Dipodium
(pronounced: dye-POH-dee-um)
Classification
Cymbidieae subtribe Eulophiinae
Overview
Monopodial terrestrials or (hemi-)epiphytes. Stems of two kinds by species, short without leaves or elongate and vining with leaves. Leaves absent or alternate, distichous. Inflorescences pedunculate loosely-flowered racemes, terminal in terrestrial species without leaves, axillary in (hemi-)epiphytic species with leaves, the floral bracts inconspicuous. Flowers open, usually spotted. Sepals and petals subsimilar, subequal, free, spreading, oblong-oblanceolate. Lip three-lobed, the lateral lobes small, the midlobe larger, pubescent, the callus one or two low basal keels. Column straight, without wings or foot; pollinia 2, each on a slender caudicle, attached to a common minute viscidium.
Etymology
From the Greek di, meaning double, and podion, meaning a little foot, referring to the two short stipes of the pollinarium.
Distribution
A genus of about 20 species ranging from Thailand to Vanuatu with a concentration of species in Australia and New Guinea.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
It is unknown whether leafless species of Dipodium can be cultivated. Grow plants of leafy species of Dipodium in pots of medium-grade epiphyte mixture with the stem attached to a totem for support of the stem as it elongates. If possible, one should start with a seedling as mature plants are often difficult to reestablish due to incidental damage caused by bending of the stems during transport. In nature some leafy species of Dipodium are hemiepiphytes, starting life near the base of a tree or shrub and eventually growing into a solely epiphytic habit. Provide plants of Dipodium with intermediate to warm temperatures, regular watering throughout the year, and medium bright light levels. After the plants are established and have developed abundant roots, the plants should be regularly fertilized. When in active growth plants of Dipodium are heavy feeders.
Literature
Adams, P. B. 1986. Dipodium punctatum (Smith) R. Br., alba form in East Gippsland. Orchadian 8(8):169-172. Ames, O. 1932. A new genus of the Orchidaceae from the New Hebrids. J. Arn. Arb. 13:142-144. Ames, O. 1936. A generic synonym. Bot. Mus. Leafl. 4(3):36-38. Bates, R. 2000. The dipodiums of South Australia and Victoria. Orchadian 13(6):261-266. Bernhardt, P. and P. Burns-Balogh 1983. Pollination and pollinarium of Dipodium punctatum (Sm.) R. Br. Vict. Nat. 100(5):197-199. Clements, M. H. 1979. The genus Dipodium R. Br. in Australia. Orchadian 6(4):75-77.. Jones, D. L. 1996. Dipodium pardalinum, a new species from Victoria and South Australia. Orchadian 12(2):56-57.
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