Kefersteinia (plant)
Introduction '''''Kefersteinia''''' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It has about 40-50 species, widespread across much of Latin America. The genus was named for Keferstein of Kröllwitz, an orchidologist.
Description Plants of the genus are small sympodial orchids closely related to ''Chondrorhyncha'', growing  tall. Orchids have a long or short rhizome and lack pseudobulbs. Linear to lanceolate leaves form a fan shape, articulated to a sheath at their base. Single flowered inflorescences rise from the base or between leaves, often multiple at a time. Flowers are thin and translucent, with similar petals and sepals. The lip is broad and articulated to the column foot. The column is stout and keeled on the underside. Flowers have four pollinia.
Distribution and habitat Most species grow in the Andes mountains of Colombia and Ecuador, in shady, humid conditions. Most are epiphytic though some grow terrestrially in humus or moss.
Ecology Most flowers of the genus are pollinated by euglossine bees attracted by the flowers' fragrance. The hump of the lip forces bees to enter the flower from the side and pollinia are attached to the base of the bee's antennae.
Species Species accepted by the Plants of the World Online as of 2022:*''Kefersteinia alata'' *''Kefersteinia alba'' *''Kefersteinia andreettae'' *''Kefersteinia angustifolia'' *''Kefersteinia auriculata'' *''Kefersteinia aurorae'' *''Kefersteinia bengasahra'' *''Kefersteinia bismarckii'' *''Kefersteinia candida'' *''Kefersteinia carolorum'' *''Kefersteinia chocoensis'' *''Kefersteinia costaricensis'' *''Kefersteinia delcastilloi'' *''Kefersteinia elegans'' *''Kefersteinia endresii'' *''Kefersteinia escalerensis'' *''Kefersteinia escobariana'' *''Kefersteinia excentrica'' *''Kefersteinia expansa'' *''Kefersteinia forcipata'' *''Kefersteinia gemma'' *''Kefersteinia graminea'' *''Kefersteinia guacamayoana'' *''Kefersteinia heideri'' *''Kefersteinia hirtzii'' *''Kefersteinia klabochii'' *''Kefersteinia koechliniorum'' *''Kefersteinia lactea'' *''Kefersteinia lafontainei'' *''Kefersteinia laminata'' *''Kefersteinia lojae'' *''Kefersteinia maculosa'' *''Kefersteinia medinae'' *''Kefersteinia microcharis'' *''Kefersteinia minutiflora'' *''Kefersteinia mystacina'' *''Kefersteinia niesseniae'' *''Kefersteinia ocellata'' *''Kefersteinia orbicularis'' *''Kefersteinia oscarii'' *''Kefersteinia parvilabris'' *''Kefersteinia pastorellii'' *''Kefersteinia pellita'' *''Kefersteinia perlonga'' *''Kefersteinia pseudopellita'' *''Kefersteinia pulchella'' *''Kefersteinia pusilla'' *''Kefersteinia retanae'' *''Kefersteinia richardhegerlii'' *''Kefersteinia ricii'' *''Kefersteinia saccata'' *''Kefersteinia salustianae'' *''Kefersteinia sanguinolenta'' *''Kefersteinia stapelioides'' *''Kefersteinia stevensonii'' *''Kefersteinia taurina'' *''Kefersteinia tinschertiana'' *''Kefersteinia tolimensis'' *''Kefersteinia trullata'' *''Kefersteinia vasquezii'' *''Kefersteinia villenae'' *''Kefersteinia villosa'' *''Kefersteinia wercklei''
See also * List of Orchidaceae genera
References
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