Gongora (after Don Antonio Caballero y Gongora, Bishop of Cordova). Includes Acropera. Orchidaceae, tribe Vandae, subtribe Cyrtopbdieae. A small group of plants with curious spotted flowers, not common in cultivation, and of little value except for collections.
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Distinguished from the other members of the sub- tribe by being epiphytic, having the dorsal sepal adnate to the column, and by its many-fld. raceme: dorsal sepal erect, spreading, thus appearing to spring from the base of the column; lateral sepals spreading or reflexed from the base of the column, wider; petals small, adnate to the base of the column; labellum continuous with the column, narrow and fleshy, with 2 thick lateral horned or aristulate lobes, and a central one which is saccate or even folded, forming a vertical plate; column erect or ascending, not winged: pseudobulbs sulcate, sheathed, bearing 1 or 2 large, plicate lvs.: fls. borne in a long, loose, pendent raceme arising from the base of the pseudobulbs.—Over 20 species from Brazil to Mex.
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Gongoras are extremely free-flowering, and grow easily in a mixture of sphagnum and peat, with a little charcoal added for drainage. During the growing season they require plenty of water, and brisk heat. In the winter they require little water, but should be kept in a moist atmosphere in a cool, shaded house. They grow well with cattleyas, or in a temperature of 60° in winter and 80° in summer. Some growers prefer to use fine fern root packed tightly and for a top finish a little fine moss found in damp meadows, instead of sphagnum, which in this climate is quick to decay. (Wm. Mathews.)
'''Gongora''' (Ruiz and Pavon 1794, abbreviation ''Gga.'') is a member of the [[Orchid]] family ([[Orchidaceae]]).
'''Gongora''' (Ruiz and Pavon 1794, abbreviation ''Gga.'') is a member of the [[Orchid]] family ([[Orchidaceae]]).