Epidendrum denticulatum

Epidendrum denticulatum, one of the crucifix orchids, is a reed stemmed species which, at least in herbarium specimens, is frequently confused with E. secundum Jacq. Like E. secundum, the flowers of E. denticulatum are non-resupinate and are born in a congested raceme at the end of a long spike. Like all crucifix orchids, the lip is adnate to the column and bears three lobes, producing the effect of a cross. Epidendrum denticulatum is grows in tropical dry forests of the Serra do Mar in Brazil, extending from the coastal states of Rio Grande do Sul, to Pernambuco, as well as in the forests of Minas Gerais, at altitudes ranging from 0.5 to 1.4 km. The plant grows both terrestrially and epiphytically. It is most commonly found living among low bushes and at the edge of roads, occasionally forming large tussocks that can measure more than 5 m2. Although there are several references stating that E. denticulatum grows at low altitudes near the sea shore these may be the result of confusing E. denticulatum with other members of the Schistochila Carinata subsection of Epidendrum, such as E. cinnabarinum, E. fulgens, and E. puniceoluteum. This sympodial reed-stemmed Epidendrum displays a pseudomonopodial habit: an individual stem (to 4 mm in diameter) will grow continuously at the tip for some time, before producing a bloom spike. Nevertheless, the flowers come from the top of the stem (halting its upward growth), and new stems start from buds at the base of the old stems, thus making the plant sympodial, like the rest of the subtribe Laeliinae. Less than ideal lighting will encourage the formation of numerous keikis producing a tangled mass of shoots and roots high up the plant. However, full sunlight will cause most growths to start near the base of old growths, leading to a shorter and 'tidier' plant. The long, thin (3 mm or less thick) roots of E. denticulatum are covered with spongy velamen, and extend through the air into the ground. The alternate, coriaceous leaves measure up to 9 cm long and 2 cm wide. The inflorescence is a terminal raceme, filling a globular space that can measure more than 30 cm and can include up to a hundred flowers, with some ten to thirty open simultaneously. A single inflorescence can remain in bloom for up to a year. The flowers may be white, cream, yellow, or orange, but are more commonly lavender. Each flower measures about 2 cm in diameter. The two petals and three sepals are similar and oval, measuring about 11 mm long by 5 mm wide, each of these perianth segment separated from the next by an angle close to 60°. As in all Epidendrum flowers, the lip is adnate to the column to the end. As in the other members of the section E. sect. Schistochila, the lip is divided into three lobes. This species is named for the tooth-like serrated margins of the three labial lobes.