at the base; lip white, variously spotted with dark purple, oblong, 10 mm long, 3.5

mm wide, the epichile oblong, slightly pandurate, microscopically verrucose with microscopically den¬

ticulate margins, the apex retuse-truncate, the hypochile subquadrate, concave with thin, erect margins,

each side with a cluster of 3-4 erect, capillary processes ca. 1 mm long, the disc with a pair of low cari-

nae extending forward from the base of the processes onto the epichile, the base subtruncate, connected

to the column-foot by a rigid, cylindrical neck; column greenish white, slender, clavate, 7 mm long, the

base pedestal-like with a pair of pubescent, rounded calli.

COLOMBIA: without collection data, obtained from Orquideas del Valle, Cali, flowered in cultivation in

Wilmington, Delaware, USA, June 2007, by M. Rao 299 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 21232.

This spectacular species from Colombia is distinguished from all others in the

genus by snow white sepals with irregular, deep purple or black spots, the larger

spots having orange centers. Vegetatively, the species is indistinguishable from the

middle-sized majority with solid purple covering the back surface of the leaf.

Medium sized flowers are borne about midway behind the leaf. The slightly clavate

dorsal sepal is three centimeters long. The lateral sepals are connate into an elon¬

gated, longitudinally concave synsepal with the sides slightly convex. The petals

are proportionately long and slender, slightly thickened toward the tip and com¬

pletely smooth without marginal teeth. The lip is similar in outline to many others

except for the hairlike processes that adorn the hypochiles of other species. Instead,

in this species, three or four short processes spring from a common, broad base.

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE

111

Stelis maduroi Luer & Sijm, sp. nov. Fig. 6.

Ety.: Named for Andres Maduro, in whose collection at Finca Dracula, this species was found.

Species haec Stelidis embreei Luer & Hirtz persimilis, sed sepalis lateralibus semiconnatis cum

apicibus obtusis divergentibus differt.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, slender, 1-1.5 cm long, enclosed

by a tubular sheath, and another sheath at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, broadly elliptical, obtuse, 3.5

cm long including a petiole 0.5 cm long, the blade 1.5 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflor¬

escence an elongating, suberect, flexuous, lax, successively many-flowered raceme, with the flowers

produced singly, up to 16 cm long including the peduncle 2-3 cm long, from an annulus below the apex

of the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, acute, 2.5-3 mm long; pedicels 2 mm long; ovary 3-4 mm long;

flowers gaping; sepals glabrous, dark red, the dorsal sepal convex, erect, transversely ovate, obtuse, 6

mm long, 8 mm wide, 5-veined, connate basally to the synsepal for 3 mm, the lateral sepals transversely

ovate, oblique, broadly obtuse, 5 mm long, 5.5 mm wide, connate 3 mm into a shallowly concave, trans¬

verse synsepal with recurved margins, 5-6 mm long, 11 mm wide, 8-veined; petals dark red, semilunate,

with the apex rounded, with broadly thickened margins, concave above the base, 1 mm long, 1.2 mm

wide, 3-veined; lip dark red, more or less discoid, thick, 0.6 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, 1 mm deep, the

anterior surface slightly concave below the thickened bar, the apex broadly rounded, the dorsum shallow

with a single, microscopically pubescent, central callous, the base truncate, hinged to the base of the

column; column stout, 0.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, the foot obsolescent, the anther and the bilobed

stigma apical.

PANAMA: Bocas del Toro: obtained from Finca Dracula 7 Oct. 2001, cultivated in the Netherlands,

Oct. 2006, T. Sijm 220728 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 21023.

This species is surprisingly similar to Stelis embreei Luer & Hirtz from the

Andes of southeastern Ecuador. Instead of being completely connate into a con¬

cave, broadly ovoid synsepal, the lateral sepals of S. maduroi are semiconnate into a

shallowly concave, transverse synsepal with diverging, obtuse apices.

Vegetatively, the two species are very similar with obtuse, elliptical leaves with

shorter ramicauls, and a slowly lengthening raceme of successive, solitary flowers.

The petals and lip are nearly identical.

These two species are an example of how tenuous the maintenance of sections

of Stelis can be. By arbitrary definition based only on one variable key character,

Stelis embreei probably belongs to section Humboldtia and S. maduroi belongs to

section Stelis.

Trichosalpinx sipapoensis G.A.Romero & Luer, sp. nov. Fig. 7.

Ety.: Named for Cerro Sipapo in Venezuelan Amazonia where the species was collected.

Species haec Trichosalpinge intricatae (Lindl.) Luer affinis, sed habitu nonprolificanti minore,

pedunculo proportione longiore, et racemo laxe bifloro differt.

Plant very small, epiphytic, densely caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls slender, erect, non prolif¬

ic, 5-11 mm long, enclosed by 2-3 closely fitting, microscopically ciliate, lepanthiform sheaths. Leaf

erect, coriaceous, broadly elliptical, obtuse to rounded at the apex, 6-7 mm long including a petiole less

than 1 mm long, 3.5-4 mm wide, broadly cuneate below to the petiole. Inflorescence an erect, distantly

2-flowered raceme, the flowers 3-4 mm apart, borne by a filiform peduncle 20-25 mm long, from near

the apex of the ramicaul; floral bracts 1 mm long; pedicels 3-3.5 mm long; ovary 0.75 mm long; sepals

translucent pale yellow, glabrous, subcarinate, the dorsal sepal ovate, concave, acute, long-acuminate, 3-

4 mm long including the tail-like apex, 1.3 mm wide, 3-veined, free from the lateral sepals, the lateral

sepals narrowly triangular, acute, acuminate, 3-4 mm long, 0.5-0.75 mm wide, 1-veined, connate 0.5

mm; petals translucent, elliptical, oblique, 1.5 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, faintly 1-veined, the apex sub¬

acute to obtuse; lip yellow, ovate-trilobed, 1.8 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, across the expanded lobes, the

apical lobe narrowly ovate, narrowly rounded at the apex, with the lateral lobes below the middle, erect,

obtuse to subacute, the disc with a small callus near the forward angle of each lobe, the base subunguicu-

late, hinged to the column-foot; column terete, 1 mm long, the anther subapical, the stigma ventral.

