Cymbidium Explained

Cymbidium,[1] commonly known as boat orchids, is a genus of evergreen flowering plants in the orchid family Orchidaceae. Orchids in this genus are epiphytic, lithophytic, terrestrial or rarely leafless saprophytic herbs usually with pseudobulbs. There are usually between three and twelve leaves arranged in two ranks on each pseudobulb or shoot and lasting for several years. From one to a large number of flowers are arranged on an unbranched flowering stem arising from the base of the pseudobulb. The sepals and petals are all free from and similar to each other. The labellum is significantly different from the other petals and the sepals and has three lobes. There are about fifty-five species and sixteen further natural hybrids occurring in the wild from tropical and subtropical Asia to Australia. Cymbidiums are well known in horticulture and many cultivars have been developed. The genome of Cymbidium mannii has been sequenced to study epiphytism and crassulacean acid metabolism.[2]

Description

Plants in the genus Cymbidium are epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial plants, or rarely leafless saprophytes. All are sympodial evergreen herbs. Some species have thin stems but in most species the stems are modified as pseudobulbs. When present, there are from three to twelve leaves arrange in two ranks and last for several years. The leaf bases remain after the leaf has withered, forming a sheath around the pseudobulb. The flowers are arranged on an unbranched flowering stem which arises from the base of the pseudobulb or rarely from a leaf axil. The sepals and petals are usually thin and fleshy, free from, and more or less similar to each other. The labellum (as in other orchids, a highly modified third petal) is significantly different from the other petals and sepals. It is sometimes hinged to the column, or otherwise fused to it. The labellum has three lobes, the side lobes erect, sometimes surrounding the column and the middle lobe often curving downwards. After pollination a glabrous capsule containing many light coloured seeds is produced.[3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy and naming

The genus Cymbidium was first formally described in 1799 by Olof Swartz who published the description in Nova acta Regiae Societatis Scientiarum Upsaliensis based on the description of Epidendrum aloifolium L. (Cymbidium aloifolium).[6] The genus name Cymbidium is derived from the Latin word cymba meaning "cup" "bowl" or "boat"[7] with the diminutive suffix -idium, hence "little boat", apparently in reference to the shape of the labellum in some species.

In 1848 Blume raised the genus Cyperorchis in Fedde's Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis and moved 19 species and 26 hybrids previously included in Cymbidium to the new genus.[8] In 1984 Christopher Seth and Phillip Cribb divided the genus into three subgenera Cyperorchis, Jensoa, and Cymbidium and each subgenus into sections. In 1988, Dupuy and Cribb modified the sections. The three subgenera were confirmed by molecular phylogeny, however the sections did not show monophyly.[9] [10]

Species

The following is a list of Cymbidium species accepted by Plants of the World Online as of April 2022 separated into subgenera:[11]

Subgenus Cymbidium

Plants in this subgenus have two pollinia, each deeply cleft with callus ridges

SectionImage Name Distribution Elevation (m)
Section Cymbidium Cymbidium aloifolium (L.) Sw. 1799 Guangdong, Hong Kong, China; Bangladesh; eastern Himalayas; Assam. India and Andaman Islands; Nepal; Sri Lanka; Myanmar; Thailand; Laos; Cambodia; Vietnam; Malaysia; Java and SumatraNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium atropurpureum (Lindl.) Rolfe 1903 Thailand, Central Malaysia, Vietnam, Borneo, Sumatra and the Philippines1630m (5,350feet)
Cymbidium bicolor Lindl. 1833 Southern China, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Sulawesi, Java, Sumatra and the PhilippinesNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium finlaysonianum Wall. ex Lindl. 1833 Indo-China to Malaysia (Malaya, Sumatra) and on to the PhilippinesNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium puerense Z.J.Liu & S.R.Lan 2018 China (Yunnan)NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium rectum Ridl. 1920 S. Thailand, Malaysia, N. Borneo(Sabah)NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Section Austrocymbidium Cymbidium canaliculatum R.Br. 1810 N. & E. AustraliaNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium chloranthum Lindl. 1843Taiwan, Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and JavaNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium madidum Lindl. 1840eastern AustraliaNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium suave R.Br. 1810E. AustraliaNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Section Himantophyllum Cymbidium dayanum Rchb.f 1869 Assam, India; eastern Himalayas; Sikkim; Thailand; Cambodia; Taiwan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan, China; Vietnam; Borneo; Malaysia; the Philippines; Sulawesi; Sumatra; Ryukyu Islands and JapanNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium lii M.Z.Huang, J.M.Yin & G.S.Yang 2017Hainan ChinaNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)[12]
Section Floribundum Cymbidium dianlan H.He 2019YunnanNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium elongatum J.J. Wood, Du Puy & Shim 1988Borneo(Sarawak and Sabah)NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium floribundum (Rolfe) Y.S. Wu & S.C. Chen 1980Yunnan China, Taiwan, and Vietnam NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium hartinahianum J.B.Comber & Nasution 1978 N. Sumatra NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium suavissimum Sander ex C.H.Curtis 1928 Myanmar, Guizhou and Yunnan China and Vietnam NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium viride Kumar 2018AssamNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Section Bigibbarium Cymbidium devonianum Paxton 1843 Assam and Meghalaya India, China(Yunnan), Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Section Repens Cymbidium repens Aver. & Q.T.Phan 2016Hoa Binh, Vietnam NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)[13]

