Ascocentrum

Ascocentrum, abbreviated as Asctm in horticultural trade, is a small genus belonging to the orchid family (Orchidaceae).

DistributionEdit

They occur mainly in warmer to intermediate, humid climates of the foothills of the Himalayas, in Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Java and Borneo.

DescriptionEdit

These monopodial epiphytic orchids grow on deciduous trees. They have a short, simple to bifurcate stem (max. 15-18 cm) with an upright, compact, conical to racemose inflorescence, consisting of smaller brightly colored flowers. These flowers have a prominent spur and a strap-like lip. Their bright colors vary between yellow, orange, red, orchid or cerise.

The chromosome number is 2n = 38.

CultureEdit

Plants are best grown hanged in baskets and on mounted and usually require full sunlight and warm temperatures. If hunged the roots must be watered frequently. Plants should be grown in media that is well drained such as tree fern fibers (for small plants),several pieces of coarse fir bark, or sphagnum moss.

NamingEdit

The genus is named after the lip spur on the flowers.

SynonymsEdit

1. Ascolabium S.S.Ying 1977

Species Edit

• Ascocentrum ampullaceum
• Ascocentrum aurantiacum
  • Ascocentrum aurantiacum subsp. aurantiacum
  • Ascocentrum aurantiacum subsp. philippinense
• Ascocentrum aureum
• Ascocentrum christensonianum
• Ascocentrum curvifolium
• Ascocentrum garayi
• Ascocentrum himalaicum
• Ascocentrum insularum
• Ascocentrum miniatum
• Ascocentrum Mona Church x Ascocentrum ampullaceum
• Ascocentrum pumilum
• Ascocentrum rubescens
• Ascocentrum rubrum
• Ascocentrum semiteretifolium

ReferencesEdit

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).

• Roberts, J.A., Anuku, S., Burdon, J., Mathew, P., McGough*, H.N. & Newman, A.D. (comps) (2001 [2002]). CITES orchid checklist. Volume 3: for the genera Aerangis, Anagraecum, Ascocentrum, Bletilla, Brassavola, Calanthe, Catasetum, Miltonia, Miltonioides, Miltoniopsis, Renanthera, Renantherella, Rhynchostylis, Rossioglossum, Vanda and Vandopsis. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 233 pp.