IDENTIFYING THE ORCHIDS
One
thing it to find and photo orchids, a completely other task is the
identification of the single species. Despite I'm just a gardener, I will try to set a name to each species I encounter. To
do this, I have found this key. First, I have to get the terms
explained. Then I can use this key.
ILLUSTRATED GLOSSARY OF THE ORCHID
IDENTIFICATION TERMINOLOGY
The illustrations can be found in the
button of this page. Additional explanations of terms are
available on cited figures (Fig. 1-12).
Abaxial - the side away from the
axis, normally the lower surface.
Acaulescent - becoming stemless.
Acaulous - stemless or nearly so.
Achlorophyllous - without
chlorophyll, as in plants or plant
structures lacking green color.
Actinomorphic - radially
symmetrical.
Aculeate - prickly; covered with
prickles.
Acuminate - having a gradually
tapering point. Fig. 12.
Acute - distinctly and sharply
pointed, but not drawn out. Fig. 12.
Adaxial - the side toward the
axis, normally the upper surface.
Adnate - united or joined
together.
Adpressed (appressed) - lying
flat for the whole length of the organ.
Amplexicaul - clasping the stem.
Androclinium - see clinandrium.
Androecium - all of the stamens
in a flower.
Anther - the expanded, apical,
pollen bearing portion of the stamen.
Fig. 4-7, 10.
Anther cup (operculum) - highly
modified, easily removable lid-like
anther wall, which covers pollinia
placed on the top of column in many
representatives of Dendrobioideae
and Vandoideae subfamilies. Fig.
8-10.
Antrorse - directed forward or
upward.
Aphyllous - without leaves.
Apiculate - with a short, sharp,
but not stiff, point. Fig. 12.
Appressed - see adpressed.
Approximate - drawn close
together, but not united.
Aristate - awned, sharply
terminated by a hard, straight point.
Fig. 12.
Articulate - jointed. Fig. 3.
Articulation - point of
attachment. Fig. 3.
Attenuate - tapering gradually to
a narrow base. Fig. 12.
Auricle 1 - a small lateral
outgrowth on the top of column in
representatives of subfamily
Orchidoideae. Fig. 7.
Auricle 2 - a small, ear-shaped
appendage, commonly at the base of lip
or leaf. Fig. 12.
Auriculate - with a small
ear-like lobe. Fig. 12.
Axial placentation - placentation
when ovules are attached to the central
axis of an ovary with two or more
locules. Fig. 2, a.
Axil - the point at the angle
between a leaf and a stem.
Axillary - borne in the axil.
Bark epiphytes (trunk epiphytes)
- epiphytes growing on branches of
middle size in medium zone of tree
canopies. Fig. 1, f.
Berry - a fleshy, many-seeded
fruit composed of more than one carpel.
Bicuspidate - having 2 sharp
points.
Bidentate - with two teeth. Fig.
12.
Bifid - divided into 2 shallow
segments, usually at the apex. Fig. 12.
Bifurcate - forked.
Bipartite - divided nearly to the
base into two portions.
Bract - more or less reduced
leaf-like organ bearing a flower,
inflorescence or partial inflorescence
in its axil. Fig. 3.
Branchepiphytes (canopy
epiphytes) - epiphytes growing on small
branchlets and perennial leaves in
peripheral zone of tree canopies. Fig.
1, g.
Canopy epiphytes - branch
epiphytes.
Broadly elliptic -
spindle-shaped, two-dimensional; with an
index from 1 to about 1.4. Fig. 11.
Broadly lanceolate -
lance-shaped, narrow, tapering toward
the apex more than toward the base; with
an index from 3 to around 4. Fig. 11.
Broadly oblanceolate - inversely
broadly lanceolate. Fig. 11.
Broadly obovate - inversely
broadly ovate. Fig. 11.
Broadly ovate - egg-shaped in
outline, broader at the base,
two-dimensional; with an index less than
1.4. Fig. 11.
Broadly triangular -
three-angled, with an index less than
0.85. Fig. 11.
Bursicle - a cup-like covering
over the viscidium in some
representatives of subtribe
Orchidinae. Fig. 10.
Caducous - falling off early,
like floral bracts in some species of
Calanthe or Coelogyne.
Caespitose - tufted.
Callus (pl. calli) - a thickening
or protuberance, commonly on the lip.
Fig. 6.
