Grammatophyllum: Difference between revisions
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''Grammatophyllum multiflorum'' is one of the longest-blooming orchids in existence: it can be in bloom for nine months. See also ''[[Dendrobium cuthbertsonii]]'', whose flowers have been reported to last up to ten months each. The lower flowers on the inflorescence of these plants are usually imperfect, and serve as [[osmophores]] for the entire inflorescence, and continually send out chemical attractants to attract pollinators as the flowers open in succession.<ref>Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids ISBN 0881922676</ref> |
''Grammatophyllum multiflorum'' is one of the longest-blooming orchids in existence: it can be in bloom for nine months. See also ''[[Dendrobium cuthbertsonii]]'', whose flowers have been reported to last up to ten months each. The lower flowers on the inflorescence of these plants are usually imperfect, and serve as [[osmophores]] for the entire inflorescence, and continually send out chemical attractants to attract pollinators as the flowers open in succession.<ref>Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids ISBN 0881922676</ref> |
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These species are referred to as ''trash basket'' orchids due to their odd habit of creating a makeshift container of aerial roots to collect and digest falling leaf litter, similar to orchids in the genus [[Ansellia]].<ref name="Orchids">The Orchids, Natural History and Classification, Robert L. Dressler. ISBN 0674875265</ref> |
These species are referred to as ''trash basket'' orchids due to their odd habit of creating a makeshift container of aerial roots to collect and digest falling leaf litter, similar to orchids in the genus [[Ansellia]]. Oddly, plant forms of both [[Ansellia]] and [[Grammatophyllum]] resemble each other closely, and both groups produce very large plants in habitat, but the two groups are not closely related. <ref name="Orchids">The Orchids, Natural History and Classification, Robert L. Dressler. ISBN 0674875265</ref> |
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''Grammatophyllum'' 'Tiger's paw' is a hybrid from ''G. elegans'' and ''G. fenzlianum''. |
''Grammatophyllum'' 'Tiger's paw' is a hybrid from ''G. elegans'' and ''G. fenzlianum''. |
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Revision as of 02:29, 5 February 2012
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| Grammatophyllum speciosum | |
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| Genus: | Grammatophyllum |
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Grammatophyllum, abbreviated in horticultural trade as Gram, is a genus of 11 orchid species. The name is derived from the Greek words 'gramma' (letter) and 'phyllon' (leaf), referring to the dark markings in the flower. This epiphytic genus occurs in dense rainforest from Indo-China, to Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, and the Southwest Pacific islands.
The species produce several racemes, arising from the base of the pseudobulb, with many yellow-green to olive-green, waxy flowers with dark purplish-red marks. The pseudobulbs are enveloped by sheaths.
These are medium-sized to very large orchids, including the Giant Orchid (Grammatophyllum speciosum), believed to be the largest orchid species in existence. Its pseudobulbs can grow to a length of 2.5 m. Plants can develop into gigantic clusters weighing from several hundred kilograms to one ton! The roots form spectacular bundles.
The more modest Bell Orchid (Grammatophyllum scriptum) is another well-known species, with pseudobulbs of 20cm, from which originate 3 to 4 stout leaves with a length of 1 m.
Grammatophyllum multiflorum is one of the longest-blooming orchids in existence: it can be in bloom for nine months. See also Dendrobium cuthbertsonii, whose flowers have been reported to last up to ten months each. The lower flowers on the inflorescence of these plants are usually imperfect, and serve as osmophores for the entire inflorescence, and continually send out chemical attractants to attract pollinators as the flowers open in succession.[1]
These species are referred to as trash basket orchids due to their odd habit of creating a makeshift container of aerial roots to collect and digest falling leaf litter, similar to orchids in the genus Ansellia. Oddly, plant forms of both Ansellia and Grammatophyllum resemble each other closely, and both groups produce very large plants in habitat, but the two groups are not closely related. [2]
Grammatophyllum 'Tiger's paw' is a hybrid from G. elegans and G. fenzlianum.
Species
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- Grammatophyllum elegans (Fiji and Philippines).
- Grammatophyllum fenzlianum (Maluku (Ambon).
- Grammatophyllum kinabaluense (N. Borneo).
- Grammatophyllum martae (Philippines ) - not validly published
- Grammatophyllum measuresianum (Philippines).
- Grammatophyllum multiflorum (Philippines).
- Grammatophyllum rumphianum (Borneo, Maluku).
- Grammatophyllum schmidtianum (Marianas).
- Grammatophyllum scriptum : Bell Orchid (Malaysia to SW. Pacific).
- Grammatophyllum scriptum var. boweri (Papuasia to Santa Cruz Is.)Hemicr. or cham.
- Grammatophyllum scriptum var. scriptum (Malaysia to SW. Pacific). Hemicr. or cham.
- Grammatophyllum speciosum : Giant Orchid, Tiger Orchid, Queen of Orchids (Indo-China to Solomon Is.) - type species
- Grammatophyllum stapeliiflorum (Malaysia, Philippines to New Guinea).