Rhinerrhiza
(pronounced: rye-ner-EYE-zah)
Classification
Vandeae subtribe Aeridinae
Overview
Monopodial epiphytes rooting at the base. Leaves alternate, distichous, arranged in one plane. Inflorescences pendent, densely-flowered racemes, simultaneously flowering or flowering in sections. Flowers ephemeral. Sepals and petals subsimilar, free. Lip three-lobed, articulate to a long column foot, saccate, with a complex backwall callus. Column short; pollinia four, in two very closely appressed pairs, on a small, slender stipe.
Etymology
From the Greek rhinein, meaning to file or rasp, and rhiza, meaning root, referring to the rough rasp-like texture of the roots.
Distribution
A genus of two species from New Guinea, Australia and the Solomon Islands. Formerly included in a broadly defined Sarcochilus Brown, there is still a question of whether R. mooreana is truly congeneric with R. divitiflora.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Mount plants of Rhinerrhiza on slabs with little or no moisture retaining medium at the roots. Water frequently (daily under most growing conditions) and provide medium to bright light levels. Rhinerrhiza divitiflora may also be grown in small pots or baskets and R. moorei may also be accomodated in a basket provided that the stem hangs over the edge to allow room for the pendent inflorescences.
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