Calyculus - a small cup or circle
of bract-like structures outside of the
sepals in species of Lecanorchis.
Fig. 8.
Campanulate - bell-shaped.
Canaliculate - channeled, with a
longitudinal groove.
Canopy epiphytes - see branch
epiphytes. Fig. 1, g.
Capilletium - the sterile
kapok-like hairs within the fruit
mellowing seed masses, particularly in
epiphytes. Fig. 9.
Capitate - head-like.
Capsule - a dry, many-seeded,
dehiscent fruit composed of more than
one carpel. Fig. 9.
Carinate - keeled.
Carpel - highly modified
megasporophyll, formed from one modified
leaf bearing ovules (megasporangia) and
seeds; in the orchids, the three carpels
are so united and modified as to be
nearly unrecognizable. Fig. 2, a, b.
Caudate - tailed; with a
tail-like appendage. Fig. 12.
Caudicle - a slender elastic
extension of the pollinium, or a mealy
portion at one end of the pollinium; the
structure is a part of the pollen, which
is formed within the anther. Fig. 6, 7,
10.
Central - relating to the central
part of a body.
Ciliate - having fine hairs at
the margin, refers usually to the margin
of leaf or tepal. Fig. 12.
Clavate - club-shaped, pointed at
one end and rounded at the other.
Claw - the conspicuously narrowed
and attenuate base of an organ.
Cleistogamous - refers to flowers
which regularly self-pollinate without
opening.
Clinandrium (androclinium) - the
anther bed, that part of the column
under, or surrounding, the anther. Fig.
9.
Column - more or less modified
structure formed by union of filaments
and style. Fig. 4-6, 8-10.
Column wing - a wing-or arm-like
appendage of the column, usually
lateral.
Columnfoot - a ventral extension
of the base of the column which has the
lip attached at its tip. Fig. 8.
Complanate - flattened or
compressed.
Conduplicate - leaf or leaf-like
organs, with a single median fold, with
each half being flat. Fig. 2, m.
Congeneric - belong to the same
genus.
Connate - united.
Connective - the sterile portion
of the filament connecting the two
pollen sacs of an anther. Fig. 7, 10.
Connivent - coming into close
contact or converging, but not united.
Conspecific - belonging to the
same species.
Convolute - rolled up
longitudinally with parts in an
overlapping arrangement. Fig. 2, j.
Cordate - heart-shaped with the
base at the broad, notched end. Fig. 11,
12.
Coriaceous - leathery.
Corolla - the inner whorl of the
perianth, petals.
Corymb - flat-topped
inflorescence.
Crenate - scalloped, toothed with
crenations. Fig. 11.
Crenulate - crenate, but the
teeth small. Fig. 11.
Cristate - crested.
Cucullate - hooded, hood-shaped.
Cuneate - wedge-shaped. Fig. 12.
Cuspidate - tipped with a sharp,
rigid point. Fig. 12.
Decurved - curved or bent down.
Deflexed - bent outwards.
Dentate - toothed. Fig. 11.
Denticulate - minutely toothed.
Fig. 11.
Determinate - a habit of growth
in which each unit has a limited growth,
usually in sympodial shoot.
Disc - the face of any flat organ
with special reference to the lip.
Distal - away from the base,
toward the apex.
Distichous - having leaves or
other organs in two opposite rows.
Dorsal - refers to the back or
outward surface of an organ in relation
to the axis; in orchids refers to the
upper side of the flower; see abaxial.
Dorsal sepal - see median sepal.
Dorsiventral - an organ which has
more or less distinct dorsal and ventral
surfaces, as a non-terete leaf.
Duplicate - refers to the folding
of leaves during development, folded
once with each half flat. Fig. 2, k.
Echinate - with numerous stiff
hairs or spines.
Elastoviscin - a very elastic
substance found in pollinia and
especially in caudicles.
Ellipsoid - spindle-shaped;
narrow and tapering at the ends,
three-dimensional.
Elliptic - spindle-shaped,
two-dimensional; with an index around
1.4-3. Fig. 11.
Emarginate - notched, usually at
the apex. Fig. 12.
Endemic - confined to a given
region.
Ensiform - sword-shaped. Fig. 11.
Entire - simple and with a smooth
edge, as contrasted to toothed or lobed.
Fig. 11.
Ephemer - living a very short
time (usually annual plants of arid
areas).
Ephemeral - of flowers, referring
to those which last only a few hours.
