Macroclinium
(pronounced: mak-roh-KLY-nee-um)
Classification
Maxillarieae subtribe Oncidiinae
Overview
Miniature fan-shaped epiphytes. Stems short to elongate-pendent. Leaves strongly bilaterally compressed, equitant, often spotted and suffused with purple. Inflorescences axillary, pedunculate, laxly pendent racemes, the rachis subumbellate or elongate, often becoming paniculate by the successive production of secondary branches. Flowers spidery. Sepals and petals free, spreading, subsimilar, subequal. Lip three-lobed, clawed, the lateral lobes auriculate, the midlobe clawed, often shaped like an anchor or arrowhead. Column elongate, straight, club-shaped, the anther dorsal; pollinia 2, on a common broadly spatulate stipe and minute circular viscidium.
Etymology
From the Greek macros, meaning large, and klinion, meaning a little bed, in reference to the conspicuous clinandrium.
Distribution
A genus of about 30 species ranging from Mexico to Bolivia. Macroclinium is closely related to Notylia and was once included in that genus as a section of Notylia. Macroclinium differs from Notylia by not having pseudobulbs and bearing equitant leaves res
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Mount plants of Macroclinium on small slabs or hardwood twigs with a small pad of moisture retaining material at the roots. Provide cool-intermediate to cool temperatures, medium to bright light levels, and regular watering throughout the year. The older inflorescences should be removed from the plants only after they have turned brown and withered as the inflorescences of many species successively reflower on secondary branches.
Literature
Atwood, J. T. 1987. A new species and new combinations of Costa Rica Orchidaceae. Selbyana 10(1):60-62. Dressler, R. L. and F. Pupulin 1996. Macroclinium allenorum, a new Costa Rican species well illustrated forty years ago. Lindleyana 11(1):34-36. Pupulin, F. 1996. New and critical Macroclinium (Orchidaceae) from Central America. Lindleyana 11(3):135-140. Thiv, M. 1994. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Gattung Macroclinium Barb. Rodr. J. Orchideenfr. 2:22-27.
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