User:Wack Yak/Hexalectris spicata var spicata

= Hexalectris spicata var spicata =

Hexalectris spicata var spicata is a rare flowering plant in the orchid family Orchidacae. It is considered to be a mycotrophic orchid and it is native to the Americas. It is also commonly referred to as spiked crested coralroot.

Description
H. spicata var spicata is a leafless orchid with a spicate inflorescence. Its flowers are shades of brown ranging from tan to a reddish dark brown because of their lack of chlorophyll. Flowers also have a purple ridges and stripes on their lips. These orchids bloom from mid-June to early July from spikes that begin to develop in early May. Bracts are present that sheath the stem in place of leaves.

H. spicata var spicata is differentiated anatomically from a closely related species H. spicata var arizonica by the presence of a rostellum that separates the pollen from the stigma. Inspecting the column is essential in distinguishing these two species from each other. H. spicata var spicata also have tan to brown colored spikes, whereas the spikes of H. spicata var arizonica have a pinkish brown cast.

Taxonomy
This orchid is a part of the genus Hexalectris, which is a monophyletic group containing 8 different species of orchids. It is estimated that this genus diverged from other orchid lineages roughly 33 million years ago. Hexalectris is distinct from other lineages because of its high tolerance for temperature seasonality, low levels of precipitation, and low levels of precipitation during the wettest months.

One clade within Hexalectris that is strongly supported by maximum parsimony analysis is the H. spicata species complex, which is comprised of all H. nitidia accessions as well as H. spicata var spicata accessions from east Arizona. However, here is a level of contention in the field as to whether the H. spicata complex comprises correct taxonomy because its species demonstrate very few synapomorphies.

Distribution and habitat
Even though it is a relatively rare species, H. spicata var spicata is the most widespread member of the H. spicata complex. It can be found from areas in Florida and Maryland to areas in New Mexico to Arizona.

These orchids are typically found at elevations of 5,400 to 6,500 ft. They often occupy areas under the forest cover and are rarely seen growing in open areas. At lower elevation limits, this species grows in oak woodlands, the wooded side of canyons, and the bottom of canyons. At higher elevation limits, they grow under the cover of mixed oaks and conifers.

Ecology
Orchids in the genus Hexalectris often live in inhospitable habitats, such as desert canyons, cedar thickets, and dry tropical forests because of their high tolerance for stressful environmental conditions. Because these orchids often occupy such unusual habitats, they can be inconspicuous and difficult to spot.

Members of the genus Hexalectris, including H. spicata var spicata, are relatively rare and endangered species. The presence of these orchids may deserve as a good indicator of habitats that may be necessary to protect.

Fungal associations
H. spicata var spicata has been observed to be associated with four different Sebacina-like taxa. Differences in association of fungal species and different members of Hexalectris indicates that mycorrhizal specificity has diverged alongside divergence in this orchid lineage.

Although little research has addressed fungal associations in the species H. spicata var spicata, some research has addressed associations in the Hexalectris genus more widely. The fungal family Tulasnellaceae have been shown to associate extensively with Hexalectris orchids.

Conservation status & threats
In 2002, New Mexico cateogirzed H. spicata var spicata to be a List 1 plant, which means that it is considered to be rare and endangered. However, current data indicates that this species is not known to occur in New Mexico, which may indicate that its distribution has shifted since the occurrence data available has been collected. Many of the habitats of H. spicata var spicata are at risk due to mining activities. This species does occupy some habitats within the Chiricahua National Monument, which is an area protected from development.