rlavender1406

On September 30th, 2011, Robert Lavender and Ashley Orr extracted DNA from two Orchid species, Plectrelminthus caudatus and Polystachya zambesiaca. On October 6th, 2011, these and two previously extracted DNA samples, Robiquetia merrillii and Stereochilus hirtus, were prepared for a PCR reaction. The goal of this PCR reaction was to amplify the atp-F region of the chloroplast DNA of our orchids. Two DNA samples for each of the four orchid species were set up, as well as a negative control (water). These samples were then loaded into a gel using the reaction mixture and loading dye to prepare them for gel electrophoresis. After the gels were run, they were imaged using ultraviolet light.

All of our reactions were highly successful with the exception of our last two lanes, both originating from Stereochilus hirtus. This may have been due to the age of the DNA sample. Both qualified and quantified data are displayed below.

Gel with DNAs 3-4, 3-8, 366, and 376

Lane	DNA Code	Speices/ Marker	Success
1	–	Molecular Mass Ruler	N/A
2	–	Negative Control (Water)	N/A
3	3-4	Plectrelminthus caudutus	++
4	3-4	Plectrelminthus caudutus	++
5	3-8	Polystachya zambesiaca	++
6	3-8	Polystachya zambesiaca	++
7	366	Robiquetia merrillii	++
8	366	Robiquetia merrillii	++
9	376	Stereochilus hirtus	–
10	376	Stereochilus hirtus	–

Species	ng/μl
Plectrelminthus caudatus	47.7
Polystachya zambesiaca	76.4
Robiquetia merrillii	81.2
Stereochilus hirtus	null

*This post was updated November 4th, 2011 by Ashley Orr

*Updated 12/13/2011

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Vandeae
Genus: Eurychone
Species: Echn. rothschildiana

Eurychone rothschildiana O’Brien is a species native to the evergreen forests of central Africa. Typically, it grows in elevations of 1100 to 1200 meters where temperatures are intermediate to warm. Leaves are large, oval, wavy, and stiff while the flowers are green with broad curved lips that are blackish-green on the inside with white edges. In the fall E. rothschildiana will bloom with one to six flowers about six centimeters wide. These flowers have a cinnamon fragrance the morning after they have been opened for a few days. They may be grown in similar manner to a phalaenopsis.