CERATOSTYLIS | Herbarium Digital Library


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CERATOSTYLIS

Category: Plants and Orchids
Date Posted: 2006-10-13

ELEVEN OF THE APPROXIMATELY EIGHTY SPECIES OF THE genus Ceratostylis are indigenous to the Philippines and these form a prominent section of the orchid flora of the forests of one thousand to seven thousand feet elevation. The genus is widely distributed throughout southeast Asia and the surrounding island archipelagos; however, it is a genus which includes a large number of endemic species and of all of the native species only one, C. subulata, is not endemic (confined) to the Philippines. Generally the Philippine members of this genus are of no horticultural value and with the exception of C. rubra, the flowers are of minute size and little interest even in a Philippine collection. The generic name, Ceratostylis, refers to the "horned column" of the genus.

C.rubra is the one native Ceratostylis which may be of interest to collectors of "botanical" types. This species has a flower about one inch wide which is a bright brick-red color of an unusual shade seldom encountered in orchid flowers. The leaves of this species are semiterete (semi-round), growing on bunched stems and are covered at the base by papery brownish bracts. The leaves often attain a length of three to five inches. The glossy brick red flowers have similar sepals and petals and an unusually small lip. Well-established plants flower several times a year and on each occasion last for about a week. The specific name, rubra, refers to the color of the flower. This is a common plant throughout Luzon.

C.subulata is an interesting plant although the flowers are insignificant. The stems of this species are rounded (terete), grow in tufts and are three to four inches long. The leaf of this plant is most peculiar and only on close observation will it be observed as a continuation of the stem separated from it by the inflorescence. The leaf extends beyond the stem for about 11/2 to two inches and is itself cylindrical. The flowers are minute, in short racemes which appear in clusters. Their color is reddish purple and they are only about one-eighth of an inch across. The plant is collected from the mountains of Luzon and other areas of Southeast Asia. The specific name subulata means "awl-shaped," referring to the cylindrical pointed leaf.