Cypripedium irapeanum
| Irapeao's Cypripedium | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cypripedioideae |
| Tribe: | Cypripedieae |
| Subtribe: | Cypripediinae |
| Genus: | Cypripedium |
| Species: | C. irapeanum |
| Binomial name | |
| Cypripedium irapeanum Lex. (1825) | |
| Synonyms | |
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The Irapeao's Cypripedium or Pelican Orchid (Cypripedium irapeanum) is a species of orchid. It has a widespread distribution from the central Mexico state of Durango to Honduras. They are found in mixed pine and oak forests on well-drained limestone slopes and in areas with volcanic and clay soil which are rich in metals. They can be found in some areas in groups of hundreds.[1] They bloom from early June to late July.
The plant is tall, 1 to 1.5 m, and is pubescent with clasping elliptic to lanceolate cauline leaves in a single stem. The showy yellow flowers are 12 cm and open from bottom to top in a raceme of one to eight flowers.[2] The balloon-shaped lip has a fine net pattern and an open bowl with an enrolled margin. There are purple-brown spots toward the rear of the bowl. They propagate both by rhizomes and from many minute seeds that are propelled from a capsule which erupts from the inferior ovary.
Some people have reported a contact dermatitis after handling these plants, and they are extremely difficult to cultivate as they rely on a symbiotic fungus for nutrients.
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cypripedium irapeanum. |
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Wikispecies has information related to: Cypripedium irapeanum |
Cypripedium irapeanum at the Encyclopedia of Life