Lepanthopsis comet-halleyi is a miniature, epiphytic orchid endemic to the Monteverde cloud forest. It has previously been documented at 1500 meters elevation (Luer 1991), and has been found from 1420 m to 1710 m (Di Cecco unpublished). Its leaves are elliptical, 5-11 mm long, ranging from green to deep purple, and have a thin petiole 0.5 mm long (Luer 1991). Individuals have been observed with one to nine leaves. The inflorescence is small, remaining close to the leaf. Flowers rarely open, and frequent self-pollination is suspected, though small flies are also likely pollinators. One or two bright red fruits are produced per inflorescence, and seeds are wind dispersed.
Lepanthopsis comet-halleyi is endemic to the cloud forests at Monteverde, Costa Rica (Luer 1991). It is found from 1420 m to 1710 m elevation (Di Cecco unpublished data) in lower montane wet forest (Nadkarni 2000). L. comet-halleyi is frequently associated with moss: in a survey of 77 individuals, none were found without moss covering on some part of the root mass (Di Cecco unpublished). This orchid is also found typically on edges of forests or disturbed areas, as it seems to prefer some sun to closed canopy environments. This may also be a result of wind dispersal, and most frequent habitation of wind-exposed trees.
Its leaves are elliptical, 5-11 mm long, ranging from green to deep purple, and have a thin petiole 0.5 mm long (Luer 1991). The open bloom is about 3 mm in length.
Flowering
One bud is produced per leaf, however buds rarely open. In an open bloom there are two long, red sepals, with a small red lip.
Pollinators
Flowers are likely pollinated by small flies, however frequent self-pollination is suspected.
Fruiting
One or two fruits are produced per bud. The flower often does not open before developing into a fruit. The fruits are red and up to three millimeters in length.
Dispersal
Lepanthopsis comet-halleyi produces one or two fruits per inflorescence, each filled with miniscule wind-dispersed seeds. The seed-pod dehisces, releasing the seeds, which are carried by the wind. L. comet-halleyi exhibits patchy dispersion (Di Cecco unpublished data), meaning it tends to have multiple individuals per tree, rather than one or two individuals on many trees. A patchy dispersion could be the result of short dispersal distances or specific tolerances to microclimatic factors.
Assocations
Lepanthopsis comet-halleyiis commonly in association with moss. In a study examining sixty individuals, all were found with at least some root cover by moss, though it does not appear to offer any benefits of moisture buffering from dry conditions (Di Cecco unpublished data).
Conservation status
Lepanthopsis comet-halleyi has not been evaluated by the IUCN Red List (IUCN 2015), however it is endemic to the Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica (Luer 1991). It relies on frequent mist, and is shown to be highly stressed by mist conditions of four consecutive dry days compared to daily mist (Di Cecco unpublished data). As climate change decreases mist frequency in Neotropical cloud forests (Pounds 1999, Still 1999), it is expected that this species will be threatened by a decrease in suitable habitat and limited by poor adaptability as it is suspected to frequently self-pollinate and have short dispersal abilities. As a response, this orchid may migrate upwards in elevation, however there is limited space for this migration in Monteverde.
