Orchidaceae

Porpax Lindl.

First published in Edwards's Bot. Reg. 31(Misc.): 62 (1845)
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is Tropical Africa, Tropical & Subtropical Asia to SW. Pacific.

Descriptions

Orchidaceae, I. la Croix & P.J. Cribb. Flora Zambesiaca 11:1. 1995

Morphology General Habit
Dwarf, mat-forming epiphytic herb, rarely lithophytic; stems creeping, bearing pseudobulbs.
Vegetative Multiplication Pseudobulbs
Pseudobulbs asymmetrical ovoid, fusiform or clavate, 1–2-leaved at the apex.
Morphology Leaves
Leaves fleshy or leathery, spreading or erect.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence terminal on the pseudobulb, erect, 1- to many-flowered.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers ±secund, somewhat campanulate, green, yellow, orange, brown or red, sometimes striped.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Lateral sepals joined at the base, forming a mentum with the column-foot.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum
Lip entire, recurved, V-shaped in cross-section, not spurred.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column
Column-foot at least three times as long as the column; pollinia 8, comprising 4 large and 4 small pollinia; stigma concave, with a flap-shaped rostellum in front.
[FZ]

Orchidaceae, V. S. Summerhayes. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968

Morphology General Habit
Dwarf epiphytic or rarely lithophytic herbs
Morphology Stem
Stems pseudobulbous, repent, ± forming mats on the surface of the substrate
Vegetative Multiplication Pseudobulbs
Pseudobulbs asymmetrical, fleshy, ovoid, fusiform to clavate, bearing 1–2 leaves at the apex which is often offset
Morphology Leaves
Leaves fleshy or coriaceous, spreading or erect, oval, ligulate or obovate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence erect, 1–many-flowered
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers ± secund, somewhat campanulate, yellow, orange, brown, red or green
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Lateral sepals fused at base, forming with the column-foot a ± prominent mentum
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum
Lip entire, curved, V-shaped in cross-section
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column
Column truncate, with a long curved foot more than 3 times as long as the column; pollinia 8, in 2 groups, 4 larger and 4 smaller; stigma concave with a flap-shaped rostellum in front.
[FTEA]

Sources

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of Tropical East Africa

    • Flora of Tropical East Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2023. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2023. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0