Biology Reference
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Fig. 2.1
Spiranthes romanzoffiana
. (
a
) Inflorescence, scale bar = 2 mm; (
b
) habit, scale bar = 1 cm;
(
c
) flower, exploded view, scale bar = 2 mm
Brown
2002
). In our species, they range in color from white or greenish white to
cream colored or yellow. The lateral petals are adherent to the dorsal sepal to form
a hood over the column (Figs.
2.1
and
2.2
). The lateral sepals, with straight to
slightly reflexed or upturned tips, may be either spreading or confluent with the lip
and lateral petals to produce a floral tube (Catling
1980b
). Except for its tip, the lip
is often concealed by the other members of the perianth (Fig.
2.1
, see below). It is
clawed and varies in shape from lanceolate to ovate or sometimes pandurate (violin
shaped) and is frequently recurved with a crenulate to lacerate and often crisped
apical margin (Figs.
2.1
and
2.2
). Paired callosities or nectar glands are present at its
base. The dorsal surface of the usually short column bears an erect, bilocular anther
containing a pair of deeply cleft, soft, mealy, sectile pollinia (Figs.
2.3
and
2.4
).
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