Sobralia

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Sobralia
Sobralia macrantha
Sobralia macrantha
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Arethuseae
Subtribe: Sobraliinae
Genus: Sobralia
Ruiz & Pav., 1794

Type Species
Sobralia dichotoma
Ruiz & Pav., 1798
Species
See Species section.

Sobralia is a genus of about 125 orchids (family Orchidaceae) and the only genus of the subtribe Sobraliinae. It is native to Central and South America. The plants are more commonly terrestrial, but are also found growing epiphytically, in wet forests from sea level to about 8,800 ft. The genus was named for Dr. Francisco Sobral, a Spanish botanist.

Their reed-like stems range in height from about 1 ft (such as in Sobralia galeottiana) to 25-30 ft. They have typically heavily veined, bilobed, plicate, apical leaves all along the stem. The inflorescenses on the apex of the stem carry one or two successive ephemeral flowers with large sepals and petals. The short duration of the flower is caused by a self-digesting enzyme. The lip is entire or lobed and clasps the column at its base. This columns carries eight soft pollinia. These flowers range in color from pure white to yellow, green, pink, purple, red, brown, and even a blue violet.

Synonymy

The genera Cyathoglottis Poepp. & Endl., Fregea Rchb.f. and Lindsayella Ames & C.Schweinf. are generally included here.

Species

A few more commonly cited species:

Others:

Reference

Ortiz, V. P. 2004. - Las especies Colombianas de Sobralia Ruiz & Pav., seccion Sobralia. The Colombian species of Sobralia Ruiz & Pav., section Sobralia. Orquideologia 23(1): 49-65


External links