Ionopsis
(pronounced: eye-on-OP-sis)
Classification
Maxillarieae subtribe Oncidiinae.
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 with or without minute pseudobulbs. Leaves coriaceous, with foliaceous bracts subequal to or larger than the leaves, subtending the pseudobulbs. Inflorescences slender racemes or panicles, variously short to elongate-scapose, lateral from the axils of the foliaceous bracts. Flowers campanulate, small. Sepals and petals subsimilar, the lateral sepals free or fused at the base. Lip clawed, flabelliform, emarginate, apiculate, with a pair of keeled calli. Column short, erect; pollinia 2, on an elongate stipe.
Distribution
Two species, widely distributed in the neotropics from the USA (Florida) to Bolivia.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Ionopsis are lowland twig epiphytes that require frequent (daily) watering, provided that conditions allow the roots to dry quickly. Although I. utricularioides may be grown in a container with a fine-textured medium, both species are better grown on slabs or small branches without any moisture-retaining medium. Give Ionopsis high light levels, good air circulation, and an intermediate to warm temperature regime. Stagnant air conditions, especially near the roots, frequently result in failure with these plants.
Literature
Menezes, L. C. 1993. Ionopsis utricularioides var. virginalis. Schlechteriana 4(1-2):49-51. Montalvo, A. M. and J. D. Ackerman 1987. Limitation to fruit production in Ionopsis utricularioides (Orchidaceae). Biotropica 19:24-31. Pupulin, F. 1998. A new species of Ionopsis (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae) and a reconsideration of the genus Konantzia. Harvard Pap. Bot. 3(2):225-229.
FREE ACCESS: Orchid DealWire
Get notified when orchid vendors have special promotions and exclusive savings.
