e-Key v3 - Ypsilopus
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Orchidaceae - Epidendroideae - Vandeae - Ypsilopus Summerh.

Description :

  • Erect or pendent epiphytic monopodial herbs with short stems, without pseudobulbs
  • Leaves stiff, linear, arranged in two rows
  • Inflorescences lateral, laxly few- to many-flowered; flowers white or pale green; bracts amplexicaul, small
  • Sepals and petals free, subsimilar, spreading
  • Lip entire or obscurely 3-lobed, long-spurred at base
  • Gynostemium short, terete; anther operculate; pollinia 2, subglobose, stipe solitary, Y-shaped, viscidium large, reniform or oblong; rostellum 2-lobed

Nomenclature:

  • Ypsilopus Summerh.
    • Summerhayes: 439 (1949)
    • Harrison: 98 (1972)
    • Stewart et al.: 265 (1982)
    • Linder & Kurzweil: 450 (1999)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species 4, from East Africa to southern Africa
  • Southern Africa : Species 1: Ypsilopus erectus (P.J.Cribb) P.J.Cribb & J.L.Stewart, in subtropical parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape

References:

  • HARRISON, E.R. 1972. Epiphytic orchids of southern Africa . Natal Branch of the Wildlife Society of Southern Africa
  • LINDER, H.P. & KURZWEIL, H. 1999. Orchids of southern Africa . A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam
  • STEWART, J., LINDER, H.P., SCHELPE, E.A. & HALL, A.V. 1982. Wild orchids of southern Africa . Macmillan, Johannesburg
  • SUMMERHAYES, V.S. 1949. African orchids XIX. Kew Bulletin 1949