Aspasia (orchid): Difference between revisions

From Citizendium
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>Dalton Holland Baptista
mNo edit summary
 
(10 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 15: Line 15:
| subtribus = [[Oncidiinae]]
| subtribus = [[Oncidiinae]]
| genus = '''''Aspasia'''''
| genus = '''''Aspasia'''''
| genus_authority = [[Lindl.]] 1832
| genus_authority = [[Lindl.]] 1833
| type_species ='''''Aspasia epidendroides'''''
| type_species ='''''Aspasia epidendroides'''''
| type_species_authority = [[Lindl.]] 1832
| type_species_authority = [[Lindl.]] 1833
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
| subdivision =
Line 28: Line 28:


==Distribution==
==Distribution==
''Aspasia'' exist in four different areas of Central and South America:
{{Image|Aspasia variegata column.JPG|left|300px|'''''Aspasia variegata'''''<br><small>This is the species that occupies the widest area among all species. It exists in most of the Amazon forest and needs plenty of humidity and constantly warm temperature to be successfully grown.</small>}}
''Aspasia'' exist in four different areas of Central and South America. Some species are exclusively [[epiphyte]] on thick stems of the trees a low height, others live on branches where they get more light and a few occasionally appear as [[lithophyte]]s.


Two species inhabit primarily [[Central America]] the most common is ''[[Aspasia epidendroides]]'', that ranges from [[Mexico]] to [[Colombia]] from [[sea level]] to 1,100 meters of [[altitude]] but much more common up to 400 meters; and ''[[Aspasia principissa]]'', from Colombia to [[Costa Rica]] from [[sea level]] to 600 of [[altitude]] but much more common up to 150 meters. Also from exclusively from Colombia is ''[[Aspasia omissa]]''. ''[[Aspasia psittacina]]'', endemic in [[Ecuador]], can be found from [[sea level]] to 750 of [[altitude]] but much more common up to 300 meters. ''[[Aspasia variegata]]'' is common<ref name="FL"><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Freitas Luz, Francisco J.</span> (2001). Orquídeas na Amazônia. Instituto Brasileiro de Cultura, Ed. On Line. ISBN 8520802087</ref> in all Amazonian region from 200 to 1300 meters in [[Bolivia]]. The last area occupied is [[Brazil]]ian southeast and south, reaching Bolivia and [[Paraguay]], from 200 to 750 meters, by ''[[Aspasia lunata]]''; and ''[[Aspasia silvana]]'' exclusively Brazilian [[Serra do Mar]], from Rio de Janeiro to Bahia. These two, as ''Miltonia'' do, form large colonies, however, being not particularly common species, they are just occasionally found, mostly on areas of transition between shady forest and open areas both in rain forests and cloud montane forests.<ref name="DM"><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Miller, David; Richard Warren; Izabel Moura Miller & Helmut Seehawer</span> (2006). ''Aspasia lunata'' in '''Serra dos Órgãos sua história e suas orquídeas''', 326-7. Rio de Janeiro.</ref> 
Two species inhabit primarily [[Central America]] the most common is ''[[Aspasia epidendroides]]'', that ranges from [[Mexico]] to [[Colombia]] from [[sea level]] to 1,100 meters of [[altitude]] but much more common up to 400 meters; and the other is ''[[Aspasia principissa]]'', which exists from Colombia to [[Costa Rica]], from [[sea level]] to 600 of [[altitude]] but often up to 150 meters. Exclusively from Colombia is ''[[Aspasia omissa]]'', that is a species recently described whose the full range is not yet determined. ''[[Aspasia psittacina]]'', endemic in [[Ecuador]], can be found from [[sea level]] to 750 of [[altitude]] but is much more common up to 300 meters. ''[[Aspasia variegata]]'' is common in all Amazonian region,<ref name="FL"><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Freitas Luz, Francisco J.</span> (2001). Orquídeas na Amazônia. Instituto Brasileiro de Cultura, Ed. On Line. ISBN 8520802087</ref> from 200 to 1300 meters in [[Bolivia]].  


Some species are exclusively [[epiphyte]] on the thick stems of the trees a low height, others live on branches where they get more light,  
The last area occupied is the [[Brazil]]ian southeast and south, reaching Bolivia and [[Paraguay]], from 200 to 750 meters, by ''[[Aspasia lunata]]''; and ''[[Aspasia silvana]]'' exclusively at Brazilian [[Serra do Mar]] mountains, from Rio de Janeiro to Bahia. These two, as ''Miltonia'' do, form large colonies, however, being not particularly common species, they are just occasionally found, mostly on areas of transition between shady forest and open areas both in rain forests and cloud montane forests.<ref name="DM"><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Miller, David; Richard Warren; Izabel Moura Miller & Helmut Seehawer</span> (2006). ''Aspasia lunata'' in '''Serra dos Órgãos sua história e suas orquídeas''', 326-7. Rio de Janeiro.</ref> 


