S. Wats., Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 23:285.1888

P. acrisepalaAmes & Schweinf.

Caespitose epiphyte; pseudobulbs lacking; stemsvery short, each bearing a single leaf. Leaves ± oblanceolate,obtuse or acute, 1.5-9 cm long, the veins obscure except themidrib, the base ensheathed in slender, scarious bracts. Flowers 1to few in terminal fascicles borne on slender peduncles usuallyabove the leaves; peduncles usually persisting; sepals acute,maroon, fused at base, 7-9 mm long, the lateral sepals united tothe middle or beyond; petals 2-3.5 mm long, solid maroon, the apexpointed; lip narrow, 2-4 mm long, l-2 mm wide, lighter andpapillate at apex, the margin ciliate, auriculate on both sides.Fruits ellipsoid, to 1 cm long, green or olive, tinged or stripedwith purple. Croat 9787.

Abundant in the forest, perhaps the most abundant orchid on theisland; growing high or low in trees. Ap­parently flowersrepeatedly throughout much of the year.

Guatemala to Panama. In Panama, known from tropi­cal moistforest on both slopes of the Canal Zone and in Bocas del Toro,Colón, Panama, and Darién.