Leaves

The roots of terrestrial orchids can be fleshyand thick or fibrous and thin. Their epidermis
generally consdidt of few ( one to three) cell layers, and they may have root hairs. Velamen
(Fig. 3-48A) is present only in some species . Epiphytic root, in contrast, are generally thick and
f leshy. Their epidermis consists of several cell layers, which form the velamen (one or several
layers of spongy cells on the outside of the roots). The outermost layer may be cutinized
(covered with cutin) and may be devoid hairs (fig. 3-48B).

Growth Form

From those that are wide, somewhat eliptic, not articulate, and have plicate or convolute venation
to ones that are narrow, nearly ligulate, conduplicate, and articulate (Table 3-2; Figs. 3-44 to 3-
47, 3-49). This trend , which strongly correlates with adaptation to epiphytism, may have
occurred independently several times.

FIG. 3-46. (left) pseudobulbs that have arisen through the thickening of the whole shoots. (A)
Dendrobium densiflorum , both with selender shoots, and (C) Dendrobium monophyllum
showing thickened stem pseudobulbs.

FIG. 3-47. (right) Bletia purpurea . Sources 3-46A dan B: same as 3-24A; C A. W Dockrill.
1969. Australian indigenous orchids. The soecity for growing Australian plants, Sydney. 3-
47:G.C.k Dunstreville and L.A garay 1979. Orchids of Venezuela – An illustrated field guide.
Cambridge, Mass : Botanical useum of Harvard University