Cochleanthes
(pronounced: kok-lee-AN-theez)
Classification
Maxillarieae subtribe Zygopetalinae
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Etymology
From the Greek kochlias, meaning a spiralled shell, and anthos, meaning flower, describing the shell-like appearance of the flower.
Distribution
A genus of 15 species found from Central America to Bolivia. Formerly included in a broadly defined Zygopetalum, species of Cochleanthes represent one of several nonpseudobulbose groups excluded from the former including Chondrorhyncha and Kefersteinia.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow Cochleanthes in pots or baskets with a medium grade potting mixture. Provide intermediate to cool-intermediate temperature, medium light levels, and steady watering throughout the year allowing the roots to dry out between waterings. Cochleanthes are prone to pathogens that can rapidly defoliate and kill the plants. To minimize this, overwatering that leads to root loss should be avoided as should any drafts or drips in the growing area.
Literature
Ackerman, J. D. 1983. Euglossine bee pollination of the orchid, Cochleanthes lipscombiae: a food source mimic. Amer. J. Bot. 70(6):830-834. Dressler, R. L. 1983. Eine charakteristische neue Cochleanthes aus Panama: C. anatona. Die Orchidee 34:157-161. Fowlie, J. A. 1961. Cochleanthes flabelliformis. Ecology notes. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 30(10):797-799. Schultes, R. E. and L. A. Garay 1959. On the validity of the generic name Cochleanthes Raf. Bot. Mus. Leafl. 18(6):321-327. Senghas, K. 1990. Die Gattung Cochleanthes, mit einer neuen Art, C. palatina, aus Bolivien. Die Orchidee 41(3):89-96. Senghas, K. and G. Gerlach 1991. Zwei neuentdeckte Huntleyinen: Chondrorhyncha aurantiaca und Cochleanthes guianensis. Die Orchidee 42(6):280-287. Sheehan, T. and M. Sheehan 1976. Orchid Genera Illustrated 52, Cochleanthes. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 45(6):612-613.
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