Zygopetalum

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Zygopetalum3.jpg

| image_caption = Zygopetalum maculatum

| display_parents = 3

| taxon = Zygopetalum

| authority = Hook., 1833

| type_species = Zygopetalum mackayi (syn of Z. maculatum)

| type_species_authority = Hook., 1833

| synonyms_ref =

| synonyms = Zygopetalon Rchb., spelling variation

}}

Zygopetalum (abbreviated Z.Alphabetical List of Standard Abbreviations for Natural and Hybrid Generic Names, RHS, 2007. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/plant-registration-forms/orchid-name-abbreviations-list.pdf) is a genus of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). This genus consists of fourteen currently recognized species.[http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=216009 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families]Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.C. & Rasmussen, F.N. (2009). Epidendroideae (Part two). Genera Orchidacearum 5: 1-585. Oxford University Press, New York, Oxford.

Name

This orchid's generic name, derived from the Greek word zugón, means "yoke". It refers to the yoke-like growth at the base of the lip.

The genus name has Z. as a unique abbreviation among orchid genera.

Distribution

They occur in humid forests at low- to mid-elevation regions of South America, with most species in Brazil.

Description

Most species are epiphytes, but some are terrestrials with glossy, strap-like, plicate leaves, which are apical, oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, acute or acuminate. These orchids have a robust growth form. Their ovoid-conical pseudobulbs are deciduous.

They produce an erect, 60-centimeter-long, few-flowered to several-flowered, racemose inflorescence that grows laterally and is longer than the leaves. Their prominent bracts equal the length of the ovary. They are known for their fragrant, waxy, and long-lived flowers with multiple blooms in shades of green, purple, burgundy, and raspberry with several patterns.

Cultivation

They are known for their ease of culture and are much in demand as excellent cut flowers.{{Citation needed|date=May 2016}}

Species

Species accepted as of June 2014:

Image	Name	Distribution	Elevation (m)
class="wikitable"
	Zygopetalum brachypetalum Lindl.	Brazil	{{convert\| 1000 \|m\|ft}}
120px	Zygopetalum crinitum G.Lodd.	Brazil (from Santa Catarina to Espirito Santo)	{{convert\|600 - 1200 \|m\|ft}}
	Zygopetalum ghillanyi Pabst	Brazil (São Paulo)
	Zygopetalum graminifolium Rolfe	Brazil (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro)
120px	Zygopetalum maculatum (Kunth) Garay	Peru, Bolivia, Brazil	{{convert\| 2100\|m\|ft}}
120px	Zygopetalum maxillare G.Lodd.	Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina	{{convert\|600 - 1000\|m\|ft}}
120px	Zygopetalum microphytum Barb.Rodr.	Brazil (Minas Gerais, São Paulo)
	Zygopetalum pabstii Toscano	Brazil (Espírito Santo)	{{convert\|300-400 \|m\|ft}}
120px	Zygopetalum pedicellatum (Sw.) Garay	southeastern Brazil	{{convert\|600 - 1200 \|m\|ft}}
	Zygopetalum reginae Pabst	Brazil (São Paulo)
	Zygopetalum sellowii Rchb.f. in W.G.Walpers	Brazil
	Zygopetalum silvanum V.P.Castro & Campacci	Brazil (Bahia)	{{convert\| 600 - 700 \|m\|ft}}
120px	Zygopetalum sincoranum V.P.Castro & Campacci	Brazil (Bahia)	{{convert\|600 - 1600 \|m\|ft}}
120px	Zygopetalum triste Barb.Rodr.	Brazil (Minas Gerais)	{{convert\| 950 - 1800 \|m\|ft}}

References

External links

{{Commons-inline|italic=1}}
{{Wikispecies-inline|Zygopetalum|Zygopetalum}}
[http://orchidroots.org/natural/216009/acc_species/ Orchidroots.org] Zygopetalum Species

Category:Zygopetalinae genera

Category:Epiphytic orchids