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Tender Leaf Closed-Mouth Orchid
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Tender Leaf Closed-Mouth Orchid
ative Photo: Avinash Bhagat
Common name: Tender Leaf Closed-Mouth Orchid
Botanical name: Cleisostoma tenuifolium    Family: Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Synonyms: Aerides tenuifolia, Cymbidium tenuifolium, Epidendrum tenuifolium

Tender Leaf Closed-Mouth Orchid is a miniature sized, warm growing epiphyte, 20-30 cm long, with an erect stem completely enveloped by leaf bearing sheaths. Leaves are many, linear, pointed, gradually narrowing below into the clasping base leaves. The plant blooms in the spring and summer on an erect, 5 cm long, raceme-like, several flowered inflorescence. Flowers are yellow, dorsal sepal 4.5 x 1.2 mm, obovate-oblong, lanceshaped, pointed, 3-veined; lateral sepals 3 x 1 mm, elliptic, acute, 3-veined. Petals are 3 x 0.8 mm, falcately-oblong, truncate, 1-veined. Lip is 2 x 4 mm, 3-lobed, side lobes 1.5 x 1 mm, ovate, apiculate, midlobe, 2 x 1 mm, ovate, with 2 fleshy calli; spur 3 x 1 mm, oblong-ovoid. Tender Leaf Closed-Mouth Orchid is found in India, Ceylon and Thailand.

Identification credit: Avinash Bhagat Photographed in Cotigao, Goa.

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