Porroglossum (por-roh-GLOS-sum) consists of approximately 28 species distributed within the Andes.  From the Greek meaning "far, far off" and "tongue", the name refers to the position of the lip which is very distinctive in this genus.  The utterly fascinating lip is hinged and has a mechanism that snaps shut when stimulated by a pollinator, thus trapping the insect to ensure that the pollinia will be removed and later transferred to the receptive surface.  The lip opens after 30 minutes or so to release the insect, but also closes at night and reopens at dawn.  Porroglossums have successively flowered inflorescences with petals that are small and fleshy.

    These plants have not yet been positively identified.

        Porroglossum species 01917

        Porroglossum species 01920

Subgenus Eduardii

    Porroglossum eduardii (Rchb.f.) Sweet

    Porroglossum lorenae Luer

Subgenus Porroglossum  Section Echidna

    Porroglossum echidna (Rchb.f.) Garay

    Porroglossum hystrix Luer

    Porroglossum muscosum (Rchb.f.) Schltr.

        Porroglossum xipheres (Rchb.f.) Garay = Porroglossum muscosum

            Icones Pleurothallidinarum IV; p. 60 (11/1987)

Subgenus Porroglossum  Section Porroglossum

    Porroglossum actrix Luer & Escobar

    Porroglossum agile Luer

    Porroglossum amethystinium (Rchb.f.) Garay

    Porroglossum andreettae Luer

    Porroglossum aureum Luer

        Porroglossum colombianum Schltr. = Porroglossum mordax

            Icones Pleurothallidinarum IV; p. 58 (11/1987)

    Porroglossum dreisei Luer & Andreetta

    Porroglossum hirtzii Luer

    Porroglossum hoeijeri Luer

    Porroglossum jesupiae Luer

    Porroglossum josei Luer

    Porroglossum lycinum Luer

    Porroglossum meridionale P.Ortiz

    Porroglossum mordax (Rchb.f.) Sweet

    Porroglossum nutibara Luer & Escobar

    Porroglossum olivaceum Sweet

    Porroglossum peruvianum Sweet

    Porroglossum procul Luer & Vásquez

    Porroglossum rodrigoi Sweet

    Porroglossum schramii Luer

    Porroglossum sergioi P.Ortiz

    Porroglossum taylorianum Luer

    Porroglossum teaguei Luer

    Porroglossum teretilabia Luer & Teague

    Porroglossum tokachii Luer

    Porroglossum tripollex Luer

Subgenus Porroglossum  Section Tortae

    Porroglossum condylosepalum Sweet

    Porroglossum dactylum Luer

    Porroglossum dalstroemii Luer

    Porroglossum portillae Luer & Andreetta

    Porroglossum uxorium Luer

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