Microsaccus is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia.[1]
| Microsaccus | |
|---|---|
_-_Icones_Bogorienses_3_Pl_CCXXV_(1906).jpg) | |
| Botanical illustration of Microsaccus griffithii as Microsaccus brevifolius | |
_-_cropped_2.jpg) | |
| Botanical illustration of floral details of Microsaccus javensis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Tribe: | Vandeae |
| Subtribe: | Aeridinae |
| Genus: | Microsaccus Blume[1] |
| Synonyms[1] | |
This genus has no synonyms | |
Description
Vegetative characteristics
These miniature epiphytes produce laterally flattened, distichously arranged leaves on thin stems.[2][3]
Generative characteristics
The usually two-flowered inflorescences are short.[3] The spurred, minuscule flowers have a simple labellum.[2] The flowers have four pollinia.[4] Within the fruits there are pale brown to whitish trichomes with an oblong-elliptic basal zone. They have perforations in the basal region.[5]
Etymology
The generic name Microsaccus is composed of the Greek words μικρός (mikrós) meaning small and saccus meaning sack, which refers to the labellum.[6]
Ecology
Microsaccus truncatus is known to grow epiphytically in montane forest at 1200 m above sea level.[6] Microsaccus griffithii occurs in forests at elevations of 500–2770 m above sea level.[7]
Physiology
Microsaccus uses CAM photosynthesis.[7]
Taxonomy
Species
The genus contains 13 accepted species:[1]
- Microsaccus affinis J.J.Sm. - Java
- Microsaccus albovirescens J.J.Sm. - Sumatra
- Microsaccus ampullaceus J.J.Sm. - Sumatra, Borneo, Malaysia
- Microsaccus borneensis J.J.Sm. - Borneo
- Microsaccus canaliculatus J.J.Sm. - Sumatra
- Microsaccus dempoensis J.J.Sm. - Sumatra
- Microsaccus griffithii (C.S.P.Parish & Rchb.f.) Seidenf. - Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Philippines
- Microsaccus javensis Blume - Malaysia, Java
- Microsaccus mihoae P.O'Byrne & Gokusing - Borneo
- Microsaccus ramosus J.J.Sm. - Java
- Microsaccus sumatranus J.J.Sm. - Malaysia, Sumatra
- Microsaccus truncatus Carr - Malaysia
- Microsaccus wenzelii Ames - Philippines
Phylogeny
It is closely related to the genus Jejewoodia .[8] One species, namely Jejewoodia longicalcarata (Ames & C.Schweinf.) J.J.Wood used to be Microsaccus longicalcaratus Ames & C.Schweinf.[9] It has been suggested to reunite these two genera, due to their similar appearance. Another closely related genus is Adenocos, which does not have a spur, unlike the former two genera.[8]
Horticulture
Microsaccus can be cultivated under moist conditions with a lot of air movement, and intermediate temperatures. The plants should be placed in a semi-shaded position. It is rarely cultivated.[6]
See also
References
External links
Data related to Microsaccus at Wikispecies
