
''Cyrtorchis'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...
of
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. They include all forbs (flowering plants without a woody stem), grasses and grass-like plants, a vast majority of ...
s from the orchid family
Orchidaceae
Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae (), a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant.
Along with the Asteraceae, they are one of the two largest families of flowering ...
native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,
[Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2022). Flora of Mozambique: Genus page: Cyrtorchis. https://www.mozambiqueflora.com/speciesdata/genus.php?genus_id=444, retrieved 25 December 2022] which do not have pseudobulbs.
[Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2022). Flora of Malawi: Genus page: Cyrtorchis. https://www.malawiflora.com/speciesdata/genus.php?genus_id=444, retrieved 25 December 2022] The white, fragrant, star-shaped flowers are distinctly spurred.
Cytology
The diploid chromosome count of ''Cyrtorchis arcuata'' is 2n = 46.
[''Cyrtorchis arcuata''. (n.d.). Hortus Orchis. Retrieved December 26, 2022, from https://www.hortusorchis.org/en/botanical-orchids/107-c/1256-cyrtorchis-arcuata.html]
Physiology
''Cyrtorchis'' is known to utilize the
crassulacean acid metabolism
Crassulacean acid metabolism, also known as CAM photosynthesis, is a carbon fixation pathway that evolved in some plants as an adaptation to arid conditions that allows a plant to photosynthesize during the day, but only exchange gases at night. ...
,
which entails photosynthesis during the daytime, and gaseous exchange through open stomata during the night. This enables the plant to save water.
Etymology
The generic name ''Cyrtorchis'' is composed of the Greek words "kirtos" meaning curved and "orchis" meaning testicles, which refers to orchids.
Taxonomy
The genus has been proven to be monophyletic.
[Schuiteman, A. (2018)]
"Orchid Research Newsletter No. 71."
/ref>
Sections
The genus has been divided into the sections ''Cyrtorchis'' section ''Homocolleticon'' Summerh. and ''Cyrtorchis'' section ''Cyrtorchis'' based on differences in the shape of the viscidium A pollinium (plural pollinia) is a coherent mass of pollen grains in a plant that are the product of only one anther, but are transferred, during pollination, as a single unit. This is regularly seen in plants such as orchids and many species of mi ...
. Originally the section ''Cyrtorchis'' was published as section ''Heterocolleticon'' Summerh., but it is now known as ''Cyrtorchis'' section ''Cyrtorchis''.[Azandi, L., Droissart, V., Sonké, B., Simo-Droissart, M., & Stévart, T. (2018)]
"The genus ''Cyrtorchis'' in Central Africa with a focus on its two sections."
Orchids, 87(1), 48-55. The section ''Homocolleticon'' is characterized by an uniformly textured viscidium,[Leth, C. (n.d.). ''Cyrtorchis'' section ''Homocolleticon''. African Orchids. Retrieved December 24, 2022, from http://www.africanorchids.dk/higher-epidendroideae/tribe-vandeae/subtribe-aerangidinae-from-a-m/cyrtorchis] in contrast to the viscidium of section ''Cyrtorchis'', which consists of two distinct zones.[Leth, C. (n.d.). ''Cyrtorchis'' section ''Cyrtorchis''. African Orchids. Retrieved December 24, 2022, from http://www.africanorchids.dk/higher-epidendroideae/tribe-vandeae/subtribe-aerangidinae-from-a-m/cyrtorchis]
The section ''Homocolleticon'' Summerh. was elevated to a genus by Szlach. & Olszewski in 2001, but ''Homocolleticon'' (Summerh.) Szlach. & Olszewski is now a synonym of ''Cyrtorchis'' Schltr.
Species
As of December 2022, there are 19 currently accepted species:
# ''Cyrtorchis arcuata
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' (Lindl.) Schltr.
# ''Cyrtorchis aschersonii
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' (Kraenzl.) Schltr.
# '' Cyrtorchis brownii'' (Rolfe) Schltr.
# ''Cyrtorchis chailluana
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' (Hook.f.) Schltr.
# ''Cyrtorchis crassifolia
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' Schltr. in R.E.Fries
# '' Cyrtorchis erythraeae'' (Rolfe) Schltr.
# '' Cyrtorchis glaucifolia'' Summerh.
# '' Cyrtorchis guillaumetii'' (Pérez-Vera) R.Rice
# '' Cyrtorchis hamata'' (Rolfe) Schltr.
# ''Cyrtorchis henriquesiana
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' (Ridl.) Schltr.
# '' Cyrtorchis injoloensis'' (De Wild.) Schltr.
# '' Cyrtorchis letouzeyi'' Szlach. & Olszewski
# '' Cyrtorchis monteiroae'' (Rchb.f.) Schltr.
# ''Cyrtorchis neglecta
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' Summerh.
# ''Cyrtorchis okuensis
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' Droissart, Azandi & M.Simo
# ''Cyrtorchis praetermissa
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' Summerh.
# ''Cyrtorchis ringens
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' (Rchb.f.) Summerh
# ''Cyrtorchis seretii
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' (De Wild.) Schltr.
