Common Orchid Groups Phalaenopsis – most in cultivation/homes Cattleya, incl. Cattleya Alliance (relatives) “Corsage orchids” Laelia, Brassia, Oncidium, Brassavola and more Cymbidium orchids Cut flowers, also “corsage orchids” Dendrobium – 2nd largest group of orchids common house plant with ‘mentum’ (nectar pocket) Bulbophyllum – largest group of orchids Lady’s Slippers - shoe-shaped ROGH Docent Program http://everything-orchids.com/types-of-orchids Module 2: Orchid Groups Common Orchid Groups ROGH Docent Program Photo credits: C. Bracker, lower right.; center: D. Reichard; All others: C. LeBlanc Module 2: Orchid Groups Phalaenopsis – Moth Orchid • Only about 60 orchid species • Native to southeast Asia to the Philippines & northern Australia. • Named for similarity to large moths in flight. • Most popular in the orchid trade, with 1000s of easily grown artificial hybrids ROGH Docent Program Module 2: Orchid Groups Photo credits: top, & right: C. LeBlanc; left: D. Reichard Cattleyas – Corsage Orchid Some of the most showy orchids #3 largest group of orchids 1,200+ species in related genera Cattleyas & relatives (Alliance: Brassia, Encyclia, Epidendrum) Only about 30 Cattleya species From Mexico, Central & South America Cattleya Alliance species used to create many spectacular orchid hybrids ROGH Docent Program Module 2: Orchid Groups Photo credits: upper : C. LeBlanc; lower: B. Daughtery Cymbidium • Big, showy and long-lasting flowers. • Pink, yellow, green, red, brown, peach or combination colored flowers • Last 4 – 8 weeks as cut flowers, if you change water daily and cut back the bottom of the spike • Often grown outdoors until late Photo credits: top & left, D. October. Many artificial hybrids Reichard; Right: C. LeBlanc ROGH Docent Program Module 2: Orchid Groups Dendrobiums #2 largest Genus - 1,200+ species From SE Asia and Australia Dendron (Greek for ‘tree’), bios (‘life’) Mentum (projection) Wide variety of habitats Dormancy in dry season Flowers open 1 day - many weeks Some Asian species used in traditional medicines ROGH DocentHeavily Program used in hybrid breeding and cut flower trade Photo credit: top right: C. Bracker Module 2: Orchid Groups Bulbophyllums #1 largest Genus - over 2,800 species From Papua New Guinea, S. Asia, Madagascar, Africa, S. America Bulbo (‘bulb-like’) and phyllum (‘leaf’) refers to pseudobulb Wide variety of habitats Many fly-pollinated species (fetid) ROGH Docent Program Module 2: Orchid Groups Photo credits: lower right: D. Reichard; all others: C. LeBlanc Lady’s Slippers Slipper-shaped pouches (modified lip) Found in Asia, Central America and North America Pouch - temporary insect trap Often in fragile habitats (rocky slopes, wetlands) Paphiopedilum (Asia), Phragmipedium (C. Amer.), & Cypripedium (N. Amer.) ROGH Docent Program ` Module 2: Orchid Groups Photo credits: top: C. LeBlanc; left: D. Reichard; left: S. Verhoorn More Genera Brassavola - Cattleya Alliance Brassia - Cattleya Alliance, Spider orchid Encyclia - Cattleya Alliance Miltonia Epidendrum - Cattleya Alliance Masdevallia – Pleurothallis-relative, cool grower Vanda Maxillaria - ex: coconut orchid Miltonia – Pansy Orchid Odontoglossum - showy flowers, cool Oncidium Oncidium – Dancing Dolls; Cattleya Alliance Vanilla - edible pods ROGH Docent Program Module 2: Orchid Groups Zygopetalum - Brazilian, cool growers, fragrant http://everything-orchids.com/types-of-orchids Other Genera Angraecum - with nectar spurs Dendrochilum – Australia, long chains of flowers Pleurothallis & relatives “lung leaf” Flowers from middle of leaf Angraecum Pleurothallis Most from cloud forest regions Vanda Vanda Native to far East Flowers large, long lasting Leaves thick and from one central stem; thick aerial roots Dendrochilum ROGH Docent Program Module 2: Orchid Groups Photo credit: C. Bracker.