Odontorrhynchus
(pronounced: oh-don-toh-RINK-uss)
Classification
Cranichideae subtribe Spiranthinae
Overview
Terrestrials arising from fleshy, fasciculate roots. Leaves few, in a basal rosette, often absent at flowering. Inflorescences terminal, erect, pubescent, pedunculate racemes, the floral bracts conspicuous. Flowers tubular. Sepals and petals free, the backs of the speals pubescent. Lip obscurely lobes by a subterminal constriction, subsaccate at the base, without callus. Column club-shaped, the column apex simple, three-toothed with the central tooth (rostellum) longer, or five-toothed, without wings, with a short foot; pollinia 4, sessile on a common oblong viscidium.
Etymology
From the Greek odonto, meaning tooth, and rhynchos, meaning snout, referring to the tooth-like rostellum and column apex.
Distribution
A genus of five species restricted to high elevations of southern South America.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow plants of Odontorrhynchus in pots of terrestrial mix. Provide regular watering and high light levels during active growth. Reduce watering to a maintenance level after flowering. Applicable temperatures depend on the particular species as they range from low elevation plants requiring warm temperatures to subalpine species requiring cold temperatures.
Literature
Singer, R. B. and A. A. Cocucci 1999. Notas comparativas sobre Odontorrhynchus castillonii (Orchidaceae: Spiranthinae). Kurtziana 27(2):387-390.
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