Miniature Monopodial Orchids
Some of the most wonderful of all orchid species are the miniature monopodial species. When the word monopodial is used, it is referring to the growth habit of the plant, which in this case grows in one direction from the apex of the growth. Another common term that can describe this growth habit is vandaceous. It should also be noted that just because a plant has a monopodial, or vandaceous growth habit, it does not mean it cannot branch, and if it branches it is usually from the base of the plant.
The subjects for this week’s article are all small growing species. Usually they are plants of higher elevations and will not grow in the heat of the lowlands.
Abdominea minimiflora is one of the most widely spread species, and it has been recorded from Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Java, Bali, and throughout Borneo. In the Philippines, it has been found in Nueva Vizcaya on Luzon, but is most certainly more widely spread on Luzon, but is neglected because of its miniature stature; the islands of Bohol and Leyte; and the
provinces of Agusan, Bukidnon, and Cotabato on Mindanao. The inflorescence is pendulous and bears many tiny blooms about 2 to 3 millimetres in diameter. So far, there is only one species known in this genus, which makes
it monotypic. Ceratocentron fesselii is endemic to the Philippines, and is known from no other place on earth. It is only found at high elevations in the mountains of central Luzon, where it grows on the trunks and branches of trees, amongst the mosses that cover some trees. The size of the flowers when compared to the small plant is nothing short of amazing. The first author has seen a plant of this species barely 2.5 cm across the leaves, bearing three inflorescences with 4 flowers per inflorescence. The flowers are more than 1 cm in diameter. There is a small horn-like projection on the underside of the labellum, which is the feature for which this genus gets its name.
Chamaeanthus wenzelii is another Philippines endemic species, but this one is a little more widely spread than the previous species. It has been found in the province of Sorsogon on Luzon;
the islands of Polillo and Leyte; and the provinces of Agusan, Cotabato, and Davao on Mindanao. Interestingly this species is usually found at low elevations. Sadly, the flowers of this particular species do not open widely. It resembles plants of the genus Thrixspermum.
Gastrochilus calceolaris is another widely spread species which has been found in the mountains of India, Nepal, southern China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Kampuchea, Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Java, usually at elevations of around 1,000 metres. Its distribution in the Philippines is rather limited, and it is only recorded from the Mountain Province on Luzon; and the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis on Mindanao.
The fringed edge of the labellum is a most attractive feature of this delightful species.
Megalotus bifidus is also a Philippines endemic, which is known from the provinces of Apayao, Kalinga, Laguna, Nueva Ecija; and Nueva Vizcaya on Luzon; the islands of Mindoro and Leyte; and the provinces of Agusan and Cotabato on Mindanao, usually at elevations of about 1,200 metres. The inflorescence is pendulous and bears many blooms about 3 to 4 mm in diameter. An endearing feature of this species, certainly of plants in cultivation, is the velvety appearance of the surface of the leaves. The bifid apex of the labellum looks like the forked tongue of a snake, which makes this species rather unique.