Coelia
(pronounced: SEE-lee-ah)
Classification
Epidendreae subtribe Coeliinae
Overview
Caespitose epiphytes, lithophytes and terrestrials. Pseudobulbs ovoid-ellipsoid, subtended by non-foliaceous bracts. Leaves 3--5, linear, forming an elongate neck at the base. Inflorescences basal pedunculate loosely or densely-flowered racemes, the peduncle enveloped with conspicuous bracts, the floral bracts linear, often longer than the ovary and flower. Flowers cupped. Sepals and petals free, subsimilar. Lip unlobed, +/- spurred, without callus. Column erect, with a foot, without wings; pollinia 8, in two pairs of four each, on a minute common viscidium.
Etymology
From the Greek koilos, meaning hollow, based on an inaccurate observation that the pollinia formed a hollow chamber.
Distribution
A genus of five species in the West Indies and Mexico to Panama. Bothriochilus has been variously separated from Coelia, mostly on the basis of a spur in Bothriochilus and no spur in Coelia. Modern authors treat both as a broadly defined Coelia.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow plants of Coelia in pots or baskets of medium-grade epiphyte mixture. Provide intermediate temperatures and bright light levels. Water regularly throughout the year allowing the roots to dry out slightly between waterings. Plants of Coelia do well when slightly pot-bound and over-potting should be avoided.
Literature
Pridgeon, A. 1978. Un revision de los generos Coelia y Bothriochilus. Orquidea(Mex.) 7(2):57-80.
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