Acineta Lindley, 1843 is a small genus of 15 species of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The name is derived from the Greek word 'akinetos' (immobile), referring to the rigid labellum (lip).

These epiphytic orchids occur in tropical mountainous forests from Mexico to western South America, at altitudes up to 2,000 m. They are sometimes lithophytic when found on steep embankments.

The large, plicate leaves are parallel-nerved and resemble those of Peristeria and Lycaste, while the structure of the flowers bears a closer resemblance to Stanhopea.

The species produce a pendent inflorescence, bearing racemes of many fragrant cup-shaped, pale yellow to reddish brown flowers. The sidelobes of the labellum (lip) come together in a central callus. The basal part of the lip (hypochile) is at least as long as the sidelobes. The column is pubescent. The column of these orchids bears two pollinia, except in Acineta dalessandroi, which has four (making its classification in this genus doubtful). These orchids are insect pollinated by male bees in the genus Eulaema or Eufriesia.

Some regard these as being among of the most splendid looking of all orchids.

Species

• Acineta alticola (Venezuela).
• Acineta antioquiae (Colombia).
• Acineta barkeri (Mexico to Guatemala). (fragrant)
• Acineta beyrodtiana (Colombia). (fragrant)
• Acineta chrysantha (SE. Mexico to C. America). (fragrant)
• Acineta confusa (C. America).
• Acineta cryptodonta (C. America).
• Acineta dalessandroi (S. Ecuador).
• Acineta densa (C. America).
• Acineta erythroxantha (Colombia to NW. Venezuela). (fragrant)
• Acineta hennisiana (Colombia).
• Acineta hrubyana (Colombia).
• Acineta mireyae (Panama)
• Acineta sella-turcica (C. America).
• Acineta sulcata (Ecuador (?).
• Acineta superba (Panama to Suriname and Ecuador). (type species) (fragrant)

The intergeneric hybrid between Acineta and Stanhopea is known as Aciopea, and between Acineta and Embreea are known as Acinbreea

Reference

Günter Gerlach 2001. "Die Subtribus Stanhopeinae: 3. Horichia bis Lacaena," in: J. Orchideenfreund 8(2): 105-118 (2001) - col. illus.

External link

Nina Rach. The Genus Acineta, (http://www.houstonorchidsociety.org/Stanhopea/Acineta.html)