Diaphananthe Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 53: 600 (1915).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Chamaeangis Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36(2): 107 (1918).
Description:
Ephiphytic, rarely lithophytic, monopodial herbs. Stem long or short, covered with old leaf bases. Roots long, usually numerous, arising along the stem, often with prominent white streaks. Leaves distichous, unequally 2-lobed at the apex, articulated to a sheathing base, often twisted to lie in one plane. Inflorescences 1–many, usually several- to many-flowered. Flowers translucent, usually smallish, white, greenish, pale yellow, straw-orange or, rarely, pinkish and purplish. Sepals and petals free. Lip entire or obscurely lobed, spurred, usually with a tooth-like callus in the mouth of the spur; pollinia 2; stipites 2; viscidia 1 or 2.Rostellum varied.
Type species:
Diaphananthe pellucida (Lindl.) Schltr. (lecto.).
Distribution:
Trop. & S. Africa
Notes:
In account below the species are presented in 3 groups, as they were by Schleter in 1918.
Diaphananthe Group 1
Description:
Flowers in opposite pairs or in whorls of 3 or 4.
Diaphananthe Group 2
Description:
Flowers alternate, stems short, to 15 cm long in mature plants, or shorter; leaves in a rosette or crowded at the apex of the stems.
Diaphananthe Group 3
Description:
Flowers alternate; stems elongated, at least 20 cm in mature plants, leafy along most of their length.
Diaphananthe species some not yet are in location:
World Checklist of Monocotyledons. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.kew.org/wcsp/monocots/ accessed 27.02.2017
Bibliography and References:
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Croix I la. 1994 Angraecoid orchids: 6. Diaphananthe and some relatives. Orchid Rev. 102. (1199): 272-275 (1994)
Diaphananthe and some relatives. Orchid Rev. 102. (1199): 272-275 (1994)
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