Limodorum

Limodorum
Limodorum abortivum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Neottieae
Genus: Limodorum
Boehm. (1760)
Type species
Limodorum abortivum
Synonyms[1]
  • Centrosis Sw., illegitimate name
  • Jonorchis Beck, illegitimate name
  • Limodoron St.-Lag.
  • Lequeetia Bubani

Limodorum is a genus of myco-heterotrophic orchids. All species are temperate terrestrial plants and occur across much of Europe, North-West Africa, the Mediterranean Islands, and as far east as Iran. [2] Plants have evolved away from photosynthesis and as a result their leaves are reduced to scales. There is still chlorophyll present but the plants are believed to be solely dependent on their fungal partner for nutrients.[3] They spend most of their life underground as a short stem with fleshy roots, the unbranched inflorescence can appear in April to June if conditions are favourable. [4]

The name finds its origin in "haemodoron", first applied by Theophrastus and later adopted by Jacques Daléchamps to refer to parasitic plants most likely in Orobanche. [5] The name is derived from the Greek “leimo-” (meadow) and “dōron,” (gift). [6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference WCSP was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Limodorum Boehm". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens Kew.
  3. ^ Girlanda, M.; Selosse, M. A.; Cafasso, D.; Brilli, F.; Delfine, S.; Fabbian, R.; Ghignone, S.; Pinelli, P.; Segreto, R.; Loreto, F.; Cozzolino, S.; Perotto, S. (2005-12-05). "Inefficient photosynthesis in the Mediterranean orchid Limodorum abortivum is mirrored by specific association to ectomycorrhizal Russulaceae: MYCORRHIZAL SPECIFICITY IN LIMODORUM". Molecular Ecology. 15 (2): 491–504. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2005.02770.x. PMID 16448415.
  4. ^ Alrich, Peggy; Higgins, Wesley (September 2015). "Limodorum: An Old World Genus". Orchids (www.aos.org): 535.
  5. ^ Uhlich, Holger (2014). "Geschichte der Erforschung der Sommerwurzgewächse (Gattungen Orobanche und Phelipanche)" (PDF). Kochia. 8: 32. doi:10.21248/kochia.v8.71. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  6. ^ Alrich, Peggy; Higgins, Wesley (September 2015). "Limodorum: An Old World Genus". Orchids (www.aos.org): 535.