''Aspasia lunata'' is epiphyte on thick stems and often is found living over rock grooves covered by fallen leaves and humid [[forest]]s where they never are exposed to straight [[sunlight]].
''Aspasia lunata'' is primarily epiphyte on thick stems but often is found living over rock grooves covered by fallen leaves and humid [[forest]]s where they never are exposed to straight [[sunlight]]. ''Aspasia variegata'' is found in open forests both in dry and flooded lands, then often on branches of the trees hanging over the waters.<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Miranda, Francisco</span> (2006). Orquídeas da Amazônia Brasileira: 168 & 173 Ed. Expressão e Cultura, 1996. ISBN 8520802087</ref>


''Aspasia variegata'' is found in open forests both in dry and flooded lands, then often on branches of the trees hanging over the waters.<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Miranda, Francisco</span> (2006). Orquídeas da Amazônia Brasileira: 168 & 173 Ed. Expressão e Cultura, 1996. ISBN 8520802087</ref>
==Description==
{{Image|Aspasia silvana .jpg|right|300px|'''''Aspasia silvana'''''<br><small>This species was described in 1989, after being confounded with an intergeneric natural hybrid.</small>}}
{{Image|Aspasia lunata.jpg|right|300px|'''''Aspasia lunata'''''<br><small>This star shaped species is the most common in the Southeast of Brazil. It resembles ''A. silvana'' but is much smaller.</small>}}
''Aspasia'' is a genus of comparatively robust plants intermediate of ''[[Brassia]]'' and ''[[Miltonia]]'', to which it is morphologically closer although can be distinguished because its flowers show the [[labellum]] partially fused to the [[column (botany)|column]] up to the middle then abruptly folded down in a square angle.<ref name="FBH"><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Hoehne, Frederico C.</span> (1940). ''Introduction'' in '''Flora Brasílica, Vol 12-1''': 37. Secretaria de Agricultura de São Paulo.</ref> They are characterized for often showing am elongated [[rhyzome]], with thicker [[roots]] than ''Miltonia'', with  more elliptical or elongated and highly laterally flattened [[pseudobulb]]s, protected by some foliar steaths shorter than the [[leaf|leaves]], and one or two apical leaves. These are articulated, basally conduplicate, ligulate sometimes with acute apex, thin and narrow, very malleable, light green colored. The [[inflorescence]] is erect or arching, shorter than the leaves and bares one to nine flowers sometimes showy, which open in quick sequence holding at least three of four opened at the same time.<ref name="FL"/> The inflorescence shoots among the foliar steaths on the [[pseudobulb]]s bases.
 
The [[flower]]s vary according to the species. The [[petal]]s from more elliptical to more acute, in some species wider than the [[sepal]]s, in others narrower or similar in size and shape, from flat to concave. The labellum is fused to the inferior half of the column, seeming to emerge from there and thereafter becoming much wider; the blade varies from slightly to clearly three lobed, flat or reflected, fleshier on the center where they have calli or salient veins. The column is elongated, with or without small inferior auricles and presents a large apical [[anther]] with two hard yellow [[pollinia]], [[stipe]] and [[viscidium]].


==Description==
Their flowers last for about ten days, however, as not all open at the same time it is common to have a plant blooming during a whole month. [[Pollination]] has not been observed and seems to be uncommon for few plants bearing fruits have been seen in nature, however, their floral morphology indicates the possibility of [[Euglossini]] [[bee]]s pollinators.<ref name="DM"/> When  ''Aspasia'' species are used to produce artificial hybrids, the characteristic that seems to predominate is the low number of resulting flowers by inflorescence, prevailing even over the so floriferous ''[[Oncidium]]''.
''Aspasia'' is a genus of comparatively robust plants intermediate of ''[[Brassia]]'' and ''[[Miltonia]]'', to which it is morphologically closer and can be distinguished because its flowers show the [[labellum]] partially fused to the [[column (botany)|column]].<ref name="FBH"><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Hoehne, Frederico C.</span> (1940). ''Introduction'' in '''Flora Brasílica, Vol 12-1''': 37. Secretaria de Agricultura de São Paulo.</ref>


