Flickingeria – genus or section
When the genus was first created in 1799, by Olof Swartz, there were not too many species known and they were readily defined. But as explorers started venturing to different parts of Asia, Australia, and islands of the Pacific Ocean, the number of species in the genus began to grow quite quickly. As the genus Dendrobium is now understood, there are possibly as many as 1,200 species described, when taken in a broad sense. These many species vary widely in their growth habits, the shape of the blooms, the shape of the leaves, whether there is a rhizome between the pseudobulbs, the length of time the flowers last, etc. Some of these features are very distinct and groups of species can be placed into sections of similar species. Some of the sections are so distinct that they have also been named as genera, and the genus Flickingeria is one of these.
The genus Flickingeria can be clearly defined by the growth habit of the plant, which has a creeping rhizome producing pseudobulbs at intervals. The upper nodes thicken into a pseudobulb (which can resemble the plant of a Cattleya.) There is a single, leathery leaf on top of the pseudobulb. New growths are produced from the base of the pseudobulb, and in several the species, from the upper node of the most recent growth. The flowers are always short-lived and generally hidden underneath the leaves.
Flickingeria has been divided into 4
sections: Flickingeria, Bilobulatae, Parietaeforme, and Plicatiles, depending on the varying shapes of the labellum. There are approximately 50 species in the genus and they are found in mainland Asia, throughout Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia, and the islands of the Pacific Ocean. In the Philippines, there are at least a dozen species.
Flickingeria fimbriata (section Plicatiles) is a large growing plant that is widespread, and has been recorded from China, Vietnam, Thailand, the Nicobar Islands, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia, Sulawesi, and Borneo. In the Philippines, it has been found in the provinces of Bataan, Cagayan, Isabela, Laguna, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal and Tarlac on Luzon; the islands of Catanduanes, Dinagat, Mindoro, and Palawan; the Visayan islands of Leyte, Panay, and Samar; and the provinces of Agusan, Lanao, and Surigao on Mindanao. It grows as an epiphyte, and on rocks, at elevations of up to 800 meters. This species produces one of the largest flowers, typically upside down. It’s extremely showy and variable in coloration.
Flickingeria interjecta (section Bilobulatae) is endemic to the Philippines and is known from Quezon province on Luzon; the island of Mindoro; and the Visayan islands of Leyte and Panay. It likes to grow in brightly lit habitats, at elevations of up to 750 meters. This species prefers to grow into tight clumps and is a very reliable bloomer.
Flickingeria scopa (section Flickingeria) is one of the most spectacular of all the species in this genus. The labellum is a pure wonder of nature, with the apical portion of the mid lobe of the labellum being edged with bristle-like growths. This is a widespread species which has been found in New Guinea, Sulawesi, Taiwan, and Guam. In the Philippines, it has been found in the provinces of Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, and Tarlac in Luzon; the island of Mindoro; the Visayan island of Leyte; and the province of Cotabato in Mindanao. This is another species which only gets to 500 meters elevation. Flickingeria purpureostelidia (section Parietaeforme), is a miniature plant, and flower, when compared to the other species mentioned here. It has also been found in Taiwan. In the Philippines, it has been found in the provinces of Aurora, Camarines Sur, Laguna and Quezon on Luzon; the island of Mindoro; the Visayan island of Leyte; and the provinces of Agusan on Mindanao. Only known from low elevations. Sadly, only macro photography can reveal its wonderful colorations around the column parts.