Triceratorhynchus is a genus of flowering plants of the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to central Africa: Cameroon, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and Kenya.Fischer, E., Rembold, K., Althof, A. & Obholzer, J. (2010). Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Kakamega forest, Western province, Kenya. Journal of East African Natural History 99: 129-226.Summerhayes, Victor Samuel. 1951. Botanical Museum Leaflets of Harvard University 14: 232
Description Vegetative characteristics The species are dwarf epiphytes with short stems, which bear many leaves. The leaf shape is oblong or lanceolate. Generative characteristics The inflorescences produce one to many small, spurred, inconspicuous flowers.
Taxonomy Taxonomic history The genus was described in 1951 by the British botanist Victor Samuel Summerhayes (1897–1974). His concept of the genus only included the type species, which he described as Triceratorhynchus viridiflorus Summerh.Leth, C. (n.d.). Genus Triceratorhynchus. African Orchids. Retrieved March 11, 2023, from http://www.africanorchids.dk/higher-epidendroideae/tribe-vandeae/subtribe-aerangidinae-from-n-y/triceratorhynchus The other two species of the genus were formerly placed in Distylodon Summerh., which is a synonym of Triceratorhynchus. Therefore, the genus now consists of three species.Szlachetko, D. L., Grochocka, E., Olędrzyńska, N., & Mytnik, J. (2018). "Taxonomical notes on Angraecoid orchids from Africa, with a new genus and new combinations." Richardiana. Nouvelle Série, 2.
Etymology The generic name Triceratorhynchus is composed of the three Greek words tri (three), keras (horn) and rhynchos (beak or snout), which refer to aspects of the floral structure.
Horticulture The species of this genus are not cultivated.
See also List of Orchidaceae genera
References
External links
African Orchids, Triceratorhynchus viridiflorus Colnect, photo of Burundi postage stamp bearing depiction of Triceratorhynchus viridiflorus