''Aspasia'' species are characterized for ofter showing am elongated [[rhyzome]], with thicker [[roots]] than ''Miltonia'', with  more elliptical or elongated and highly laterally flattened [[pseudobulb]]s, protected by some foliar steaths shorter than the [[leaf|leaves]], and one or two apical leaves. These are articulated, basally conduplicate, ligulate sometimes with acute apex, thin and narrow, very malleable, light green colored. The [[inflorescence]] is erect or arching, shorter than the leaves and bares one to nine flowers sometimes showy, which open in quick sequence holding at least three of four opened at the same time.<ref name="FL"/> The inflorescence shoots from behind the foliar steaths at the [[pseudobulb]]s bases.
Despite being easy to grow ''Aspasia'' species tent to be subject to spots on their thin leaves generally caused by [[fungus|fungi]] proliferation. They should never be exposed to full [[sunlight]]. They are not highly sensitive to [[temperature]] but as it varies according to their origin, ''A. lunata'' being the one that grows cooler and ''A. principissa'' the warmer grower all under intermediate or warm temperatures, when possible it is better to try to reproduce the temperature on their habitats. Also for watering it is important to verify the necessities of each species as they come from different environments. Despite they show a resting period after blooming, ''Aspasia'' always need to be watered, more abundantly during active growth. They need at least 75% of [[humidity]] and good [[ventilation]] all the time. Moderate weekly fertilizing with a balanced formula is beneficial during active growth. They may be potted in a compost of half-chopped [[Sphagnum]], vegetable fiber, and some medium sized lumps of [[charcoal]], or mounted on plaques of vegetable fiber, however, if mounted, they will need more frequent waterings.<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Baker, Charles O & Baker, Margaret L.</span> (2006). ''Aspasia'' in '''Orchid Species Culture''' Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance: 35-42, Timber Press. ISBN 9780881927757 </ref>


The [[flower]]s vary according to the species. The [[petal]]s from more elliptical to more acute, in some species wider than the [[sepal]]s, in others narrower or similar in size and shape, from flat to concave. The labellum is fused to the inferior half of the column, seeming to emerge from there and thereafter becoming much wider; the blade varies from slightly to clearly three lobed, flat or reflected, fleshier on the center and there showing calli or salient veins. The column is elongated, with or without small inferior auricles and present a large apical [[anther]] with two hard yellow [[pollinia]], [[stipe]] and [[viscidium]].  
==Taxonomic notes==
{{Image|Aspasia lyrata.jpg|left|250px|'''''Aspasia lyrata'''''<br><small>This species was described in 1831, however, there are no reports of having been seen again ever since.</small>}}
The genus ''Aspasia'' was proposed by [[John Lindley]] in 1833 when he described its [[type species]], ''[[Aspasia epidendroides]]''. The name of the genus is a reference to [[Aspasia (Milesian woman)|Aspasia of Miletus]] a friend of [[Pericles]]. Its original description is very brief and mentions the plant was native in [[Panama]] and West Colombia. Three years later he described two species more: ''Aspasia lunata'' and ''A. variegata''.


Their flowers last for about ten days, although as not all open at the same time it is common to have a plant blooming during a whole month. [[Pollination]] has not been observed and seems to be uncommon for few plants have been seen bearing fruits in nature but their floral morphology indicates the possibility of [[Euglossini]] [[bee]]s pollinators.<ref name="DM"/> When these species are used to produce artificial hybrids, the characteristic that seems to predominate is  the few amount of resulting flowers by inflorescence, prevailing even over the so floriferous ''[[Oncidium]]''.
Since its first species was described, sixteen names have been submitted to ''Aspasia'', from these, seven are generally accepted as good species, two species remain unclear, six are considered synonyms of the accepted ones, and only one has been moved to another genus: ''A. pusilla'' was submitted to the genus ''[[Cischweinfia]]'', of which it is the type species.<ref name="Kew"><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">R. Govaerts, M.A. Campacci (Brazil, 2005), D. Holland Baptista (Brazil, 2005), P.Cribb (K, 2003), Alex George (K, 2003), K.Kreuz (2004, Europe), J.Wood (K, 2003, Europe)</span>: World Checklist of Orchidaceae. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [http://www.kew.org/wcsp Published on the Internet.] (Access March 2009).</ref>


Despite being easy to grow ''Aspasia'' species tent to be subject to spots on their thin leaves generally caused by [[fungus|fungi]] proliferation. They should never be exposed to full [[sunlight]]. They are not much sensitive to [[temperature]] but it varies according to their origin ''A. lunata'' being the one that grows cooler and ''A. principissa'' the warmer grower all under intermediate or warm temperatures. It is important to verify the conditions of culture to each species as they come from different environments. Despite they show a rest period after blooming, ''Aspasia'' always need to be watered, more abundantly during active growth. They need at least 75% of [[humidity]] and good [[ventilation]] all the time. Moderate weekly fertilizing with a balanced formula is beneficial during active growth. They may be potted in a compost of half-chopped [[Sphagnum]], vegetable fiber, and some medium sized lumps of [[charcoal]], or mounted on plaques of vegetable fiber, however if mounted they will need more frequent waterings.<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Baker, Charles O & Baker, Margaret L.</span> (2006), ''Aspasia'' in '''Orchid Species Culture''' Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance: 35-42, Timber Press. ISBN 9780881927757 </ref>
Being well defined from the start, ''Aspasia'' has harly been a genus subject to disputes. Its only synonym is the genus ''Trophianthus'', proposed in 1844 by [[Scheidw.| Michael Scheidweiler]] to ''Aspasia lunata'', because of its slight differences from the other successive flowering species,<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Scheidweiler, Michael J.F.</span> (1844). ''Trophianthus zonatus'' in  Allgemeine Gartenzeitung 12: 218.</ref> however, this genus was never largely accepted by taxonomists. Provided it was, today it would include also ''A. silvana''. ''Aspasia lunata'' was also described again in 1855, by Reichenbach, under the genus ''Miltonia'' as ''M. odorata''. Although having initially accepted the genus, Reichenbach decided all ''Aspasia'' would be better placed under the genus ''[[Odontoglossum]]'' and, in 1864, he proposed this transfer.<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Reichenbach, Henrich G.</span> (1864). ''Odontoglossum'' in W.G.Walpers, Ann. Bot. Syst. 6: 851.</ref> The idea apparently was not welcome and in 1878 Reichenbach was again accepting ''Aspasia'' as a good genus because at the time he transferred ''Odontoglossum psittacinum'',<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Reichenbach, Henrich G.</span> (1876). ''Odontoglossum psittacinum'' in Linnaea 41: 102.</ref> a plant re received from Ecuador and described two years earlier, to ''Aspasia''.<ref name="AP"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Reichenbach, Henrich G.</span> (1878). ''Aspasia psittacina'' in Gard. Chron. 10(2): 684.</ref>


