Discyphus
(pronounced: dye-SKYE-fuss)
Classification
Cranichideae subtribe Spiranthinae
Overview
Terrestrials arising from fleshy, fasciculate roots. Stems very short. Leaves solitary, basal, sessile, appressed to the ground. Inflorescences solitary, terminal, erect, long-pedunculate congested racemes. Flowers barely opening, pubescent. Sepals and petals fused at the base into a short tube, the lobes free. Lip unlobed, clawed, with conspicuous fleshy basal auricles, without callus. Column straight, without wings or foot, the stigma deeply bilobed and cup-shaped, the rostellum bifid; pollinia 2, on a common viscidium.
Etymology
From the Greek di, meaning double, and skyphos, meaning cup, referring to the two conspicuously distinct cup-shaped stigmas.
Distribution
A monotypic genus from Panama to Brazil.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow plants of Discyphus in pots of sandy loam. Provide bright light and warm temperatures. Provide regular watering during active growth. After flowering, reduce watering to a maintenance level.
Literature
Kraenzlin, F. 1919. Zwei neue und eine kritische Orchidaceae. Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Mus. Berl.-Dahl. 67(7):319-322. Szlachetko, D. L. 1992. Genera and species of the subtribe Spiranthinae (Orchidaceae). 5. Discyphus. Fragm. Flor. Geobot. 37(2):437-441.
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