Ephemeroid - perennial plants of
arid areas with very short vegetative
and reproductive periods.
Epichile - the terminal part of a
complex lip when it is distant from the
basal portion. Fig. 6.
Epigeous - growing upon the
ground.
Epiphyte - a plant growing on
another plant but not parasitic. Fig. 1,
e-g.
Equitant - said of conduplicate
or laterally flattened leaves or bracts
which overlap each other in two ranks.
Erose - bitten or gnawed. Fig.
11.
Extrafloral - occurring outside
of a flower; refers usually to glands
that are found outside of flower buds.
Falcate - sickle-shaped. Fig. 11.
Farinose - mealy.
Fasciculate - clustered or
bundled.
Filament - the stalk of the
stamen which bears the anther. Fig. 4,
5.
Filiform - thread-like.
Fimbriate - fringed, refers
usually to the margin of leaf or tepal.
Fig. 11.
Flabellate - fan-shaped. Fig. 11.
Flexuose - bent alternately in
opposite directions.
Flora - the array of all plant
species occurring in a region.
Floral bract - more or less
reduced leaf-like organ bearing a flower
(or reduced floral bud) in its axil.
Fig. 3, 5, 6, 8.
Fovea - a small depression or
pit, like in lip of Malaxis
species.
Fusiform - spindle-shaped.
Geniculate - abruptly bent like a
knee-joint.
Geophyte - plants, in which new
annual shoot develops from underground
bud, usually tuberiferous or bulb
ephemeroids.
Gibbous - swollen or enlarged on
one side; ventricose.
Glabrous - hairless.
Gland 1 - an appendage,
protuberance, or other structure which
secretes nectary substances. Fig. 6.
Gland 2 - see viscidium.
Globose - spherical.
Gynostemium - see column.
Hamulus - a pollinium stalk which
is formed by modified bended rostellum
apex. Fig. 10.
Hastate - spear-shaped, with the
basal lobes turned outwards. Fig. 11,
12.
Heteranthous - an apical
inflorescence produced on a separate
shoot which doesnot develop
toproduceapseudobulbandleaves. Fig. 2,
f.
Hirsute - hairy.
Hispid - bristly.
Humus epiphytes - epiphytes
growing in forks of tree stem on thick
accumulations of humus. Fig. 1, e.
Hyaline - glass-like, colorless,
translucent.
Hygroscopic - capable of
absorbing moisture from the atmosphere.
Hypochile - the basal portion of
a complex lip. Fig. 6, 9.
Hysteranthous - an apical
inflorescence produced after the
pseudobulbs and leaves have developed.
Fig. 2, i.
Imbricate - overlapping.
Incumbent - lying on or against.
Indehiscent - not opening at
maturity along definite lines or by
pores.
Index (leaf, tepal index) - the
length of flat figure divided by its
width.
Indumentum - any covering,
commonly refers to hairiness.
Inferior - inserted below, like
the ovary in the orchids.
Inflorescence - the flowering
part of a plant, which includes usually
floral axis, floral bracts and flowers.
Fig. 3, 5-9.
Inflorescence bract - more or
less reduced leaf-like organ bearing an
inflorescence or partial inflorescence
(or reduced inflorescence bud) in its
axil. Fig. 3, 7.
Internode - the section of a stem
between two nodes. Fig. 3.
Isthmus - a narrow portion of a
lip or petal.
Keel - a prominent longitudinal
ridge, like the keel of a boat. Fig. 6,
8, 9.
Labellum - see lip.
Lacerate - cut or cleft
irregularly, refers usually to the
margin of leaf or tepal. Fig. 11.
Lacinate - cut into narrow,
irregular lobes or segments, refers
usually to the margin of leaf or tepal.
Fig. 11.
Lamella - a membrane or septum.
Lamina - a blade, the expanded
flat portion of a leaf or tepal.
Lanceolate - lance-shaped,
narrow, tapering toward the apex more
than toward the base; with an index
around 4-7. Fig. 11.
Lateral - borne on or near the
side of midline of a bilaterally
symmetrical organ.
Lateral sepals - adaxial segments
of the outer whorl of perianth (calyx).
Fig. 6-9.
Laterally flattened - compressed
from lateral sides.
Lax - loose, distant.
Leaf blade - the broad part of a
leaf. Fig. 3.
Leaf index - see index.
