Microchilus carauchanus (Ormerod) E.C.Smidt & M.W.Chase 2021

TYPE Drawing of Aspidogyne carauchana `by © Paul Ormerod and TAIWANIA, 54(1): 45 Ormerod 2009

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Common Name The Cerro Caraucha Microchilus [A mountain in Cundinamarca Colombia]

Flower Size .12" [3 mm]

Found in Cundinamarca department of Colombia at elevations below 1800 meters [the type was reported to be found at an elevation of 2200 meters but this is impossible as the highest elevation in this area is 2000 meters] as a small sized, cool growing terrestrial with a basally decumbent stem becoming erect carrying 10, obliquely ovate-elliptic, acute to subacuminate, narrowing below into the petiolate base leaves that blooms in the later spring on an erect, pubescent, 10.2" [25.5 cm] long overall, peduncle to 7.2" [18 cm] long, 3 bracted, lax, lowest subfoliose, rachis to 3" [7.5 cm] long, laxly 15 flowered inflorescence with ovate-lanceolate, subacuminate, as long as the ovary floral bracts and carrying sparsely pubescent flowers of unknown colors.

Similar to M colombiana but A carauchana has petals with a distinct obtuse lobule near the apex and the lip has a fusiform spur that is .14" to .16" [3.5 to 3.7 mm] long.

Similar to M chocoensis but M carauchanus has 10 leaves [compared to 4 to 5] a narrowly fusiform spur and narrower lateral sepals .056 versus .08" [1.4 vs 2mm] as well as petals with a less distinct callosity.

Synonyms *Aspidogyne carauchana Ormerod 2009;

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ;

* TAIWANIA, 54(1): 45 Ormerod 2009 as Aspidogyne carauchana drawing fide;

Materials to the Orchid Flora of Colombia Vol 1: 424 Szlachetko & Kolanowska 2017 as Aspidogyne carauchana drawing fide;

* Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 197: 338 E.C.Smidt & M.W.Chase 2021

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