VENEZUELA: Amazonas: Mun. Autana, east slope of Marcigo Cuao-Sipapo, alt. 1546 m, 14 Sept.

2001, G.A. Romero et al. 3029 (Holotype: VEN; Isotypes: AMES, TFAV, MO), C. Luer illustr. 20054.

112

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

This tiny species, apparently endemic in Amazonian Venezuela, is closely

related to the common and variable Trichosalpinx intricata (Lindl.) Luer, but is

distinguished by a smaller, nonprolific habit, and a distantly two-flowered raceme

borne by a proportionately longer peduncle far above the minute, suborbicular

leaves. All floral parts are similar to those of T. intricata but smaller.

Trisetella klingeri Luer, sp. nov. Fig. 8.

Ety.; Named for John Klinger of Roseburg, Oregon, who cultivates this species.

Inter species generis Trisetellae Luer foliis parvis incrassatis, sepalorum caudis brevibus crassissi-

mis clavellatis, et labello elliptico bicristato differt.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, 5-7 mm long, enclosed by 2-3

thin, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, thickly coriaceous, narrowly linear, acute, narrowed below to the

ramicaul, 20-25 mm long, 4 mm wide. Inflorescence a succession of single flowers borne in a congest¬

ed few-flowered raceme by a slender, erect, nearly smooth peduncle 6-7.5 cm long, with a bract near the

base, from low on the ramicaul; floral bracts 3 mm long; pedicel 4 mm long; ovary 3 mm long, subverru-

cose; sepals pale orange, suffused with brown, microscopically ciliate, the dorsal sepal 12 mm long,

including a 1.5 mm thick, clavate tail 7 mm long, the blade ovate, obtuse, concave, 5 mm long, 5 mm

wide, connate to the lateral sepals for 3 mm to form a sepaline cup, the lateral sepals, connate 12 mm

into a concave, oblong, obtuse lamina 12 mm long, 9 mm wide expanded, without a remarkable mentum,

the tails produced laterally, below and 1 mm from the apex, the tails yellow-green, stout, terete, clavate,

3 mm long, 1 mm thick; petals translucent, oblong, 3 mm long, 1 mm wide, the apex truncate, sharply

tridentate; lip orange-brown, elliptical, obtuse, 3.3 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, the disc with a pair of erect,

irregular, longitudinal calli on the middle third, the base cordate-cleft, hinged to the compressed apex of

the column-foot; column semiterete, 3.5 mm long, the foot 1 mm long.

ECUADOR: without collection data, purchased from Ecuagenera by J. Klinger, flowered in cultivation

in Roseburg, Oregon, May 2007, C. Luer 21221 (Holotype: MO).

This recent export from Ecuagenera in Gualaceo, Ecuador, with short, thick

sepaline tails, is most similar to Trisetella sororia Luer & Andreetta, but the tails of

T. klingeri are thicker and more clavate. Trisetella klingeri is characterized by

small, semiterete leaves and a much longer peduncle with a barely roughened sur¬

face. The flowers are pale orange with conspicuously thickened tails. The lateral

sepals are deeply connate without forming a mentum; the petals are oblong and

tridentate; and the lip is elliptical and bicrested.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

113

Fig. 3. Lepanthes cuatrecasasii

Fig. 4. Pleurothallis davisii

114

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Fig. 7. Trichosalpinx sipapoensis

Fig. 8. Trisetella klingeri

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE

115

3. Additions to the Lepanthes of Ecuador

These three new species bring the total number of species known today from

Ecuador to 329. Five unnumbered species have been described since number 321

was described in leones XXIV in 2002, one in leones XXVI and four in leones XXVI.

Lepanthes dicycla Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov. Fig. 327

Ety.: From the Greek dikyklos, “two circles,” referring to the upper lobes of the petals.

Planta parva mediocrisve, racemis congestis foliis ellipticis brevioribus sepalis ovatis acutis, petalis

transverse bilobis, lobis superioribus circularibus, lobis inferioribus minoribus triangularibus, laminis

labelli ovatis, appendice pubescenti.

Plant small to medium in size; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, 5-7 cm long, enclosed by 7-8 lep-

anthiform sheaths with minutely ciliate ribs and margins. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute to

obtuse, 30-33 mm long including a petiole 2-3 mm long, 14-16 mm wide, the base cuneate into the

petiole. Inflorescence a congested, successively several-flowered raceme up to 20 mm or more long,

including a filiform peduncle 6-10 mm long, borne either along the back of the leaf, or on the dorsum;

floral bracts 1.5 mm long; pedicels 1.5 mm long; ovary 1.5 mm long; sepals yellow, carinate, entire, the

dorsal sepal ovate, acute, 4 mm long, 3 mm wide, 3-veined, connate to the lateral sepals for less than 1

mm, the lateral sepals ovate, oblique, acute, 3.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, 2-veined, connate 1.5 mm; petals

orange, red at the base, glabrous, transversely biobed, 1 mm long at the base, 3 mm wide, the upper lobe

circular, 2 mm long, 2 mm wide, the lower lobe triangular, obtuse, 1.5 mm long, 1 mm wide; lip red,

glabrous (cellular at most), bilaminate, the blades ovate, acute at the apex, round at the base, 1.5 mm

long, the connectives broadly cuneate, the body broad, connate to the base of the column, the sinus

deeply rounded with a small, ovate, pubescent appendix; column terete, 2 mm long, the anther dorsal,

the stigma ventral.

