Caularthron

Flowers of Caularthron bicornutum

The genus Caularthron from the orchid family (Orchidaceae) comprises four species, all of which occur in Central and South America. The plants grow mostly epiphytic or rock.

Description

All species of this genus form of a creeping rhizome at a short distance pseudobulbs. These are long and cigar-shaped, they consist of several internodes. At the base they are offset by a stem-like constriction of the rhizome. Sometimes they are hollow and inhabited by ants. Rhizome and shoot are surrounded by membranous Lower leaves. At the top of the pseudobulbs sit more, two lines arranged leaves. The leaves are long - oval, fleshy, folded in the bud along the midrib.

The racemose inflorescence appears at the top of the rung without spathe. The resupinierten flowers open successively from bottom to top. The sepals and petals are approximately the same and formed white or colored pink, the three inner petals are usually wider, all petals are pointed at the end. The lip is three-lobed or unlobed with small side lobes. On the lip sit two large, hollow bottom protuberances. The lip is not attached to the column. The column is widened briefly and with two meaty wings at the end. The stamen is located at the end of the column, or is displaced somewhat on the top, it includes four pole lines.

Dissemination

The species of the genus Caularthron come from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean to South America before. They grow there as epiphytes in periodically dry forests lower altitudes.

System

Within the subfamily Epidendroideae the genus Caularthron in the tribe Epidendreae and there in the subtribe Laeliinae is classified. Caularthron is closely related to Epidendrum, Oerstedella, Barkeria, Orleanesia.

The following four types have been described in this genus:

• Caularthron amazonicum ( Schltr. ) HGJones, Trinidad, Venezuela and northern Brazil.
• Caularthron bicornutum ( Hook. ) Raf., Northern South America.
• Caularthron bilamellatum ( Rchb.f. ) RESchult. , Mexico to Brazil.
• Caularthron kraenzlinianum H.G.Jones, Caribbean.

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. 186ff. Botanical Institute, Göteborg University, ISBN 91-88896 -51- X
• Carl L. Withner (1998): The Cattleyas and Their relatives. 5, p 69 et seq. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon ISBN 0-88192-456-3