Campylocentrum
(pronounced: kam-pee-loh-SEN-trum)
Classification
Epidendroideae/Vandeae/Angraecinae
Overview
Monopodial epiphytes. Stems elongate and leafy, extremely short and leafless, or rarely elongate and leafless (one species). Leaves alternate, distichous. Inflorescences short to elongate densely-flowered racemes, often secund. Flowers tubular, inconspicuous, usually white. Sepals and petals free or shortly fused at the base. Lip unlobed or three-lobed, with a conspicuous spur, the spur subglobose or elongate, straight or curved. Column very short; pollinia 2, attached to one or two filiform stipes.
Etymology
From the Greek kampylos, meaning crooked, and kentron, meaning spur, referring to the curved or bent spurs of most species.
Distribution
A genus of about 55 species found throughout the Neotropics.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Mount plants of the leafless species on a small slab without any material at the roots. Plants of the leafy species may be mounted with a pad of moisture-retaining material at the roots, or they may be grown in pots or baskets with a medium to fine-grade epiphyte mixture. Provide bright diffuse light, intermediate to warm temperatures, and regular watering throughout the year.
Literature
Carnevali, G. and I. M. Ramirez 1997. A new Campylocentrum (Orchidaceae) from the Venezuelan Guayana. Biolania 5:281-285. Dietrich, H. and M. A. Diaz Dumas 1984. Eine neue blattlose Orchidee für Panama: Campylocentrum dressleri H. Dietrich et M. Diaz. Die Orchidee 35:28-30. Dod, D. D. 1975. Nueva orquidea para la ciencia, Campylocentrum constanze Garay. Bol. Jardin Bot. Nac. 2(2):15. Todzia, C. A. 1980. A revision of the Costa Rican species of Campylocentrum (Orchidaceae). Brenesia 18:117-136. Todzia, C. A. 1985. Campylocentrum tenellum (Orchidaceae), a new species from Panama. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 72(4):876-877. Winter, K., E. Medina, V. Garcia, M. Mayoral and R. Muniz 1985. Crassulacean acid metabolism in roots of a leafless orchid, Campylocentrum tyrridion Garay et Dunsterv. J. Plant Physiol. 118:73-78.
FREE ACCESS: Orchid DealWire
Get notified when orchid vendors have special promotions and exclusive savings.
