Branching pattern and inflorescence bud displacement in Flickingeria (Orchidaceae)

The vegetative architecture of Flickingeria is modular, consisting of three kinds of shoots of determinate growth. Species differ with respect to extent of branching and length of shoots, but branching is normally restricted to a few particular buds, the potential of which depends on their position. All inflorescences are axillary, although some appear to be terminal. Inflorescences subtended by foliage leaves are displaced into a cavity in the stem, emerging on the abaxial side of the leaf base. The peripheral layers of the stem covering the inflorescence bud may be conspicuously extended and dry up so as to resemble a bract. The arrangement of the inflorescences is a distinctive specific character within the genus. A hypothesis for the evolution of character states is established. The growth and flowering strategy is discussed.