Liparis nervosa (Thunb.) Lindl.

Orchidaceae, V. S. Summerhayes. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968

Morphology General Habit

Terrestrial or lithophytic plant, very rarely epiphytic.

Morphology Stem

Stem swollen at the base, forming a corm-like pseudobulb up to 3.2 cm. long.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 2–3, arising near the base of the pseudobulb, petiolate but sheathing at the base, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, up to 35 cm. long and 5.5 cm. wide, ± plicate; also 1–3 small basal sheathing leaves up to 10 cm. long and 1.5 cm. wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Peduncles

Peduncle surpassing the leaves, up to 55 cm. high, with 2–3 small sheaths similar to the bracts, 5–8 mm. long, linear-lanceolate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Rhachis up to 15 cm. long, many-flowered.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Pedicellate ovary green, up to 1.2 cm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Tepal

Tepals green, yellowish green or yellow, often tinged brown or purple.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Dorsal sepal reflexed, oblong, obtuse, 5.3–6.3 mm. long, 1.5–2 mm. wide; lateral sepals often rolled up under the lip, falcate, oblong, 3.6–4.8 mm. long, 2–2.7 mm. wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals linear, falcate, 4.7–6 mm. long, reflexed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip green to yellow, usually heavily tinged brown or purple, fleshy, recurved, 2.5–4 mm. long and 2.5–4.5 mm. wide, bilobed, apical margins of the lobes crenulate; 2 tooth-like calli at the base of the lip and 2 auricles extend beyond the junction of the lip with the column.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column green, slightly curved, 2.3–3.5 mm. long, with lateral wings at the apex, and an apical wing around the anther.

Habitat

In marshy grassland, or in stony ground in wet seepages on rock outcrops, and in periodically inundated and fire-swept swamps, in full sun or in shade; 900–1800 m.

Distribution

W. Africa to Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Angola, also India to Japan and Philippines, Costa Rica, W. Indies, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay T1 T4 T6 T7 T8 U2 U3

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident

Distribution

Biogeografic region: Amazonia, Andean, Guiana Shield. Elevation range: 180–1250 m a.s.l. Native to Colombia. Colombian departments: Antioquia, Santander, Vaupés.

Habit

Herb.

Conservation

Listed in Appendix II of CITES.

Ecology

Habitat according IUCN Habitats Classification: forest and woodland, shrubland, artificial - terrestrial.

Orchidaceae, I. la Croix and P.J. Cribb. Flora Zambesiaca 11:1. 1995

Morphology General Habit

Terrestrial herb to 60 cm tall.

Vegetative Multiplication Pseudobulbs

Pseudobulbs up to 4 × 2.5 cm, ovoid, covered with leaf sheaths, partly underground.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 2–3, petiolate with a sheathing base, the lamina to 35 × 9 cm, lanceolate to ovate, acute, ribbed, light green.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Peduncle 5-angled with several sheaths; inflorescence densely many-flowered, rhachis to 15 cm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers small, c. 6 mm in diameter, green or yellow-green, the lip deep purple or green-purple.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel and Ovary

Pedicel and ovary 10–12 mm long, erect.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts to 7 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Dorsal sepal 5.3–6.3 × 1–2 mm, linear, fleshy, erect or reflexed; lateral sepals 3–5 × 2–3 mm, oblong, falcate, often rolled up, lying below lip.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 4.5–6 mm long, narrowly linear, reflexed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip 2.5–4 × 2.5–4.5 mm, ± orbicular, auriculate at the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column arched, 2.5–4 mm long with lateral wings towards the apex and an apical wing around the anther.