Eriodes
(pronounced: er-ee-OH-deez)
Classification
Arethuseae subtribe Bletiinae
Overview
Caespitose epiphytes. Pseudobulbs subglobose, subtended by ephemeral diaphanous bracts. Leaves narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, petiolate, acuminate. Inflorescences basal long-pedunculate densely pubescent racemes, the floral bracts somewhat conspicuous. Flowers spidery, widely separated on the rachis. Sepals and petals free, spreading, subimilar, the lateral sepals fused to the column foot for its length. Lip unlobed, arching, hinged at the short claw, without callus. Column stout, broadly winged, with an elongate foot, the free apex of the foot incurved at a 90° angle; the pollinia 8, equal, without stipes or viscidia.
Etymology
From the Greek eriodes, meaning woolly, referring to a resemblance to the genus Eria.
Distribution
A monotypic genus native to northeast India and China (Yunnan) to Vietnam.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow plants of Eriodes in shallow pots or baskets of medium-grade epiphyte mixture on on horizontally suspended slabs. Provide diffuse medium light levels and intermediate to cool-intermediate temperatures. Water regularly when in active growth. Upon maturation of the pseudobulbs, reduce watering allowing the medium to dry out between watering.
Literature
Seidenfaden, G. S. 1986. Eriodes. In: Orchid genera in Thailand XIII, Thirty-three epidendroid genera. Opera Bot. 89:65-66.
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