Subgenus Cyperorchis

Plants in subgenus Cyberorchis have lips fused at the base to the base of the column.

SectionImage Name Distribution Elevation (m)
Section Annamaea Cymbidium erythrostylum Rolfe 1905Vietnam1500m (4,900feet)
Cymbidium wenshanense Y.S.Wu & F.Y.Liu 1990 Yunnan, China and northern VietnamNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Section Cyperorchis Cymbidium codonanthum Yuting Jiang, Liang Ma & S.Chen 2020Yunnan, ChinaNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium cochleare Lindl. 1858Taiwan; Assam, Sikkim, India; Bhutan; Myanmar NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium elegans Lindl. 1828 Yunnan, Xizang, China; Assam, India, eastern Himalayas, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, and Myanmar. NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium sigmoideum J.J.Sm. 1907Malaysia, Borneo, Java and SumatraNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium whiteae King & Pantl. 1898 India (Sikkim)NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Section EburneaCymbidium banaense Gagnep. 1951 Vietnam 1400m (4,600feet)
Cymbidium changningense Z.J.Liu & S.C.Chen 2005 Yunnan, China 1700m (5,600feet)
Cymbidium concinnum Z.J.Liu & S.C.Chen 2006[14] Yunnan, China 2300m (7,500feet)
Cymbidium daweishanense G.Q.Zhang & Z.J.Liu 2018 Yunnan, China NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium eburneum Lindl. 1847 Assam India, eastern Himalayas, Nepal, Myanmar, Yunnan China and VietnamNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium mastersii Griff. ex Lindl. 1845 Assam India, Bhutan, Myanmar, northern Thailand and ChinaNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium jiangchengense Ying L.Peng, S.R.Lan & Z.J.Liu 2019 Yunnan, China NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium maguanense F.Y.Liu 1996 Southeastern Yunnan, China NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium parishii Rchb. f. 1874 Myanmar NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium roseum J.J.Sm. 1905 Malayasian peninsula, Java and Sumatra NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium wadae T.Yukawa 2002 Thailand
Section Iridorchis Cymbidium erythraeum Lindl. 1859 Kumaon, Sikkim, and Assam states of India; Nepal; Bhutan; Myanmar; Yunnan, Sichuan, and Xizang China; and Vietnam NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium gaoligongense Z.J.Liu & J.Yong Zhang 2003 Yunnan, China 1500m (4,900feet)
Cymbidium hookerianum Rchb.f. Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim & Assam India, and Xizang China NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium insigne Rolfe 1904 Thailand, Vietnam and Hainan China NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium iridioides D. Don 1825 Xizang, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces of China; Kumaon, Assam, Sikkim, and Meghalaya states of India; Bhutan; Nepal; Myanmar; and Vietnam NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium lowianum (Rchb. f.) Rchb. f. 1879 Burma, Thailand, Yunnan China and Vietnam NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium sanderae Sander ex Rolfe 1904 Vietnam NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium seidenfadenii (P.J.Cribb & Du Puy) P.J.Cribb 2014 ThailandNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium schroederi Rolfe 1905 Yunnan China, Vietnam NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium sichuanicum Z.J.Liu & S.C.Chen 2006 Sichuan, China NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium tracyanum Rolfe 1890 China, Thailand and Myanmar NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium wilsonii (Rolfe ex De Cock) Rolfe 1904 Southern Yunnan, China and Vietnam
Section Parishiella Cymbidium tigrinum Parish ex Hook. f. 1864 West Yunnan China, Myanmar and Assam India NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)

Subgenus Jensoa

Plants in this subgenus have four pollinia, in two unequal pairs; lips attached to the base of the column,

SectionImage Name Distribution Elevation (m)
Section Axillaria Cymbidium cyperifolium Lindl. 1833 Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan China NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium shidianense G.Z.Chen, G.Q.Zhang & L.J.Chen 2019China (Yunnan)1200m (3,900feet)
Section Borneense Cymbidium aliciae Quisumb 1940 Sulawesi and the Philippines (Luzon, Negro Islands and Nueva Vazcaya) NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium borneense J.J. Wood 1983 Borneo(Sarawak and Sabah)NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Section Geocymbidium Cymbidium biflorens D.Y.Zhang, S.R.Lan & Z.J.Liu 2020 Yunnan China
Cymbidium lancifolium Hook. 1823 Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, China, Korea, Japan, Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Borneo, Java Moluccas, Sulawesi, Sumatra and New Guinea NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium recurvatum Z.J.Liu, S.C.Chen & P.J.Cribb 2009Yunnan China1700m (5,600feet)
Section Jensoa Cymbidium acuminatum M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 1996New Guinea NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium defoliatum Y.S.Wu & S.C.Chen 1991Fujian, Guizhou, Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of China NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium ensifolium [L]Swartz 1799 Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Hong Kong to Sumatra and JavaNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium goeringii [Rchb.f]Rchb.f 1864 India, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands, Japan and KoreaNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium haematodes Lindl. 1833Hainan and Yunnan provinces of China, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia and New Guinea NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium induratifolium Z.J.Liu & J.N.Zhang 1998Vietnam
Cymbidium kanran Makino 1902 Taiwan, Guangdong, Gunagxi, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Hainan Island provinces of China; Honshu and the Ryuku Islands, Japan; and South Korea NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium longipes Z.J.Liu & J.N.Zhang 1998Vietnam
Cymbidium micranthum Z.J.Liu & S.C.Chen 2004Yunnan, China 1500m (4,900feet)
Cymbidium munronianum King & Pantl. 1895Assam India
Cymbidium omeiense Y.S.Wu & S.C.Chen 1966Sichuan China
Cymbidium qiubeiense K.M.Feng & H.Li 1980Yunnan and Guangxi provinces of China NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium sinense (Andrews) Willd.1805 Guangdong, Hainan,Taiwan, Fujian, Jiangxi, Southern Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan provinces of China and Northern Vietnam.NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium tamphianum Aver. 2018Lam Dong, Vietnam 1600m (5,200feet)
Section Nanula Cymbidium atrolabium X.Y.Liao, S.R.Lan & Z.J.Liy 2019 Yunnan China 2300m (7,500feet)
Cymbidium faberi Rolfe 1896 Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang provinces of China; Taiwan; NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium nanulum Y.S.Wu & S.C.Chen 2017 Yunnan, Guizhou, Hainan provinces of China
Cymbidium purpureisepalum M.J.Zhu & S.R.Lan 2022 Yunnan China 1200m (3,900feet)
Cymbidium serratum Schltr. 1919 Guizhou, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan provinces of China; Taiwan NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Cymbidium teretipetiolatum Z.J.Liu & S.C.Chen 2002 Yunnan China 1000m (3,000feet)
Cymbidium tortisepalum Fukuy. 1934 Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan provinces of China; TaiwanNaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)
Section Pachyrhizanthe Cymbidium macrorhizon Lindl. 1833Pakistan, the Chinese Himalayas, Assam, the eastern Himalayas, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands and Korea NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet)

Natural Hybrids

Distribution

This genus is distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia (such as northern India, China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Borneo) and Australia.[15] The large flowering species from which the large flowering hybrids are derived usually grow at low altitudes, while short leaved species, from which compact hybrids with small to medium size flowers are derived, are high altitudes lithophytes and epiphytes.[16]

Uses

Use in horticulture

Cymbidium (abbreviated Cym. in the horticultural trade[17]) orchids are among the oldest horticultural orchids in the world and were mentioned in a manuscript from the Jin dynasty from about 200 BCE and by Confucius. Today they are among the most popular orchid genera in cultivation. They have decorative flowers spikes and are one of the least demanding indoor orchids. To flower well they need a distinct difference between day and night temperatures in late summer. Plants need to remain outside in autumn until night temperatures drop to near .[18] [19] [20]

Cymbidiums have few pests or diseases but can be affected by aphids, spider mites and viral diseases.

Use in cooking

The species Cymbidium hookerianum is considered a delicacy in Bhutan, where it is traditionally cooked in a spicy curry or stew and called "olatshe" or "olachoto".[21]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  2. Fan . Weishu . He . Zheng-Shan . Zhe . Mengqing . Feng . Jing-Qiu . Zhang . Le . Huang . Yiwei . Liu . Fang . Huang . Jia-Lin . Ya . Ji-Dong . Zhang . Shi-Bao . Yang . Jun-Bo . Zhu . Andan . Li . De-Zhu . 2023-09-11 . High-quality Cymbidium mannii genome and multifaceted regulation of crassulacean acid metabolism in epiphytes . Plant Communications . Focus Issue on Plant Single-Cell Biology . 4 . 5 . 100564 . 10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100564 . 2590-3462 . 10504564 . 36809882. 2023PlCom...400564F .
  3. Book: Jones. David L.. A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. 2006. New Holland. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.. 1877069124. 461.
  4. Web site: Cymbidium . Flora of China . 11 January 2019.
  5. Web site: Cymbidium . Jones D.L. . etal . Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids . 2006 . .
  6. Book: Swartz . Olof . Nova acta Regiae Societatis Scientiarum Upsaliensis . 1799 . 6 . Uppsala . 11 January 2019.
  7. Book: Roland W. Brown. Brown. Roland Wilbur. The Composition of Scientific Words. 1956. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C..
  8. Book: Fedde . Friedrich K.G. . Repertorium specierum novarum regni vegetabilis . 20 . 1848 . 105–110 . 22 May 2023.
  9. Yukawa . Tomohisa . Miyoshi . Kazumitsu . Yokoyama . Jun . Molecular Phylogeny and Character Evolution of Cymbidium (Orchidaceae) . Bulletin of the National Science Museum. Series B, Botany . 28 . 4 . 2021-07-06 . 0385-2431 . 129–139 . 2022-04-05.
  10. Zhang . Guo-Qiang . Chen . Gui-Zhen . Chen . Li-Jun . Zhai . Jun-Wen . Huang . Jie . Wu . Xin-Yi . Li . Ming-He . Peng . Dong-Hui . Rao . Wen-Hui . Liu . Zhong-Jian . Lan . Si-Ren . Phylogenetic incongruence in Cymbidium orchids . Plant Diversity . Elsevier BV . 43 . 6 . 2021 . 2468-2659 . 10.1016/j.pld.2021.08.002 . 452–461. 35024514 . 8720702 . 2021PlDiv..43..452Z .
  11. Web site: Cymbidium . Plants of the World Online . 4 April 2022.
  12. HUANG . MINGZHONG . LIU . ZHILONG . YANG . GUANGSUI . YIN . JUNMEI . An unusual new epiphytic species of Cymbidium (Orchidaceae: Epidedroideae) from Hainan, China . Phytotaxa . Magnolia Press . 314 . 2 . 2017-07-25 . 1179-3163 . 10.11646/phytotaxa.314.2.12 . 289.
  13. Averyanov . Leonid V. . Nong . Van Duy . Nguyen . Khang Sinh . Maisak . Tatiana V. . Nguyen . Van Canh . Phan . Quang Thinh . Nguyen . Phi Tam . Nguyen . Thien Tich . Truong . Ba Vuong . New Species of Orchids (Orchidaceae) in the Flora of Vietnam . Taiwania . 61 . 4 . 2016-12-01 . 0372-333X . 10.6165/tai.2016.61.319 . 319–354 . zh . 2022-04-05.
  14. LIU . Zhong-Jian . Notes on some taxa of Cymbidium sect. Eburnea . Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica . China Science Publishing & Media Ltd. . 44 . 2 . 2006 . 0529-1526 . 10.1360/aps050082 . 178. 2024-07-30 .
  15. Web site: Cymbidium suave. PlantNET - NSW Flora Online. September 25, 2018.
  16. Cribb, P and du Puy, D The Genus Cymbidium Kew Publishing, 2007.
  17. Alphabetical List of Standard Abbreviations for Natural and Hybrid Generic Names, Royal Horticultural Society, 2017 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/plant-registration-forms/orchid-name-abbreviations-list.pdf
  18. Web site: Cymdidium orchids . 13 August 2005 . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 7 May 2020.
  19. Web site: Cymbidium orchid . Royal Horticultural Society . 7 May 2020.
  20. Web site: Cymbidium (group) . Missouri Botanical Garden . 7 May 2020.
  21. Web site: Thapa . Laxmi . Theresearch project on edible wild plants of Bhutan and their associated traditional knowledge . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718171335/https://soar-ir.shinshu-u.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/10091/2919/1/v45_06.pdf . dead . 18 July 2011 . Shinshu University, Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture . 11 January 2019.