Eriopsis

(pronounced: er-ee-OP-siss)

Classification

A genus of unknown affinity.

Overview

Caespitose terrestrials or occasionally epiphytes. Roots descending or apogeotrophic. Pseudobulbs ovoid-subcylindric. Leaves 2--3, narrowly linear-elliptic, petiolate, acuminate, leathery. Inflorescences erect, long-pedunculate, cylindric racemes, the floral bracts minute. Flowers showy, long-lasting. Sepals and petals subsimilar, free, spreading, oblong-elliptic to elliptic, obtuse. Lip three-lobed, concave, the callus a pair of basal keels +/- additional ornamentation. Column club-shaped, arching, with very narrow wings, with a short broadly fleshy foot; the pollinia 2, with a longitudinal suture on one side, sessile on a common braodly triangular viscidium.

Etymology

From the orchid genus Eria and opsis, meaning a resemblance, referring to a similarity to the genus Eria.

Distribution

A genus of about six species from throughout the Neotropics.

Care and Culture Card

See basic growing conditions and care information below.


Literature

Hunt, P. F. 1972. Eriopsis biloba. Bot. Mag. 178(4): t. 611.
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