Cleisostoma aspersum
Cleisostoma aspersum (Rchb.f.) Garay
Cleisostoma aspersum is an epiphytic orchid found in the Orchidaceae family, distributed in regions such as Assam, the East and West Himalaya, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is a perennial, monopodial herb growing on tall mossy trees in primary evergreen broad-leaved, very humid forests on eroded limestone at elevations of 1000–1100 m. It flowers from May to June. The species was first verified in Vietnam based on field observations and herbarium specimens, and is assessed as Critically Endangered there.
Description
Cleisostoma aspersum has a semi-woody, erect or ascending stem, 1–3 cm long, with 2–4 leaves. The leaves are leathery, oblong, and truncate with 3–5 teeth at the apex. The inflorescence is a lateral raceme, 12–20 cm long, with flowers that are pale yellow with a purple median vein and a white lip with a yellow back wall callus. It resembles C. flavescens and C. discolor but differs in floral and vegetative characteristics, including shorter stems, shorter leaves, and distinct floral morphology such as fleshy lips and shallowly bilobed side-lobes.
Distribution
Assam · East Himalaya · Myanmar · Nepal · Thailand · Vietnam · West Himalaya
Synonyms
Sarcanthus aspersusSarcanthus bicuspidatusSarcanthus khasiaensisStereochilus bicuspidatusCleisostoma bicuspidatum
