Peristeranthus
(pronounced: payr-ee-stayr-AN-thuss)
Classification
Vandeae subtribe Aeridinae
Overview
Pendent monopodial epiphytes. Stems leafy. Leaves alternate, distichous, pendent-drooping. Inflorescences pendent, densely-flowered racemes, the peduncle extremely short. Flowers cupped. Sepals and petals free, spreading. Lip obscurely three-lobed, subsaccate, moveably hinged to the column foot, with a fleshy frontwall callus. Column strongly bent at the middle, with an prominent foot; pollinia 4, in two almost equal pairs, on a naroowly linear stipe and minute viscidium.
Distribution
A monotypic genus endemic to Australia.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow Peristeranthus in baskets suspended at an angle. The plants may be grown without any potting material or with a medium grade epiphyte mixture. Provide intermediate to warm temperatures, bright light, and regular watering throughout the year.
Literature
Field, L. 1997. Some notes on Peristeranthus hillii. Orchadian 12(5):205. Forster, P. J. 1988. Pollination of Peristeranthus hillii (Orchidaceae) by Metriorrhynchus rufipennis (Coleoptera: Lycidae). Coleopterist’s Bull. 42(2):166. Hunt, T. E. 1954. A proposed new genus of the family Orchidaceae. Qnsld. Nat. 15(1-2):17-21. Wallace, B. J. 1980. Cantharophily and the pollination of Peristeranthus hillii. Orchadian 6(9):214-215.
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