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Catasetum integerrimum Hooker
- Common Name:
- Family: Orchidaceae Juss.
- Country of Origin: Guatemala
- Habitat:
- Description: Catasetums are noteworthy for their unique dimorphic flowers. The male and female flowers are so morphologically different that John Lindley originally treated them as seperate genera!. They also display one of the most advanced pollination mechanisms which is outlined below.
Bees of the genera Eulaema, Euplusia and Euloglossa are mainly responsible for pollination of Catasetum. In most Catasetum species the male flowers begin to emit a strong musky odour 2-3 days after opening. Male bees are attracted by this, enter the flower and proceed to scratch at the source of the odor which is normally directly beneath the antennae at the base of the column. The bees touch an antenna and this moves the rostellum which holds the viscidium in place. The viscidium is released and is thrown by the tension bound stipe onto the back of the bee. The sticky secretion of the viscidium set rapidly and the stipe hangs down along the dorsal midline of the bee's abdomen. By the time the bee enters a female flower, the anther-cap has fallen off revealing the large pollinia which then hang in the correct position to be placed on the stigmatic surface of the non-resupinate female flower.
- Culture: Rest Notes: Winter days average 77-80F (25-27C), and nights average 59-61F (15-16C), with a diurnal range of 16-20F (9-11C). Growers are reminded that because of the range in habitat elevation, plants should adapt to conditions 6-8F (3-4C) warmer or cooler than indicated. Rainfall is very low in winter, but some additional moisture is available in the form of heavy dew. Cultivated plants should be allowed to dry out after leaves drop in autumn, with only enough water given to keep the pseudobulbs from shriveling. More plants are lost from overwatering in winter than from any other cause. Fertilizer should be eliminated during the rest period. Growers report that normal watering and fertilizing should be resumed only when new growth is well under way in spring and new roots are 0.8-1.6 in. (2-4 cm) long. (from orchidculture.com)
Restrictions:- CITES Appendix II Listed Plant
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Accession Data:- Accession # 199300324
- Source:
- Accession Date: 12-31-1993
- Bench: 3215 - Middle Bench
- Qty: 1 confirmed on 07-26-2011
Classification:- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Liliopsida
- SubClass: monocots
- Order: Asparagales
- SubOrder:
- Family: Orchidaceae
- SubFamily: Epidendroideae
- Tribe: Cymbidieae
- SubTribe: Catasetinae
References:
- The Manual of Cultivated Orchid Species, Bechtel, Cribb & Launert
- Hortus Third, LH Bailey Hortorium, 1976
page generated on Tue, 21 May 2013 09:14:16 -0400
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