ECUADOR: Morona-Santiago: Chiguinda, alt. 1000 m, collected and cultivated by Ecuagenera, Guala-

ceo, flowered in cultivation 27 July 2004, A. Hirtz 8946 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 21226.

This species is readily distinguished by the pair of proportionately large, round

upper lobes of the petals that overlap before the dorsal sepal. Otherwise, the species

with congested racemes shorter than an elliptical leaf; small, ovate sepals; ovate

blades of the lip; and a pubescent appendix is not remarkable.

Lepanthes dieyela is similar to L. ornithoeephala L.Jost & Luer, but differs in

having obtuse, non-acuminate leaves, semiconnate lateral sepals instead of connate

to the tips, circular upper lobes of the petals much larger than the lower lobes, and

ovate blades of the lip.

Lepanthes gossamera Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov. Fig. 328

Ety.: From the Middle English gossamer, “cobweb,” referring to the fine sepaline tails.

Planta perparva, racemo paucifloro foliis ellipticis multilongiore, sepalis acutis in caudas filamento-

sas accuminatis, lobis petalorum attenuatis, laminis labelli integris alaformibus, appendice lobulo minuto

distinguitur.

Plant very small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls slender, erect, 6-8 mm long,

enclosed by 2 microscopically ciliate, lepanthiform sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, acute,

apiculate, 8-11 mm long, 4-5 mm wide, contracted below into a petiole 1.5 mm long. Inflorescence a

congested, distichous, successively few-flowered raceme, 2-3 mm long, borne by a filiform peduncle 20-

25 mm long; floral bract 1 mm long; pedicel 1-2 mm long; ovary 1 mm long, smooth; sepals rose,

membranous, glabrous, ovate, acute, long-acuminate into hairlike tails, carinate, the dorsal sepal 9 mm

long, 2 mm wide, incompletely 3-veined, barely connate basally, the lateral sepals connate 1.5 mm,

oblique, 10 mm long, 2 mm wide, incompletely 2-veined; petals purple, membranous, glabrous, trans¬

versely bilobed, veins not visible, the upper lobe narrowly triangular, attenuate, 4 mm long, 1 mm wide

at the base, the lower lobe subsigmoid, 3.5 mm long, 0.75 mm wide at the base; lip purple, glabrous,

bilaminate, the laminae obliquely triangular with broadly rounded angles, 1.25 mm long, 1.25 mm wide,

flanking the column, connate into a body 0.5 mm broad without connectives, connate to the base of the

column, the sinus obtuse, with the appendix a minute lobule; column short, 0.75 mm long, the anther and

uniloculate stigma apical.

116

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

ECUADOR: Morona-Santiago: between Guamote and Macas, alt. 2700 m, 14 Oct. 2004, A. Hirtz et al.

9111 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr 21223.

With similar, equally gossamer-like sepaline tails, this minute species is most

similar to Lepanthes filamentosa Luer & Hirtz. Lepanthes gossamera is distin¬

guished by subdued petals with the dorsal lobe narrowly triangular and the lower

lobe opposite and sigmoid. The blades of the lip are triangular with broadly round¬

ed corners, and connate beneath the column into a body with a minute lobe for an

appendix.

Lepanthes sucumbiensis Luer & Hirtz, sp. nov. Fig. 329

Ety.: Named for the province of Sucumbio where the species was collected.

Planta parva, racemo congesto folio ovato reticulato breviore, sepalis ovatis acutis microscopice

denticularis, sepalis lateralibus fere liberis, petalis transverse bilobatis, lobis plus minusve obtuse triangu-

laribus minute pubescentibus, laminis labelli anguste ovatis glabris et appendice pubescentibus.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls stout, suberect to erect, 3-6 cm long,

enclosed by 8-9 ciliate, lepanthiform sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, ovate, acute, minutely reticulate,

20-30 mm long, 14-18 mm wide, the base rounded, abruptly contracted into a petiole 1.5 mm long.

Inflorescence a congested, distichous, successively few-flowered raceme, 5-8 mm long, borne by a fili¬

form peduncle 5-8 mm long, along the back of the leaf; floral bract 1 mm long; pedicel 1 mm long; ovary

1.5 mm long, smooth; sepals yellow, suffused with purple centrally, ovate, acute, microscopically den¬

ticulate, carinate, the dorsal sepal 2.6 mm long, 1.6 mm wide, connate basally, the lateral sepals connate

0.3 mm, oblique, 2.75 mm long, 1.5 mm wide; petals orange, minutely pubescent, transversely bilobed,

with a small marginal angle between the two, 1 mm long, 2.2 mm wide, the upper lobe triangular, 1.3

mm long, 1 mm wide, with rounded angles, the lower lobes oblong, 1 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, rounded at

the tip; lip bilaminate, glabrous, orange with red margins, the laminae narrowly ovate, oblique, the

connectives broadly cuneate, short, the body narrow, connate to the base of the column, the sinus deep,

with a narrowly rounded, a bisegmented, pubescent appendix; column stout, 0.5 mm long, the anther

apical, the stigmic lobe ventral.

ECUADOR: Sucumbios: between La Bonita and Lago Agrio, alt. 1200 m, 14 Sept. 2004, A. Hirtz et al.

9029 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 21228.

