Acriopsis

Chandelier orchids
Acriopsis liliifolia
(synonym Acriopsis javanica)
illustrated by Lewis Roberts (naturalist)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Cymbidieae
Subtribe: Cymbidiinae
Genus: Acriopsis
Blume
Type species
Acriopsis javanica, synonym of Acriopsis liliifolia
Reinwardt ex Blume

Acriopsis, is a genus of orchids in the subtribe Cymbidiinae.

The genus consists of 9 currently (May 2014) recognized species, and was described by Carl Ludwig Blume (1789–1862) in 1825.[1] The name 'Acriopsis' is derived from the Greek akris, locust and -opsis, resemblance, "refers to the unusual column that resembles the shape of a locust."[2]

This genus (sometimes referred to as the chandelier orchids) is found in India, Yunnan, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, Melanesia, Micronesia and Queensland.[2][3][4][5]

They grow mainly in low, humid rainforests, sometimes ascending to medium altitudes. Their roots have specialised roots which grow from them up through the air and make branches which feed on litter and other debris.[3]

Species

Footnotes

  1. Blume, Carl (Karl) Ludwig von. 1852. Bijdragen tot de flora van Nederlandsch Indië 8: 376
  2. 1 2 Acriopsis, Australian Orchid Names
  3. 1 2 Jones, David L. (2006). A Complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia including the Island Territories. New Holland Publishers, Frenchs Forest, N.S.W. 2086, Australia. ISBN 1-877069-12-4.
  4. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  5. Flora of China v 25 p 280, 合萼兰属 he e lan shu, Acriopsis Blume, Bijdr. 376. 1825.

References

    External links

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