Platystele

Platystele is a clustered mini-orchid that forms masses of minuscule yellow flowers -their proportions are a good evidence for the nearly unlimited range of shapes and sizes that can be assumed by the plants from the family Orchidaceae. The entire small genus Playstele (a tottal of 6 species)is closely akin to the genus Pleurothalis . Its trailing stem forms multiple branches and each of its shoots is ended with a single ,1.2 -1.6 in / 3-4 cm long leaf. The flowers of the Platystele species in the photo are arranged in a two -row flower raceme that is formed at the bases of the leaves and never surpasses the leaves in length . Each inflorescence bears a large number of 0.12-0.16 in/3-4 mm-large ,successively opening flowers with a deep -yellow lip. After the flowers fade, the individual ovaries extend-even if not pollinated -and create a peculiar shape with comb-like protuberances on either side . The individual flower spikes sometimes survive for over a year ,adding in growth and bearing on their ends new flowers that continuously open, one or two at a time . Cultivation rules are similar as those that apply to Pleurothalis orchids . The plant is ,due to its minute proportions ,it need of frequent misting and fairly humid conditions overall. The Platystele species was discovered in Palenque ,Mexico ,but specimens are known to grow also in other countries in Central and South America .