Maxillaria
Encyclopedia
Maxillaria, abbreviated as Max in horticultural trade, is a large genus of orchids (family Orchidaceae
). This is a diverse genus, with very different morphological
forms. Their characteristics can vary widely.
They are commonly called Spider Orchid, Flame Orchid or Tiger Orchid. Their scientific name is derived from the Latin word maxilla, meaning jawbone
, reflecting on the column
and the base of the lip
of some species, that may evoke a protruding jaw.
at sea level to elevations of 3,500 m, of the neotropical zone (tropical and subtropical America
). This is an indication for the different temperature requirements, from warm growing to cold growing, within the genus.
They are mostly epiphyte
s, rather large in size, but some are terrestrial
s or even lithophyte
s (such as M. rupestris). But the showy Brazilian orchid Maxillaria picta can equally be found in the higher parts of a tree as found growing on rocks, as long as the humidity
of the air is high enough.
Many species are rather large with rampant growth.
s are round or oblong and each carry one or two lanceolate leaves
. Some grow close together in a clustered manner on a short rhizome, while in other species the pseudobulbs keep some distance on an elongate rhizome
. This rhizome is clothed in a somewhat transparent, silvery-gray velamen
.
The flowers grow solitary on short stalks, called scapes, from the base of the pseudobulb. Most are small to very small, but some species carry large, showy flowers. The flowers are never longer than the leaves. Their free petal
s and sepal
s have a typically curved and adnate labellum
with three inconspicuous lobes. Or the lip may have a distinct callus
on the disc ( = central part of the lip from which the lobes radiate). The papillae (= small warts like glands) and the trichome
s of the lip show great diversity. The most common form for the papillae is the conical form with rounded or pointed tips.
The Maxillaria can be divided in two groups, according to the attachment of the lip to the column
foot :
. No black orchid has ever been grown yet, but Maxillaria schunkeana is probably the closest to it. Its color is actually a very dark purple-red, giving the impression of a black flower.
Orchidaceae
The Orchidaceae, commonly referred to as the orchid family, is a morphologically diverse and widespread family of monocots in the order Asparagales. Along with the Asteraceae, it is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species,...
). This is a diverse genus, with very different morphological
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
forms. Their characteristics can vary widely.
They are commonly called Spider Orchid, Flame Orchid or Tiger Orchid. Their scientific name is derived from the Latin word maxilla, meaning jawbone
Jawbone
Jawbone can refer to the following:* Mandible, the lower jaw bone* Maxilla, the upper jaw bone of humans* Jawbone , a musical instrument made from the jawbone of a donkey, horse, or zebra* Jawbone , blues musician Bob Zabor...
, reflecting on the column
Column
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a vertical structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. For the purpose of wind or earthquake engineering, columns may be designed to resist lateral forces...
and the base of the lip
Lip
Lips are a visible body part at the mouth of humans and many animals. Lips are soft, movable, and serve as the opening for food intake and in the articulation of sound and speech...
of some species, that may evoke a protruding jaw.
Distribution and ecology
They are distributed in the rainforestRainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
at sea level to elevations of 3,500 m, of the neotropical zone (tropical and subtropical America
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
). This is an indication for the different temperature requirements, from warm growing to cold growing, within the genus.
They are mostly epiphyte
Epiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
s, rather large in size, but some are terrestrial
Terrestrial plant
A terrestrial plant is one that grows on land. Other types of plants are aquatic , epiphytic , lithophytes and aerial ....
s or even lithophyte
Lithophyte
Lithophytes are a type of plant that grows in or on rocks. Lithophytes feed off moss, nutrients in rain water, litter, and even their own dead tissue....
s (such as M. rupestris). But the showy Brazilian orchid Maxillaria picta can equally be found in the higher parts of a tree as found growing on rocks, as long as the humidity
Humidity
Humidity is a term for the amount of water vapor in the air, and can refer to any one of several measurements of humidity. Formally, humid air is not "moist air" but a mixture of water vapor and other constituents of air, and humidity is defined in terms of the water content of this mixture,...
of the air is high enough.
Many species are rather large with rampant growth.
Characteristics
Their pseudobulbPseudobulb
The pseudobulb is a storage organ derived from the part of a stem between two leaf nodes.It applies to the orchid family , specifically certain groups of epiphytic orchids, and may be single or composed of several internodes with evergreen or deciduous leaves along its length.In some species, it is...
s are round or oblong and each carry one or two lanceolate leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
. Some grow close together in a clustered manner on a short rhizome, while in other species the pseudobulbs keep some distance on an elongate rhizome
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
. This rhizome is clothed in a somewhat transparent, silvery-gray velamen
Velamen
Velamen is a spongy, multiple epidermis that covers the roots of some epiphytic or semi-epiphytic plants, such as orchid and Clivia species....
.
The flowers grow solitary on short stalks, called scapes, from the base of the pseudobulb. Most are small to very small, but some species carry large, showy flowers. The flowers are never longer than the leaves. Their free petal
Petal
Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They often are brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. Together, all of the petals of a flower are called a corolla. Petals are usually accompanied by another set of special leaves called sepals lying...
s and sepal
Sepal
A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms . Collectively the sepals form the calyx, which is the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. Usually green, sepals have the typical function of protecting the petals when the flower is in bud...
s have a typically curved and adnate labellum
Labellum
Labellum is the Latin diminutive of labium, meaning lip. These are anatomical terms used descriptively in biology, for example in Entomology and botany.-Botany:...
with three inconspicuous lobes. Or the lip may have a distinct callus
Callus
A callus is an especially toughened area of skin which has become relatively thick and hard in response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation. Rubbing that is too frequent or forceful will cause blisters rather than allow calluses to form. Since repeated contact is required, calluses...
on the disc ( = central part of the lip from which the lobes radiate). The papillae (= small warts like glands) and the trichome
Trichome
Trichomes are fine outgrowths or appendages on plants and certain protists. These are of diverse structure and function. Examples are hairs, glandular hairs, scales, and papillae.- Algal trichomes :...
s of the lip show great diversity. The most common form for the papillae is the conical form with rounded or pointed tips.
The Maxillaria can be divided in two groups, according to the attachment of the lip to the column
Column
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a vertical structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. For the purpose of wind or earthquake engineering, columns may be designed to resist lateral forces...
foot :
- the lip is united with the column (as in M. ramosa): these usually have small flowers
- the lip is articulated to the column : this is the largest group and has larger flowers.
Cultivation
Maxillaria is not one of the popular genera among growers. Only a few species grow big, showy flowers. But some species are nevertheless sought by collectors, mostly for the fragrance of their blossoms, such as the Maxillaria tenuifoliaMaxillaria tenuifolia
Maxillaria tenuifolia, the Delicate-leafed Maxillaria or Coconut Pie Orchid, is a species of orchid ranging from Mexico to Nicaragua and possibly Costa Rica. These plants are easy to grow if kept moist and given good air movement in a high-light windowsill of any orientation but North....
. No black orchid has ever been grown yet, but Maxillaria schunkeana is probably the closest to it. Its color is actually a very dark purple-red, giving the impression of a black flower.
Reference works
- Dr. Karlheinz Senghas - Maxillaria, un genre chaotique - Richardiana
- Eric A. Christenson - Vue d’ensemble du genre Maxillaria - Richardiana