Maxillaria crassifolia, synonyms including Heterotaxis sessilis, is an epiphytic orchid widespread across the West Indies (Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Trinidad), Central America (all 7 countries), southern Mexico (Chiapas, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo), Florida and northern South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, northern Brazil, Venezuela, the Guianas).Flora of North America v 26 p 645, Maxillaria crassifolia (Lindley) Reichenbach f., Bonplandia (Hanover). 2: 16. 1854. Carnevali, G., J. L. Tapia-Muñoz, R. Duno de Stefano & I. M. Ramírez Morillo. 2010. Flora Ilustrada de la Peninsula Yucatán: Listado Florístico 1–326Forzza, R. C. 2010. Lista de espécies Flora do Brasil . Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de JaneiroAcevedo-Rodríguez, P. & Strong, M.T. (2012). Catalogue of seed plants of the West Indies. Smithsonian Contributions to Botany 98: 1-1192. Hidden orchid is a common name.
Some molecular studies have suggested that Maxillaria should be split into several genera, with this species moved to Heterotaxis,Blanco, M.A. et al. 2007. Generic realignments in Maxillarinae (Orchidaceae). Lankasteriana 7(3):515-537 but , Plants of the World Online treats Heterotaxis as a synonym of Maxillaria.
References
External links Swiss Orchid Foundation at Herbarium Jany Renz, Heterotaxis sessilis IOSPE orchid photos, Maxillaria crassifolia (Lindl.) Reichb.f. 1854, Photos courtesy of © Danny Lentz, plant grown by the Atlanta Botanical Garden Dave's Garden, PlantFiles: Picture #1 of Species Orchid, Hidden Orchid, Thick Leaved Heterotaxis (Heterotaxis sessilis)