Zygopetalum
Encyclopedia
Zygopetalum is a genus
of the orchid family (Orchidaceae
) (subfamily Epidendroideae
, tribe Maxillarieae
, subtribe Zygopetalinae), consisting of fourteen species.
This orchid's generic name, derived from the Greek word "zygon", means "yoked petal." It refers to the yoke-like growth at the base of the lip
caused by the fusion of petal
s and the sepal
s.
They occur in humid forests at low- to mid-elevation regions of South America
, with most species in Brazil
.
Most are epiphyte
s, but some are terrestrial
s with glossy, strap-like, plicate leaves
, which are apical, oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, acute or acuminate. These orchids have a robust growth form. Their ovoid-conical pseudobulb
s are deciduous.
They produce an erect, 60 centimeter-long, few-flowered to several-flowered, racemose
inflorescence
that grows laterally and is longer than the leaves. Their prominent bract
s equal the length of the ovary
. They are known for their fragrant, waxy, and long-lived flower
s with multiple blooms in shades of green, purple, burgundy, and raspberry with several patterns.
They are known for their ease of culture and are much in demand as excellent cut flowers.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of the orchid family (Orchidaceae
Orchidaceae
The Orchidaceae, commonly referred to as the orchid family, is a morphologically diverse and widespread family of monocots in the order Asparagales. Along with the Asteraceae, it is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species,...
) (subfamily Epidendroideae
Epidendroideae
In plant systematics Epidendroideae is a subfamily of the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Epidendroideae is larger than all the other orchid subfamilies together, comprising more than 15,000 species in 576 genera. Most Epidendroid orchids are tropical epiphytes, typically with pseudobulbs...
, tribe Maxillarieae
Maxillarieae
Maxillarieae is a large and complex tribe of orchids native to South and Central America. Within the tribe there are eight subtribes one of which is that of the genus Maxillaria....
, subtribe Zygopetalinae), consisting of fourteen species.
This orchid's generic name, derived from the Greek word "zygon", means "yoked petal." It refers to the yoke-like growth at the base of the lip
Labellum
Labellum is the Latin diminutive of labium, meaning lip. These are anatomical terms used descriptively in biology, for example in Entomology and botany.-Botany:...
caused by the fusion of petal
Petal
Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They often are brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. Together, all of the petals of a flower are called a corolla. Petals are usually accompanied by another set of special leaves called sepals lying...
s and the sepal
Sepal
A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms . Collectively the sepals form the calyx, which is the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. Usually green, sepals have the typical function of protecting the petals when the flower is in bud...
s.
They occur in humid forests at low- to mid-elevation regions of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, with most species in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
Most are epiphyte
Epiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
s, but some are terrestrial
Terrestrial plant
A terrestrial plant is one that grows on land. Other types of plants are aquatic , epiphytic , lithophytes and aerial ....
s with glossy, strap-like, plicate leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
, which are apical, oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, acute or acuminate. These orchids have a robust growth form. Their ovoid-conical pseudobulb
Pseudobulb
The pseudobulb is a storage organ derived from the part of a stem between two leaf nodes.It applies to the orchid family , specifically certain groups of epiphytic orchids, and may be single or composed of several internodes with evergreen or deciduous leaves along its length.In some species, it is...
s are deciduous.
They produce an erect, 60 centimeter-long, few-flowered to several-flowered, racemose
Raceme
A raceme is a type of inflorescence that is unbranched and indeterminate and bears pedicellate flowers — flowers having short floral stalks called pedicels — along the axis. In botany, axis means a shoot, in this case one bearing the flowers. In a raceme, the oldest flowers are borne...
inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
that grows laterally and is longer than the leaves. Their prominent bract
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
s equal the length of the ovary
Ovary (plants)
In the flowering plants, an ovary is a part of the female reproductive organ of the flower or gynoecium. Specifically, it is the part of the pistil which holds the ovule and is located above or below or at the point of connection with the base of the petals and sepals...
. They are known for their fragrant, waxy, and long-lived flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s with multiple blooms in shades of green, purple, burgundy, and raspberry with several patterns.
They are known for their ease of culture and are much in demand as excellent cut flowers.
Species
- Zygopetalum brachypetalum Lindl.
- Zygopetalum burkei
- Zygopetalum crinitumZygopetalum crinitumZygopetalum crinitum is a species of orchid native to southeastern and southern Brazil....
- Zygopetalum ghillanyi (Brazil).
- Zygopetalum graminifolium (Brazil).
- Zygopetalum hasslerianum (Paraguay).
- Zygopetalum maculatum Spotted Zygopetalum (Peru to E. Brazil). type species (formerly *Zygopetalum mackai (Hook.)
- Zygopetalum maxillare : Chin-bone Zygopetalum (Brazil to NE. Argentina)
- Zygopetalum microphytum (SE. Brazil).
- Zygopetalum pabstii (Brazil).
- Zygopetalum pedicellatumZygopetalum pedicellatumZygopetalum pedicellatum, commonly known as the Mosen's Zygopetalum, is a species of orchid native to southeastern Brazil....
Mosen's Zygopetalum (SE. Brazil). - Zygopetalum reginae (Brazil)
- Zygopetalum rigbyanum (Brazil).
- Zygopetalum sellowii (SE. Brazil).
- Zygopetalum silvanum (Brazil - Bahia).
- Zygopetalum sincoranum (Brazil - Bahia).
- Zygopetalum triste Dark-purple Zygopetalum (Brazil - Minas Gerais) (terrestrial or lithophyteLithophyteLithophytes are a type of plant that grows in or on rocks. Lithophytes feed off moss, nutrients in rain water, litter, and even their own dead tissue....
)