User:Wack Yak/sandbox

= Malaxis soulei = Malaxis soulei is a common species of flowering plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae. It is a terrestrial orchid native to the Americas.

Description
Malaxis soulei can grow up to 35 cm tall. These plants are characterized by the presence of a single leaf that starts roughly 4 cm above the ground and a spicate inflorescence that is densely populated with more than 100 small green to yellowish green flowers. The flowers can start growing from 2 to 7 cm above the base of the leaf. The first leaves typically begin to appear shortly after the start of monsoon season. Flowers typically begin to appear as soon as three weeks later with early flowering times in mid-July. Plants continue to bloom as late as September. Fruit set for this species varies widely, with some individuals setting no fruit and others setting 1 to 10 capsules.

Taxonomy
The plant Malaxis soulei was originally described by J. T. Rothrock. He placed this orchid in the genus Microstylis, which is now considered to be a synonym for the current genus Malaxis. This species was given its name by L. O. Williams in 1934. In 1937, Williams established Malaxis macrostachya as a synonymous species name, but returned to using the referent name in 1951. Today, these names are used interchangeably.

This orchid is in the genus Malaxis, which is a polyphyletic genus that contains over 200 diverse species. The species in this genus are all terrestrial orchids that are anatomically characterized by the presence of a pseudobulb-type structure. Some authors have disputed the ranking of Malaxis as a genus-level descriptor, but have conceded that not enough species have been described to re-classify its species.

Distribution and habitat
M. soulei occurs in Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico in the United States. Occurrences have also been documented in mountainous areas of central Mexico and in Panama.

This orchid has been documented to grow in elevations between 5,300 and 9,200 ft. They have been shown to grow mainly in conifer forest biomes.

Ecology
Because they can adapt to a wide range of moisture conditions, M. soulei is often a locally common orchid. Their tolerance for different elevations and habitats makes them a relatively hearty species. M. soulei was one of the first species to grow in lightly burned areas following the Aspen fire on June 16, 2003. They have also been shown to be able to bloom in close proximity to other orchids.

Fungal associations
Although no research has examined the mycorrhizal associations of M. soulei, some research has addressed associations in the other species belonging to the genus Malaxis.

Associations with the species M. acuminata have been shown to be limited to inner-cortical zones of roots and rhizomes. The presence of aseptate intracellular hyphae and Glomus-type vessicles indicates that they may form some variety of arbuscular mycorrhizal associations. However, hyphal coils and arbuscules were absent, indicating that the identified association may be non-functional.

Researching regarding the associations of M. monophyllos identified the presence of two major fungal groups. L. orchidicola, a dark septate endophyte species, and Tulasnella sp., a group of Rhizoctonia fungi, were identified on the roots of samples of these orchids.

= 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.

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
Who named it??

This orchid is a part of the genus Hexalectris, which is likely 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.

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
This orchid is considered to be rare and endangered.