Ionopsis utricularioides

(Swartz) Lindley

Coll. Bot., plate 39, fig. A. 1825.

Illustrated
Basionym: Epidendrum utricularioides Swartz Prodr., 122. 1788
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 647. Mentioned on page 646.

Plants to 15 cm (excluding inflorescence). Leaves often suffused with purple-brown; blade 3–13 cm × 6–18 mm. Inflorescences 1–3, erect-arching, to 20 cm; bracts 2–3 mm. Flowers pale pink to rose, pink-lavender, or white with pink flush, with darker rose-colored veins; sepals 3–7 × 1–2 mm; lateral sepals forming asymmetrically pouched cavity; petals 5–7 × 3–4 mm; lip pink-lavender with yellow patch near callus, 6–17 × 6–18 mm; callus of 2 lamellae and 2 lateral teeth, with short, basal, nectar horn, enclosed by nectar spur formed by lateral sepals.


Phenology: Flowering Mar–Apr.
Habitat: Epiphytic on small branches and twigs in hammocks
Elevation: 0–10[–1200] m

Distribution

V26 1330-distribution-map.jpg

Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America.

Discussion

Ionopsis utricularioides is one of the most widely ranging species of neotropical orchids. It occurs in several different variants, all of which intergrade. The various extreme forms, some with relatively enormous flowers, have been given form names, but little other than size separates them.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.