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Acianthera polystachya (Acianthera polystachya)

Description

The plants are epiphytes or rarely rupícolas , very variable, from small to, large of creeping growth or cespitosas , erect or sometimes flattened on the substrate, but usually they are quite robust. Its racemose inflorescence may contain one or many flowers that are thick and hairy, with connate sepals. Although the genus was proposed in 1842, it was ignored by botanists until the 2000s when molecular genetic research demonstrated the desirability of accepting the proposal. Until then, all these species are considered members of Pleurothallis , so it is still popularly known. As the Pleurothallidinae subtribeto which they belong, consists of more than four thousand species, it should still take a few years until the relationship between all the species is known and each of them assigned to the genus in which they should be classified, especially since many of their Species are rare, little known or their descriptions do not bring enough information to correctly identify the species. Since flowers are almost never showy, it usually only arouses interest in specialized collectors, which makes it difficult for researchers to find the species they need for their studies.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum:

        • Class: Liliopsida

          • Order: Asparagales

            • Family: Orchidaceae

              • Genus: Acianthera