Smithsonia straminea C.J.Saldanha
In J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 71: 73 (1974)
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Gastrochilus stramineus (Saldanha) R.Rice in Photo Intro Vandoid Orchid Gen. Asia: 159 (2018)
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Loxoma straminea (C.J.Saldanha) Pradhan in Indian Orchids: Guide Identif. & Cult. 2: 718 (1979)
Ecology: Perenial epiphytic herb found growing on Mangifera indica & Dalbergia horrida plants in semievergreen forest
Roots many, arising from base of stem, up to 50 cm or longer, 0.4–0.5 cm in diameter, flattened and closely adhering to trunk or branch.
Stem short sheathed
Leaves 2, with third small leaf in between distichous, 8 -10 x2cm oblong elliptical narrow at the base and unequally two lobed apex
Inflorescence Raceme, 12-14 flowered, pendulous, peduncle 12-15x2cm,terete
Flower 0.7mm across, dark yellow with red spots or light golden yellow coloured, pedicellate, bracteate
Bract 2x1.5mm ovate, obtuse
Sepals subequal yellow with red spots, white at the base; dorsal sepal 4x3mm, oblanceolate, slightly incurved at apex; Lateral sepals 4x2.5mm, obovate elliptical, spreading
Petals: 3x2mm obovate – oblong
Labellum white, trilobed deeply saccate at the base, lateral lobes white with purple on sides, angular erect, connate at the base, mid lobe sub conical, white, golden yellow at the tip; spur subconical, purple.
Column short deep yellow , purple bordered; anther conical yellow; rostellum bilobed, pollinia 2 waxy deeply cleft, caudicle 1.5mm, viscidium small, stigma ovate
Capsule: 10 mm oblong, green purple tinged
Flowering May
Fruiting June onwards