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Cymbidium

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For the brachiopod genus, see Cymbidium (brachiopod).

Boat orchids
Cymbidium iridioides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Cymbidieae
Subtribe: Cymbidiinae
Genus: Cymbidium
Swartz[1]
Species

See text.

Synonyms
  • Jensoa Raf.
  • Cyperorchis Blume
  • Iridorchis Blume nom. illeg.
  • Arethusantha Finet
  • Pachyrhizanthe (Schltr.) Nakai
  • × Cyperocymbidium A.D.Hawkes
  • Liuguishania Z.J.Liu & J.N.Zhang
  • Wutongshania Z.J.Liu & J.N.Zhang
  • Cymbidiopsis H.J.Chowdhery
Labelled image of Cymbidium aloifolium
Cymbidium Clarisse Austin 'Best Pink'
Cymbidium dayanum
Cymbidium hybrid
Golden leaf-edge orchid
Cymbidium goeringii

Cymbidium /sɪmˈbɪdiəm/,[2] commonly known as boat orchids, is a genus of evergreen flowering plants in the orchid family Orchidaceae. Orchids in this genus are epiphytic, lithophytic, terrestrial or rarely leafless saprophytic herbs usually with pseudobulbs. There are usually between three and twelve leaves arranged in two ranks on each pseudobulb or shoot and lasting for several years. From one to a large number of flowers are arranged on an unbranched flowering stem arising from the base of the pseudobulb. The sepals and petals are all free from and similar to each other. The labellum is significantly different from the other petals and the sepals and has three lobes. There are about fifty-five species and sixteen further natural hybrids occurring in the wild from tropical and subtropical Asia to Australia. Cymbidiums are well known in horticulture and many cultivars have been developed.

Description

Plants in the genus Cymbidium are epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial plants, or rarely leafless saprophytes. All are sympodial evergreen herbs. Some species have thin stems but in most species the stems are modified as pseudobulbs. When present, there are from three to twelve leaves arrange in two ranks and last for several years. The leaf bases remain after the leaf has withered, forming a sheath around the pseudobulb. The flowers are arranged on an unbranched flowering stem which arises from the base of the pseudobulb or rarely from a leaf axil. The sepals and petals are usually thin and fleshy, free from, and more or less similar to each other. The labellum (as in other orchids, a highly modified third petal) is significantly different from the other petals and sepals. It is sometimes hinged to the column, or otherwise fused to it. The labellum has three lobes, the side lobes erect, sometimes surrounding the column and the middle lobe often curving downwards. After pollination a glabrous capsule containing many light coloured seeds is produced.[3][4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

The genus Cymbidium was first formally described in 1799 by Olof Swartz who published the description in Nova acta Regiae Societatis Scientiarum Upsaliensis.[1][6] The genus name Cymbidium is derived from the Latin word cymba meaning "cup" "bowl" or "boat"[7]: 243  with the diminutive suffix -idium,[7]: 491  hence "little boat", apparently in reference to the shape of the labellum in some species.[5]

Species list

The following is a list of Cymbidium species accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families as at April 2020:[1]

Cymbidium hybrid
Cymbidium hybrid
Cymbidium hybrid
Cymbidium hybrid
Illustration of Cymbidium lancifolium by Wendel

Distribution

This genus is distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia (such as northern India, China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Borneo) and Australia[8]. The larger flowered species from which the large flowered hybrids are derived grow at high altitudes.[9]

Uses

Use in horticulture

Cymbidium (abbreviated Cym. in the horticultural trade[10]) orchids are among the oldest horticultural orchids in the world and were mentioned in a manuscript from the Jin dynasty from about 200 BCE and by Confucius. Today they are among the most popular orchid genera in cultivation. They have decorative flowers spikes and are one of the least demanding indoor orchids. To flower well they need a distinct difference between day and night temperatures in late summer. Plants need to remain outside in autumn until night temperatures drop to near 0 °C (32 °F).[11][12][13]

Cymbidiums have few pests or diseases but can be affected by aphids, spider mites and virus diseases.[13]

Use in cooking

The species Cymbidium hookerianum is considered a delicacy in Bhutan where it is traditionally cooked in a spicy curry or stew and called "olatshe" or "olachoto".[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Cymbidium". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  3. ^ Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 461. ISBN 1877069124.
  4. ^ "Cymbidium". Flora of China. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Cymbidium"". Trin keys. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  6. ^ Swartz, Olof (1799). Nova acta Regiae Societatis Scientiarum Upsaliensis. Uppsala. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  7. ^ a b Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
  8. ^ "Cymbidium suave". PlantNET - NSW Flora Online. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  9. ^ Cribb, P and du Puy, D The Genus Cymbidium Kew Publishing ISBN 978-1-84246-147-1, 2007.
  10. ^ Alphabetical List of Standard Abbreviations for Natural and Hybrid Generic Names, Royal Horticultural Society, 2017 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/plant-registration-forms/orchid-name-abbreviations-list.pdf
  11. ^ "Cymdidium orchids". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  12. ^ "Cymbidium orchid". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Cymbidium (group)". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  14. ^ Thapa, Laxmi. "Theresearch project on edible wild plants of Bhutan and their associated traditional knowledge" (PDF). Shinshu University, Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
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