This small species is without a single, distinctive feature, but it is distinguished by

relatively stout ramicauls and ovate, minutely reticulated leaves. The flowers are

borne behind the leaf in a short, successively flowered raceme. The sepals are

acute, with the laterals mostly free; a small marginal angle separates the lobes of the

petals; the blades of the lip are narrowly ovate with a broad, short connective; and

the pubescent appendix protrudes from the cleft body.

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

117

Fig. 329. Lepanthes sucumbiensis

118

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

4. New Combinations

Acianthera angustifolia (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis angustifolia Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 21: sub. t.l797, 1836.

Syn.: Pleurothallis wilsonii Lindl., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, 1: 326, 1858.

Acianthera insularis (Hoehne & Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis insularis Hoehne & Schltr., Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo 1(3): 217, 1926.

Acianthera macuconensis (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis macuconensis Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 2: 17, 1882.

Acianthera spilantha (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis spilantha Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 2: 32, 1882.

Corrections in Acinopetala:

Acinopetala laucheana (Fraser) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Masdevallia laucheana Fraser, Gard. World 11: 134, 1894.

Acinopetala livingstoneana (Rchb.f. & Roezl) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Masdevallia llivingstoneana Rchb.f. & Roezl, Gard. Chron. n.s. 2: 322, 1874.

Alaticaulia andresiana (Luer & Maduro) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Masdevallia andresiana Luer & Maduro, Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 103: 283,

2005.

Alaticaulia barrowii (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Masdevallia barrowii Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 87: Add. 33a, 2002.

Alaticaulia cheloglossa (Luer & Dalstrom) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Masdevallia cheloglossa Luer & Dalstrom, Selby ana 27(1): 15, 2006.

Alaticaulia cupularis (Rchb.f.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Masdevallia cupularis Rchb.f., Beitr. Orchid. C.-Amer. 93, 1866.

Alaticaulia listroglossa (Luer & Dalstrom) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Masdevallia listroglossa Luer & Dalstrom, Selbyana 27(1): 17, 2006.

Alaticaulia maduroi (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Masdevallia maduroi Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 72: 110, 1998.

Alaticaulia thienii (Dodson) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Masdevallia thienii Dodson, Selbyana 2(1): 54, 1977.

Alaticaulia zumbuehlerae (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Masdevallia zumbuehlerae Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 87: addendum 263a,

2002 .

Anathallis aristulata (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis aristulata Lindl., Fol. Orchid. Pleurothallis 41, 1859.

Anathallis bleyensis (Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis bleyensis Pabst, An. XIV Congr. Soc. Bot. Bras. 13, 1964.

Anathallis carvalhoi (Luer & Toscano) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis carvalhoi Luer & Toscano, Selbyana 23(2): 183, 2002.

Anathallis crebrifolia (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Lepanthes crebrifolia Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 2: 67, 1882.

Anathallis graveolens (Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis graveolens Pabst, Bradea 1(50): 488, 1975.

Anathallis guarujaensis (Hoehne) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis guarujaensis Hoehne, Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo 1(1): 15, 1938.

Anathallis imbricata (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Basionym: Pleurothallis imbricata Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 1: 15, 1877.

Anathallis lichenophila (Porto & Brade) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis lichenophila Porto & Brade, Arquiv. Inst. Veg. Rio de Janeiro 1: 221, 1935.

Anathallis microphyta (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Lepanthes microphyta Barb. Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orch. Nov. 2: 67, 1882.

Anathallis reedii (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis reedii Luer, Selbyana 23(2): 186, 2002.

Anathallis sororcula (Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Pleurothallis sororcula Schltr., Anex. Mem. Inst. Butantan 1(4): 46, 1922.

Anathallis subnulla (Luer & Toscano) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis subnulla Luer & Toscano, Selbyana 23(2): 190, 2002.

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE

119

Echinosepala shuarii (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis shuarii Luqv, Selbyana 7(1): 122, 1982.

Echinosepala vittata (Pupulin & M.A.Blanco) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Myoxanthus vittatus Pupulin & M.A.Blanco, Lankesteriana 2: 16, 2001.

Pabstiella alligatorifera (Rchb.f.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis alligatorifera Rchb.f., Hamburger Garten- Blumenzeitung 21: 299, 1865.

Pabstiella arcuata (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis arcuata Lindl., Fol. Orchid. PLeurothallis 34, 1859.

Pabstiella avenacea (Ames) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis avenacea Ames, Orchidaceae 2: 266, 1908.

Pabstiella aveniformis (Hoehne) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis aveniformis Hoehne, Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo 2(5): 106, 1950.

Pabstiella bacillaris (Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis bacillaris Pabst, Arch. Jard. Bot, Rio de Janeiro 14: 7, 1956.

Pabstiella bowmannii (Rchb.f.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis bowmannii Rchb.f., Gard. Chron. 989, 1869.

Pabstiella bradei (Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis bradei Schltr., Anexos Mem. Inst. Butantan, Secc. Bot. 1(4): 41, 1922.

Pabstiella calcarata (Cogn.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis calcarata Cogn., Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belg. 43: 311, 1907.

Pabstiella campestris (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis campestris Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 1: 8, 1877.

Pabstiella carinifera (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Lepanthes carinifera Barb.Rodr., Rev. de Engenh. 3: 110, 1881.

Pabstiella carrisii (Brade) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis carrisii Brade, Arch. Jard. Bot. Rio de Janeiro 11: 75, 1951.

Pabstiella castellensis (Brade) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis castellensis Brade, Arch. Jard. Bot. Rio de Janeiro 9: 9, 1949.

Pabstiella conspersa (Hoehne) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis conspersa Hoehne, Arch. Inst. Biol. Sao Paulo 3: 294, 1930.

