Caularthron

(pronounced: kawl-AR-thron)

Classification

Epidendreae subtribe Laeliinae

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Overview

Caespitose epiphytes. Pseudobulbs spindle-shaped, hollow. Leaves several, alternate, distichous, leathery, with conspicuous and persistent sheaths. Inflorescences terminal, long-pedunculate racemes, the floral bracts inconspicuous. Flowers white. Sepals and petals free, spreading, subsimilar. Lip unlobed or three-lobed, sessile, +/- high callus keels. Column stout, without a foot, with broad wings; pollinia 4, on individual caudicles.

Etymology

From the Greek kaulos, meaning stem, and arthron, meaning joint, referring to the persistent leaf bases that accentuate the appearance of the nodes.

Distribution

A genus of three species native to Central America, northern South America, Trinidad and Tobago. This genus was long known under the name Diacrium, a name that appears in hybrid combinations such as ? Diacattleya (Diacrium ? Cattleya). In nature the hollo

Care and Culture Card

See basic growing conditions and care information below.


Literature

Schultes, R. E. 1958. Orchidaceae neotropicales, IV. Notes on the genus Caularthron Raf. Bot. Mus. Leafl. 18:77-102.
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