Cymbidium 

For the brachiopod genus, see Cymbidium (brachiopod).
Boat orchids
Cymbidium Clarisse Austin 'Best Pink cultivar'
Cymbidium Clarisse Austin 'Best Pink cultivar'
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Cymbidieae
Subtribe: Cyrtopodiinae
Alliance: Cymbidium
Genus: Cymbidium
Swartz, 1799
Species

See text.
Synonyms
  • Cyperochis Blume
  • Iridorchis Blume
  • Jensoa fRaf.
  • Pachyrhizanthe (Schltr.) Nakai
Cymbidium dayanum
Cymbidium Hybrid
Golden Leaf-edge Orchid
(Cymbidium floribundum)
Cymbidium
Valley PictureTemptation
(a cultivar)
Cymbidium Leodogran (Hybrid)
Cymbidium sp.
Cymbidium (cultivar)

Cymbidium, or boat orchids, is a genus of 52 evergreen species in the orchid family Orchidaceae. It was first described by Olof Swartz in 1799. The name is derived from the Greek word kumbos, meaning 'hole, cavity'. It refers to the form of the base of the lip. The genus is abbreviated Cym in horticultural trade.

This genus is distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia (such as North-India, China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Borneo) and North-Australia, usually growing in cooler climates at high elevation.

Cymbidium plants are sympodial and grow to a height of 60 cm and the racemes as high as 90 cm. The raceme grows from the base of the most recent pseudobulb. Each flower can have a diameter of 5 to 10 cm, according to the species. They bloom during the winter, and each plant can have up to fifteen or more flowers. The fantastic range of colors for this genus include white, green, yellowish-green, cream, yellow, brown, pink, and red (and there may be markings of other color shades at the same time), but not blue and black. The flowers last about ten weeks. They have a waxy texture. The rounded sepals and petals have about the same dimensions. They show very diverse color patterns, different for every species.

Cymbidiums tend to grow more leaves than most orchids. Roughly eight long, green, narrow leaves originate from the sheath of each pseudobulb.

It is one of the most popular and desirable orchids in the world because of the beautiful flowers. These plants make great houseplants, and are also popular in floral arrangements and corsages. They have been cultivated for thousands of years, especially in China. Cymbidiums became popular in Europe during the Victorian era. One feature that makes the plant so popular is the fact that it can survive during cold temperatures (as low as 7˚ C or 45˚ F). Orchid hobbyists in temperate climates appreciate the fact that they can bloom in winter, when few other orchids are blooming.

Only a few Cymbidium species are commonly grown in nurseries, due to the popularity of hybrids. Most are to be found in botanical gardens or in their ever shrinking natural habitat. One of such hybrids was Named "Happy Barry Sailor Moon" after the popular Anime and manga. It is named so because its color is identical to the hair color of the title character. 1

Contents

Species

Natural Hybrids

Asian Cymbidium

Asian Cymbidiums or Chinese Cymbidiums refer to mainly five species of cymbidiums orchids that are found throughout East Asia in areas of China, Korea, Japan, India, and in parts of Thailand and Vietnam. These species are usually grown for their variegated leaves. But plants are also grown for their fragrant flowers and peloric flower structure. Plants are usually grown in long and thin vase like pots. The five species are

Diseases

Cymbidiums are susceptible to the Tobacco mosaic virus and Cymbidium mosaic potexvirus.

Note

  1. ^ Happy Barry Sailor Moon

External links

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Cymbidium