Pabstiella cordilabia (Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis cordilabia Pabst, Bradea 1(24): 267, 1972.

Pabstiella crassicaulis (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Lepanthes crassicaulis Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 2: 60, 1882.

Pabstiella crenata (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis crenata Lindl., Gard. Chron. 6(13): 207, 1846.

Pabstiella crinita (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis crinita Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 1: 16, 1877.

Pabstiella curtii-bradei (Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis curtii-bradei Pabst, Arch. Jard. Bot. Rio de Janeiro 14: 10, 1956.

Replaced name for Pleurothallis microcharis Schltr. ex Hoehne, 1936, not Schltr. 1921.

Pabstiella dutrai (Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis dutrai Pabst, Bradea 1(36): 362, 1973.

Pabstiella elegantula (Cogn.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis elegantula Cogn., Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belg. 43: 308, 1906, not 1909.

Pabstiella ephemera (Lindl.) Luer, comb.nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis ephemera Lindl., Companion Bot. Mag. 2(24): 356, 1836.

Pabstiella ezechiasi (Hoehne) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis ezechiasi Hoehne, Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo 2: 21, 1946.

Pabstiella fasciata (Seehawer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis fasciata Seehawer, Die Orchidee 56(4): 458, 2005.

Pabstiella filiformis (Cogn.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis filiformis Cogn., El. Bras. (Martins) 3(4): 453, 1896.

Pabstiella fluminensis (Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis fluminensis Pabst, Bradea 1(36): 363, 1973.

Pabstiella garayi (Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis garayi Pabst, Bradea 1(36): 364, 1973.

Pabstiella ghillanyi (Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis ghillanyi Pabst, Anais 15 Congr. Soc. Bot. Brasil 111, 1967.

Pabstiella gomesii-ferreirae (Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis gomesii-ferreirae Pabst, Bradea 2(10): 53, 1975.

Pabstiella gonzalezii (Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis gonzalezii Pabst, Bradea 2(10): 53, 1975.

120

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Pabstiella gracilicaulis (Seehawer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis gracilicaulis Seehawer, Die Orchidee, 56(4): 461, 2005.

Pabstiella hians (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis hians Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 21: sub t. 1797, 1836.

Pabstiella hypnicola (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis hypnicola Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 28: Misc. 75, 1842.

Pabstiella hymenantha (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis hymenantha Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 21: sub t. 1797, 1836.

Pabstiella leptotifolia (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Lepanthes leptotifolia Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 1: 15, 1877.

Pabstiella leucopyramis (Rchb.f.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis leucopyramis Rchb.f., Linnaea 41: 47, 1876.

Pabstiella lineolata (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Lepanthes lineolata Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 2: 53, 1882.

Pabstiella lingua (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis lingua Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 28: Misc. 80, 1842.

Pabstiella matinhensis (Hoehne) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis matinhensis Hoehne, Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo, n.s. 1, fasc. 1: 13, 1938.

Pabstiella miniato-lineolata (Hoehne) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis miniato-lineolata Hoehne, Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo 1: 15, 1938.

Pabstiella miragliae (Leite) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis miragliae Leite, Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo 2: 93, 1947.

Pabstiella mouraeoides (Hoehne) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis mouraeoides Hoehne, Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo, n.s. 1(1): 13, 1938.

Pabstiella pauloensis (Hoehne & Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis pauloensis Hoehne & Schltr., Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo 1(3): 219, 1926.

Pabstiella pleurothalloides (Cogn.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Restrepia pleurothalloides Cogn., FI. Bras. (Martins) 3(6): 566, 1906.

Pabstiella podoglossa (Hoehne) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis podoglossa Hoehne, Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo 1: 12, 1938.

Pabstiella pristeoglossa (Rchb.f. & Warm.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis pristeoglossa Rchb.f. & Warm., Otia Bot. Hamburg. 92, 1881.

Pabstiella punctatifolia (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis punctatifolia (Barb.Rodr.) Pabst, Orquidea 28: 227, 1966.

Pabstiella quadridentata (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Lepanthes quadridentata Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 2: 50, 1882.

Pabstiella robertoi (Luer & Toscano) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis robertoi Luer & Toscano, Selbyana 23(2): 186, 2002.

Pabstiella rostriflora (Rchb.f.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis rostriflora Rchb.f., Linnaea 22: 827, 1849.

Pabstiella rubrolineata (Hoehne) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis rubrolineata Hoehne, Bol. Agric. Sao Paulo 34: 609, 1934.

Pabstiella ruschii (Hoehne) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis ruschii Hoehne, Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo 1(2): 44, 1939.

Pabstiella sarcopetala (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Lepanthes sarcopetala Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 2: 46, 1882.

Pabstiella sordida (Kraenzl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis sordida Kraenzl., Ark. Bot. 16(8): 8, 1921.

Pabstiella sparsiflora (Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis sparsiflora Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 35: 59, 1925.

Pabstiella spathuliglossa (Hoehne) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis spathuliglossa Hoehne, Arq. Bot. Estado Sao Paulo 1(1): 12, 1938.

Pabstiella tabacina (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Lepanthes tabacina Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 2: 47, 1882.

Pabstiella tenera (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Lepanthes tenera Barb.Rodr., Gen. Spec. Orchid. Nov. 2: 51. 1882.

Pabstiella transparens (Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis transparens Schltr., Anexos Mem. Inst. Butantan, Secc. Bot. 1(4): 44, 1922.

Pabstiella tricolor (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Lepanthes /nco/or Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 2: 52, 1882.

Pabstiella trifida (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis trifida Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 28: Misc. 82, 1842.

