Rhyncholaelia

Rhyncholaelia glauca

The genus Rhyncholaelia from the orchid family (Orchidaceae ) comprises only two epiphytic growing plant species, both of which occur in Central America. Because of their beautiful blooms they are occasionally cultivated.

Description

Both species of this genus form of a creeping rhizome at a short distance shoots. These consist of several internodes, are fusiform thickened and slightly oval in cross section. Rhizome and shoot are surrounded by membranous, dry Lower leaves. The roots grow on the branches and down the trunk of the host trees and can reach up to two meters in length. At the top of pseudobulbs per sitting a leaf. The leaves are oblong - oval, pointed at the end, firm and thick leathery. Shoots and leaves grow straight upright.

The inflorescence bears only one, rarely two flowers. It appears from a large spathe at the top of the rung. The resupinierten flowers are white or light green colored, occasionally overflow on the outside of the petals slightly purple. You can reach a diameter of up to 18 centimeters. The sepals are narrow and somewhat pointed at the end. The petals are shaped approximately the same for Rhyncholaelia glauca in Rhyncholaelia digbyana they are wider and slightly fringed at the edge. White ungelappt lip at the base of the sides are rolled up around the column. While the edge of the lip at Rhyncholaelia glauca is smooth, he has at Rhyncholaelia digbyana a strong Fransung. The column is short, straight and wingless. The stamen sits at the end of the column and 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. The white color and the scent produced only at night are typical of flowers that are pollinated by nocturnal insects.

Dissemination

The species of the genus Rhyncholaelia are found in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica. They grow there as epiphytes in dry forests.

System

Within the subfamily Epidendroideae the genus Rhyncholaelia in the tribe Epidendreae and there in the subtribe Laeliinae is classified. The sister taxon of Rhyncholaelia is Guarianthe. Other closely related genera are Brassavola, Cattleya and Cattleyella.

In the first description of the two types of Lindley in 1839 ( Rhyncholaelia glauca ) or 1846 ( Rhyncholaelia digbyana ) he ordered them in the genus Brassavola. 1880, George Bentham them to the genus Laelia, the separate genus Rhyncholaelia was set up by Rudolf Schlechter 1918. The name is derived from the Greek word ρύγχος " rhygchos " for " beak" (because of the beak -shaped middle lobe of the lip ) and the similarity to the genus Laelia.

The following two species have been described in this genus:

• Rhyncholaelia digbyana ( Lindl. ) Schltr.
• Rhyncholaelia glauca ( Lindl. ) Schltr.

Culture

Due to the large, fragrant flowers, the plants are to be found in culture. The culture is carried out in principle as in other tropical epiphytic orchids; these two species need a lot of light and a dry rest period. Rhyncholaelia digbyana was often used as a crossing partner in order to obtain plants with large flowers and fringed lip.

Documents

• Carl L. Withner (1998): The Cattleyas and Their relatives. Vol 5, pp. 173ff. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon ISBN 0-88192-456-3