Himantoglossum
(pronounced: him-an-toh-GLOS-sum)
Classification
Orchideae subtribe Orchidinae
Overview
Terrestrial arising from paired tubers. Stems erect, leafy. Inflorescences terminal congested racemes. Flowers foetid. Sepals and petals free, forming a hood around the column. Lip three-lobed, spurred, the midlobe elongate and spirally twisted. Column short, the rostellum beak-like; pollinia 2, sessile on a common viscidium.
Etymology
From the Greek himas, meaning strap, and glossa, meaning tongue, referring to the long strap-shaped midlobe of the lip.
Distribution
A genus of two species from Europe and the Mediterranean. Himantoglossum previously included two species now separated as Barlia Parlatore.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow Himantoglossum in pots of sandy loam with the addition of limestone. Provide bright light, intermediate temperatures, and steady watering throughout the year. Over-winter the plants in a cool greenhouse or cold-frame.
Literature
Baumann, H. 1978. Himantoglossum adriaticum spec. nov., eine bislang übersehene riemenzunge aus dem zentralen nordlichen Mittelmeergebiet. Die Orchidee 29:165-172. rysy, W. 1999. Bocks-Riemenzunge, Himantoglossum hircinum (L.) Spreng. Die Orchidee 50(1):1-2. Sunderman,H. 1973. Himantoglossum (Loroglossum) hircinum--caprinum--calcaratum--affine. Acta Bot. Acad. Sci. Hung. 19:367-374. Weyland, H. 1987. Orchideen beobachtungen am vitosagebirge und in der Türkei. Die Orchidee 38:29-31. Wood, J. J. 1983. Notes on Himantoglossum (Orchidaceae). Kew Bull. 38(1):75-78.
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