Benthamia
(pronounced: ben-THAM-ee-ah)
Classification
Orchideae subtribe Habenariinae
Overview
Terrestrials arising from fleshy, fasciculate roots. Stems erect, leafy, unbranched. Leaves sessile, spirally-arranged. Inflorescences terminal spicate racemes. Flowers resupinate. Sepals and petals free, spreading. Lip three-lobed, spurred. Column short, erect, with small lateral staminodes; pollinia 2, naked.
Etymology
Named to honor English botanist Sir George Bentham (1800--1884).
Distribution
A genus of 26 species in Madagascar, Réunion and Mauritius.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow plants of Benthamia in pots of terrestrial mixture. Provide intermediate to cool-intermediate temperatures and medium light levels. Water steadily when in active growth. After flowering, reduce watering to a maintenance level.
Literature
Perrier de la Bathie, H. 1934. Le genre Benthamia Orchidées. Bull. Bot. Soc. France 81:25-38.
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