Trigonidium (plant)

Trigonidium, abbreviated as Trgdm in horticultural trade, was a formerly accepted genus of orchids comprising roughly twenty species found from Mexico to Brazil. As of 2023, it was considered a synonym of Maxillaria.[1]

Etymology

Trigonidium derives from the Greek "trigonon", meaning "triangle", in reference to the triangular shape of the flowers.[2]

Description

The epiphytes and lithophytes formerly placed in the genus have long or short rhizomes. Its pseudobulbs are cylindrical or ovoid with overlapping sheathes at their base and one or two leaves at their apex. The inflorescences of the genus are basal, erect, and single flowered, with the flower usually as long or longer than the leaves. The flowers are tubular at the base with sepals spreading. The sepals are larger than the petals and the petals are larger than the lip. The lip is trilobed and not spurred.[2]

The flowers have shiny pads and eyespots that lure male bees to perform pseudocopulation with the blossoms.[3]

Former species

Former species include:[4]

Cultivation

Plants formerly placed in the genus grow well in pots with standard epiphyte mix, in intermediate conditions with light shade and high humidity. Plants should be kept dry but not so dry that pseudobulbs shrivel.[2]

References
  1. "Trigonidium Lindl." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  2. I. F. La Croix (2008). The New Encyclopedia of Orchids: 1500 Species in Cultivation (illustrated ed.). Timber Press. p. 478. ISBN 9780881928761.
  3. Rebecca Tyson Northen (1996). Miniature Orchids and How to Grow Them (illustrated, reprint ed.). Courier Corporation. p. 173. ISBN 9780486289205.
  4. "Search for "Trigonidium"". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-08-09.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.