Zygopetalum
Zygopetalum maculatum
The genus Zygopetalum from the orchid family (Orchidaceae) currently consists of 15 valid defined plant species. They grow mostly epiphytic, but also partly terrestrial or lithophytic.
Description
The plants are characterized by a sympodial growth. The short pseudobulbs are usually elliptical or egg-shaped and have two or more sheets. The upright or overhanging, multiflorous flowering shoots develop laterally, up to 60 cm long and extend beyond the leaves. The showy flowers are found from small to large, different shades of green, dark red and purple have colored and exhibit diverse patterns. The mutually -like sepals ( sepals ) and the petals ( petals ) are elongated and protrude. The lip is protruding and three-lobed. The side lobes are either small or large and protruding and erect. The middle lobe is upstanding, ovoid, some with an undivided or lobed callus.
Dissemination
The main distribution area are the moist forests of the deep tropical regions of South America to higher (Peru, Brazil and Argentina NO ). Most species are found in Brazil.
Systematics and Botanical History
The genus name is derived from the Greek words ζυγόν zygon (or ζυγός Zygos ) = yoke ( all two objects to each other ) and πέταλον petalon = leaf ( bot. Petalum ) together and referred to the fused at the base of sepals ( bracts ) and lateral petals ( petals ) of this orchid flowers.
The genus was described by William Jackson Hooker by publication in the " Curtis 's Botanical Magazine " in 1827 .. type species was Zygopetalum mackayi, which is now sometimes called Zygopetalum maculatum.
The genus Zygopetalum is classified within the family of orchids in the subfamily Epidendroideae. For some time, was out of this subfamily nor the group Vandoideae removed, which also contained the genus Zygopetalum, but this is now refuted by molecular genetic studies. Within the Epidendroideae Zygopetalum belongs to the tribe and subtribes Maxillarieae Zygopetalinae. In this subtribes, which is defined by pseudobulbs of a single internode, and longer sprouts and Mehrblütigkeit, following closely related genera are summarized: Aganisia, Batemannia, Cheiradenia, Koellensteinia, Neogardneria, Pabstia, Paradisanthus, Pescatoria, Stenia.
The now recognized as a distinct species groups Zygosepalum and Pescatoria is often found integrated yet in Zygopetalum in the literature and Internet sources.
Species
The listing is based on the "World Checklist of selected Plant Families of the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew.
- Zygopetalum brachypetalum
- Zygopetalum crinitum
- Zygopetalum ghillanyi
- Zygopetalum graminifolium
- Zygopetalum maculatum (formerly Zygopetalum mackayi )
- Zygopetalum maxillary
- Zygopetalum microphytum
- Zygopetalum pabstii
- Zygopetalum pedicellatum
- Zygopetalum reginae
- Zygopetalum rigbyanum
- Zygopetalum sellowii
- Zygopetalum Silvanum
- Zygopetalum sincoranum
- Zygopetalum triste
The flowering shoots of Zygopetalum species and hybrids are in demand as cut flowers. Some species give off a sweet, hyacinth -like scent.