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Odontoglossums in the Rain Forest
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Odontoglossums are a member of the Subfamily Epidendrodeae -- Tribe: Oncidiinae. The species was first described in 1815 by A. von Homboldt, A Bonpland and C. S. Kunth in Nova Genera et Species (p. 350, t. 85). The description was based on a plant found in southern Ecuador, which they named Odontoglossum epidendroides. Odontoglossums are pseudobulbous plants with 1 to 3 apical leaves and several often leaf-like bracts at the base of the pseudobulb. Inflorescences are produced at the base of the pseudobulb and are usually arching with some erect. Complex crest, teeth, lamellae, etc. are found on the disc of the lip in the majority of the species. This accounts for the derivation of the name; from Greek odont (tooth) and glossa (tongue). The lips con be entire to 3 - lobed and the base of the lip is usually parallel to the column or somewhat adnate; side lobes erect or revolute; mid-lobe deflexed, spreading; disc lamellate, cristate or callose. Column long, slender; pollinia 2, waxy, entire or sulcate; stipe strap-like; viscidium small, ± elliptic. Between 1976 and 1983 a number of related species were separated from the genus Odontoglossum. The first was Odontoglossum grande with was assigned to Rossioglossum. Others were assigned to: Lemboglossum, Ticoglossum, Mesoglossum, Osmoglossum.... These other genera often occurred outside the Andes range and often occupied areas that differed climatically. This significantly reduced the number of species that remained in the genus Odontoglossum. In 1989, Bockemühl in her book on Odontoglossum divided the 58 known and remaining species into six sub—genus: Odontoglossum (18 species) — armatum, crispum, cristatellum, cristatum, cruentum, epidendroides, hallii, juninense, kegeljanii, lacerum, luteo-purpureum, nobile, portmannii, praenitens, sceptrum, spectatissimum, subuligerum, & tripudians; Erectolobata (16 species) —aspidorhinum, blandum, cirrhosum, constrictum, crinitum, crocidipterum, gloriosum, lucianianum, naevium, odoratum, portillae, praestans, rhynchanthum, schillerianum, tenue & wallisii; Lindleyana (4 species) — auriculatum, lindeyanum, mirandum & reversum; Nevadensia (3 species) — harryanum, nevadense & wyattianum; Unguisepala (10 species) — auropurpureum, compactum, dipterum, ioplocon, ixioides, leucopterum, lindenii, ramosissimum, ramulosum & revolutum; Serratolaminata (7 species) — angustatum, claviceps, matangense, pardinum, spathaceum, tetraplasium & weirii. |
WHERE DO THEY COME FROM ? Odontoglossum species are found only in the Andes of South American, with the highest concentration in Columbia and reaching northeasterly through Venezuela and to the south through Ecuador well into the northern parts of Peru. The vast majority of the species are found above 5000 feet elevation, reaching as high as 10,000 feet. They are all considered cool growers with a temperature range rarely above 75 degrees during the days to lows of 45 degrees at night. Nearly all are epiphytic, some few lithophytic, and very rarely terrestrial. Very high humidity year round is the standard as majority thrive in what we commonly designate as tropical rain forests. |
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THE
ANATOMY OF AN ODONTOGLOSSUM |
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| According to Sanders' Complete List of Orchid Hybrids (1947 ed.) the first recorded Odontoglossum hybrid was Odm. Mirum [Odm. crispum X Odm. Wilckeanum (natural hybrid of Odm. crispum X Odm. luteo-purpureum)] in 1900. The next recorded Odontoglossum hybrid (Primary; the cross of two species) was Odm. Mirificum (Odm. crispum X Odm. sceptrum). The brilliant colors of today's hybrids that reflect the presence of red pigmentation nearly all come from the presence of another orchid species, Cochlioda, which closely related to the Odontoglossums, and all of these related species are consider part of the Oncidium alliance. The first recorded Odontioda (Odontoglossum X Cochlioda) was Oda. Vuylstekeae and it was a cross between Cda. noezliana and Odm. pescatorei in 1904. The next recorded Odontioda (Odontoglossum X Cochlioda) was Oda. Bohnhoffiae and it was a cross between Cda. vulcanica and Odm. cirrhosum in 1906. The next Odontioda was Oda. Bradshawiae where Odm. crispum was crossed with Cda. noezliana in 1907. In that same year of 1907 Cda. noezliana was crossed with Odm. edwardii to make Oda. Devossiana. It was clearly the Europeans that that pioneered the hybridization of this genera and continue today to make a significant contribution through innovative hybridizing. |
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The following chart gives the percentage of a given species contribution to the making of the listed hybrids. I have prepared this chart to demonstrate the overwhelming influence of the Odontoglossum species, 'crispum', in our modern hybrids. You will note that there are only two other species (Odm. pescatorei and Odm. harryanum) with any with notable influence. You should also take note that Cda. noezliana is by far the singular Cochlioda species that had the greatest role of introducing the red pigmentations into today's Odontioda hybrids as well as the numerous complex intergeneric Odontoglossum hybrids. It is interesting that this Cochlioda has passed on that red pigmentation without necessarily passing on its notably small size and irregular form. |
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The following three charts represent the percentage of the genetic contribution by what are probably the most influential older hybrids in today's hybridizing of Odontoglossums and their closely related intergenerics. Of course these charts are being challenged yearly by the ongoing hybridization of these beautiful flowers. I would speculate that the Eric Young Foundation of Jersey, United Kingdom and Mansell & Hatcher Ltd. of Rawdom, Great Britain have had the greatest ongoing influence in this exciting genera of orchids. We here in America have to give Robert B. Dugger of California (now deceased) a great deal of credit for having given us a number of exciting hybrids on this side of the ocean. |
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