Bifrenaria

Bifrenaria harrisoni soniae

The genus Bifrenaria from the orchid family (Orchidaceae) comprises 21 species, all of which occur in South America. The plants grow mostly epiphytic or rock. Due to their large flowers they are occasionally cultivated.

Description

All species of this genus form of a creeping rhizome at a short distance pseudobulbs. These are indicated in cross-section square with the side a plurality of ridges; they consist of a single internode. Ever sit one or two leaves at the top of the pseudobulbs. The leaves are oblong - oval, often wedge-shaped tapering with long, pointed tip, at the base into a short petiole.

The inflorescence appears laterally from the base of the pseudobulbs and grows erect or arching inclined. It carries depending on only one or more flowers. The resupinierten flowers are fleshy or waxy and relatively large. The three sepals are shaped approximately equal, the two sides are fused together and to the base of the column to a sac-like cavity. The petals are shaped similar to the three outer petals, but smaller. The lip is three-lobed, fused at the base and narrow with the pedestal. The two lateral lobes are erect, the middle lobe is often hairy. The slightly curved column is extended to the base, there is the lip grown ( " column -foot "). The stamen is located terminally and is bent down towards the column axis. The two or four hard, yellow pollinia are two separate stalks with a holdfast ( Viscidium ) connected.

Some species are known to be pollinated by orchid bees ( Euglossini ).

Dissemination

The species of the genus Bifrenaria come in northern South America from the Gulf of Mexico in the north to Brazil, Peru and Bolivia in the south before. Brazil is one of the most species. They grow there as epiphytes in humid forests at altitudes from 200 to 700 meters.

System

Within the subfamily Epidendroideae the genus Bifrenaria in the tribe Maxillarieae and there in the subtribe Lycastinae is classified. Dressler called Horvatia, Rudolfiella, Teuschera and possibly Xylobium as closely related genera, which form a group, which may also be referred to as a subtribe Bifrenariinae. The species of the genus Rudolfiella occasionally be expected also to the genus Bifrenaria.

The following 21 species have been described in this genus:

• Bifrenaria atropurpurea Lindl., Brazil.
• Bifrenaria aureofulva Lindl., Brazil.
• Bifrenaria calcarata Barb.Rodr. , Brazil.
• Bifrenaria charlesworthii Rolfe, Brazil.
• Bifrenaria clavigera Rchb.f., Brazil.
• Bifrenaria grandis ( Kraenzl. ) Garay, Bolivia.
• Bifrenaria harrisoni soniae ( Hook. ) Rchb.f., Brazil.
• Bifrenaria inodora Lindl., Brazil.
• Bifrenaria leucorhoda Rchb.f., Brazil.
• Bifrenaria longicornis Lindl., Large distribution area in northern South America.
• Bifrenaria mellicolor Rchb.f., Brazil.
• Bifrenaria racemosa ( Hook. ) Lindl., Brazil.
• Bifrenaria silvana V.P.Castro, Brazil.
• Bifrenaria stefanae V.P.Castro, Brazil.
• Bifrenaria steyermarkii ( Foldats ) Garay & Dunst. , Venezuela, Guyana and northern Brazil.
• Bifrenaria tetragona ( Lindl. ) Schltr. , Brazil.
• Bifrenaria tyrianthina ( Lodd. ex Loudon ) Rchb.f., Brazil.
• Bifrenaria venezuelana C.Schweinf. , Southern Venezuela and western Brazil.
• Bifrenaria verboonenii GARomero & VPCastro, Brazil.
• Bifrenaria vitellina ( Lindl. ) Lindl., Brazil.

Culture

Due to the large, colorful flowers, the plants are to be found in culture. They are kept at temperatures of 15 to 20 ° C and relatively bright. There are several cultivated varieties and hybrids with Lycaste species.

Documents

• C. H. Dodson, C. A. Luer (2005): Orchidaceae part 2 (Aa - Cyrtidiorchis ). In: G. Harling, L. Andersson ( eds.): Flora of Ecuador. Vol 76, pp. 68ff. Botanical Institute, Göteborg University, ISBN 91-88896 -51- X
• Robert L. Dressler (1993 ): Phylogeny and Classification of the Orchid Family. 173 pp. Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-45058-6
• Jürgen Röth (1983 ): orchids. Pp. 133f. VEB German Agriculture Verlag Berlin.