About

Erycina pusilla is a species of flowering plants, which is a tiny orchid with an overall size of 2.5 to 3.5 cm from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Its species are native to Mexico, Belize, Central America, South America and Trinidad.

The leaves are shaped like a lance head (lanceolate) and arranged in a fan. Unlike other similar orchids, E. pusilla never develops lengthwise folded leaves (conduplicate leaves) or extra storage organs (pseudobulbs).

Where it grows

Erycina pusilla can be found in the neotropical region, including South and Central America, the southern Mexican lowlands, the Caribbean islands and southern Florida.

Uses

Erycina pusilla is a promising model candidate for Oncidium research. Its relatively tiny size and its short life cycle, facilitates its cultivation. Additionally, it has the ability to complete its life cycle in vitro. The functional genomic research is easier because E. pusilla only has 6 chromosomes and a small genome size (1.5 pg 1C nucleus). Another aspect that speaks for the use of this orchid in research, is the rare pollination and production of seeds in nature. This reduces the risk of undesired propagation of transgenic lines. The rapid growth and the low chromosome numbers make E. pusilla is also an excellent parent for traditional hybridization methods. All these characteristics make E. pusilla a promising model not only for research, but also for commercial breeding, since it constitutes an excellent parent for traditional hybridization methods.

Other Erycina plants

Erycina