
Pleurothallis phyllocardia
Pleurothallis phyllocardia Rchb.f., Beitr. Orchid.-K. C. Amer. 97. 1866.
Type: Costa Rica. Desengaño, 31 May 1858, Wendland s.n. (lectotype, W).
Illustrated specimen: Costa Rica. Puntarenas: Coto Brus, Parque Pittier, June 1995, G. Carnevali s.n. (JBL; LCDP voucher).
Etymology: From the Greek words φῠ́λλον (phúllon), “leaf ”, and κᾰρδῐ́ᾱ (kardíā), “heart”, in reference to the heart-shaped leaves.
Pleurothallis phyllocardia is recognized by the glabrous flowers borne from an erect bract with the peduncle and pedicel bent downwards, reclining the flowers toward the leaves, and the linear-oblong petals. The P. phyllocardia group from Costa Rica comprises about ten species that are mainly characterized by the large habit (longer than 15 cm), the inflorescence born from an erect to suberect spathaceous bract and flowers that remain open after reaching complete anthesis until they fade.