Cycnoches

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Cycnoches
Cycnoches haagii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Cymbidieae
Subtribe: Catasetinae
Genus: Cycnoches
Lindl.
Type species
Cycnoches loddigesii
Lindl.

Cycnoches, abbreviated as Cyc. in the horticultural trade,[1] is a genus of about 16 species of showy orchids native to tropical America, many of which are highly prized in horticulture. [2]

Contents

[edit] Biology

All of these species are associated in habitat with and/or form mutualistic relationships with various species of large, highly aggressive tropical ants and host ant colonies and are always found growing in ant nests and associated with ants and are never found growing anywhere else in habitat. Orchid collectors have recorded historical accounts of attacks by these ants high in the canopy while attempting to collect plants, and their sting is described as being as painful as being shot by a bullet.[3]

Because the plants can host ant colonies, they must contend with the anti-pollinator syndrome since their ant guests patrol the plants ceaselessly, and the plants developed a pollen ejection mechanism to rapidly attach pollen to visiting bees. [4]

[edit] Pollination

In habitat, these plants predominantly grow as epiphytes in very wet forests. Species of this genus all host wood devouring mycorhizzial fungi which supplement the plants nutrition by breaking down decomposing wood. Most of these species have a prolonged saprophytic stage in decomposing wood as seedlings before developing leaves and photosynthesis. Fungi which break down wood require a Nitrogen source since wood is primarily comprised solely of hemi-cellulose, cellulose, and ligin and lacks nitrogen, and these plants are heavy feeders with high nitrogen requirements typically.

Many of these species have seeds with oil droplets encased on one end of the seed as an enticement, and are consumed by ants as food and collected and taken back to their nests where they germinate readily. The plants are known to germinate in ant nests high in the canopy and host ant colonies, which provide the plants with an abundant supply of nitrogen, and these plants also host ants in cultivation frequently.[5]

[edit] Cultivation

Most of these species are considered moderately difficult to maintain in cultivation without a greenhouse or wardian case and some of them defy cultivation. Most of them cannot tolerate dryness during their active growth cycle and some of them have very specific temperature requirements. Most of these species are ant plants which offer enticements and attract ant colonies and can become a nuisance in cultivation. These plants for the most part produce very showy flowers which are various shades of green. [6]

[edit] List of species

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.rhs.org.uk/RHSWebsite/files/87/87be8b1e-908e-4e04-9ee6-30c438354458.pdf
  2. ^ Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids ISBN 0881922676
  3. ^ The Orchids, Natural History and Classification, Robert L. Dressler. ISBN 0674875265
  4. ^ The Orchids, Natural History and Classification, Robert L. Dressler. ISBN 0674875265
  5. ^ The Orchids, Natural History and Classification, Robert L. Dressler. ISBN 0674875265
  6. ^ The Orchids, Natural History and Classification, Robert L. Dressler. ISBN 0674875265


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