Microsaccus

Microsaccus
Botanical illustration of Microsaccus griffithii as Microsaccus brevifolius
Botanical illustration of floral details of Microsaccus javensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Vandeae
Subtribe: Aeridinae
Genus: Microsaccus
Blume[1]
Synonyms[1]

This genus has no synonyms

Microsaccus is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia.[1]

Description

Vegetative characteristics

These miniature epiphytes produce laterally flattened, distichously arranged leaves on thin stems.[2][3]

Generative characteristics

The usually two-flowered inflorescences are short.[3] The spurred, minuscule flowers have a simple labellum.[2] The flowers have four pollinia.[4] Within the fruits there are pale brown to whitish trichomes with an oblong-elliptic basal zone. They have perforations in the basal region.[5]

Etymology

The generic name Microsaccus is composed of the Greek words μικρός (mikrós) meaning small and saccus meaning sack, which refers to the labellum.[6]

Ecology

Microsaccus truncatus is known to grow epiphytically in montane forest at 1200 m above sea level.[6] Microsaccus griffithii occurs in forests at elevations of 500–2770 m above sea level.[7]

Physiology

Microsaccus uses CAM photosynthesis.[7]

Taxonomy

Species

The genus contains 13 accepted species:[1]

Phylogeny

It is closely related to the genus Jejewoodia .[8] One species, namely Jejewoodia longicalcarata (Ames & C.Schweinf.) J.J.Wood used to be Microsaccus longicalcaratus Ames & C.Schweinf.[9] It has been suggested to reunite these two genera, due to their similar appearance. Another closely related genus is Adenocos, which does not have a spur, unlike the former two genera.[8]

Horticulture

Microsaccus can be cultivated under moist conditions with a lot of air movement, and intermediate temperatures. The plants should be placed in a semi-shaded position. It is rarely cultivated.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Microsaccus Blume". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b Teoh, E.S. (2021). Microsaccus Bl. In: Orchid Species from Himalaya and Southeast Asia Vol. 2 (G - P). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80428-2_18
  3. ^ a b Seidenfaden, G., Wood, J., & Holttum, R. (1992). "The Orchids of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore." Olsen & Olsen.
  4. ^ Zou, L. H., Huang, J. X., Zhang, G. Q., Liu, Z. J., & Zhuang, X. Y. (2015). "A molecular phylogeny of Aeridinae (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) inferred from multiple nuclear and chloroplast regions." Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 85, 247–254.
  5. ^ Gamarra, R., & Ortúñez, E. (2021). "Endocarpic trichomes in Vandeae (Orchidaceae)." Flora, 280, 151844.
  6. ^ a b c Puccio, P. (n.d.). Microsaccus truncatus. Monaco Nature Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/microsaccus-truncatus/
  7. ^ a b Microsaccus griffithii. (n.d.). Hortus Orchis. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://www.hortusorchis.org/en/botanical-orchids/118-m/1483-microsaccus-brevifolius.html
  8. ^ a b Pridgeon, A., Cribb, P., Chase, M., & Rasmussen, F. (2014). "Genera Orchidacearum Volume 6: Epidendroideae (Part 3)." pp. 118, 204, 212. OUP Oxford.
  9. ^ "Jejewoodia longicalcarata (Ames & C.Schweinf.) J.J.Wood". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  • Data related to Microsaccus at Wikispecies