Barkeria
(pronounced: bar-KAYR-ee-ah)
Classification
Epidendreae subtribe Laeliinae
Award Photo Gallery
This gallery contains examples of AOS award photos within this alliance.
(click an image above to view the close-up gallery with name and award granted for each orchid pictured)
If you are an AOS Member, access OrchidPro online to browse and search over 100,000 photos of award-winning orchids and more.
If you are not an AOS member, discover the benefits of joining today
Overview
Epiphytes or lithophytes with coarse roots. Loosely caespitose or somewhat creeping by the production of new growths from nodes above the basal node on the stem. Pseudobulbs erect, terete to narrowly cigar-shaped, leafy. Leaves alternate, distichous, deciduous. Inflorescences terminal, pedunculate, racemes or panicles. Flowers nodding, somewhat cupped. Sepals and petals free, spreading, subsimilar or with wider petals, the petals cuneate-clawed. Lip unlobed, convex to strongly convex, strongly appressed to the column at the base, with basal callus, sometimes with a minutely saccate base. Column fleshy, usually with large wings; pollinia 4, separating as two pairs on separate caudicles.
Etymology
Honoring English horticulturist George Barker who imported and flowered the first Barkeria.
Distribution
A genus of 14 species restricted to Mesoamerica with a center of diversity in Mexico.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow plants of Barkeria in pots or baskets with a coarse, freely draining potting mixture or on slabs without any moisture-retaining material at the roots. Provide full light at all times. The plants show a definite growth and dormancy cycle. When in active growth provide intermediate to warm temperatures and water and fertilize regularly allowing the roots to dry off between waterings. When not in active growth, at a time when many species become semi-deciduous and drop some or all of their leaves, water sparingly and provide cool-intermediate to cool temperatures.
Literature
Cohen, S. H. 1990. Epidendrum, the neglected genus. Part VI. Barkeria. Orchid Rev. 98(1157):77-80, 87. Epperson, J. V. 1963. A few notes about Epidendrum lindleyanum. Orchid Digest 27(9):407-411. Halbinger, F. 1973. The genus Barkeria. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 42(7):620-626. Halbinger, F. 1973-1974. Monograph of the genus Barkeria. Orquídea (Mex.) 3(1-12): 13-20, 37-44, 77-83, 99-109, 131-137, 163-168, 195-199, 227-233, 265-271, 299-305, 38-382. Halbinger, F. 1975. Barkeria schoemakeri, a new orchid from the state of Michoacán. Orquídea (Mex.) 4(10):296-297. Halbinger, F. 1976. Barkeria dorotheae, sp. nov.: a new addition to the Mexican orchid flora. Orquídea (Mex.) 6(2):44-46. Halbinger, F. 1977. Diagrammatic synthesis of the genus Barkeria (Orchidaceae). Brittonia 22:239-302. Hunt, D. G. 1996. Barkeria ?strophinx, a natural hybrid between Barkeria naevosa and Barkeria palmeri. Orchid Digest 60(4):181. Salazar, G. and J. Arguijo 1993. Notas sobre Barkeria obovata (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae) en Veracruz. Orquídea (Mex.) 13(1-2):195-200. Soto Arenas, M. A. 1993. Barkeria melanocaulon y Barkeria whartoniana. Orquídea (Mex.) 13(1-2):233-244. Soto Arenas, M. A. 1993. Barkeria fritz-halbingeriana. Orquídea (Mex.) 13(1-2):245-248. Thien, L. B. 1973. Barkeria halbingeri, a new species of orchid from Oaxaca, Mexico. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 42(5):421-422. Thien, L. B. and R. L. Dressler 1970. Taxonomy of Barkeria (Orchidaceae). Brittonia 22(4):289-302.
FREE ACCESS: Orchid DealWire
Get notified when orchid vendors have special promotions and exclusive savings.