==Taxonomic notes==
''Aspasia principissa'' was described by Reichenbach based on a plant he received from Panama, in 1864,<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Reichenbach, Henrich G.</span> (1852). ''Aspasia principissa'' in Botanische Zeitungung 10(37): 637-638. Berlin.</ref> but, in 1949, [[P.H.Allen|Paul Hamilton Allen]], considering it very close to ''Aspasia epidendroides'', proposed it to be classified just as a variety of the later,<ref name="PHA"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Allen, Paul H.</span> (1949). ''A. epidendroides'' var. ''principissa'' in Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 36(2): 165. [http://www.botanicus.org/item/31753999990036 Published on the Internet.]</ref> however his classification was not widely accepted. In 2004, Chirstenson|Eric A. Christenson]], claiming that a new species of ''Aspasia'' from Colombia was long confused with ''A. principissa'' described it as ''A. omissa''.<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Christenson, Eric A.</span> (2004). ''Aspasia omissa'' in Richardiana 4: 85.</ref>
The genus ''Aspasia'' was proposed by [[John Lindley]] in 1832 when he described its [[type species]], ''[[Aspasia epidendroides]]''. The name of the genus is a reference to [[Aspasia (Milesian woman)|Aspasia of Miletus]] a friend of [[Pericles]].


''Aspasia lyrata'' and ''A. biberiana'' are not positively identified.
In 1978, [[Pabst|Guido Pasbt]] illustrated a plant in ''Orchidaceae Brasilienses'' under the name ''Milpasia Leslie-Garay''.<ref name="OB"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Pabst, Guido & Dungs, Fritz </span> (1978). '''Orchidaceae Brasilienses 2''': 258, Brucke-Verlag Kurt Schmersow, Hildesheim. ISBN 3871050106 </ref> Later this species was found again in [[Bahia]], [[Espírito Santo]] and Rio de Janeiro States of Brazil and it became clear it was not a hybrid but a true species, in 1989, [[Fábio de Barros]] described with its current name, ''Aspasia silvana''.<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Barros, Fábio de</span> (1989). ''Aspasia silvana'' in Hoehnea 15: 94.</ref>


Pasbt illustrated ''Aspasia silvana'' in ''Orchidaceae Brasilienses'' under the name ''Milpasia Leslie-Garay''.
Two species, ''Aspasia lyrata'' and ''A. biberiana'', have not been seen again since their original collections and are not positively identified.<ref name="Cogn"><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Cogniaux, Celestin A.</span>(1902). ''Aspasia'' in Flora Brasiliensis K.F.P.von Martius & auct. suc. (eds.) vol.3 p. 6: 203-7. [http://florabrasiliensis.cria.org.br/search?taxon_id=6498 published on Internet.]</ref> Both have been described to Brazil. The first, originally described as ''Epidendrum lyratum'', in 1831, was observed by [[Vell.|José Maria da Conceição Velloso]] in Rio de Janeiro.<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Velloso, José M.C.</span> (1831). ''Epidendrum lyratum'' in Florae Fluminensis 9: t. 37. Rio de Janeiro. [http://www.botanicus.org/item/31753000666062 Published on the Internet.]</ref> It shows more elongated pseudobulbs of rounder section, and its inflorescence is longer than the leaves with one small flower at the apex. Some taxonomists suppose it might be a natural hybrid, maybe of ''A. lunata'' with ''[[Miltonia regnellii]]'', or not an ''Aspasia'' at all. Providied it really is an ''Aspasia'', then it was the first to be described. The other species, ''Aspasia biberiana'', was described by [[Rchb.f.|Reichenbach]] to [[Pará]] State, in Amazon forest; it has solitary green flowers.<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Reichenbach, Heinrich G.</span> (1854). ''Aspasia bibriana'' in Bonplandia 2: 90. Hanover.</ref> No known ''Aspasia'' from that area fits this description; apparently no taxonomist has checked the original description lately, therefore, more research is needed to positively identify this species. It is possible it was not really from Brazil and is a synonym of ''A. principissa''.


