Oncidium

• Authority

  Mori, S. A., et al. 1997. Guide to the vascular plants of central French Guiana: Part 1. Pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and monocotyledons. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76: 1-422.

• Family

  Orchidaceae

• Scientific Name

  Oncidium

• Description

  Genus Description - Highly variable epiphytes with terete to more or less ancipitous pseudobulbs often subtended by foliaceous bracts. Leaves variable, 1 to several per pseudobulb, membranous or coriaceous, flat or terete. Inflorescences 1-many-flowered racemes or panicles, from axils of foliaceous bracts or base of pseudobulb. Flowers highly variable, small to very large and showy, usually yellow and brown; sepals usually subequal, free or with lateral sepals variously connate; petals similar to or larger than lateral sepals; lip 3-lobed, often pandurate with pronounced isthmus, usually with conspicuous cristate or tuberculate callus; the lobes often lobulate, column short, with or without auriculate or petaloid wings; pollinia 2, waxy. Oncidium has been variously circumscribed. Some Saiil species previously included in a broadly defined Oncidium are placed in Psychopsis Rafinesque and Psygmorchis Dodson and Dressier.