User:Jay L09/Epidendrum subgenera

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As mentioned in the lead article, the genus Epidendrum is quite large and varied. Many taxa have been removed over the centuries, and the work continues. An early attempt to divide up the genus (and not simply remove what did not belong) was published by Lindley.[1] H. G. Reichenbach expanded on Lindley's work in his 1861 treatise "Orchides", in which he accepted and placed 374 Epidendrum species into thirteen subgenera[2]; some have since been elevated to new genera, some taxa have been removed from Epidendrum, and some remain:

1. Epicladium Most of these have been moved back into Cattleya or into Guarianthe
2. Encyclium has been elevated to the genus Encyclia. Reichenbach listed four sections:
Holochila
Sarcochila
Sphaerochila
Hymenochila
3. Diacrium has been elevated to the genus Caularthron.
4. Hormidium has been elevated to generic rank by Withner and Harding[3] but is recognized as part of Epidendrum by Kew[4]
5. Psilanthemum Klotzsch included Cattleya walkeriana.
6. Aulizeum included many taxa which are now in Prosthechea
7. Osmophytym included many taxa which are now in Prosthechea
8. Lanium
9. Spathium taxa are reed-stemmed Epidendrum taxa.
10. Amphiglottium taxa are reed-stemmed Epidendrum taxa. Reichenbach listed three sections and three subsections on p. 373:
Polycladia
Holochila
Schistochila
Integra
Carinata
Tuburculata
11. Euepidendrum taxa are reed-stemmed Epidendrum taxa. Reichenbach listed four sections and four subsections on p. 397:
Equitantia
Sarcophylla
Teretifolia
Planifolia
Spathacea
Umbellata
Racemosa
Paniculata
12. Pleuranthium Rchb.f. taxa are reed-stemmed Epidendrum taxa with lateral inflorescences.
13. Amblostoma Rchb.f., pp. 374-376 has been elevated to the genus Barkeria


References

  1. ^ "Notes upon the genus Epidendrum, by Professor Lindley" in W. J. Hooker, Journal of Botany Vol. III, London, England, 1841. pp. 81-89
  2. ^ H. G. Reichenbach "Orchides" in C. Müller, Walpers Annales Botanices Systematicae, Tomus IV, Berlin, 1861, pp. 309-417
  3. ^ C. L. Withner & P. A. Harding The Cattleyas an their relatives: the debatable Epidendrums Timber Press, Inc. Portland, Oregon 2004
  4. ^ http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/prepareChecklist.do