Epidendrum L.

Greek epi – upon; dendros – tree; an allusion to the epiphytic habit of most species.

Epiphytic, epilithic or terrestrial herbs, sympodial, often with creeping rhizomes. Stems cane-like or thickened into long slender pseudobulbs, simple or branched. Leaves along stems or apical, 1-many, cylindrical or flattened, fleshy to leathery, sheathing at base, stalkless. Inflorescences terminal (rarely lateral) racemes, panicles or umbels, erect or pendent. Flowers sometimes resupinate, 1-many, small to large, variously coloured. Sepals and petals similar, free, spreading or curved backwards. Labellum 3-lobed, joined to column, base often enclosing column. Column short or long, stout or slender, sometimes winged. Pollinia 4, compressed, waxy.

About 700 species from N, C and S America and the West Indies.

Borringer (1991).

Source: Jeanes, J. (2005). Orchidaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

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kingdom Plantae
phylum   Tracheophyta
class    Magnoliopsida
superorder     Lilianae
order      Asparagales
family       Orchidaceae
Higher taxa
Subordinate taxa
species         Epidendrum ciliare L.
species         Epidendrum ibaguense Kunth
species         Epidendrum parkinsonianum Hook.