Acampe

A. papillosa (Image courtesy of Greg Steenbeeke) A. papillosa
(Image courtesy of Greg Steenbeeke).

Described in 1853 by Lindley in Folia Orchidaceae, this is a group of mainly terrestrial or epiphytic monopodial plants, probably with 9 species represented.

The genus is distributed in India, China, SE Asia, tropical Africa and Indian Ocean islands.

Etymology: The source of the name is Greek akampes (rigid) in reference to the small, brittle flowers.

The type species (genotype) is A. multiflora (Lindley) Lindley {= A. rigida (Buchanan-Hamilton ex J.E. Smith) P.F. Hunt}.

Similar and related genera include medium sized plants of other Vandeae genera.

Characteristics: Species in this genus are distinguished by having small, brittle flowers, entire lip adnate to edges of column, slender caudicle and very small viscidium. The column lacks a foot.  (imagery courtesy of )

Synonyms: This genus is also known as Thalia Maravara Rheede (a pre-Linnaean name).

The full taxonomic description of this genus is

  • Dressler (1993) classification: Subfamily Epidendroideae Lindley (Dendrobioid subclade), tribe Vandeae Lindley and subtribe Aeridinae Pfitzer.
  • Szlachetko (1995) classification: Family Orchidaceae Jussieu, Subfamily Vandoideae Endlicher, tribe Vandeae Lindley and subtribe Gastrochilinae Szlachetko (group 3a).
    Intergeneric hybrid genera which include members of this genus as part of the components include X Aracampe Hort. and X Vancampe Hort..

    Reference material consulted in developing this page has included (but is not limited to) RHS (various dates), Index Kewensis (1998 CDrom version), Bechtel et al. (1980), Brummitt & Powell (1992), Dressler (1993b) and Szlachetko (1995).


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