Trichoglottis ramosa
Trichoglottis ramosa (Lindl.) Senghas
Trichoglottis ramosa is an epiphytic orchid species in the Orchidaceae family, found in lowland evergreen broad-leaved forests across several regions in Southeast Asia, including Assam, Bangladesh, East Himalaya, India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is characterized by rigid, ascending stems with leafy apical halves and distinctive inflorescences. The flowers are white with brown and orange sepals and petals, and a white lip with a purple center. The species was first documented in Vietnam near the Lao border, and differences in morphology suggest it may include a separate variety or an undescribed species.
Description
Trichoglottis ramosa is a monopodial, perennial epiphyte with stems 4–8 cm long, covered by leaf sheaths, and bearing rigid, lorate leaves 10–18 cm long. The inflorescences are many-branched, erect or horizontal panicles 6–26 cm long, with brownish bracts and white-brown-orange flowers 5.5–6.5 mm in diameter. The lip is spurred, three-lobed, and hairy on the side lobes. The species is distinguished by a glabrous column and an obtuse lip median lobe, differing from western populations. It flowers in May–June and is found in lowland evergreen forests. Specimens from Vietnam show morphological variation that may indicate a separate variety or an undescribed species.
Distribution
Assam · Bangladesh · East Himalaya · India · Myanmar · Thailand · Vietnam
Synonyms
Oeceoclades flexuosaPomatocalpa ramosumSaccolabium flexuosumSaccolabium ramosumSarcanthus ramosusStaurochilus ramosusAerides ramosaCleisostoma ramosumGastrochilus flexuosusGastrochilus ramosusSaccolabium flexuosum