Molecular analysis show that ''Aspasia'' most closely related important genera are ''[[Miltonia]]'' and ''[[Brassia]]'', which are  included in one of the eight clades that form the subtribus [[Oncidiinae]] of tribus [[Cymbidieae]].<ref name="NH"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Williams NH, Chase MW, Fulcher T, Whitten WM</span> (2001). ''Molecular systematics of the Oncidiinae based on evidence from four DNA sequence regions: expanded circumscriptions of Cyrtochilum, Erycina, Otoglossum, and Trichocentrum and a new genus (Orchidaceae)'' in '''Lindleyana 16(2)''': 113-139.</ref>
Molecular analysis show that ''Aspasia'' most closely related important genera are ''[[Miltonia]]'' and ''[[Brassia]]'', which are  included in one of the eight clades that form the subtribus [[Oncidiinae]] of tribus [[Cymbidieae]].<ref name="NH"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Williams NH, Chase MW, Fulcher T, Whitten WM</span> (2001). ''Molecular systematics of the Oncidiinae based on evidence from four DNA sequence regions: expanded circumscriptions of Cyrtochilum, Erycina, Otoglossum, and Trichocentrum and a new genus (Orchidaceae)'' in '''Lindleyana 16(2)''': 113-139.</ref>


==Species==
==Species==
The two species that exist on the Southeast of Brazil are the only ''Aspasia'' to have a flat labellum. The can be easily separated for ''A. silvana'' is a larger plant with longer rhizome and pseudobulbs that have an elongated base making them much taller than the ones of ''A. lunata''. The flowers of ''A. silvana'' are three times larger than the ones of ''A. lunata''.<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Castro Neto, Vitorino P. </span> (2002). ''Aspasia silvana''  in Icones Orchidacearum Brasilienses vol 1. ISBN 8590149447</ref> Both species, like ''[[Miltonia spectabilis]]'' to which the slightly resemble, have just one flower, hardly ever two, per inflorescence. Both bloom from middle to the end of spring.
{{Image|Aspasia psittacina.jpg|right|300px|'''''Aspasia psittacina'''''<br><small>This is the only species that exists in Ecuador. Although it is the largest ''Aspasia'' plant, its flowers are not larger than most.</small>}}
The species that exist on the Southeast of Brazil are the only two ''Aspasia'' to have a flat labellum. They can be easily separated from each other for ''A. silvana'' is a larger plant with longer rhizome and pseudobulbs that have an elongated base making them much taller than the ones of ''A. lunata''. The flowers of ''A. silvana'' are three times larger than the ones of ''A. lunata''.<ref><span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Castro Neto, Vitorino P. </span> (2002). ''Aspasia silvana''  in Icones Orchidacearum Brasilienses vol 1. ISBN 8590149447</ref> Both species, like ''[[Miltonia spectabilis]]'' to which the slightly resemble, have just one flower, hardly ever two, per inflorescence. Both bloom from middle to the end of spring.
 
All the other ''Aspasia'' species bloom in quick succession. ''Aspasia variegata'' is similar to ''A. epidendroides'' but the plant is much smaller. The pseudobulbs of ''A. epidendroides'' are more than two times larger and much flatter, more elliptic, And A. variegata normally shows a flatter labellum with short purple stripes while A. ''epidendroides'' has more large stains close to its center. ''A. variegata'' blooms between the start of summer and middle fall and presents nice fragrance in the morning.<ref name="FL"/>
 
''Aspasia epidendroides'', ''A. omissa'' and ''A. principissa'' are similar but the later is less robust and with larger flowers than ''A. epidendroides''. Other less noticeable differences include: ''A. epidendroides'' has broad transverse markings on the lateral sepals, the column with an elliptic depression below the stigma and the apical half of the labellum is porrect while ''A. principissa'' has narrow longitudinal stripes on the lateral sepals, the column with an narrow linear groove below the stigma and the apical half of the labellum is not porrect.<ref name="PHA"/> When Christenson described ''A. omissa'', he claimed this differences were in fact the ones between ''A. epidendroides'' and ''A. omissa'' and that the real ''A. principissa'' is a plant with larger and more green flowers and general paler colors.


