Malaxis abieticola Salazar & Soto Arenas
Arizona Adder's Mouth Orchid, Slender Flowered Malaxis
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Malaxis tenuis, Microstylis tenuis.
Malaxis abieticola, the Arizona Adder's Mouth Orchid, can be found at high elevations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. This orchid produces a single leaf and a cylindrical inflorescence of several tiny, very narrow green flowers. The green labellum has an arrowhead shape with 4 dark green stripes. At the base of each petiole is a small triangular bract. Malaxis abieticola can be found in mossy and grassy areas in fir woodlands and hillsides and near the edges of meadows.
Malaxis abieticola is considered globally secure because it is common in Mexico, although it is rare in Arizona, and perhaps known from only a single location in New Mexico. Many of the Arizona populations are protected by wilderness areas, but the New Mexico location is threatened by logging.
Pollination
This orchid is pollinated by fungus gnats and gall gnats.
Ecosystem Type
Alpine or subalpine zones, forests, meadows, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- stem
- Number of leaves on stem:
- one
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is simple
- Main color of labellum:
- green to brown
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is simple
- Labellum length:
- 3–4.2 mm
- Sepal length:
- 4–6 mm
- Plant height:
- 11–25 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Apparently Secure |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |