ONCIDIUM
NUMBER 7 IN THE ORCHID SERIES
This genus was first described by Olaf Swartz in 1800 with the orchid Oncidium altissimum. Its name is derived from the Greek word, "onkos", meaning "swelling". This refers to the callus at the lower lip.
This is an extraordinarily large and diverse New world genus with an equally diverse number of habitats. oncidiums may originate anywhere from sea level in the tropics to the high elevations of the Andes. This obviously makes culhral generalizations difficult. Some genera included are Aspasia, Brassia, warm-growing miltonias (often called the Brazilian type) and many of their hybrids.
Most species in the Oncidium genus are epiphytes. They usually occur in seasonally dry areas.
Oncidiums are often grown in trees, hence the placement of this cache. While you are at this location, you may want to visit the Orchid House @ S29 50.935 E031 00.420
This particular Oncidium is the Sharry Baby and smells like chocolate.
They can be divided in three categories, according to their growth pattern:
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Some have green pseudo bulbs and long racemes with small flowers and a dominant lip. They are mostly golden yellow with or without reddish-brown barring, but some are brown or yellowish-brown.
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Another group has extremely small pseudo bulbs and stiff, erect, solitary leaves. These cylindrical leaves act as a water reserve. They have long racemes with yellow flowers that seem to fan out at the top. Sizes of these orchids can vary from miniature plants of a couple of centimetres to giants with 30 cm-long leaves and racemes of more than one metre long..
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Formerly there was a third group, called the Variegata or equitant Oncidiums. They have no pseudo bulbs, giving fan-shaped shoots of less than 15 cm, with triangular section leaves. These oval, broad and spongy leaves act as storage organs. Their flowers are most complicated with exquisite colours. Oncidium species are characterised by the following properties :
They are known as 'spray orchids' among some florists. They are very varied and are easily hybridised. The possibilities of this group of orchids are endless, and there are literally hundreds of thousands of excellent hybrids in the Oncidium alliance.