Batemannia

(pronounced: bayt-MAN-ee-ah)

Classification

Maxillarieae subtribe Zygopetalinae

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Overview

Caespitose epiphytes. Pseudobulbs ovoid, four-angled, glossy. Leaves two, plicate, elliptic-lanceolate, shortly petiolate. Inflorescences basal few-flowered racemes, the floral bracts conspicuous. Flowers waxy, glossy. Sepals and petals free, spreading, the dorsal sepal and petals often forming a tube. Lip three-lobed, articulated to the foot, with a transverse callus ridge. Column hooded, with a foot; pollinia 4, subequal, compressed, sessile on a common viscidium.

Etymology

Honors James Bateman (1811-1897), an ardent collector of and author on orchids.

Distribution

A genus of six or more species widespread in South America from Colombia to Bolivia. The plants are superficially similar to Bifrenaria in having four-angled, glossy pseudobulbs.

Care and Culture Card

See basic growing conditions and care information below.


Literature

Schweinfurth, C. 1943. Nomenclatural note on a South American orchid. Bot. Mus. Leafl. 11(5):171-172.

Senghas, K. 1993. Batemania colleyi Lindl. 1835. Die Orchidee 44(6): Orchideenkartei Seite 739-740.
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