Leaf sheath - the leaf base which
surrounds the stem. Fig. 3, 5, 6.
Liana - a plant with long stem
not self-supporting, but climbing or
trailing on any erect substratum. Fig.
1, d.
Ligulate - with a ligule;
strap-or tongue-shaped.
Ligule - a strap-like body.
Linear - leaf blade at least 12
times longer than broad, with the sides
parallel. Fig. 11.
Lingulate - tongue-shaped.
Lip - in orchids highly modified
median (adaxial) segment of the inner
whorl of perianth (corolla). Fig. 4-9.
Lithophyte - growing on stones
and rocks. Fig. 1, c.
Lobule - a small lobe.
Longitudinal section (sagittal
section) - section along axis of an
organ.
Lunate - half-moon shaped.
Massula (pl. massulae) - a packet
of pollen.
Median - situated on the midline
of a bilaterally symmetrical organ.
Median sepal - abaxial segment of
the outer whorl of perianth (calyx).
Fig. 5-9.
Mentum - a chin-like projection
formed by the lateral sepals and
extended columnfoot. Fig. 8.
Mesochile - the middle portion of
a complex lip. Fig. 6.
Monopodial growth - indefinite
growth which continues from a terminal
bud from season to season. Fig. 2, c.
Mucro - a sharp terminal point.
Fig. 12.
Mucronate - tipped with a short,
sharp, abrupt point (mucro). Fig. 12.
Mycorrhiza - a symbiotic
relationship between a fungus and the
root of a plant.
Mycotrophic (saprophytic) -
plants which obtain nutrients from fungi
by means of mycorrhizal symbiotic or
parasitic relationships. Fig. 1, b.
Myrmecophyte - any plant which is
associated with ants.
Narrowly elliptic -
spindle-shaped, two-dimensional; with an
index around 3-8. Fig. 11.
Narrowly lanceolate -
lance-shaped, narrow, tapering toward
the apex more than toward the base; with
an index from 7 to around 12. Fig. 11.
Narrowly oblanceolate - inversely
narrowly lanceolate. Fig. 11.
Narrowly obovate - inversely
narrowly ovate. Fig. 11.
Narrowly ovate - egg-shaped in
outline, broader at the base,
two-dimensional; with an index about
1.6-3. Fig. 11.
Nectary - a nectar-producing
structure or gland.
Node - the point on a stem at
which a leaf or bract is attached. Fig.
3.
Non-resupinate flower - the
flower with not-resupinate ovary having
the lip turned upwards.
Obcordate - inversely cordate.
Fig. 11.
Oblanceolate - inversely
lanceolate. Fig. 11.
Obligate - restricted to
particular conditions or circumstances,
like achlorophyllous mycotrophic plants.
Fig. 1, b.
Oblique - with unequal sides;
slanting. Fig. 12.
Oblique bifid - divided into 2
unequal shallow segments, usually at the
apex. Fig. 12.
Oblong - much longer than broad,
with nearly parallel sides, rounded at
each end. Fig. 11.
Obovate - inversely ovate. Fig.
11.
Obsolete - wanting or
rudimentary. Obtuse - blunt or rounded
at the apex. Fig. 12.
Ombrophilous - adapted to shady
habitats of humid rainy forest.
Operculum - see anther cup. Fig.
8.
Orbicular - of a flat body with a
circular outline. Fig. 11.
Oval - oval-shaped, not much
longer than broad, with nearly parallel
sides, rounded at each end. Fig. 11.
Ovary - the part of the flower
that contains ovules and develops into
the fruit. Fig. 3-5, 8.
Ovate - egg-shaped in outline,
broader at the base, two-dimensional;
with an index around 1.4-1.6. Fig. 11.
Ovoid - egg-shaped,
three-dimensional.
Palea - flat or terete, moveable
appendages attached by a filiform base,
found on tepals in some species of
Bulbophyllum. Fig. 8.
Pandurate - violin-or
fiddle-shaped. Fig. 11.
Panicle - a much branched
inflorescence.
Paniculate - branched, branching
(of an inflorescence).
Papilla (pl. papillae) - a soft,
short, superficial gland or
protuberance. Fig. 6.
Papillose - covered with
papillae.
Parietal placentation -
placentation when ovules are attached to
the walls of the ovary. Fig. 2, b.
Pectinate - comb-like; with
close, regularly spaced teeth or hairs,
often in a single row, like the teeth of
a comb.
