Genus descriptions
Mexipedium
© K. Senghas This plant in BibliOrchidea |
Order: Asparagales |
| Family: Orchidaceae | |
| Subfamily: Cypripedioideae | |
| Tribe: Cypripedieae | |
| Subtribe: Cypripediinae | |
| Synonyms: Paphiopedilum subgen. Mexipedium (V.A.Albert & M.W.Chase) V.A.Albert & Börge Pett. 1994 | |
| Description: Mexipedium is a small lithophytic, colony-forming herb with long fibrous roots, and an elongated rhizome. The short, hairy stem emerges above linear leathery leaves. The inflorescence is erect with several delicate white flowers that open one after the other. The dorsal sepal is erect, slightly bend forward, hooded over the lip. The lateral sepals form a synsepal. The petals are free and oblong; the lip deeply pouched with incurved side lobes. The stalked column is short with two biloculate anthers. The staminode is lobed with granular pollinia. The stalked stigma is massive, the surface tripartite. The ovary is uniloculate. | |
| Type: Mexipedium xerophyticum (Soto Arenas, Salazar & Hágsater) V.A.Albert & M.W.Chase | |
| Distribution: Mexico | |
| Species: 1 |
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| Etymology: Mexi refers to the only habitat known of this monotypic genus = Mexico; gr.: pedilon = shoe | |
| Culture: Mexipedium xerophyticum can be cultivated in a well-draining Paphiopedilum mix. It produces thin horizontal runners up to 20 cm. Therefore cultivation in a flat, large container (pan) is recommended. Otherwise they have the same requirements as Phragmipedium. |