44. Lepanthopsis (Cogniaux) Ames, Bot. Mus. Leafl. 1(9): 3. 1933.
[Greek lepis, scale, and anthos, flower, referring to small, scalelike flowers]
C. A. Luer
Pleurothallis R. Brown sect. Lepanthopsis Cogniaux in C. F. P. von Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 3(4): 591. 1896
Herbs, epiphytic. Roots fibrous. Stems erect, slender; sheaths enclosing stems, ± imbricate, ribbed, tubular, dilated at mouth, ± ciliate or scabrous on ribs and margin of mouth. Leaves 1, erect, subsessile; blade elliptic, leathery. Inflorescences terminal, 1–several-clustered racemes, distichous. Flowers opening simultaneously; sepals unequal; lateral sepals variously connate, membranous, glabrous [pubescent]; lip usually simple [3-lobed], not callous, base inflexibly attached to obsolete column foot; column short, broad, wingless, column foot rudimentary, apex hooded; anther apical; pollinia 2, free or adnate to common viscidium, obovoid; ovary articulate with minute, curved pedicel; stigma apical, 2-lobed; rostellum apical. Fruits capsules, deciduous at pedicel (ca. 1 mm), ovoid, 3-valved.
Species ca. 35 (1 in the flora): tropics, Mexico, West Indies (Greater Antilles), Central America, South America.
SELECTED REFERENCE
Luer, C. A. 1991. Systematics of the genus Lepanthopsis (Orchidaceae). Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 39: 1–78.
