Myoxanthus mejiae (Garay & Dunst.) Luer (1982a: 47)

Rojas-Alvarado, Gustavo, Blanco, Mario A. & Karremans, Adam P., 2021, A taxonomic synopsis and morphological characterization of Myoxanthus (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae), Phytotaxa 507 (3), pp. 211-258 : 239-241

26. Myoxanthus mejiae (Garay & Dunst.) Luer (1982a: 47)

Basionym: Pleurothallis mejiae Garay & Dunsterville (1976: 354) .

TYPE:— VENEZUELA. Táchira: Alto de Palo Grande above Palmira, Mejia s.n. (holotype: AMES!). FIGURE 15. Myoxanthus species. A . M. hirsuticaulis . B. M. hystrix . C. M. lonchophyllus . D. M. melittanthus . E. M. merae . F – H. M. monophyllus . I. M. montanus . J. M. octomerioides . K. M. oliviae . L. M. ortizianus . Photographs by: G. Rojas-Alvarado ( A). R. Parsons ( B, D, H, K). J. Gastin ( C). L. E. Yupanqui ( E, G). E. Hunt ( F). P. Ortiz ( I). P. Mannens ( J). B. Coral Jaramillo ( L).

Distribution: — Venezuela.

Notes:— This species has been collected only in the mountains of western Venezuela. The habit and large fleshy lip with the margins revolute to the apex and auricles at its base are similar to M. punctatus and its allies, whereas morphology of sepals, petals and column is more similar to M. reymondii . Myoxanthus mejiae is distinguished by petals with a clavate apex downwardly oriented, broadly rounded and decurved lip with a thickened apex with a pair of basal auricle, and a curved column with broad rounded apical wings.