Pedicel - the stalk of a single
flower in an inflorescence. Fig. 3, 8.
Peduncle - the stalk bearing an
inflorescence or solitary flower. Fig.
3, 5, 6.
Peloric - a more or less radially
symmetrical mutant of a species which
normally has zygomorphic flowers.
Peltate - shield-shaped. Pendent
- hanging.
Pendulous - hanging.
Perianth (tepals) - a collective
term for sepals and petals, together.
Petals - in orchids two lateral
segments of the inner whorl of perianth
(corolla). Fig. 4, 5, 7, 9.
Petiolate leaf - leaf with
distinct petiole and leaf blade.
Petiole - a leaf stalk. Fig. 6.
Pilose - soft hairy.
Pistil - the female reproductive
organ of a flower, typically consisting
of a stigma, style and ovary.
Placenta - that portion of the
ovary that bears the ovules.
Placentation - the arrangement of
ovules and configuration of the
placentas in ovary. Fig. 2, a, b.
Plicate - pleated or folded
leaves having several to many major
longitudinal veins and folded in each
one. Fig. 2, l.
Pollen masses - see Pollinium.
Pollinarium (pl. pollinaria) -
the complete set of pollinia with
associated parts, like viscidium (viscidia)
and stipe. Fig. 6-10.
Pollinium (pl. pollinia) - a more
or less compact mass of pollen. Fig.
6-10.
Porate pollinium - pollinium with
a pore or pores.
Porrect - directed outward and
forward.
Prostrate - lying flat on the
ground.
Proteranthous - an apical
inflorescence produced before the
pseudobulbs and leaves on the same
shoot. Fig. 2, g.
Proximal - the part nearest the
axis, toward the base.
Pseudobulb - a swollen aerial
stem. Fig. 3, 8.
Pseudocopulation - a special type
of pollination, in which flowers mimic
female insects and are pollinated by the
males when they attempt to copulate with
the flowers.
Pseudopollen - mealy, farinose,
pollen-like deposit (originated from
highly modified papillae) on the lip of
some species of Eria and
Dendrobium.
Pubescent - softly hairy or
downy.
Pulvinate - cushion-like.
Pustulate - see pustulose.
Pustulose (pustulate) - having
small blisters or pustules.
Pyriform - pear-shaped. Fig. 11.
Quaquaversal - directed or
bending in every direction.
Raceme - an unbranched, elongate,
indeterminate inflorescence with
pedicellate flowers maturing from the
base upwards.
Racemose - having flowers in
racemes.
Rachis - the axis of an
inflorescence. Fig. 3, 8, 9.
Recurved - curved backwards or
downwards.
Reflexed - abruptly bent or
turned downwards or backwards.
Reniform - kidney-shaped. Fig.
11.
Resupinate flower - the flower
with resupinate ovary having the lip
turned down.
Reticulate - netted.
Retrorse - directed backwards or
downwards.
Retuse - shallowly notched at a
rounded apex. Fig. 12.
Revolute - rolled back from the
margin.
Rhizome - horizontal, underground
or surface-resting stem bearing scale
leaves and adventitious roots; in
sympodial orchids composed of the bases
of successive shoots. Fig. 3, 6.
Rhombic - diamond-shaped. Fig.
11.
Rhomboidal - quadrangular, nearly
rhombic, with obtuse lateral angles.
Root ridge - elongate callus on
fleshy rhizome which bears tufts of root
hairs in some rootless orchids like
species of Cheirostylis.
Root-stem tuberoid - see tuberoid.
Rosette - a densely clustered
spiral of leaves, usually borne near the
ground.
Rostellum - highly modified,
often beak-like sterile median portion
of stigma lying between the functional
part of stigma (stigmas) and stamen.
Fig. 6-10.
Rostellar arms - lateral narrow
wing-like rostellar extensions in some
representatives of subtribe
Goodyerinae. Fig. 6.
Rostrate - beaked.
Rosulate - with the leaves
arranged in basal rosettes on very short
stem.
Rotund - circular in outline.
Round - see rounded.
Rounded (round, rotund) - with a
rounded apex or base. Fig. 12.
Rugose - wrinkled.
Rugulose - somewhat wrinkled.
Saccate - with a conspicuous
swelling hollow.
Sagittal section - see
longitudinal section.
Sagittate - arrowhead-shaped.
Fig. 12.
