Peristeria elata
Encyclopedia
Peristeria elata is a species of orchid occurring from Central America
to Ecuador
and Venezuela
. It is the type species
of its genus.
this species has been abundant in the very humid mountain forests. It is found as an epiphyte
plant on the trunks of trees covered with moss at elevation of about 1,100 m. In its natural habitat, this orchid is growing near the ground level of mature forests.
, runs a sponsorship program for this orchid to save it from extinction.It is included on the list of endangered plants according to the Washington Treaty on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
to Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
and Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
. It is the type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
of its genus.
Description
It has ovoid pseudobulbs up to 12 cm high, elongated, not fat and with four leaves that reach up to one meter of length and 15 cm of width, folded. Flowers emerge from the base of the bulb and produce 4 to 12 flowers with an intense marble white color, with purple spots and the anther and pistil are yellow. The central part of the flower is ornated with a well defined dove shape. Its perfume is similar to beer.Habitat
In PanamaPanama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
this species has been abundant in the very humid mountain forests. It is found as an epiphyte
Epiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
plant on the trunks of trees covered with moss at elevation of about 1,100 m. In its natural habitat, this orchid is growing near the ground level of mature forests.
State of conservation
This flower is in grave danger of extinction, because of its great beauty, causing traffickers to take it away from its habitat. The Panamanian NGO, APROVACAAPROVACA
APROVACA is a non-profit organization established to conserve and protect native orchids in El Valle de Antón, Panama....
, runs a sponsorship program for this orchid to save it from extinction.It is included on the list of endangered plants according to the Washington Treaty on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.