collector’s item ornithorrhynnchum An Obscure Orchid by Brenda Oviatt and Bill Nerison

We thought this would be an interesting species to write about and introduce people to but didn’t realize what a can of worms we’d be opening. When Brenda travels and speaks about angraecoids, she describes the Campylocentrum as “really neat and deserving of more attention by growers — unfortunately, they’re NOT widely available.” In doing background research, we found more questions than answers about the genus as a whole. It’s been challenging for us and apparently for many taxonomists as well. We decided to relate what we know about growing Campylocentrum ornithorrhynchum, and to include an overview of the genus. Campylocentrum is one of two genera of angraecoid that is a New World orchid. Because it is not African as the others are, it is frequently omitted from print- Brenda Oviatt and ed literature about Bill Nerison angraecoids. Of these two New World gen- era, Campylocentrum has leafy and leafless species. The other genus, , contains exclusively leafless or aphyllous species, the most widely known species being the ghost orchid (). Depending on the source, you’ll find between 46 and 84 species in the genus (quite a wide range); there are 83 currently listed by the World Checklist of Selected Families (Royal Botanic Gardens–Kew 2017), nine of which have been added in the last four years. We tried to find or compile a complete list that also included the division of the leafy versus leafless species without success. There have been many taxonomic revisions 1 to the genus which further complicates matters. Dariusz L. Szachetko and Marta whenever they’re available) and two of [1] This orchid has thrived for us and is Kolanowska have made many of the them were mislabeled. The hardiest, most grown with a complicated mounting newest additions and have published prolific grower and bloomer of the five has system called a twist tie. Old phone wire information on the challenges of finding been Campylocentrum ornithorrhynchum. works too. The real secret to success to them in the field and then accurately Campylocentrums are not considered growing these well is revealed within this identifying them. Hopefully their work rare in nature, but due to their rather article. will continue! diminutive size and the camouflage of the We’ve had the opportunity to grow five leafless ones, they’re often overlooked. species of Campylocentrum (we buy them An interesting article we found when

