Ipsea
(pronounced: IP-see-ah)
Classification
Arethuseae subtribe Bletiinae; allied to Spathoglottis Blume.
Overview
Terrestrials with subterranean trailing cormose rhizomes rooting at the base of each segment. Leaves one or two, erect, linear-lanceolate, plicate. Inflorescences erect, scapose, one- to two- flowered racemes. Sepals and petals free, spreading. Lip three-lobed and sessile on a short column foot with longitudinal callus keels. Column long, arcuate, narrowly winged; pollinia 8, in two groups of four.
Distribution
A genus of three species native to South India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow plants of Ipsea in pots of a terrestrial mixture. Since they are natives of open grasslands at moderate elevations ranging grow the plants in full light under intermediate temperatures. Growth is cyclic and watering should be withheld during dormant periods.
Literature
Gangaprasad, A. N., W. S. Decruse, S. Seeni and S. Menon 1999. Micropropagation and restoration of the endangered Malabar daffodil orchid Ipsea malabarica. Lindleyana 14(1):38-46. Kumar, C. S. and K. S. Manilal 1987. A synopsis of Ipsea (Orchidaceae). Kew Bull. 42(2):937-943. Seidenfaden, G. 1997. Contributions to the orchid flora of Thailand XIII. Olsen and Olsen, Fredensborg.
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