Prosthechea
(pronounced: pros-THEEK-ee-ah)
Classification
Epidendreae subtribe Laeliinae
Overview
Caespitose to trailing epiphytes, rarely terrestrials, rarely pendent. Pseudobulbs cylindric to ovoid, usually compressed, subtended by small non-foliaceous bracts. Leaves one to several, apical, strap-shaped, acute or minutely notched at the apex. Inflorescences terminal racemes, rarely panicles, subsessile or pedunculate, the floral bracts minute. Flowers usually not resupinate. Sepals and petals subsimilar, subequal, free, spreading. Lip unlobed, obscurely three-lobed, rarely three-lobed, clawed, often cupped, usually with a basal callus that conforms to the undersurface of the column, sometimes with additional keels on the lip blade. Column cylindric, flattened on the undersurface, usually three-toothed at the apex, free from the lip, without a foot; pollinia 4, in two equal pairs, on minute caudicles.
Distribution
A genus of about ## species found throughout the Neotropics. Anacheilium has long been maintained as part of a broadly defined Encyclia.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow plants of Anacheilium in pots or baskets with a medium-grade epiphyte mixture. Trailing or pendent plants should be grown on slabs with a small pad of moisture-rtetaining material at the roots. Most species require intermediate temperatures, bright diffuse light, and regular watering throughout the year. High elevation species from Mexico, such as A. citrinum and A. mariae, require very bright light and cool temperatures. .................................................... 35
Literature
Bicalho, H. D. 1972. Algumas consideracoes e uma especie nova para o genero Hormidium Lindl. (Orchidaceae) no Brasil. Bol. Soc. Campineira Orquideas 2(4):24-27. Castro N., V. P. and M. A. Campacci 2001. Prosthechea carrii, sp. nov. Orchid Digest 65(2):74-76. Christenson, E. A. 1996. Mesoamerican orchid studies VI: a name change for Encyclia lancifolia. Lindleyana 11(4):222. Dressler, R. L. 1961. A reconsideration of Encyclia (Orchidaceae). Brittonia 13:253-266. Dressler, R. L. 1969. Una Encyclia nueva de Panama. Orquideologia 4:91-##. Dressler, R. L. 1971. El complejo de Encyclia fragrans en los paises andinos. Orquideologia 6:195-203. Hagsater, E. 1982. Encyclia obpiribulbon Hagsater. una vieja especie confundida con Encyclia pterocarpa (Lindley) Dressler. Orquidea (Mex.) 8(2):385-398. Hagsater, E. 1984. Encyclia semiaptera Hagsater, nom. nov. otra especie mal interpretada y su pariente E. linkiana (Klotzsch) Schlechter. Orquidea (Mex.) 9(2):231-242. Higgins, W. E. 1999. The genus Prosthechea: an old name resurrected. Orchids 68(11):1114-1125. Ortiz-Barney, E. and J. D. Ackerman 1999. The cost of selfing in Encyclia cochleata (Orchidaceae). Plant Syst. Evol. 219:55-64. Withner, C. L. 2001. An overview of the genus Prosthechea, sens. str. Orchid Digest 65(2):78-81. Wolff, M. 1993. Encyclia radiata (Lindl.) Dressler 1961. Die Orchidee 44(3): Orchideenkartei Seite 723-724.
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