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(Last Modified On 1/4/2013)
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(Last Modified On 1/4/2013)
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Species
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BLETIA REFLEXA Lindl.
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PlaceOfPublication
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Bot. Reg. 21: t. I760. 1835
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Synonym
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Limodorum Laniesteri Ames & Schweinf. in Sched. Orch. 10:78. 1930. Bletia Lankesteri Ames, Hub. & Schweinf. in Bot. Mus. Leaf. Harv. Univ. 3:41. 1934.
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Description
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Erect terrestrial herbs with 2-3, usually linear-lanceolate, acuminate, plicate, strongly veined leaves which are ultimately deciduous. Leaves 25-60 cm. long and 0.8-2.5 cm. wide, the basal portions contracted into a sheathing petiole enveloped in 2-3 short, tubular, leafless bracts which are produced from the apex of a short, subconic, corm-like pseudobulb averaging about 1.5 cm. in diameter. Inflorescences erect, the basal portions enclosed in the sheathing leaf bases, the terminal portion an unbranched raceme equaling or exceeding the leaves in length. Flowers relatively large and conspicuous, in our specimens described as being purplish rose, produced on slender pedicels subtended by ovate, acuminate bracts. Sepals free, spreading, subequal, lanceolate, acute, 3-3.2 cm. long and .7-.9 cm. wide, the dorsal usually somewhat narrower. Petals subequal to the dorsal sepal, oblanceolate, acute, 3-3.5 cm. long and about .7 cm. wide. Lip 3-lobed, about 3 cm. long and 2-2.2 cm. wide when spread out, the lateral lobes rounded, erect in natural position, the mid-lobe entire, obtuse, spreading, about 8 mm. long and 8 mm. wide. Inner lip (disk) with 5 fleshy longitudinal crests. Column slender, semi-terete, 2.3-3 cm. long, somewhat dilated at the apex.
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Distribution
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Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama.
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Specimen
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CHIRIQUI: Llanos del Volcan, 1120-1200 m., Seibert 328.
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Note
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It seems possible that this species may be that originally described as Bletia campanulata Llave & Lex. (in Nov. Veg. Descr. Fasc. 2:17. 1825), but the description as given is obscure, and seemingly the type no longer exists. The present material shows rather marked differences from the 'Botanical Register' plate of Bletia reflexa, particularly in the shorter central lobe. However, since Bletia Lankesteri is about intermediate in this character between our specimens and the typical Bletia reflexa, it seems likely that both represent local forms of a widely distributed, somewhat polymorphic species.
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