# ''Cyrtorchis submontana
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' Stévart, Droissart & Azandi
Ecology
Habitat
It grows in dense forests and rainforests, as well as in plantations. It is found growing on tree trunks and branches, which receive high levels of sunlight.[''Cyrtorchis aschersonii'' (Kraenzl.) Schltr. (2022, July 5). African Plant Database. Retrieved December 24, 2022, from https://africanplantdatabase.ch/en/nomen/44969] In addition to epiphytic growth, it can also grow lithophytically attached to rocks.
Pollination
Several hawk moth
The Sphingidae are a family of moths ( Lepidoptera) called sphinx moths, also colloquially known as hawk moths, with many of their caterpillars known as “hornworms”; it includes about 1,450 species. It is best represented in the tropics, bu ...
species of the genus ''Hippotion
''Hippotion'' is a genus of sphinx moths. The genus was erected by Jacob Hübner in 1819.
Species
Ecology Pollination
Several species of the genus '' Hippotion'' have been identified as likely pollinators of the orchid species ''Cyrtorchis oku ...
'' have been identified as likely pollinators of ''Cyrtorchis okuensis''.[Azandi, L. N., Stévart, T., Sonké, B., Simo-Droissart, M., d'Haijère, T., & Droissart, V. (2021)]
"Taxonomic description and pollination ecology of Cyrtorchis okuensis (Orchidaceae, Angraecinae), a new species endemic to the Cameroon Volcanic Line."
Plant Ecology and Evolution, 154(3), 483-496.
The white flowers shift to an orange pollination after pollination or senescence. Such post-pollination behaviour is not uncommon, and it may be explained by a reduced attractivity of flowers to pollinators,[Ruxton, G. D., & Schaefer, H. M. (2016). Floral colour change as a potential signal to pollinators. Current opinion in plant biology, 32, 96-100.][Dalström, S., Gyeltshen, N., & Höijer, T. (2010). ''Phalaenopsis taenialis'': a case of split personality. Orchids, 79(8), 468-471.] if the flowers are no longer viable.
Conservation
Two species, namely '' Cyrtorchis letouzeyi'' Szlach. & Olszewski and ''Cyrtorchis henriquesiana
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' (Ridl.) Schltr., have been categorized as species of least concern (LC) under the IUCN Red List
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, founded in 1964, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biol ...
criteria.[Simo-Droissart, M., Stévart, T. & Droissart, V. 2021. Cyrtorchis letouzeyi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T87585357A87740052. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T87585357A87740052.en. Accessed on 26 December 2022.][Simo-Droissart, M., Stévart, T. & Droissart, V. 2021. Cyrtorchis henriquesiana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T87585350A87740047. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T87585350A87740047.en. Accessed on 26 December 2022.] ''Cyrtorchis arcuata
''Cyrtorchis'' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.
Description
The species of the genus ''Cyrtorchis'' are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgra ...
'' subsp. ''arcuata'' has been categorized as a Least Concern species by the Red List of South African Plants
The Red List of South African Plants is a system used to classify endemic species of plants in South Africa that are at risk of extinction. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) designates the conservation status of endem ...
.[Foden, W. & Potter, L. 2005. ''Cyrtorchis arcuata'' (Lindl.) Schltr. subsp. ''arcuata''. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2022/12/26] Another species, '' Cyrtorchis glaucifolia'' Summerh., has been cagegorized as an endangered (EN) species under the IUCN Red List criteria,[Rokni, S., Matimele, H.A., Alves, M.T., Chelene, I., Darbyshire, I., Datizua, C., De Sousa, C., Langa, C., Massingue, A.O., Mucaleque, P.A., Odorico, D., Osborne, J., Rulkens, A.J.H., Timberlake, J. & Viegas, A. 2018. Cyrtorchis glaucifolia. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T120961124A120980358. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T120961124A120980358.en. Accessed on 26 December 2022.] and ''Cyrtorchis okuensis'' Droissart, Azandi & M.Simo is categorized as Near Threatened (NT).
Horticulture
''Cyrtorchis'' is easy to cultivate in well drained substrate.[Leth, C. (n.d.). Genus ''Cyrtorchis''. African Orchids. Retrieved December 24, 2022, from http://www.africanorchids.dk/higher-epidendroideae/tribe-vandeae/subtribe-aerangidinae-from-a-m/cyrtorchis] ''Cyrtorchis arcuata'' is most commonly found in private collections.[De Vidi, G. (2010, December 10). Il genere Cyrtorchis. Orchids.it. Retrieved December 26, 2022, from https://www.orchids.it/2010/12/10/il-genere-cyrtorchis/]
See also
* List of Orchidaceae genera
This is a list of genera in the orchid family (Orchidaceae), originally according tThe Families of Flowering Plants- L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz. This list is adapted regularly with the changes published in the ''Orchid Research Newsletter'' whic ...
References
External links
*
*
Vandeae genera
Angraecinae
Orchids of Africa
Flora of Africa
Epiphytic orchids
Lithophytic orchids
{{Vandeae-stub