Saprophyte - plants which obtain
nutrients by absorption of organic
substances from the soil (as a rule,
indirectly, by means of mycorrhizal
symbiotic or mycotrophic relationships
with soil fungi). Fig. 1, b.
Saprophytic - see mycotrophic.
Scale - any thin, flat, scarious
structure commonly of leaf origin. Fig.
3.
Scandent - climbing.
Scape - a leafless and flowerless
lower part of an inflorescence. Fig. 3,
5-7, 9.
Scarious - thin, dry and
membranous.
Scattered - arranged without
apparent order.
Sectile - the conditions in which
soft, granular pollinia are subdivided
into small packets, which are usually
connected by elastic threads.
Secund - arranged on one side of
the axis only.
Semicircular - half-round. Fig.
11.
Sepals - in orchids three
segments of the outer whorl of perianth
(calyx). Fig. 4.
Septum - a partition, like in the
spur or sac in many species of subtribe
Aeridinae.
Serrate - saw-like; toothed along
the margin, with the sharp, regular
teeth pointing forward. Fig. 11.
Serrulate - saw-like; toothed
along the margin with minute, sharp,
regular forward-pointing teeth. Fig. 11.
Sessile - attached directly,
without stalk or petiole.
Sessile leaf - leaf lacking the
petiole.
Seta (pl. setae) - a bristle.
Setaceous - bristle-like; with
bristles.
Sheath - a leaf-like structure
which enfolds a stem, pseudobulb, or
young inflorescence.
Sigmoid - S-shaped.
Spatulate - oblong and attenuated
at the base, like a spatula. Fig. 11.
Spicate - arranged in a spike.
Spike - an unbranched
inflorescence with sessile or subsessile
flowers maturing from the bottom
upwards.
Spur - a slender, tubular or
sac-like often nectar-containing
projection commonly formed by the base
of the lip. Fig. 6, 7, 9.
Stamen - the male reproductive
organ of a flower, consisting of an
anther and filament. Fig. 5.
Staminode (staminodium) - a
sterile stamen, often modified in shape
and size. Fig. 4, 5, 7.
Staminodium - see staminode.
Stelidium (pl. stelidia) - a
wing-or arm-like lateral appendage on
the top of the column. Fig. 8, 9.
Stigma - the portion of the
pistil which is receptive to pollen.
Fig. 4-6, 8-10.
Stigma lobes - two completely
separated lateral lobes of stigma. Fig.
7.
Stigmatophore - an elongated
process on either side of the base of
the column bearing lateral stigmatic
lobe. Fig. 7.
Stipe (tegula) - a non viscid
band or strap of columnar tissue which
connects the pollinia to the viscidium.
Fig. 9, 10.
Stipitate - raised on a stalk.
Style - the slender part of the
pistil which connects the ovary with the
stigma; forms a part of the column. Fig.
4, 5.
Subacute - slightly acute. Fig.
12.
Subulate - awl-shaped. Fig. 11.
Sulcate - with longitudinal
grooves or furrows.
Sympodial growth - growth in
which each new shoot is determinate and
terminates in one season with terminal
or lateral inflorescence. Fig. 2, d,
e.
Synanthous - an inflorescence
when pseudobulb, leaf and apical
inflorescence are produced together.
Fig. 2, h.
Synsepal (synsepalum) - a
compound organ formed by the union of
two lateral sepals, like in species of
Paphiopedilum. Fig. 5.
Tegula - see stipe.
Tepal index - see index.
Tepals - see perianth.
Terete - cylindric and usually
tapering. Fig. 11.
Terminal - the end or apex.
Terrestrial - ground dwelling
plants, usually with creeping rhizome,
ground pseudobulbs or subterranean tuber
(root-stem tuberoids). Fig. 1, a.
Tessellate - chequered.
Theca (pl. thecae) - a pollen sac
or cell of the anther. Fig. 7.
Tomentose - densely covered with
matted woolly or short hairs.
Triangular - three-angled, with
an index more than 0.85. Fig. 11.
Trichome - a hair or hair-like
outgrowth of the epidermis. Fig. 9.
Tridentate - three-toothed. Fig.
12.
Truncate - ending abruptly, as
though broken off. Fig. 12.
Trunk epiphytes - see bark
epiphytes. Fig. 1, f.
Tuber - in orchids see tuberoid.
Tuberoid (root-stem tuberoid) - a
thickened, more or less modified
tuber-like root with a bud and some
anatomical stem structures at the base.
