37- 2.1
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Wittrockia spiralipetala Leme |
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Distribution: BRAZIL; Rio de Janeiro,
Habitat: endemic to the Serra da Bocaina in southern Rio de Janeiro state, and is only known from the type locality.This sun-loving species is an epiphyte that forms large clumps in the canopy of¬Atlantic slope forest. There is only one clone in cultivation, which is not enough to maintain this species ex situ. Still, the plant may occur in the Serra da Bocaina National Park which would theoretically guarantee its preservation in situ., above 1,000 m. Elev.
Etymology: The early spiraled petals of this species gave it its name, from the Latin spiralis (=spiral) plus petalum (=petal). Oddly enough, this characteristic was not observed in a specimen of the same clone which flowered at a later date (see below).
Phenology: This species flowers from December to February.