Bulbophyllum
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| Bulbophyllum | ||||||||||||||||
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| Missing image Bulbophyllum-echinolabium.jpg Bulbophyllum echinolabium Bulbophyllum echinolabium | ||||||||||||||||
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1805, including: |
The Bulbophyllum genus is the largest in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). With 1805 species, it is also one of the largest genera in the entire plant kingdom, exceeded only by Senecio and Euphorbia.
This genus covers an incredible range of vegetative form, from tall plants with cane like stems, to root climbers that wind or creep their way up tree trunks. Other members are pendulous epiphytes (growing on other plants), and quite a number that have developed succulent foliage to a greater or lesser degree. One species has almost become leafless and uses its pseudobulbs as the organs of photosynthesis.
The flower form, though diverse, has a basic structural blueprint that serves to identify this genus. The center of diversity is in Papua New Guinea which seems to be the evolutionary homeland, though the genus is widespread occurring in Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa and in tropical central and South America.
Some species are known for their extremes of vegetive and floral form:
- Bulbophyllum beccarii
- Bulbophyllum barbigerum
- Bulbophyllum falcatum
- Bulbophyllum globuliforme
- Bulbophyllum macphersonii
- Bulbophyllum medusae
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