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Cyrtorchis
Genus of orchids From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Cyrtorchis is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.[1]
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Description
The species of the genus Cyrtorchis are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,[3] which do not have pseudobulbs.[4] The white, fragrant, star-shaped flowers are distinctly spurred.[2]
Cytology
The diploid chromosome count of Cyrtorchis arcuata is 2n = 46.[5]
Physiology
Cyrtorchis is known to utilize the crassulacean acid metabolism,[5] which entails photosynthesis during the daytime, and gaseous exchange through open stomata during the night. This enables the plant to save water.[6]
Etymology
The generic name Cyrtorchis is composed of the Greek words "kirtos" meaning curved and "orchis" meaning testicles, which refers to orchids.[7]
Taxonomy
Summarize
Perspective
The genus has been proven to be monophyletic.[8]
Sections
The genus has been divided into the sections Cyrtorchis section Homocolleticon Summerh. and Cyrtorchis section Cyrtorchis based on differences in the shape of the viscidium.[2] Originally the section Cyrtorchis was published as section Heterocolleticon Summerh., but it is now known as Cyrtorchis section Cyrtorchis.[9][10] The section Homocolleticon is characterized by an uniformly textured viscidium,[11] in contrast to the viscidium of section Cyrtorchis, which consists of two distinct zones.[12]
The section Homocolleticon Summerh. was elevated to a genus by Szlach. & Olszewski in 2001, but Homocolleticon (Summerh.) Szlach. & Olszewski is now a synonym of Cyrtorchis Schltr.[1][9]
Species
As of December 2022, there are 19 currently accepted species:[1]
- Cyrtorchis arcuata (Lindl.) Schltr.
- Cyrtorchis aschersonii (Kraenzl.) Schltr.
- Cyrtorchis brownii (Rolfe) Schltr.
- Cyrtorchis chailluana (Hook.f.) Schltr.
- Cyrtorchis crassifolia Schltr. in R.E.Fries
- Cyrtorchis erythraeae (Rolfe) Schltr.
- Cyrtorchis glaucifolia Summerh.
- Cyrtorchis guillaumetii (Pérez-Vera) R.Rice
- Cyrtorchis hamata (Rolfe) Schltr.
- Cyrtorchis henriquesiana (Ridl.) Schltr.
- Cyrtorchis injoloensis (De Wild.) Schltr.
- Cyrtorchis letouzeyi Szlach. & Olszewski
- Cyrtorchis monteiroae (Rchb.f.) Schltr.
- Cyrtorchis neglecta Summerh.
- Cyrtorchis okuensis Droissart, Azandi & M.Simo
- Cyrtorchis praetermissa Summerh.
- Cyrtorchis ringens (Rchb.f.) Summerh
- Cyrtorchis seretii (De Wild.) Schltr.
- Cyrtorchis submontana Stévart, Droissart & Azandi
Species formerly placed in Cyrtorchis
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Ecology
Habitat
It grows in dense forests and rainforests, as well as in plantations. It is found growing on tree trunks and branches, which receive high levels of sunlight.[15] In addition to epiphytic growth, it can also grow as a lithophyte attached to rocks.[3]
Pollination
Several hawk moth species of the genus Hippotion have been identified as likely pollinators of Cyrtorchis okuensis.[16] The white flowers shift to an orange pollination[2][3] after pollination or senescence. Such post-pollination behaviour is not uncommon, and it may be explained by a reduced attractivity of flowers to pollinators,[7][17][18][19] if the flowers are no longer viable.
Young, viable Cyrtorchis arcuata inflorescence without discolouration
Older Cyrtorchis arcuata inflorescence exhibiting senescence and discolouration of older, non-viable flowers
Hippotion celerio, a likely pollinator of Cyrtorchis okuensis[16]
Hippotion osiris, a likely pollinator of Cyrtorchis okuensis[16]
Hippotion eson, a likely pollinator of Cyrtorchis okuensis[16]
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Conservation
Two species, namely Cyrtorchis letouzeyi Szlach. & Olszewski and Cyrtorchis henriquesiana (Ridl.) Schltr., have been categorized as species of least concern (LC) under the IUCN Red List criteria.[20][21] Cyrtorchis arcuata subsp. arcuata has been categorized as a Least Concern species by the Red List of South African Plants.[22] Another species, Cyrtorchis glaucifolia Summerh., has been categorized as an endangered (EN) species under the IUCN Red List criteria,[23] and Cyrtorchis okuensis Droissart, Azandi & M.Simo is categorized as Near Threatened (NT).[16]
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Horticulture
Cyrtorchis is easy to cultivate in well drained substrate.[2] Cyrtorchis arcuata is most commonly found in private collections.[7]
See also
References
External links
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