Holothrix filicornis spurs

Notable in the photo is the curving spurs below Holothrix filicornis flowers of the spike, the inflorescence. The spur is a thin white tube emerging below the lip base. These spurs become about 14 mm long.

Although the flowers of many Holothrix species have been found to contain nectar (produced and stored in their floral spurs), it is unknown whether H. filicornis bears any.

Holothrix comes from the Greek words holos (meaning whole, entire or all) and thrix (a hair), referring to the general hairiness of members of the genus. This species is, however, not endowed with conspicuous hairs.

The specific name, filicornis, is derived from the Latin words filum (thread) and cornis (horned), probably referring to the appearance of the floral spurs seen here (Liltved and Johnson, 2012; Williamson, 2010).