Pabstiella trimeropetala (Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis trimeropetala Pabst, Arch. Jard. Bot. Rio de Janeiro 14: 20, 1956.

SYSTEMATICS OF PLEUROTHALLIDINAE

121

Pabstiella truncicola (Rchb.f.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis truncicola Rchb.f., Bot. Ergeb. Maxim. Reise 149, 1866.

Pabstiella uniflora (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis uniflora Lindl., Companion Bot. Mag. 2(24): 355, 1836.

Pabstiella variegata (Barb.Rodr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis variegata Barb.Rodr., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Nov. 1: 10, 1877.

Effusiella vellozoana (Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis vellozoana Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 35: 61, 1925.

Pabstiella verboonenii (Luer & Toscano) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis verboonenii Luer & Toscano, Selbyana 23(2): 194, 2002.

Pabstiella versicolor (Porsch) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis versicolor Forsch, Oesterr. Bot. Z. 55. 155, 1905.

Pabstiella wacketii (Handro & Pabst) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis wacketii Handro & Pabst, Bradea 1(7): 46, 1971.

Reichantha tokachiorum (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Masdevallia tokachiorum Luer, Lindleyana 6(2): 90, 1991.

Rhynchopera cobanensis (Schltr.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis cobanensis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 11(271-272): 42, 1912.

Rhynchopera oblongifolia (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis oblongifolia Lindl., Companion Bot. Mag. 2(24): 355, 1836.

Specklinia muscoidea (Lindl.) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis muscoidea Lindl., Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 24: Misc. 89, 1838.

Due to an oversight, the following four combinations had been made without the basionym.

Teagueia phasmida (Luer & R.Escobar) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Platystele phasmida Luer & R.Escobar, Orquideologia 16(3): 42, 1986.

Teagueia rex (Luer & R.Escobar) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Platystele rex Luer & R.Escobar, Orquideologia 15(2-3): 140, 1982.

Teagueia teaguei (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Platystele teaguei Luer, Selbyana 5(2): 157, 1979.

Teagueia zeus (Luer & Hirtz) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Platystele zeus Luer & Hirtz, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Card. 38: 131, 1990.

Tigivesta replaced name for Vestigium Luer, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Card. 103: 309 (2005),

because of previous use of Vestigium for a fungus.

Tigivesta abortiva (Luer) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Pleurothallis abortiva Luer, Phytologia 47(2): 72, 1980.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank Stig Dalstrom for the inking of most of the illustrations, and the gener¬

osity of the Pleurothallid Alliance that has made his inking possible. Eor invaluable

access to collections, I particularly thank the herbaria of AMES, BR, G, HB, K, RB,

SP, US and W. For time-consuming proofreading, I owe many thanks to Victoria

Hollowell, Mary Jane Hotaling, and Lisa Thoerle.

122

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

5. New species and a new combination in Masdevallia and affiliates

ADDENDA TO SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA

To retain the continuity of the Systematics of Masdevallia, new species referable

to the allied genera will be treated in the same format, so that the pages may be

removed and added to their respective volumes. The pages are numbered to in¬

dicate places for insertion, i.e., 165a. to precede 165.

Seven species were added in the preceding leones, bringing the total of

numbered illustrations to 681. Unfortunately, the ten new species described in

Icones-20, were not illustrated in the full page format. The following numbers are

belatedly assigned to them. The numbers assigned to the four following species

indicate the present number of species treated in Masdevallia and affiliates.

From leones Pleurothallidinarum XX:

Plate 682. for Fig. 1. Masdevallia burianii

Plate 683. for Fig. 2. Masdevallia calosiphon

Plate 684. for Fig. 3. Masdevallia formosa

Plate 685. for Fig. 4. Masdevallia immensa

Plate 686. for Fig. 5. Masdevallia juan-albertoi

Plate 687. for Fig. 6. Masdevallia kareniae

Plate 688. for Fig. 7. Masdevallia mariziae

Plate 689. for Fig. 8. Masdevallia nikoleana

Plate 690. for Fig. 9. Alaticaulia prolixa

Plate 691. for Fig. 10. Alaticaulia venus

For leones Pleurothallidinarum XXIX:

Plate 692. Alaticaulia inamoena

Plate 693. Alaticaulia neukermansii

Plate 694. Alaticaulia rojohnii

Plate 695. Spilotantha nigricans

SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA

123

Alaticaulia inamoena Luer & Sijm, sp. nov.

Ety.: From the Latin inamoenus, “not beautiful,” for obvious reasons.

Inter species Alaticauliae planta parva, pedunculo latissimo folio leviter breviore, racemo breviato,

floribus semiclausis, sepalis caudisque brevibus crassisimis, petalis oblongis, labello tenui late oblongo,

lobo antico calloso minute spiculati, plicae submarginalibus.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots fleshy. Ramicauls erect, stout, 2 cm long, enclosed by 2-3

tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, obovate, obtuse, 8.5 cm long, 2.3 cm wide, narrowly cuneate

below into the base. Inflorescence a stout, erect, triquetrous peduncle 8 cm long, bearing a congested,

successively flowered raceme, with a bract just above the base, from the base of a ramicaul; floral bracts

conduplicate, imbricating, 10 mm long; pedicel 10 mm long; ovary thick, 3 mm long; sepals thickly

fleshy, subcarinate, glabrous externally, microscopically subpapillose within, the dorsal sepal oblong,

contracted into a thick, terte tail ca. 7 mm long, 1.25 mm thick, the blade ca. 7 mm long, 3 mm wide,

faintly 3-veined, connate to the lateral sepals for 4 mm to form a cuneate tube, the lateral sepals connate

8 mm into a rigidly concave synsepal, 6 mm wide unexpanded, each oblong-oblique, ca. 13 mm long

including thick, 5 mm long tails similar to that of the dorsal sepal; petals cartilaginous, oblong, 5 mm

long, 1.75 mm wide, the apex obtuse, with the midvein terminating with a nodule externally minutely,

the labellar half with a low, longitudinal callus; lip thin, elliptical-oblong, 4.5 mm long, 3 mm wide, with

oblique, suberect, submarginal folds near the middle, the epichile broad, 3 mm long, with a minutely

spiculate, minutely erose, apical lobe less than 1 mm long and wide, the hypochile oblong, 3 mm long

and wide, shallowly concave, smooth, hinged on the end; column semiterete, 4.5 mm long, the foot 1.5

mm long including a short, incurved extension.