410 Orchids june 2017 www.AOS.org 2 3 4 [2] Campylocentrum columbianum; a “leafy” [3] Campylocentrum grisebachii (syn. [4] Another of the “leafy” Campylocentrum species. burchellii and chlororhizum); a leafl ess species. species. researching was by a researcher at the angraecoids and those on the west that the two species are determined to be Federal University of Santa Catarina coast of Africa makes even more sense. a single one. If that happens, the name will (UFSC) in Brazil. What he imagined might Campylocentrum micranthum was not be Campylocentrum ornithorrhynchum be a “cute fungus” actually turned out to the only species to be considered an since it was described fi rst. be Campylocentrum insulare; determined (or other angraecoid) upon The genus Campylocentrum is found in to have the smallest orchid fl ower on fi rst examinati on. Campylocentrum tropical and subtropical America, ranging the planet. The Internati onal Union for is closely allied to the African genus at their most northerly in Florida, south Conservati on of Nature Red List (2016) has Angraecum, but the fl owers lack a callus to Argenti na with a high concentrati on of just two species listed, both with unknown on their lip. Another common synonym species in Brazil. Most live in forests with populati on trends, again att esti ng to the for Campylocentrum has been . high humidity, or in areas with frequent general lack of informati on on the genus Campylocentrum ornithorrhynchum rain and abundant nocturnal dew. They as a whole. was fi rst described as Angraecum occur from sea level to 6,560 feet (2,000 We like fi nding out the background on ornithorrhynchum (1840) and later as m) alti tude. All species are epiphytes, the “discovery” and naming of a species. Aeranthes ornithorrhyncha (1864), and it growing in fi ltered light on trees and It can be interesti ng and someti mes has gone by its current name since 1903. large shrubs and getti ng nutrients from confusing. The genus Campylocentrum Certainly some of the beginning “mistakes” decomposing material. The leafl ess species (taxonomically speaking) had a rocky in identi fi cati on and naming were due to have chlorophyllous roots that are the beginning. It was originally established the slowness of communicati on between source of photosynthesis for them. There as Todaroa in 1845, but that name had those involved in research. In our digital is also the rare occurrence of rupicolous already been used for another genus. In age, with DNA testi ng and molecular species, though it seems these may be 1881 it was renamed Campylocentrum geneti cs, informati on can be transmitt ed simply due to a seed growing in a less- and it is the largest vandoid genus in the almost instantly. You might think that this than-ideal locati on and the adaptability New World. The name Campylocentrum genus would be a taxonomist’s dream, of individual . Campylocentrum is derived from the Greek kampylos but it may be more of a nightmare — for ornithorrhynchum is found only in fi ve (crooked) and kentron (spur) of the no complete work on the genus seems to states of eastern and southern Brazil fl owers of the type species. The type exist as of this writi ng. at 230 feet (70 m) in elevati on. A good species, Campylocentrum micranthum, Despite the confusion with friend who bloomed a piece of our plant was originally described as Angraecum Campylocentrum micranthrum, John described the fragrance of the fl owers to micranthum by John Lindley in 1836 Lindley went on to describe other us as “Soooo amazing! It’s in bloom for based on a plant supposedly collected in species of Campylocentrum, including the fi rst ti me and the scent of cinnamon Sierra Leone, Africa. The collecti ng locality Campylocentrum ornithorrhynchum in and vanilla is divine.” was soon proven inaccurate and there 1840. Imagine pressing and drying this In writi ng this arti cle, we found the is sti ll a questi on regarding the locale of plant, sending it halfway around the world lack of comprehensive informati on along that fi rst specimen — it may have been for him to examine. It’s a wonder that with the scarcity of Campylocentrums Surinam though others suggest it was some of the delicate orchids even survived for sale disappointi ng. Campylocentrum from Guatemala. To further complicate the process in a conditi on worth viewing! pachyrrhizum (the leafl ess bentspur matt ers, it seems there are diff erent Campylocentrum ornithorrhynchum, with orchid) is included in the Lady Bird Johnson forms of Campylocentrum micranthrum, its acicular (needle-shaped) leaves can Wildfl ower Center at the University depending on growing locati on. We found become rather triangular shaped when of Texas at Austi n whose mission is to this to be an interesti ng conundrum since dried, making it easily confused with conserve, restore and create healthy prior to conti nental drift (if you believe Campylocentrum sellowii, which actually landscapes. Though not nati ve to Texas, in that sort of thing), Sierra Leone and has triangular-shaped leaves. In our we found it encouraging to fi nd it included Surinam were in close proximity and research, it appears unclear whether this within their collecti on informati on. There the similariti es between the New World discrepancy has been resolved. It may be have been no hybrids registered using any

www.AOS.Org june 2017 Orchids 411 5 6 [5–6] Campylocentrum ornithorrhynchum. Notice the difference in the look of the roots of a wet plant (left) and a dry plant (right). The com- mon name for this species is the birds beak Campylocentrum, referring to the bent spur of the flower’s lip and ornitho referring to “bird” for its species name. It takes a sharp eye to notice this. Campylocentrum species and just five AOS the greenhouse door our light meter plants grown mounted or hanging loose in awards given; none to Campylocentrum registers 9,960 footcandles. Inside, where the air like these. We use reverse osmosis ornithorrhynchum . . . at least not yet. the Campylocentrum ornithorrhynchum water because our well water contains CULTURE Location, location, loca- hangs on the north side of a screen, there approximately 250 ppm of total dissolved tion. As with real estate, location is is a mere 630 footcandles. If we move just salts and the pH can be as high as 8.0 paramount. In the growing space it can a few feet in any direction, the reading during some times of the year. Technically, mean the difference between life and doubles. That’s not much light! While we’d want our total dissolved salts to be death for these orchids. We read numer- they could certainly grow in brighter light, 50 ppm or less and the pH closer to 7.0. ous times that it can be “very difficult” to they do so well right here and look so A small collection of orchids can be cared keep campylocentrums in good condition healthy, we’re not changing a thing. The for with distilled water that has nutrients in collections. It even seems that at one campylocentrums we’ve had the most added. Try to test the water you use on point it was thought that for successful difficulty with seem to require more your plants and remove some of the cultivation of the aphyllous species, a consistent moisture and we’ve considered guesswork in growing. We use ½-strength living tree was essential. Our greatest setting up a greenhouse within the fertilizer and periodically “flush” with success has been with Campylocentrum greenhouse to accomplish this. We’d refer clean water. We rotate fertilizer formulas ornithorrhynchum, which we’ve been to campylocentrums as intermediate- to and always provide micronutrients. growing for nine years. Some orchids warm-growing orchids. Campylocentrum HOPE FOR SURVIVAL We feel require movement within our greenhouse ornithorrhynchum thrives in an area of everyone should have a Campylocentrum seasonally to accommodate their needs. our greenhouse that has extreme winter in their collection. Although the flowers This one has been happy in the same lows of 55 F (13 C) and summer highs of are diminutive, they are abundant, and spot year-round, and apparently our first 96 F (36 C). We know that our ongoing that alone is a significant attribute. The spot was the perfect spot! How many low winter temperatures and shorter days biggest challenge is to find them for orchids can you hang from a twist tie are detrimental to some of the sensitive sale, as they are not a big commercial and have grow and bloom well for you species. Late December, January and enterprise. As we often lament, this lack like clockwork? As we write this in mid- February are the most difficult months to of commercialism begs the question: who April, it’s a sunny spring day. We’re on the grow orchids in western Montana and are decides which ones survive and which verge of putting the shade cloth on the the times we lose the less tolerant plants. ones don’t? All too often, survival is based greenhouse, but it’s clear just now. It’s just We feel that reverse osmosis or on the size or “beauty” of the flowers. after lunchtime and on the patio outside rainwater is essential, especially for those Those orchids with small, less brilliantly

