Oncidium sphacelatum

Oncidium sphacelatum is an epiphytic orchid native to America.

Description

Oncidium sphacelatum is an epiphytic and occasionally lithophyte orchid with laterally flattened cylindrical pseudobulbs from which two narrow, oblong-lingulate, coriaceous leaves emerge apically, in their center two floral rods with numerous and tiny flowers emerge. It has a paniculate flower stem.
Flowers in medium cluster of many small flowers of strong yellow color with brown spots.

Flower

Oncidium sphacelatum flower rod

Habitat

This species is native to southern Mexico in Campeche, in Central America and SE Venezuela. This Orchid develops on trees. Zone of warm humid climate of lands below 1000 meters.

Cultivation

It prefers a lot of light or moderate shade. To grow it, it must be planted in a trunk with a straight base that is not very long, so that it can be kept standing and the orchid is tied to one side of it.
They can be put outside as Cymbidium to force flowering. In winter keep the substrate dry with few risks. They flower in January and February in their habitat.

Taxonomy

Oncidium sphacelatum was described by John Lindley and published in Sertum Orchidaceum sub. t. 48. 1841.

Etymology

See: Oncidium, Etymology

sphacelatum: Latin epithet meaning "death", "disease". For the Mesoamerican Indians, the yellow-sun crossed by dark-red stripes means human blood reviving the sun in times of danger.

Sinonimia

• Oncidium stenostalix Rchb.f ex Kraenzel. 1922.
• Oncidium sphacelatum var. majus Lindl. (1841)
• Oncidium sphacelatum var. minus Lindl. (1841)
• Oncidium massangei E. Morren (1877)