Back
Myrmecophila tibicinis (Batem ex Lindl.) Rolfe
| Family Name: | Orchidaceae |
| Synonyms: | Schomburgkia tibicinis (Bateman ex Lindl.) Bateman 1841 |
| Common Name: | Cow-horn Orchid, Trumpet Orchid |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte |
|---|
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Venezuela. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
| CITES Protection |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A large epiphyte, it has a symodial growth form. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The pseubodulbs taper to a point and bears 2 to 3 leathery, ovate leaves. The pseubodulbs can grow up to approximately 30 to 45 cm long, are hollow with an opening at the base and in their native habitat, are inhabited by ants. |
| Flowers | The flowers are borne on a raceme. The flower sepals and petals are pink and undulate. The flower lip has a purple border; the inner surface is white with red streaks, the 2 side-lobes are large and are white with purple streaks with a purple border at the margin. |
| Associated Fauna | Ants |
| Cultivation | A slow-growing epiphyte or sometimes a lithophyte. It is best grown on tree bark or a free-draining medium under partial sun but can tolerate some full sun. Allow the roots to dry between watering. It does not like to be disturbed, re-pot the plant as little as possible. |
| Etymology | The genus name comes from the Greek words myrmex meaning ant, and philos meaning friend, referencing the symbiotic relationship this species has with ants in its native environment. The species names comes from the Latin word tibia meaning flute which references the hollow pseudobulbs that ants often reside in. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, [Remarks] (In tropical climates, it grows and flowers best in full sun.) |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, [Remarks] (In tropical climates, watering must be regularly and deeply especially during vegetative growth. Allow the roots to dry out a little before watering.) |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Division, Tissue Culture |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32021 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6423 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |