Spiranthes ovalis var. erostellata (Orchidaceae), a new autogamous variety from the eastern United States

Examination of flowers from herbarium specimens of Spiranthes ovalis revealed two kinds of column structure. Some plants, including the type, have flowers with a normally developed rostellum and viscidium; other plants that have flowers in which these structures are entirely lacking are here describ...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brittonia 1983-04, Vol.35 (2), p.120-125
Main Author: Catling, Paul M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autogamy
Botanical gardens
Calyx
Flowers
Herbaria
Perianths
Plants
Pollen
Pollinia
Taxa
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Examination of flowers from herbarium specimens of Spiranthes ovalis revealed two kinds of column structure. Some plants, including the type, have flowers with a normally developed rostellum and viscidium; other plants that have flowers in which these structures are entirely lacking are here described as Spiranthes ovalis var. erostellata. Self-pollination in the new variety was proven by pollinia removal and observation of plants in insect-proof cages. The var. erostellata has a somewhat smaller perianth with sepals 3.5-5 instead of 4-6.1 mm long and is more common and more widespread than the typical variety.
ISSN:0007-196X
1938-436X
DOI:10.2307/2805948