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Pleurothallis compressa
Icones Costaricensis 1 & 2

Pleurothallis compressa

Pleurothallis compressa Luer, Lindleyana 11(2): 75. 1996.

Type: Costa Rica. Cartago: Turrialba, without further collection data, flowered in cultivation at the Lankester Botanical Garden, Cartago, 7 March 1995, C. Luer 17380 (holotype, CR; isotype, MO).

Illustrated specimen: Costa Rica. Cartago: Cartago, San Francisco, Muñeco, Finca Loma Verde and Jilguero, road to Alto Belén, between Río Sombrero and Quebrada Patarrá, 1542 m. 22 Jul 2010. D. Bogarín 7839, M. Fernández, R. Trejos & C. Smith (JBL-spirit; LCDP voucher).

Etymology: From the Latin compressus, “compressed, flattened”, in reference to the laterally compressed ramicaul.

The curved, ancipitous ramicauls and pendent, narrowly lanceolate-ovate, acuminate leaves deeply cordate at the base, and the small brown flower borne pendently beneath the axial surface of the leaf, completely reflexed (or laterally “compressed”) easily distinguish P. compressa from any other species in the genus.