412 Orchids june 2017 www.AOS.org colored flowers just don’t seem to be as sion 2016-3. http://www.iucnredlist.org/. Accessed Clark Fork River in Missoula, Montana (a May 2, 2017. popular and are therefore not as widely Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 2017. https://test. corner of paradise) with their daughter reproduced. We feel that, as orchid wildflower.org/. Accessed May 2, 2017. Marisa, son Tristan and an assortment of growers, we owe it to these special plants Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2017. World Checklist of animals. They’ve been growing orchids to help keep them all alive and protected; Selected Plant Families. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/home. together for 33 years and in that time do. Accessed May 2, 2017. both in situ and ex situ. At this time, we’ve Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) Communica- have grown in many settings. For the only been successful reproducing this lone tion Agency. 2015. Pesquisadores da UFSC Descobrem last thirteen years, their orchid growing Campylocentrum species (by division). Menor Flor de Orquídea do Planeta [Researchers at has focused on the ex situ propagation UFSC Discover the World’s Smallest Orchid Flower]. We’ll keep trying and in the meantime, http://noticias.ufsc.br/2015/04/pesquisadores-da-ufsc- of endangered angraecoids and the we encourage everyone to share pollen, descobrem-menor-flor-de-orquidea-do-planeta/. Ac- education of hobbyists and growers seed, information and even divisions if cessed May 2, 2017. (website: botanicaltd.com). Wikipedia. 2015. Campylocentrum. https://pt.wikipedia. you’re able! org/wiki/Campylocentrum. Accessed May 2, 2017. References Bogarin, D. and F. Pupulin. 2009. The Genus Campy- Acknowledgments locentrum (: ) in Costa Rica: Thanks, as always, to Julian Shaw, Some Critical Questions and a Few Answers. p. 32–45. Registrar at The Royal Horticultural In: A.M. Pridgeon and J.B. Suarez, editors. Proceed- Society, and Marion Allen of The Rocky ings of the Second Scientific Conference on Andean Orchids. Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Mountain Judging Center for their Ecuador. continued research on each species we Hawkes, A.D. 1965. Encyclopaedia of Cultivated Orchids. write about. Faber & Faber, London, UK. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). — Brenda Oviatt is an artist and Bill 2016. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Ver- Nerison is an architect. They live on the

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[7] This is a view of a screen in our greenhouse. Can you see the Campylocentrum ornithorrhynchum? [8] Let’s get closer. Now can you see it? [9] Our plants stay well hidden, growing within a mass of Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides).

We’re certain (though personally inexperienced) that this is how they are to be seen in nature. All campylocentrums are smallish, rather inconspicuous plants, easily hidden by larger plants (even by showier orchids). That, in combination with the similarity between species in the genus, makes this a chal- lenging one to collect and categorize. Those of us not put off by smallish flowers (and plants), and/or those of us intrigued by the same, will find campylocentrums fascinating.

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