Characteristics of the Orchid Flower
First, the flower of an orchid of whatever genus has three sepals, three petals (one of which is always modified) and a column.
The column is what stores the reproductive organs, male and female together in most orchids (the genus Catasetum being an exception), the stamens and anthers, the pistil adn the stigma. Thus, most orchids are found to be hermaphroditic. The modified petals come in a great variety of shapes and usually called the lip, or labellum. It can be in the form of a slipper or shoe, an apron, a tongue and a variety of other shapes adn a multitude of sizes.
In the case of the brassavolas such as Brassavola flagellaris, B. nodosa, B. digbyana, the labellum is the largest and most dramatic feature of the flower, and these species, especially during the early days of hybridization, were used by breeders to produce, with Cattleya, the wonderful Brassocattleya; with Laeliocattleya, the Brassolaeliocattleya and with Sophronitis, Laelia and Cattleya the quadrigeneric hybrid named Potinara. The flamboyant labellum of Brassavola digbyana, which is four inches wide, especially was bequeathed to its progeny.
May 29, 2007
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