Epidendrum L.

George R. Proctor (2012). Flora of the Cayman Isands (Second Edition). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Morphology General Habit

Plants epiphytic, on rocks, or rarely terrestrial, extremely diverse in size, erect, pendent, or creeping and with or without a conspicuous rhizome

Morphology Stem

Stems either thickened into a ‘pseudobulb’ bearing leaves only at the apex, or cane-like, slender and more or less leafy, simple or branched

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 1–numerous, conduplicate, terete or flattened, varing in outline from linear to oval-Inflorescence usually terminal (rarely lateral from leafy stem), 1-flowered, racemose, subumbellate or diffusely paniculate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers variously colored, frequently green, usually fragrant, minute to rather large; perianth segments spreading; petals usually much narrower than the sepals; lip more or less adnate to the column, simple or lobed, smooth to warty or callose, often conspicuous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column straight to arching, swollen toward apex, wingless, winged or auricled, short to elongate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther terminal, operculate, incumbent, 2-celled; pollinia 4 or rarely 2, waxy, equal, more or less flattened

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma entire; rostellum longitudinally slit or perpendicular to axis of column

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule usually ellipsoid.

Distribution

As here defined this is one of the largest genera of neotropical orchids, with about 800 species.