Envoy at 05:54, 3 July 2007

2007-07-03T05:54:27Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Cochleanthes
| image = Cochleanthes discolor0.jpg
| image_caption = ''[[Cochleantes discolor]]''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
| familia = [[Orchidaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Epidendroideae]]
| tribus = Maxillarieae
| subtribus = Zygopetalinae
| genus = '''''Cochleanthes'''''
| genus_authority = [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz|Raf.]]
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision =
See text.
}}

The [[genus]] '''Cochleanthes''' is made up of fifteen [[species]] of [[orchid]]s which originate from [[South America]]. The name ''Cochleanthes'' refers to the shape of the [[flower]] (in [[Greek language|Greek]], ''cochlos'' means "shell" and ''anthos'' means "flower").

This genus as a rule lacks [[pseudobulb]]s and consequently produces tufted fan-like growths of fairly erect narrow [[leaf|leaves]], and conforms to the [[sympodial]] method of growth.

Plants of this genus produce single-flowered [[inflorescence]]s, with the flowers often being quite large for the size of the plant, and occurring at any time of the year, though slightly more concentrated during summer in cultivation. All members of this genus have their flowers dominated by the large [[labellum]] (lip) which often has longitudinal markings upon it which serve as a [[nectar guide]] for [[pollinate|pollinating]] [[insect]]s. The flowers have four [[pollinia]].

''Cochleanthes'' is best kept under intermediate conditions with fairly high humidity, and should never be allowed to dry out. Plants are [[epiphyte]]s and grow at elevations of up to 1500 metres in [[cloud forest]]s.

[[Category:Orchid genera]]

Cochleanthes - Revision history

Envoy at 05:54, 3 July 2007