Micropera, commonly known as dismal orchids[2] or 小囊兰属 (xiao nang lan shu)[3] is a genus of about twenty species of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Plants in this genus are large epiphytes with thick roots, long, fibrous stems, linear leaves and whitish or yellow, non-resupinate flowers. The sepals and petals are similar to each other and the labellum is shoe-shaped or sac-like and has three lobes. It is found from Tibet to tropical Asia and the western Pacific Ocean.

Micropera
Micropera utriculosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Vandeae
Subtribe: Aeridinae
Genus: Micropera
Lindl.[1]
Synonyms[1]

Camarotis Lindl.

Description

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Orchids in the genus Micropera are epiphytic, monopodial herbs with fibrous stems up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) long supported at intervals by coarse, thick roots. Widely spaced, leathery, linear leaves up to 170 millimetres (6.7 in) long and 20 millimetres (0.79 in) wide are arranged along the stems. Short flowering stems emerge oppose the leaves bearing non-resupinate, whitish, pink or yellowish flowers. The sepals and petals are narrow, fleshy and similar to and free from each other. The labellum is shoe-shaped or sac-like with a prominent spur near its base and has three lobes. The side lobes are broad and erect.[2][3][4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

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The genus Micropera was first formally described in 1832 by John Lindley and the description was published in Edwards's Botanical Register.[6][7] The name Micropera is derived from the Ancient Greek words mikros meaning "small" or "little"[8]: 488  and pera meaning "pouch" or "wallet".[8]: 188 

Distribution

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Species of Micropera are found from the Himalayas to China, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia.

Species list

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The following is a list of Micropera species accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families as at December 2018:[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Micropera". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. ^ a b Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 437. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. ^ a b Chen, Xinqi; Wood, Jeffrey J. "Micropera". Flora of China. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  4. ^ D.L.Jones; T.Hopley; S.M.Duffy (2010). "Micropera". Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids. Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Genus Micropera". Orchids of New Guinea. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  6. ^ "Micropera". APNI. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  7. ^ Lindley, John (1832). "Micropera". Edwards's Botanical Register. 18: t. 1522. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  8. ^ a b Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.