Microsaccus is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia.

Description

Vegetative characteristics

These miniature epiphytes produce laterally flattened, distichously arranged leaves on thin stems.

Generative characteristics

The usually two-flowered inflorescences are short. The spurred, minuscule flowers have a simple labellum. The flowers have four pollinia. Within the fruits there are pale brown to whitish trichomes with an oblong-elliptic basal zone. They have perforations in the basal region.

Etymology

The generic name Microsaccus is composed of the Greek words μικρός (mikrós) meaning small and saccus meaning sack, which refers to the labellum.

Ecology

Microsaccus truncatus is known to grow epiphytically in montane forest at 1200 m above sea level. Microsaccus griffithii occurs in forests at elevations of 500–2770 m above sea level.

Physiology

Microsaccus uses CAM photosynthesis.

Taxonomy

Species

The genus contains 13 accepted species:

  • Microsaccus affinis J.J.Sm. - Java
  • Microsaccus albovirescens J.J.Sm. - Sumatra
  • Microsaccus ampullaceus J.J.Sm. - Sumatra, Borneo, Malaysia
  • Microsaccus borneensis J.J.Sm. - Borneo
  • Microsaccus canaliculatus J.J.Sm. - Sumatra
  • Microsaccus dempoensis J.J.Sm. - Sumatra
  • Microsaccus griffithii (C.S.P.Parish & Rchb.f.) Seidenf. - Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Philippines
  • Microsaccus javensis Blume - Malaysia, Java
  • Microsaccus mihoae P.O'Byrne & Gokusing - Borneo
  • Microsaccus ramosus J.J.Sm. - Java
  • Microsaccus sumatranus J.J.Sm. - Malaysia, Sumatra
  • Microsaccus truncatus Carr - Malaysia
  • Microsaccus wenzelii Ames - Philippines

Phylogeny

It is closely related to the genus Jejewoodia. One species, namely Jejewoodia longicalcarata (Ames & C.Schweinf.) J.J.Wood used to be Microsaccus longicalcaratus Ames & C.Schweinf. It has been suggested to reunite these two genera, due to their similar appearance. Another closely related genus is Adenocos, which does not have a spur, unlike the former two genera.

Horticulture

Microsaccus can be cultivated under moist conditions with a lot of air movement, and intermediate temperatures. The plants should be placed in a semi-shaded position. It is rarely cultivated.

See also

External links

  • Data related to Microsaccus at Wikispecies