The other species bloom in quick sucession.<ref name="FL"/>
''Aspasia psittacina'' is the only species found in Ecuador. It is vegetatively close to ''A. epidendroides'', with large elliptic and highly flat pseudobulbs, it shows the same colors of the later, but has narrower flowers with the labellum proportionally much smaller.<ref name="AP"/>
''Aspasia epidendroides''
''Aspasia lunata''
''Aspasia principissa''
''Aspasia omissa''
''Aspasia psittacina''  
''Aspasia silvana''  
''Aspasia variegata'' blooms between the start of summer and middle fall and presents nice fragrance in the morning.<ref name="FL"/>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]

Latest revision as of 16:00, 13 July 2024

This article is developed but not approved.
 Main Article
 Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
Gallery [?]
 
https://en.citizendium.org/wiki/index.php?title=Aspasia_(orchid)&printable=yes
This editable, developed Main Article is subject to a disclaimer.
Aspasia
Aspasia epidendroides
Aspasia epidendroides
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Cymbidieae
Subtribe: Oncidiinae
Genus: Aspasia
Lindl. 1833
Type species
Aspasia epidendroides
Lindl. 1833
Species
Synonyms

Aspasia is an orchid genus closely related to Miltonia and Brassia formed by seven comparatively large species spread from South of Mexico to South of Brazil. Aspasia species have few medium size flowers of exquisite colors which are occasionally cultivated or used to produce artificial hybrids.

Distribution

(CC) Photo: Dalton Holland Baptista
Aspasia variegata
This is the species that occupies the widest area among all species. It exists in most of the Amazon forest and needs plenty of humidity and constantly warm temperature to be successfully grown.

Aspasia exist in four different areas of Central and South America. Some species are exclusively epiphyte on thick stems of the trees a low height, others live on branches where they get more light and a few occasionally appear as lithophytes.

Two species inhabit primarily Central America the most common is Aspasia epidendroides, that ranges from Mexico to Colombia from sea level to 1,100 meters of altitude but much more common up to 400 meters; and the other is Aspasia principissa, which exists from Colombia to Costa Rica, from sea level to 600 of altitude but often up to 150 meters. Exclusively from Colombia is Aspasia omissa, that is a species recently described whose the full range is not yet determined. Aspasia psittacina, endemic in Ecuador, can be found from sea level to 750 of altitude but is much more common up to 300 meters. Aspasia variegata is common in all Amazonian region,[1] from 200 to 1300 meters in Bolivia.

The last area occupied is the Brazilian southeast and south, reaching Bolivia and Paraguay, from 200 to 750 meters, by Aspasia lunata; and Aspasia silvana exclusively at Brazilian Serra do Mar mountains, from Rio de Janeiro to Bahia. These two, as Miltonia do, form large colonies, however, being not particularly common species, they are just occasionally found, mostly on areas of transition between shady forest and open areas both in rain forests and cloud montane forests.[2]

Aspasia lunata is primarily epiphyte on thick stems but often is found living over rock grooves covered by fallen leaves and humid forests where they never are exposed to straight sunlight. Aspasia variegata is found in open forests both in dry and flooded lands, then often on branches of the trees hanging over the waters.[3]

Description

(CC) Photo: Dalton Holland Baptista
Aspasia silvana
This species was described in 1989, after being confounded with an intergeneric natural hybrid.
(CC) Photo: Dalton Holland Baptista
Aspasia lunata
This star shaped species is the most common in the Southeast of Brazil. It resembles A. silvana but is much smaller.

Aspasia is a genus of comparatively robust plants intermediate of Brassia and Miltonia, to which it is morphologically closer although can be distinguished because its flowers show the labellum partially fused to the column up to the middle then abruptly folded down in a square angle.[4] They are characterized for often showing am elongated rhyzome, with thicker roots than Miltonia, with more elliptical or elongated and highly laterally flattened pseudobulbs, protected by some foliar steaths shorter than the leaves, and one or two apical leaves. These are articulated, basally conduplicate, ligulate sometimes with acute apex, thin and narrow, very malleable, light green colored. The inflorescence is erect or arching, shorter than the leaves and bares one to nine flowers sometimes showy, which open in quick sequence holding at least three of four opened at the same time.[1] The inflorescence shoots among the foliar steaths on the pseudobulbs bases.

The flowers vary according to the species. The petals from more elliptical to more acute, in some species wider than the sepals, in others narrower or similar in size and shape, from flat to concave. The labellum is fused to the inferior half of the column, seeming to emerge from there and thereafter becoming much wider; the blade varies from slightly to clearly three lobed, flat or reflected, fleshier on the center where they have calli or salient veins. The column is elongated, with or without small inferior auricles and presents a large apical anther with two hard yellow pollinia, stipe and viscidium.

Their flowers last for about ten days, however, as not all open at the same time it is common to have a plant blooming during a whole month. Pollination has not been observed and seems to be uncommon for few plants bearing fruits have been seen in nature, however, their floral morphology indicates the possibility of Euglossini bees pollinators.[2] When Aspasia species are used to produce artificial hybrids, the characteristic that seems to predominate is the low number of resulting flowers by inflorescence, prevailing even over the so floriferous Oncidium.

Despite being easy to grow Aspasia species tent to be subject to spots on their thin leaves generally caused by fungi proliferation. They should never be exposed to full sunlight. They are not highly sensitive to temperature but as it varies according to their origin, A. lunata being the one that grows cooler and A. principissa the warmer grower all under intermediate or warm temperatures, when possible it is better to try to reproduce the temperature on their habitats. Also for watering it is important to verify the necessities of each species as they come from different environments. Despite they show a resting period after blooming, Aspasia always need to be watered, more abundantly during active growth. They need at least 75% of humidity and good ventilation all the time. Moderate weekly fertilizing with a balanced formula is beneficial during active growth. They may be potted in a compost of half-chopped Sphagnum, vegetable fiber, and some medium sized lumps of charcoal, or mounted on plaques of vegetable fiber, however, if mounted, they will need more frequent waterings.[5]

Taxonomic notes

Aspasia lyrata
This species was described in 1831, however, there are no reports of having been seen again ever since.

The genus Aspasia was proposed by John Lindley in 1833 when he described its type species, Aspasia epidendroides. The name of the genus is a reference to Aspasia of Miletus a friend of Pericles. Its original description is very brief and mentions the plant was native in Panama and West Colombia. Three years later he described two species more: Aspasia lunata and A. variegata.

Since its first species was described, sixteen names have been submitted to Aspasia, from these, seven are generally accepted as good species, two species remain unclear, six are considered synonyms of the accepted ones, and only one has been moved to another genus: A. pusilla was submitted to the genus Cischweinfia, of which it is the type species.[6]

Being well defined from the start, Aspasia has harly been a genus subject to disputes. Its only synonym is the genus Trophianthus, proposed in 1844 by Michael Scheidweiler to Aspasia lunata, because of its slight differences from the other successive flowering species,[7] however, this genus was never largely accepted by taxonomists. Provided it was, today it would include also A. silvana. Aspasia lunata was also described again in 1855, by Reichenbach, under the genus Miltonia as M. odorata. Although having initially accepted the genus, Reichenbach decided all Aspasia would be better placed under the genus Odontoglossum and, in 1864, he proposed this transfer.[8] The idea apparently was not welcome and in 1878 Reichenbach was again accepting Aspasia as a good genus because at the time he transferred Odontoglossum psittacinum,[9] a plant re received from Ecuador and described two years earlier, to Aspasia.[10]

Aspasia principissa was described by Reichenbach based on a plant he received from Panama, in 1864,[11] but, in 1949, Paul Hamilton Allen, considering it very close to Aspasia epidendroides, proposed it to be classified just as a variety of the later,[12] however his classification was not widely accepted. In 2004, Chirstenson|Eric A. Christenson]], claiming that a new species of Aspasia from Colombia was long confused with A. principissa described it as A. omissa.[13]

In 1978, Guido Pasbt illustrated a plant in Orchidaceae Brasilienses under the name Milpasia Leslie-Garay.[14] Later this species was found again in Bahia, Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro States of Brazil and it became clear it was not a hybrid but a true species, in 1989, Fábio de Barros described with its current name, Aspasia silvana.[15]

Two species, Aspasia lyrata and A. biberiana, have not been seen again since their original collections and are not positively identified.[16] Both have been described to Brazil. The first, originally described as Epidendrum lyratum, in 1831, was observed by José Maria da Conceição Velloso in Rio de Janeiro.[17] It shows more elongated pseudobulbs of rounder section, and its inflorescence is longer than the leaves with one small flower at the apex. Some taxonomists suppose it might be a natural hybrid, maybe of A. lunata with Miltonia regnellii, or not an Aspasia at all. Providied it really is an Aspasia, then it was the first to be described. The other species, Aspasia biberiana, was described by Reichenbach to Pará State, in Amazon forest; it has solitary green flowers.[18] No known Aspasia from that area fits this description; apparently no taxonomist has checked the original description lately, therefore, more research is needed to positively identify this species. It is possible it was not really from Brazil and is a synonym of A. principissa.

Molecular analysis show that Aspasia most closely related important genera are Miltonia and Brassia, which are included in one of the eight clades that form the subtribus Oncidiinae of tribus Cymbidieae.[19]

Species

(CC) Photo: Dalton Holland Baptista
Aspasia psittacina
This is the only species that exists in Ecuador. Although it is the largest Aspasia plant, its flowers are not larger than most.

The species that exist on the Southeast of Brazil are the only two Aspasia to have a flat labellum. They can be easily separated from each other for A. silvana is a larger plant with longer rhizome and pseudobulbs that have an elongated base making them much taller than the ones of A. lunata. The flowers of A. silvana are three times larger than the ones of A. lunata.[20] Both species, like Miltonia spectabilis to which the slightly resemble, have just one flower, hardly ever two, per inflorescence. Both bloom from middle to the end of spring.

