Pantropical Widelip Orchid

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Pantropical Widelip Orchid

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cymbidium nervosum
• Epidendrum nervosum
• Iebine nervosa
• Malaxis nervosa
• Diteilis nervosa
• Ophrys nervosa
• Sturmia nervosa
• Empusa nervosa
• Leptorkis nervosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Orchidaceae. Specifically, Liparis nervosa is identified by the genus Liparis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence can be documented across several distinct nations, including Benin and Ghana. Additionally, the species is found inhabiting the landscapes of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. The range further extends into the coastal and inland areas of the Ivory Coast. Consequently, its natural habitat is defined by these specific West African territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Liparis nervosa is characterized by its presence in diverse forest environments, specifically thriving within bosque alto (high forest) and bosque medio (middle forest) habitats. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2500 m AMSL. Throughout its natural range, it maintains an average elevational preference of approximately 1500 m AMSL, allowing it to occupy a variety of ecological niches across different vertical forest strata.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque alto, bosque medio

Life history

The life history of Liparis nervosa is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the orchid family, its growth strategy is defined by its classification as both a geophyte and a cryptophyte, meaning its vital organs are protected underground or at the soil surface during unfavorable conditions. This life form enables the plant to survive seasonal dormancy by relying on underground storage structures, which support its long-term survival and ability to re-emerge once environmental conditions become favorable for growth and reproduction.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Liparis nervosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species, functioning neither as a climber nor as a parasite, as it maintains an independent life cycle. In terms of its physical stature, it is a relatively small plant with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a mean height of approximately 0.6 m. Regarding its habitat and attachment style, it is strictly terrestrial, lacking any epiphytic or aquatic characteristics.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Liparis nervosa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 7-Hydroxy-2-methoxy-phenanthrene-1,4-dione, adenosine.

7-Hydroxy-2-methoxy-phenanthrene-1,4-dione

1. Natural product research

adenosine

1. Natural product communications

Conditions

Liparis nervosa has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include platelet aggregation.

Platelet aggregation

1. Natural product communications

Preparations

Liparis nervosa has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract, n-BuOH extract.

Ethanolic extract

1. Fitoterapia

N-buoh extract

1. Natural product communications