Brassavola

Brassavola flagellaris

The genus Brassavola from the orchid family (Orchidaceae) comprises 20 species, all of which occur in Central and South America. The plants grow mostly epiphytic or rock. Because of their beautiful blooms they are occasionally cultivated.

Description

All species of this genus form of a creeping rhizome at a short distance shoots. These are short and unthickened, they consist of several internodes. Rhizome and shoot are surrounded by membranous, dry Lower leaves. At the top of the pseudobulbs sits each one, rarely two leaves. The leaves are long, fleshy and round in cross section with a groove on the top. Shoots and leaves grow straight upright or hang on.

The inflorescence appears from a small differ -ended leaf on top of the rung. It carries depending on only one or more flowers. The resupinierten flowers are always whitish. The sepals and petals are shaped almost the same: colored narrow and pointed at the end, light green or light yellow, the three outer petals are sometimes overrun or spotted purple on the outside. White ungelappt lip at the base of the sides are tightly rolled up around the column. At the base of the lip is sometimes mottled purple, on the center with a yellow or green spot, forward it ends in a point (long filiform undressed in Brassavola cucullata ). The edge of the lip can be smooth, wavy, rough or flashy fringed. The column is short and straight, usually winged. The stamen sits at the end of the column and is surrounded by a three-lobed cap ( Klinandrium ), it contains eight pollinia.

There is an extended "neck" ( cuniculus ) between the ovary and the point of attachment of the petals. Here, the flower forms a deep, narrow nectary. This part of the flower remains on the fruit to maturity liable. The types smell at night and unplug it and with the offered nectar nocturnal moth ( Sphingidae ) on. The pollinia are glued to the trunk while the insect is trying to reach the nectar.

Dissemination

The species of the genus Brasssavola come from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean to South America before. The southernmost occurrences are still found in Argentina and Paraguay. They grow there as epiphytes in low altitudes.

System

Within the subfamily Epidendroideae the genus Brasssavola in the tribe Epidendreae and there in the subtribe Laeliinae is classified. Brassavola is closely related to Cattleya, Cattleyella, Guarianthe and Rhyncholaelia. Robert Brown named the genus in 1813 by the botanist Antonio Musa Brassavola ( 1500-1554 ) of Ferrara.

The following 20 species have been described in this genus:

  • Brassavola acaulis Lindl. & Paxton, Central America.
  • Brassavola cucullata (L.) R.Br. in WTAiton, from Mexico south through Central America to northern South America, and on some Caribbean islands.
  • Brassavola duckeana Horta, Brazil.
  • Brassavola fasciculata Pabst, Brazil.
  • Brassavola filifolia Linden, Colombia.
  • Brassavola flagellaris Barb.Rodr. , Brazil.
  • Brassavola fragans Barb.Rodr. , Brazil.
  • Brassavola gardneri Cogn. , French Guyana to Brazil.
  • Brassavola gillettei H.G.Jones, Trinidad.
  • Brassavola grandiflora Lindl., From Belize southward through Central America to Colombia.
  • Brassavola harrisii H.G.Jones, Jamaica.
  • Brassavola martiana Lindl., Northern South America.
  • Brassavola nodosa (L.) Lindl., From Mexico south through Central America to northern South America, and on some Caribbean islands.
  • Brassavola reginae Pabst, Brazil.
  • Brassavola retusa Lindl., Venezuela and Peru.
  • Brassavola revoluta Barb.Rodr. , Brazil.
  • Brassavola rhomboglossa Pabst, Brazil.
  • Brassavola subulifolia Lindl., Jamaica.
  • Brassavola tuberculata Hook., Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, northern Argentina and Paraguay.
  • Brassavola venosa Lindl., Central America.

Culture

Due to the large, fragrant flowers, the plants are to be found in culture. Make compared to other orchids lower demands on the culture conditions. They were often used as a crossing partner.

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. 127ff. Botanical Institute, Göteborg University, ISBN 91-88896 -51- X
  • Carl L. Withner (1998): The Cattleyas and Their relatives. 5, p 31ff. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon ISBN 0-88192-456-3
Resupination Labellum (botany) Pollinium Ovary (botany)
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