All the other Aspasia species bloom in quick succession. Aspasia variegata is similar to A. epidendroides but the plant is much smaller. The pseudobulbs of A. epidendroides are more than two times larger and much flatter, more elliptic, And A. variegata normally shows a flatter labellum with short purple stripes while A. epidendroides has more large stains close to its center. A. variegata blooms between the start of summer and middle fall and presents nice fragrance in the morning.[1]

Aspasia epidendroides, A. omissa and A. principissa are similar but the later is less robust and with larger flowers than A. epidendroides. Other less noticeable differences include: A. epidendroides has broad transverse markings on the lateral sepals, the column with an elliptic depression below the stigma and the apical half of the labellum is porrect while A. principissa has narrow longitudinal stripes on the lateral sepals, the column with an narrow linear groove below the stigma and the apical half of the labellum is not porrect.[12] When Christenson described A. omissa, he claimed this differences were in fact the ones between A. epidendroides and A. omissa and that the real A. principissa is a plant with larger and more green flowers and general paler colors.

Aspasia psittacina is the only species found in Ecuador. It is vegetatively close to A. epidendroides, with large elliptic and highly flat pseudobulbs, it shows the same colors of the later, but has narrower flowers with the labellum proportionally much smaller.[10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Freitas Luz, Francisco J. (2001). Orquídeas na Amazônia. Instituto Brasileiro de Cultura, Ed. On Line. ISBN 8520802087
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Miller, David; Richard Warren; Izabel Moura Miller & Helmut Seehawer (2006). Aspasia lunata in Serra dos Órgãos sua história e suas orquídeas, 326-7. Rio de Janeiro.
  3. ↑ Miranda, Francisco (2006). Orquídeas da Amazônia Brasileira: 168 & 173 Ed. Expressão e Cultura, 1996. ISBN 8520802087
  4. ↑ Hoehne, Frederico C. (1940). Introduction in Flora Brasílica, Vol 12-1: 37. Secretaria de Agricultura de São Paulo.
  5. ↑ Baker, Charles O & Baker, Margaret L. (2006). Aspasia in Orchid Species Culture Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance: 35-42, Timber Press. ISBN 9780881927757
  6. ↑ R. Govaerts, M.A. Campacci (Brazil, 2005), D. Holland Baptista (Brazil, 2005), P.Cribb (K, 2003), Alex George (K, 2003), K.Kreuz (2004, Europe), J.Wood (K, 2003, Europe): World Checklist of Orchidaceae. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet. (Access March 2009).
  7. ↑ Scheidweiler, Michael J.F. (1844). Trophianthus zonatus in Allgemeine Gartenzeitung 12: 218.
  8. ↑ Reichenbach, Henrich G. (1864). Odontoglossum in W.G.Walpers, Ann. Bot. Syst. 6: 851.
  9. ↑ Reichenbach, Henrich G. (1876). Odontoglossum psittacinum in Linnaea 41: 102.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Reichenbach, Henrich G. (1878). Aspasia psittacina in Gard. Chron. 10(2): 684.
  11. ↑ Reichenbach, Henrich G. (1852). Aspasia principissa in Botanische Zeitungung 10(37): 637-638. Berlin.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Allen, Paul H. (1949). A. epidendroides var. principissa in Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 36(2): 165. Published on the Internet.
  13. ↑ Christenson, Eric A. (2004). Aspasia omissa in Richardiana 4: 85.
  14. ↑ Pabst, Guido & Dungs, Fritz (1978). Orchidaceae Brasilienses 2: 258, Brucke-Verlag Kurt Schmersow, Hildesheim. ISBN 3871050106
  15. ↑ Barros, Fábio de (1989). Aspasia silvana in Hoehnea 15: 94.
  16. ↑ Cogniaux, Celestin A.(1902). Aspasia in Flora Brasiliensis K.F.P.von Martius & auct. suc. (eds.) vol.3 p. 6: 203-7. published on Internet.
  17. ↑ Velloso, José M.C. (1831). Epidendrum lyratum in Florae Fluminensis 9: t. 37. Rio de Janeiro. Published on the Internet.
  18. ↑ Reichenbach, Heinrich G. (1854). Aspasia bibriana in Bonplandia 2: 90. Hanover.
  19. ↑ Williams NH, Chase MW, Fulcher T, Whitten WM (2001). Molecular systematics of the Oncidiinae based on evidence from four DNA sequence regions: expanded circumscriptions of Cyrtochilum, Erycina, Otoglossum, and Trichocentrum and a new genus (Orchidaceae) in Lindleyana 16(2): 113-139.
  20. ↑ Castro Neto, Vitorino P. (2002). Aspasia silvana in Icones Orchidacearum Brasilienses vol 1. ISBN 8590149447
Retrieved from "https://citizendium.org/wiki/index.php?title=Aspasia_(orchid)&oldid=962893"