Hexalectris spicata

crested coral root
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Arethuseae
Subtribe: Bletiinae
Genus: Hexalectris
Species: H. spicata
Binomial name
Hexalectris spicata
(Walter) Barnhart
Synonyms[1]
  • Arethusa spicata Walter
  • Corallorhiza spicata (Walter) Tidestr. in I.Tidestrom & T.Kittell
  • Bletia aphylla Nutt.
  • Hexalectris aphylla (Nutt.) Raf.
  • Hexalectris squamosa Raf.
  • Hexalectris aphylla (Nutt.) A.Gray
  • Hexalectris spicata f. albolabia P.M.Br.
  • Hexalectris spicata f. lutea P.M.Br.
  • Hexalectris spicata f. wilderi P.M.Br.

Hexalectris spicata is a terrestrial, myco-heterotrophic orchid lacking chlorophyll and subsisting entirely on nutrients obtained from mycorrhizal fungi in the soil. It is native to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Coahuila. It is closely related to H. arizonica and the two are sometimes considered varieties of the same species. Hexalectris spicata is endemic to the southern half of the United States from Arizona east to Florida and north to Maryland and the Ohio Valley.[1][2][3][4][5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Hexalectris spicata
  2. ↑ Flora of North America v 26 p 604, Hexalectris spicata (Walter) Barnhart, Torreya. 4: 121. 1904.
  3. ↑ Biota of North America Program, county distribution map, Hexalectris spicata (including H. arizonica)
  4. ↑ Herkert, J.R. & Ebinger, J.E. (eds.) (2002). Endangered and Threatened Species of Illinois: status and distribution 1: 1-161. Endangered species protection board, Springfield, Illinois.
  5. ↑ Kennedy, A.H. & Watson, L.E. (2010). Species deliminations and phylogenetic relationships within the fully myco-heterotrophic Hexalectris (Orchidaceae). Systematic Botany 35: 64-76.

External links