Myoxanthus gorgon Luer (1983a: 386)

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 : 237

20. Myoxanthus gorgon Luer (1983a: 386) . (Fig. 14J)

TYPE:— ECUADOR. Morona-Santiago: epiphytic in the forest north of Gualaquiza , 1500 m, Mar 1982, collected by Luer & Andreetta, flowered in cultivation 14 Mar. 1983, Luer 8693 (holotype: SEL-spirit!) .

Distribution: — Ecuador.

Notes:— Luer distinguished M. gorgon from M. monophyllus by its shorter perianth and “peduncle” (actually the pseudopeduncle) and yellowish perianth versus whitish. However, both species have short pseudopeduncles, similar colour of the flowers, a floral bract covering the base of the perianth, petals with dentate margins and similar column, lip and plant habits. The most obvious difference between the two species is the length of the perianth, as mentioned and illustrated by Luer, but the reflexed sepals on M. gorgon are also noteworthy. There is significant variation in length and colour of the perianth of M. monophyllus (Fig. 14F–H), and both entities have highly overlapping distributions. We think it is necessary to document the variation of these two taxa across their ranges to determine if M. gorgon can be consistently distinguished from M. monophyllus .