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cyrtopodium

Scientific Name: Cyrtopodium

Family: Orchidaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

About the Cyrtopodium Genus

Cyrtopodium, often abbreviated as Cyrt in horticulture, is a genus of orchids comprising more than 40 species. These orchids can be epiphytic (growing on other plants) or terrestrial (growing in the ground).

Considerations for Pets

  • Some Cyrtopodium species possess pseudobulbs.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Genus: Cyrtopodium R.Br. ex Ait.f.
  • Family: Orchidaceae
  • Accepted Species Names: 48 out of 83 scientific plant names of species rank for the genus Cyrtopodium are accepted species names.
  • Synonyms: Examples include Cymbidium trinerve, Cyrtopodium bracteatum, and Epidendrum punctatum (for Cyrtopodium punctatum).

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Florida and Mexico, extending through South America.
  • Specific locations include the Venezuelan Guayana, southern Brazil, and Cuba.
  • Some species, like Cyrtopodium paniculatum, are found above 1000 meters in elevation.
  • Cyrtopodium brandonianum is known to occur over a large geographical area.
  • Cyrtopodium gigas is found along the Brazilian coast, often on plant debris.
  • Cyrtopodium hatschbachii grows in central, southeastern, and southern Brazil, as well as Paraguay and northeastern Argentina.
  • Cyrtopodium punctatum is found in remote warm to hot swamps in southern Florida.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Some species feature very rich flowering, with inflorescences (flower clusters) that can grow to over a meter long.
  • Cyrtopodium punctatum has dormant pseudobulbs that resemble unshucked ears of corn.
  • One species collected in Peru resembles a palm frond in its plant habit and produces a tall flower spike.

Quirky Facts

  • Cyrtopodium punctatum is also known as the cowhorn orchid because its dormant pseudobulbs look like ears of unshucked corn.
  • In some species, inflorescences emerge almost immediately after a fire.

Common Names

  • Cowhorn Orchid
  • Cigar Orchid
  • Bee-swarm Orchid (specifically for Cyrtopodium punctatum)

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Cyrtopodium paranaense propagates mainly through sexual seed germination.

Further Information

  • Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  • The Plant List
  • ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System)
  • Discover Life