Myoxanthus hystrix

Rojas-Alvarado, Gustavo, Blanco, Mario A. & Karremans, Adam P., 2021, A taxonomic synopsis and morphological characterization of Myoxanthus (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae), Phytotaxa 507 (3), pp. 211-258 : 239

24. Myoxanthus hystrix (Rchb.f.) Luer (1982a: 43) (Fig. 15B)

Basionym: Pleurothallis hystrix Reichenbach (1854: 26) .

TYPE:— VENEZUELA. “Caracas”, Wagener L612 (holotype: W!).

Heterotypic Synonym: Pleurothallis lonchophylla Reichenbach (1886: 555) .

TYPE:— VENEZUELA. Without type locality, from a cultivated specimen (holotype, W).

Distribution: — Colombia and Venezuela.

Notes:— This and M. trachychlamys are the only species with an elongate rhizome. Flowers of M. hystrix are similar to those of M. melittanthus but differ mainly in shape of the petals and column. The petals of M. hystrix are subquadrate in the basal half with obtusely angled margins that contracts into a yellow distal half with a clavate tip downward oriented, whereas in those of M. melittanthus the contracted part is longer and narrower, forming a slender tail with a slightly clavate, generally upwardly oriented tip. The column wings of M. hystrix are lobulate and rounded, emerging from near the middle to the apex of the column, whereas in M. melittanthus they are broader, not lobulate, extending from the base to the apex of the column. Pleurothallis lonchophylla , described by Reichenbach (1866) from a cultivated plant without locality, definitely corresponds to M. hystrix ; description of the habit and flowers are compatible with both.