Pleurothallis dracuncula (Luer & Hirtz) J.M.H.Shaw 2014 SUBGENUS Pleurothallis SECTION Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae Lindl 1859

TYPE Drawing of Acronia dracuncula by Carl Luer and The Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Jany Renz Herbaria Website

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Common Name or Meaning The Little Dragon Pleurothallis [refers to the gaping mouth with a hairy tongue]

Flower Size .4" [1 cm]

Found in Cotopaxi province of Ecuador at elevations around 1200 meters as a medium sized, cool growing, caespitose epiphyte with stout, erect ramicauls enveloped by a tubular bract in the lower third and 2 others at the base carrying a single, horizontal, coriaceous, broadly ovate, obtuse, acuminate, sessile, deeply cordate base leaf that blooms in the summer on a .08 to .12" [2 to 3 mm] long peduncle, enveloped mostly by a reclining spathe, successively single, few flowered inflorescence with tubular, shorter than the the pedicel floral bracts.

Related to P cordata but this gigantic version has larger leaves, larger flowers and a much larger spathe, subverrucose ovary, dark purple, glabrous sepals and ciliate, pubescent obovate lip and petals.

Synonyms *Acronia dracuncula Luer & Hirtz 2005

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ;

* Icones Pleurothallidinarum Vol XXVII Systematics of Dryadella Systematics of Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae Luer 2005 as Acronia dracuncula

Icones Pleurothallidinarum Vol XXVII Systematics of Dryadella Systematics of Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae Luer 2005 as Acronia dracuncula drawing fide;

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