Pleurothallis franciana
| Pleurothallis franciana | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Genus: | Pleurothallis |
| Species: | P. franciana |
| Binomial name | |
| Pleurothallis franciana Sierra-Ariza | |
Pleurothallis franciana is a species of flowering plant in the family Orchidaceae. It is an epiphyte with leathery leaves and reddish-purple flowers. The species is native to Colombia, and was described in 2023.
Taxonomy
Pleurothallis franciana was described by Mario Alexei Sierra-Ariza in 2023.[1] The holotype was collected in 2022, in Ibagué, Tolima, at en elevation of 1,976 metres (6,483 ft).[2]
Pleurothallis franciana is part of the subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae.[2]
Distribution
Pleurothallis franciana is native to the wet tropical biome of Colombia.[3] It was discovered in wet premonate forest, in the Central Cordillera, Tolima.[2]
Description
Pleurothallis franciana is an epiphyte.[3] It grows 4–12 centimetres (1.6–4.7 in) high. The stems are green, 3.5–11 centimetres (1.4–4.3 in) long, and have papery, light brown sheaths. The roots are slender, and aorund 1 millimetre (0.039 in) high. The leaves are light green, leathery, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 3–5 centimetres (1.2–2.0 in) long, and 2.4–3.5 centimetres (0.94–1.38 in) wide.[2]
The inflorescence is a fascicle that grows on a 2.0–3.8 millimetres (0.079–0.150 in) stem. The flowers have stems around 3.2 millimetres (0.13 in) long. The dorsal sepal is reddish-purple, with slightly yellow edges, narrowly ovate-lanceolate, 3.9–4.4 millimetres (0.15–0.17 in) long, and 1.5–1.9 millimetres (0.059–0.075 in). The lateral sepals are yellow, with reddish-purple spots, and fused into an ovate synsepal. The synsepal is 4.2–4.5 millimetres (0.17–0.18 in) long, and 2.4–2.7 millimetres (0.094–0.106 in) wide. The petals are reddish-purple, fleshy, 2.3–2.6 millimetres (0.091–0.102 in) long, and 0.3–0.4 millimetres (0.012–0.016 in) wide. The lip is reddish-purple, fleshy, oblong-lanceolate, 2.2–2.5 millimetres (0.087–0.098 in) long, and 1.2–1.4 millimetres (0.047–0.055 in) wide. The column is reddish-purple. Flowering has been observed in July.[2]
Pleurothallis franciana is similar to Pleurothallis ariana-dayanae, Pleurothallis scabrilinguis, and Pleurothallis applanata.[2]
Etymology
Pleurothallis franciana is named for Francia Márquez, the former vice-president of Colombia.[1]
References
- 1 2 "Pleurothallis franciana Sierra-Ariza". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sierra-Ariza, Mario Alexei (10 March 2023). "Two new species of Pleurothallis (Pleurothallidinae) subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae from The Central Andes of Colombia". Lankesteriana. 23 (1): 35–44. doi:10.15517/lank.v23i1.54321. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Pleurothallis franciana". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2026-08-20.