Microsaccus

Microsaccus is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia.

Description Vegetative characteristics These miniature epiphytes produce laterally flattened, distichously arranged leaves on thin stems.Teoh, E.S. (2021). Microsaccus Bl. In: Orchid Species from Himalaya and Southeast Asia Vol. 2 (G - P). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80428-2_18

Generative characteristics The usually two-flowered inflorescences are short.Seidenfaden, G., Wood, J., & Holttum, R. (1992). "The Orchids of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore." Olsen & Olsen. The spurred, minuscule flowers have a simple labellum. The flowers have four pollinia.Zou, L. H., Huang, J. X., Zhang, G. Q., Liu, Z. J., & Zhuang, X. Y. (2015). "A molecular phylogeny of Aeridinae (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) inferred from multiple nuclear and chloroplast regions." Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 85, 247–254. Within the fruits there are pale brown to whitish trichomes with an oblong-elliptic basal zone. They have perforations in the basal region.Gamarra, R., & Ortúñez, E. (2021). "Endocarpic trichomes in Vandeae (Orchidaceae)." Flora, 280, 151844.

Etymology The generic name Microsaccus is composed of the Greek words μικρός (mikrós) meaning small and saccus meaning sack, which refers to the labellum.Puccio, P. (n.d.). Microsaccus truncatus. Monaco Nature Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/microsaccus-truncatus/

Ecology Microsaccus truncatus is known to grow epiphytically in montane forest at 1200 m above sea level. Microsaccus griffithii occurs in forests at elevations of 500–2770 m above sea level.

Physiology Microsaccus uses CAM photosynthesis.Microsaccus griffithii. (n.d.). Hortus Orchis. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://www.hortusorchis.org/en/botanical-orchids/118-m/1483-microsaccus-brevifolius.html

Taxonomy Species The genus contains 13 accepted species: Microsaccus affinis J.J.Sm. - Java Microsaccus albovirescens J.J.Sm. - Sumatra Microsaccus ampullaceus J.J.Sm. - Sumatra, Borneo, Malaysia Microsaccus borneensis J.J.Sm. - Borneo Microsaccus canaliculatus J.J.Sm. - Sumatra Microsaccus dempoensis J.J.Sm. - Sumatra Microsaccus griffithii (C.S.P.Parish & Rchb.f.) Seidenf. - Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Philippines Microsaccus javensis Blume - Malaysia, Java Microsaccus mihoae P.O'Byrne & Gokusing - Borneo Microsaccus ramosus J.J.Sm. - Java Microsaccus sumatranus J.J.Sm. - Malaysia, Sumatra Microsaccus truncatus Carr - Malaysia Microsaccus wenzelii Ames - Philippines

Phylogeny It is closely related to the genus Jejewoodia . One species, namely Jejewoodia longicalcarata (Ames & C.Schweinf.) J.J.Wood used to be Microsaccus longicalcaratus Ames & C.Schweinf. It has been suggested to reunite these two genera, due to their similar appearance. Another closely related genus is Adenocos, which does not have a spur, unlike the former two genera.Pridgeon, A., Cribb, P., Chase, M., & Rasmussen, F. (2014). "Genera Orchidacearum Volume 6: Epidendroideae (Part 3)." pp. 118, 204, 212. OUP Oxford.

Horticulture Microsaccus can be cultivated under moist conditions with a lot of air movement, and intermediate temperatures. The plants should be placed in a semi-shaded position. It is rarely cultivated.

Microsaccus

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