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Orchid (Bifrenaria harrisoniae)
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Find out here.Orchid fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
- Print factsheet
Orchid description
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Orchidales |
| Family | Orchidaceae |
| Genus | Bifrenaria (1) |
Like most epiphytic orchids, Bifrenaria harrisoniae has a swollen storage organ known as a ‘pseudobulb’ at its base (2) (3). The prominent pseudobulb is conical to egg-shaped and ranges in colour from yellow to green (2). Arising from the apex of each pseudobulb is a single dark-green, pleated leaf, and a one to three flowered inflorescence (2) (4). The waxy petals and sepals of the sweetly fragrant flowers are generally creamy-white to pale yellow (4) (5), while the hairy lip is reddish pink with a deep yellow centre (2) (4) (5).
- Size
- Height: 10 - 40 cm (2)
- Leaf length: 8 - 38.5 cm (2)
- Leaf width: 3 - 7cm (2)
- Inflorescence: 2 - 20 cm (2)
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Related species
Orchid biology
Bifrenaria harrisoniae tends to grow as an epiphyte in closed forests, but in open areas is often found growing on rocks (2) (4). Its showy flowers can be seen from July to December and are visited by euglossine bees and bumblebees, which almost certainly act as pollinators (2) (6).
TopOrchid range
Endemic to Brazil, Bifrenaria harrisoniae occurs in the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and São Paulo (2).
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Species with a similar range
Orchid habitat
Found at elevations from 750 to 1,800 metres in wet montane forests, riparian forests and ‘campos rupestres’, a shrubby grassland habitat of eastern Brazil (2).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Orchid status
This species has not yet been assessed by the IUCN.
TopOrchid threats
Bifrenaria harrisoniae is commonly cultivated (4) and there are no known significant threats to wild populations.
TopOrchid conservation
There are currently no known conservation measures in place for Bifrenaria harrisoniae.
TopFind out more
For further information on the conservation of orchids see:
- Orchid Conservation International:
www.orchidconservation.org
Authentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.ukTopGlossary
- Epiphyte
- A plant that uses another plant, typically a tree, for its physical support, but which does not draw nourishment from it.
- Lip
- The enlarged third petal of an orchid flower that often acts as a landing platform for pollinators.
- Sepals
- Part of the flower (collectively comprising the calyx) that forms the protective outer layer of a flower bud.
References
- ITIS (January, 2009)
http://www.itis.gov - Koehler, S. and Amaral, M.C.E. (2004) A taxonomic study of the South American genus Bifrenaria Lindl. (Orchidaceae). Brittonia, 56(4): 314 - 345.
- Hew, C.S. and Yong, J.W.H. (1997) Physiology of tropical orchids in relation to the industry. World Scientific, Singapore.
- la Croix, I. (2008) The New Encyclopedia of Orchids: 1500 Species in Cultivation. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.
- Cullen, J. (1992) The orchid book: a guide to identification of cultivated orchid species. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Davies, K.L. and Stpiczyńska, M. (2008) Labellar Micromorphology of Two Euglossine-pollinated Orchid Genera; Scuticaria Lindl. and Dichaea Lindl. Annals of Botany, 102(5): 805 - 824.
More »Related species
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Image credit
Orchid - Bifrenaria harrisoniae
© John Varigos
John Varigos
Melbourne
Australia
jvarigos@mediclin.com.au
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jvinoz/
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