Fig. 7.
Umbo - a small blunt or rounded
protuberance, as on the ventral surface
of staminode in some species of
Paphiopedilum. Fig. 5.
Umbonate - having a central,
projecting point, like the boss of a
shield.
Uncinnate - hook-shaped.
Undulate - waved.
Unguiculate - contracted at the
base into a claw. Fig. 12.
Urceolate - pitcher-, vase-or
urn-shaped.
Velamen - one or more layers of
hygroscopic spongy dead cells on the
outside of a root.
Ventral - refers to the front or
inward surface of an organ in relation
to the axis; see adaxial.
Ventricose - swollen or inflated
on one side.
Verrucose - warty.
Verticillate - whorled.
Villose - with long, weak hairs.
Vine - see liana.
Viscidiophore - an elongated
prolongation of the base of theca
(anther canal) and rostellum side lobes
bearing at the apex viscidium. Fig. 7.
Viscidium (pl. viscidia) - a
viscid, usually disc-like part of the
rostellum joined to the pollinium,
enabling it to adhere to an
insect-pollinator body. Fig. 6-10.
Whorl - a circle of three or more
leaves or leaf-like organs attached at
the same level on a stem.
Zygomorphic - bilaterally
symmetrical.
Fig. 1. Ecological
groups of orchids and their habitats.
Orchids in the flora of
Vietnam may be terrestrial plants (a, about 20%),
achlorophyllous obligate mycotrophic (saprophytic) herbs (b,
about 2%), lithophytes (c, about 8%), lianas or vines (d,
about 2%), humus epiphytes (e, about 15%), bark epiphytes (f,
about 48%) and branch epiphytes (g, about 5%).
Fig. 2. Basic orchid
morphology: a, b -
transversal section of ovary
with axial placentation in
Apostasia odorata (a)
and parietal placentation in
Dendrobium cariniferum
(b); c-e - main types
of orchid growth system with
monopodial shoot (c),
sympodial shoot with apical
inflorescence (d) and
sympodial shoot with lateral
inflorescence (e); rings
designate flowers, filled
rings designate fruits,
lines designate
bracts/leaves, arrows show
direction of growth, broken
line designate obsolete old
part of shoot; f-i -
main types of orchid
inflorescences according to
features of their
development: heteranthous in
Coelogyne cristata
(f), proteranthous in C.
lentiginosa (g),
synanthous in Pholidota
rubra (h) and
hysteranthous (i)
inflorescence in C.
fimbriata; j, k -
types of leaf development
(transversal section of
developing leaves) with
convolute leaves in
Liparis nervosa (j) and
duplicate leaves in C.
fimbriata (k); l-n
- types of orchid leaves
(transversal section of
mature leaves) with plicate
in Tainia viridifusca
(l), conduplicate in
Paphiopedilum concolor
(m) and laterally flattened
leaves in Oberonia
ensiformis (n).
Fig. 3. Structure of
orchid shoot.
Fig. 4. Orchid
morphology (subfamily
Apostasioideae).
Fig. 5. Orchid
morphology (subfamily
Cypripedioideae).
Fig.6. Orchid
morphology (subfamily
Spiranthoideae).
Fig. 7. Orchid
morphology (subfamily
Orchidoideae).
Fig. 8. Orchid
morphology (subfamily
Epidendroideae).
Fig. 9. Orchid
morphology (subfamily
Vandoideae).
Fig.10. Main types of
pollinaria and pollinium
stalk in orchids: a, b
- sagittal section of column
(a) and pollinarium (b) off
lower of Tropidia
curculigoides, that
illustrate hamulus
formation; c, d -
sagittal section of column (c)
and pollinarium (d) of
flower of Doritis
pulcherrima, that
illustrate stipe (tegula)
formation; e, f -
sagittal section of column
(e) and pollinarium (f) of
flower of Dactylorhiza
incarnata, that
illustrate caudicle
formation.
Fig. 11. Main types
of shapes and margins of
orchid leaf and tepal.
Fig. 12. Main types
of apices and bases of
orchid leaf and tepal.
Laboratory studies and work with
manuscript and illustrations was
supported by Swiss Orchid
Conservation fund of Zurich Foundation
for Orchid Conservation of Swiss Orchid
Society. Project - "Orchids of
Vietnam, work on monograph manuscript",
2005-2007. |