ECUADOR: without collection data, cultivated in the

Netherlands by T. Sijm 261206 (Holotype: MO), C.

Luer illustr. 21051.

This species is known from only the

original collection, which is without

known locality. It is distinguished by a

rather small habit with thick, cuneate

leaves, and a shorter peduncle that is 4 mm

thick toward the apex. Proportionately

small flowers are borne successively in a

congested raceme with broad, condu¬

plicate bracts. The sepals are rigidly

fleshy and terminated by short, thick,

terete tails. The petals are oblong with an

apical nodule. The broadly oblong lip is

thin with the folds within the margins, and

a minutely spiculate apical lobe in present

on the epichile.

124

ICONES PLEUROTOALLIDINARUM

Plate 692. Alaticaulia inamoena

SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA

125

Alaticaulia neukermansii Luer & Sijm, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for Rony Neukermans of Erembodegem, Belgium, who cultivates this species.

Inter species Alaticauliae planta parva, pedunculo quam folio breviore, sepalis intus minute papillo-

sis in tubum latum connatis cum caudis crassis quam laminis brevioribus, petalis oblongis, labello

oblongo marginibus eroso-undulatis, epichilio obtuso minute ruguso, hypochilio piano leviter concavo.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots fleshy. Ramicauls erect, stout, 3 cm long, enclosed by 2-3

tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, 9 cm long including the petiole 2-3 cm long, the blade elliptical,

subacute, 1.6 cm wide, narrowly cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence a slender, erect, subtri-

quetrous peduncle 6 cm long, bearing a successively flowered raceme, with a bract near the base, from

the base of the ramicaul; floral bract tubular, 9 mm long; pedicel 8 mm long; ovary 3 mm long; sepals

glabrous externally, minutely papillose within, the dorsal sepal obovate, obtuse, the blade 10 mm long, 6

mm wide, contracted into a stout, forwardly directed tail 9 mm long, 3-veined, connate to the lateral

sepals for 7 mm to form a broad tube, the lateral sepals ovate, oblique, 12-13 mm long, connate 8 mm to

form a lamina 16 mm wide expanded, each 3-veined, the apices obtuse, contracted into stout tails 7 mm

long; petals cartilaginous, oblong, 6.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, the apex obtuse, minutely apiculate, the

labellar half with a low, longitudinal callus; lip oblong, subpandurate, with irregular margins, the folds

erect and erose, 7 mm long, 3 mm wide, the epichile 3 mm long, broadly rounded, minutely longitudinal¬

ly rugose, the hypochile oblong, 4 mm long, shallowly concave, smooth, hinged beneath; column semi-

terete, 6 mm long, the foot 4 mm long including a short, incurved extension.

PERU: without collection data, obtained by Rony

Neukermans, cultivated in the Netherlands by T. Sijm

2701016 (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 21049.

This species is known from only the

original collection, which is without

known locality. It is distinguished by a

rather small habit with the flower borne

near the middle of the leaf by a slender

peduncle that is not sharply triquetrous.

The sepals are connate into a short, broad,

cylindrical tube. The apices are obtuse

and contracted into thick tails shorter than

the blades. The petals are oblong and

obtuse. The lip is oblong with erect,

erose, oblique folds defining the rounded

epichile and the oblong hypochile.

126

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Plate 693. Alaticaulia neukermansii

SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA

127

Alaticaulia rojohnii Luer, sp. nov.

Ety.: Named for Claire Rojohn of Hales Corners, WI, who cultivates this species.

Species haec Alaticauliae don-quijote (Luer & Andreetta) Luer affinis, sed racemo remotifloro,

sepalis non verrucosis, petalis oblongis labello longioribus, labelli hypochilo elliptico et epichilo late

ovato tricalloso differt.

Plant medium in size, epiphytic, caespitose; roots fleshy. Ramicauls erect, stout, 2-2.5 cm long,

enclosed by 2-3 loose, tubular sheaths. Leaf erect, coriaceous, 10-16 cm long including the petiole 2-2.5

cm long, the blade narrowly elliptical, subacute, 1.9 cm wide, narrowly cuneate below into an indistinct

petiole ca. 2 cm long. Inflorescence a stout, erect, triquetrous peduncle 20 cm long, bearing a remotely

and successively flowered raceme, the flowers 2.5-4 cm distant, with a bract near the base, from the base

of the ramicaul; floral bracts tubular, 12-13 mm long; pedicels 15-25 mm long; ovary 5 mm long; sepals

rose-colored, microscopically pubescent, subcarinate, the dorsal sepal narrowly triangular, acute, 2.5 cm

long, 12 mm wide at the base, contracted into a slender, rosy white, forwardly directed tail 4.5 cm long,

3-veined, connate to the lateral sepals for 4 mm to form a shallow, expanded, sepaline cup, the lateral

sepals ovate, oblique, with recurved sides, 6.5 cm long, connate 15 mm to form a deep recess beneath the

lip, each 15 mm wide expanded, 3-veined, the apices acute, acuminate, contracted into slender tails;

petals white, cartilaginous, oblong, 8.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, the apex subacute, shortly retuse, the label-

lar half longitudinally thickened with a carina along the margin; lip purple, pandurate with a constriction

2 mm from the apex, 6.5 mm long, 3.25 mm wide, the epichile 2 mm long, broadly ovate and recurved,

with minutely irregular margins, and with 3 longitudinal calli extending forward from the hypochile, the

hypochile elliptical, 4.5 mm long, 3.25 mm wide, shallowly concave, smooth, hinged beneath; column

white, semiterete, 6.5 mm long, the foot 4 mm long including a slender, incurved extension.

