ORCHIDACEAE
Spathoglottis Blume Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind.: 400 (1825).
By: Lokesh R. Shakya
Taxon Description
Plants sympodial, terrestrial. Pseudobulbs ovoid, subterranean, fleshy, 2–4-leaved. Leaves sheathing at base, glabrous, plicate, deciduous, thin textured, acuminate. Inflorescence terminal, erect, racemose, arising in lateral base of pseudobulb, rachis few flowered. Flowers resupinate, showy. Sepals free, similar, spreading. Petals free, as long as sepals but broader. Lip 3-lobed, sessile or shortly clawed, lateral lobes erect, oblong; midlobe spathulate, not spurred. Column elongated, curved, clavate, winged, foot lacking, pollinia 8, in two groups of 4.
Taxon Statistics
Worldwide about 50 species, tropical and subtropical Asia to Pacific. One species in Nepal.
1. Spathoglottis ixioides (D. Don) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 120 (1831).
Cymbidiun ixioides D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal: 36 (1825).
Plants 6–20cm tall. Pseudobulbs 1.5–2 cm long, globose-ovoid, membranous sheath-like fibers at the base. Stem short, sheathed at the base. Leaves 2 or 3 on a short stem arising from the top of pseudobulb, 6–18 X 0.3–0.6 cm, linear, acuminate, sessile, sheathing at base. Inflorescence arising from side of the pseudobulb, slender, erect, laxly 1- to 3-flowered; peduncle slender. Sterile bracts few, sheath-like, oblong-lanceolate, ca. 12 mm. Fertile bract lanceolate, 6–8 mm, much shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 2–3.5 cm across, bright yellow with small purple spots at the base of lip. Pedicel and ovary pubescent, clavate, ca. 2 cm. Sepals similar, elliptic-oblong, 17 X 6 mm, subacute, spreading, dorsal narrower than lateral. Petals elliptic-oblong, 15–17 X 6–7 mm, equaling the sepals, obtuse, spreading. Lip 15–16 mm, 3-lobed, weakly saccate to concave base; lateral lobes falcately triangular; mid-lobe narrowed at base, obcordate, apex obscurely 2-lobed, subtruncate; disc with 2 calluses, auricled on each side at the sinus. Column 12 mm, winged at apex.
Distribution: Nepal and E Himalaya.
Altitudinal range: 2000–2700 m
Ecology: Under forest.
Flowering: July – September.