Macradenia
(pronounced: mak-rah-DEN-ee-ah)
Classification
Maxillarieae subtribe Oncidiinae
Overview
Caespitose epiphytes. Pseudobulbs oblong, tapered, complanate, unifoliate, subtended by small non-foliaceous bracts. Leaves solitary, conduplicate, generally lanceolate. Inflorescences basal, pendent, densely multi-flowered racemes. Sepals and petals subsimilar, free, spreading. Lip three-lobed, sessile, without callus, the lateral lobes erect, the midlobe narrow, strongly recurved. Column with a conspicuously inflated clinandrial hood, the anther strongly bilaterally compressed; the pollinia 2, on a long spatulate stipe and a minute circular viscidium.
Etymology
From the Greek macros, meaning long, and aden, meaning gland, in reference to the long linear-spatulate stipe of the pollinarium.
Distribution
A genus of about 12 species from throughout the Neotropics.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow Macradenia in small pots or baskets with a fine-grade epiphyte mixture or on slabs with a pad of moisture retaining material at the roots. Provide intermediate temperatures, bright diffuse light, and regular watering throughout the year.
Literature
Dod, D. D. 1996. Macradenia lutescens. Bol. Soc. Dominicana Orq. 5(1):26-29. Schweinfurth, C. 1945. A new Macradenia from Peru. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 14(2):62-64. Senghas, K. 1996. Macradenia brassavolae Rchb.f. 1852. Die Orchidee 47(4): Orchideenkartei seite 831-832. Sheehan, T. and M. Sheehan 1997. Orchid Genera Illustrated: 179. Macradenia. Orchids 66(11):1176-1179.
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