Clowesia is a genus of the family Orchidaceae. Species of this genus are epiphytic and contain many pseudobulbs with several internodes. The leaves of this plant are arranged alternatively in two vertical rows on opposite sides of the rachis. Clowesia has a simple gullet flower that allows for pollination by male euglossine bees. The flowers are often unisexual and contain a viscidium.
Seven species of this genus are currently recognized, all native to southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.[1]
| Image | Name | Distribution | Elevation (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clowesia amazonica K.G.Lacerda & V.P.Castro | Venezuela, Ecuador, northern Brazil | 200 - 800 meters | |
| Clowesia dodsoniana E.Aguirre | Chiapas, Oaxaca | 100 - 600 meters | |
| Clowesia glaucoglossa (Rchb.f.) Dodson | Michoacán | 520 - 1200 meters | |
| Clowesia rosea Lindl. | Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca | ||
| Clowesia russelliana (Hook.) Dodson | Chiapas, Central America, Venezuela | 600 - 1000 meters | |
| Clowesia thylaciochila (Lem.) Dodson | Chiapas, Oaxaca | 600 - 1200 meters | |
| Clowesia warczewiczii (Lindl. & Paxton) Dodson | Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Guyana, Colombia, Suriname, Ecuador, northern Brazil | 70 - 500 meters | |
Clowesia is in the subtribe Catasetinae, and can be hybridized with the genus Catasetum, giving Clowesetum, and other genera auch as Cycnoches and Mormodes.