Cranichis

Swartz

Prodr., 8, 120. 1788.

Common names: Helmet orchid
Etymology: Greek kranos, helmet, for helmetlike appearance of lip
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 546. Mentioned on page 498.
 TaxonIllustrator 
FNA26 Plate 089.jpegSpiranthes diluvialis
Stenorrhynchos michuacanum
Cranichis muscosa
Barbara Alongi
Barbara Alongi
Barbara Alongi

Herbs terrestrial, sympodial. Roots several, fasciculate, thick, villous. Stems simple, rhizomatous. Leaves 1–many, often forming basal rosette; blade petiolate, not articulate, thin. Inflorescences terminal, several to many-flowered racemes, erect; scape with a few sheathing bracts. Flowers not resupinate; sepals and petals spreading, distinct, thin; lip concave, fleshy; column cylindric, short; anther erect, abaxial; pollinia 4, clavate, mealy, breaking apart in chunks, not powdery, attached to caudicle; stigma entire; rostellum apical, viscidium terminal; ovary pedicellate. Fruits capsules, erect.

Distribution

Subtropical and tropical regions, North America, Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America

Discussion

Species 60 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

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... more about "Cranichis"
self-pollination +
James D. Ackerman +
Swartz +
indehiscent +
not articulate +  and petiolate +
conduplicate +  and plicate +
flattened +, triangular +  and cylindric +
cylindric +
Helmet orchid +
Subtropical and tropical regions +, North America +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +  and South America +
Greek kranos, helmet, for helmetlike appearance of lip +
3-merous +, sessile +  and pedicellate +
not resupinate +
lateral +  and terminal +
petiolate +, sessile +  and simple +
duplicate +, convolute +, whorled +, opposite +, distichous +  and alternate +
cauline +  and basal +
1 (?) +  and Many (?) +
reduced +
concave +
larger +
differing in form and color +
1-many-flowered +  and cymose +
pendent +  and erect +
distinct +
not powdery +
many-flowered +
aerial +  and subterranean +
minute +
distinct +
foliaceous +
not +  and alike +
rhizomatous +  and simple +
pendent +  and erect +
proliferous +
thickened +  and stout +
concave +  and convex +
Cranichis +
Orchidaceae (tribe Cranichideae) subtribe Cranichidinae +
annual +  and perennial +
aquatic +, lithophytic +, terrestrial +  and epiphytic +
saprophytic +, photosynthetic +  and mycotrophic +