Dendrobium
Dendrobium crumenatum
Dendrobium (from Greek dendron δένδρον 'tree' and βίος bios 'life' ) is an extensive genus of the orchid family (Orchidaceae), comprising about 1500 mainly tropical species. The genus was erected in 1799 by the Swedish botanist Olof Peter Swartz.
Lifestyle and deposits
Dendrobiums live mostly epiphytic, especially on trees, occasionally lithophytic (ie on rocks ). They colonize different habitats on mainland Southeast Asia, the Philippines, Borneo, Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand. They have settled there adapted to a variety of habitats, ranging from the high altitudes of the Himalayas to tropical lowland rain forests, and even include the dry climate of the interior of Australia.
Morphology
The representatives of the genus Dendrobium have a sympodial growth. The club-, spindle - like or tube -like pseudobulbs differ greatly in their size. The smallest member of the genus have shoots on of only a few centimeters, while the shoots of the large species can be more than 100 cm long. The oval leaves usually sit alternate. The inflorescences appear both at the edges and at the tips of last year's pseudobulbs and are often racemose. It is characterized by formation of chin below the ovary, so that the lateral sepals are often wrong.
Use
Dendrobiums are widely cultivated as ornamentals. There are numerous varieties and hybrids that are especially derived from two types: Dendrobium nobile, with suitability for the cooler windowsill and winter dormancy, and Dendrobium bigibbum with higher heat neediness and without pronounced dormancy period.
In addition, Dendrobiums are also used in Chinese folk medicine, for example to strengthen the intestinal tract or from a high fever.
Gallery
Dendrobium anosmum
Dendrobium antennatum
Dendrobium boosii
Dendrobium clavator
Dendrobium lindleyi
Dendrobium macrophyllum
Dendrobium nobile
Dendrobium purpureum
Dendrobium subclausum
Dendrobium terminal
Dendrobium tangerinum
Dendrobium delicatum
Dendrobium usitae
Dendrobium trilamllatum
Dendrobium striolatum