BOTANICAL MUSEUM LEAFLETS 
HARVARD UNIVERSITY 
Campripcr, Massacnuserrs, SepremBer 18, 1936 VoL. 4, No. 4 
A NEW PLEUROTHALLIS 
FROM COSTA RICA 
BY 
OakrEs AMES 
HE species described below is in part characterized 
by the non-resupinate flowers; the connate lateral 
sepals being directed toward the apex of the leaf. In the 
collector’s notes there is nothing to warrant the expla- 
nation that this condition is the result of the stems and 
leaves having been drooping or pendent, but it is prob- 
able that the leaves hung downward or were strongly de- 
flexed, in which case the flowers would become non- 
resupinate. 
Pleurothallis fantastica is without close alllies in the 
Central American flora. In habit it suggests P. Tondu- 
zeana Schitr., but in floral structure is quite distinct: 
furthermore, the secondary stems are less markedly an- 
cipitous or winged below the triangular-lanceolate leaf- 
blade. The adnate peduncle, the conspicuously three- 
lobed labellum with a more or less prominent cushion-like 
callus on the dise at the base of the middle-lobe, and the 
leaves being penninerved near the base constitute the 
more important distinguishing characters. The column 
is of the type characteristic of Pleurothallis as originally 
defined by Robert Brown, in that the stigmas are con- 
fluent along the frontal margin of the androclinium as 
in P.ruscifolia (Jaeq.) R. Br. (Cf. Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. 
[41 ] 
