Tuberolabium
(pronounced: too-ber-oh-LAY-bee-um)
Classification
Vandeae subtribe Aeridinae
Overview
Monopodial epiphytes. Stems short, branching at the base. Leaves alternate, distichous, oblong, fleshy-succulent. Inflorescences arching-pendent racemes, shortly pedunculate, the rachis fleshy. the pedicellate ovaries borne in small cavities in the rachis, the floral bracts minute. Flowers numerous, produced simultaneously, fleshy, fragrant, predominately white. Sepals and petals free, spreading. Lip obscurely three-lobed, saccate-spurred. Column short, without wings, +/- foot; pollinia 2, on a common stipe and viscidium.
Etymology
From the Latin tuber, meaning tuber, and labium, meaning lip, referring to the saccate lip resembling a tuber.
Distribution
A genus of six species from the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Tuberolabium, formerly included in a broadly defined Saccolabium, is very similar to Trachoma. Tuberolabium produce long-lasting flowers at one time while species of Trachoma produce flushes of
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow plants of Tuberolabium in pots or baskets in a medium-grade epiphyte mixture. Provide medium to bright light levels, intermediate temperatures, and regular watering throughout the year. Most species of Tuberolabium freely produce basal sideshoots forming clumps.
Literature
Christenson, E. A. 1992. Notes on Asiatic Orchids. Lindleyana 7(2):88-94. Christenson, E. A. 1999. Sarcanthine Genrea 25: Tuberolabium. Orchids 68(12):1218-1221. Wood, J. J. 1990. Notes on Trachoma, Tuberolabium and Parapteroceras (Orchidaceae). Nordic. J. Bot. 10:481-486. Yamamoto, Y. 1924. Genus novum Orchidacearum ex Formosa. Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 38(456):209-212.
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