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Genus of orchids From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cyrtorchis is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family Orchidaceae native to Africa.[1]
Cyrtorchis | |
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Cyrtorchis arcuata cultivated in a botanical garden | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Orchidaceae |
Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
Tribe: | Vandeae |
Subtribe: | Angraecinae |
Genus: | Cyrtorchis Schltr. |
Type species | |
Cyrtorchis arcuata (Lindl.) Schltr. | |
Synonyms[1] | |
Homocolleticon (Summerh.) Szlach. & Olszewski |
The species of the genus Cyrtorchis are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs,[3] which do not have pseudobulbs.[4] The white, fragrant, star-shaped flowers are distinctly spurred.[2]
The diploid chromosome count of Cyrtorchis arcuata is 2n = 46.[5]
Cyrtorchis is known to utilize the crassulacean acid metabolism,[5] which entails photosynthesis during the daytime, and gaseous exchange through open stomata during the night. This enables the plant to save water.[6]
The generic name Cyrtorchis is composed of the Greek words "kirtos" meaning curved and "orchis" meaning testicles, which refers to orchids.[7]
The genus has been proven to be monophyletic.[8]
The genus has been divided into the sections Cyrtorchis section Homocolleticon Summerh. and Cyrtorchis section Cyrtorchis based on differences in the shape of the viscidium.[2] Originally the section Cyrtorchis was published as section Heterocolleticon Summerh., but it is now known as Cyrtorchis section Cyrtorchis.[9][10] The section Homocolleticon is characterized by an uniformly textured viscidium,[11] in contrast to the viscidium of section Cyrtorchis, which consists of two distinct zones.[12]
The section Homocolleticon Summerh. was elevated to a genus by Szlach. & Olszewski in 2001, but Homocolleticon (Summerh.) Szlach. & Olszewski is now a synonym of Cyrtorchis Schltr.[1][9]
As of December 2022, there are 19 currently accepted species:[1]
It grows in dense forests and rainforests, as well as in plantations. It is found growing on tree trunks and branches, which receive high levels of sunlight.[15] In addition to epiphytic growth, it can also grow as a lithophyte attached to rocks.[3]
Several hawk moth species of the genus Hippotion have been identified as likely pollinators of Cyrtorchis okuensis.[16] The white flowers shift to an orange pollination[2][3] after pollination or senescence. Such post-pollination behaviour is not uncommon, and it may be explained by a reduced attractivity of flowers to pollinators,[7][17][18][19] if the flowers are no longer viable.
Two species, namely Cyrtorchis letouzeyi Szlach. & Olszewski and Cyrtorchis henriquesiana (Ridl.) Schltr., have been categorized as species of least concern (LC) under the IUCN Red List criteria.[20][21] Cyrtorchis arcuata subsp. arcuata has been categorized as a Least Concern species by the Red List of South African Plants.[22] Another species, Cyrtorchis glaucifolia Summerh., has been categorized as an endangered (EN) species under the IUCN Red List criteria,[23] and Cyrtorchis okuensis Droissart, Azandi & M.Simo is categorized as Near Threatened (NT).[16]
Cyrtorchis is easy to cultivate in well drained substrate.[2] Cyrtorchis arcuata is most commonly found in private collections.[7]
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