Micropera


Micropera, commonly known as dismal orchids or 小囊兰属 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.

Description

Orchids in the genus Micropera are epiphytic, monopodial herbs with fibrous stems up to long supported at intervals by coarse, thick roots. Widely spaced, leathery, linear leaves up to long and 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.

Taxonomy and naming

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

Distribution

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

Species list

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