PERU: Amazonas, near Pedro Ortiz toward Moyabamba, alt. 1600 m, collectted by Arcenio Barbosa,

obtained in Gualaceo, Ecuador, Oct. 2005, flowered in cultivation in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, USA,

June 2006, by C. Rojohn s.n. (Holotype: MO), C. Luer illustr. 21022; without collection data, purchased

from Hartman Mendoza, Jr., S. Dalstrdm s.n. (MO, QCNE), C. Luer illustr. 20946; same collection,

flowered in cultivation in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, by M. Rao 162 (MO).

This species is apparently rare and

endemic in Amazonian Peru. Among all

the species of the genus, it is most similar

to Alaticaulia don-quijote (Luer & An¬

dreetta) Luer, from southeastern Ecuador,

but distinguished from it by the non-verru-

cose lateral sepals that are not markedly

revolute. In both species the sepaline cup

is very shallow and widely expanded, the

long-tailed dorsal sepal is pointed forward,

and the lateral sepals are long-acuminate

into slender tails.

The petals of Alaticaulia rojohnii are

oblong and considerably longer than the

column and lip. The lip is deeply con¬

stricted between the middle and distal

thirds, which separates an ovate, obtuse

epichile from an elliptical hypochile.

Three longitudinal calli extend forward

from the hypochile, across the narrow

isthmus, and onto the epichile.

128

ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM

Plate 694. Alaticaulia rojohnii

SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA

129

Spilotantha nigricans (Koniger & Sijm) Luer, comb. nov.

Bas.: Masdevallia nigricans Koniger & Sijm, Arcula 12: 301, 2003.

Ely.: From the Latin nigricans, “becoming black,” referring to the sepals.

Plant small, epiphytic, caespitose; roots slender. Ramicauls erect, 0.8-1.2 cm long, enclosed by a

tubular sheath and another sheath at the base. Leaf erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute, 2.5-4.5 cm

long including the petiole ca. 1 cm long, 0.4-0.8 cm wide, cuneate below into the petiole. Inflorescence

an erect, lax, secund, simultaneously few-flowered raceme, ca. 5 cm long, and a peduncle 5-6.5 cm long,

borne from low on the ramicaul; floral bracts oblique, 6-7 mm long; pedicels 5-6 mm long; ovary la¬

mellate, 1.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide; sepals diffusely suffused with purple-black, glabrous, deeply con¬

nate into an obpyriform, subarcuate tube, inflated in the distal two-thirds, contracted at the apex into an

ostium ca. 1 mm long and 1 mm wide, the dorsal sepal scaphoid, concave, connate to the laterals for 5

mm, 6 mm long, 3 mm wide expanded, 3-veined, the midvein thick, contracted at the obtuse apex into a

stout tail 2 mm long, the lateral sepals connate 4 mm into a concave synsepal, 5 mm long, 3,5 mm wide

unexpanded, 3-veined with the mid-vein thickened, shortly concave basally to the column-foot, the

apices in apposition, contracted into thick 2 mm tails similar to that of the dorsal sepal, all 3 tails conniv-

ent and surrounding the opening into the sepaline tube; petals narrowly linear-cuneate, with a low, longi¬

tudinal callus within the labellar margin, 1.75 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, 1-veined, the apex truncate-tri-

lobed; lip oblong-trilobed, broadly obtuse, with the sides below the apical third broadly curved, erect the

natural position, 2 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3-veined, with the anterior margins of the lobes callous, extend¬

ing onto the subcircular, apical lobe as a pair of calli, and with a narrow, midline callus between them,

the base truncate, hinged to the end of the column-foot; column terete, 1.5 mm long, with the anther

apical and the stigma subapical.

ECUADOR: without collection data, obtained by and cultivated by A.R Sijm in the Netherlands, flow¬

ered in cultivation, 2002, W. Koniger 114 (Holotype: M; Isotype: QCA); flowered in cultivation July

2006 by A.R Sijm s.n. (MO), C. Luer illustr. 21036.

This small species of Spilotantha from

somewhere in Ecuador has an inflated

sepaline tube that appears similar to that of

species of Buccella, but without the elon¬

gated column-foot; and an inflated sepa¬

line similar to that of the comparatively

huge Masdevallia encephala Luer &

R.Escobar, also with a constricted orifice.

Similar to the other small species of

Spilotantha, this species is characterized

by a loose raceme of tubular flowers that

far exceeds the tuft of small leaves. The

sepals are deeply connate into a tube, as

they are in ten other species of the genus,

but in only one other,^. delphina, (Luer)

Luer, is an inflated tube constricted into a

small aperture. The sepaline tails of both

and S. nigricans are short and thick, but

the tails of the latter are connivent and not

as thick. The petals of the two species are

similar, but the lip of the latter has a small,

longitudinal callus between the pair of

calli that extend forward from the lateral

lobes onto the middle lobe.