''Maxillaria'', abbreviated as Max in the horticultural trade, is a large genus of orchids (family Orchidaceae). This is a diverse genus, with very different morphological forms. Their characteristics can vary widely. They are commonly called spider orchids, flame orchids or

tiger orchid Tiger orchid is a common name for several orchids and may refer to: *'' Diuris sulphurea'', native to eastern Australia *''Elleanthus'', native to the neotropics *''Grammatophyllum speciosum'', the world's largest orchid, native to southeast Asia * ...

s. Their scientific name is derived from the Latin word ''maxilla'', meaning

jawbone In anatomy, the mandible, lower jaw or jawbone is the largest, strongest and lowest bone in the human facial skeleton. It forms the lower jaw and holds the lower teeth in place. The mandible sits beneath the maxilla. It is the only movable bone ...

, reflecting on the

column A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression member. ...

and the base of the lip of some species, that may evoke a protruding jaw. Recent molecular studies have found ''Maxillaria'' as it has long been viewed to be an unnatural hodgepodge composed of groups not closely related to each other. Hence it has been proposed that the genus should be split into several genera, proposals that have been gaining acceptance. Some of the species long considered members of ''Maxillaria'' have been moved to other genera: ''

Camaridium ''Camaridium'' is a genus of epiphytic orchids widespread across the West Indies and through Latin America from Mexico to Bolivia. One species extends into Florida ('' C. vestitum'', listed in Flora of North America under the synonym, ''Maxil ...

Heterotaxis ''Heterotaxis'' is a genus of orchids native to Latin America from central Mexico to Bolivia, and also to parts of the West Indies The West Indies is a subregion of North America, surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbe ...

Ornithidium ''Ornithidium'', is genus of orchids (family Orchidaceae). Its members are native to the West Indies and to Latin America from southern Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern po ...

Brasiliorchis ''Brasiliorchis'' is a genus of orchid (family Orchidaceae). The genus includes species formerly placed in ''Maxillaria''. It is found in South America ( Colombia to Ecuador, eastern and southern Brazil to north-east Argentina).Ferreira, A.W.C., ...

Christensonella ''Maxillaria'', abbreviated as Max in the horticultural trade, is a large genus of orchids (family Orchidaceae). This is a diverse genus, with very different morphological forms. Their characteristics can vary widely. They are commonly called sp ...

, Nitidibulbon,

Sauvetrea ''Sauvetrea'' was a genus of orchids native to South America and Central America. #''Sauvetrea alpestris'' (Lindl.) Szlach. - Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela #''Sauvetrea chicana'' (Dodson) M.A.Blanco - Ecuador #''Sauvetrea cornuta'' (C.Schw ...

, Inti, Mapinguari,

Maxillariella ''Maxillaria'', abbreviated as Max in the horticultural trade, is a large genus of orchids (family Orchidaceae). This is a diverse genus, with very different morphological forms. Their characteristics can vary widely. They are commonly called sp ...

Rhetinantha ''Rhetinantha'' is a genus of orchids native to Mexico, South America and Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the nort ...

Mormolyca ''Mormolyca'', abbreviated as Mlca in horticultural trade, is a genus of orchids comprising 26 species native to southern Mexico, Central America, the West Indies and northern South America South America is a continent entirely in the ...

''.Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.C. & Rasmussen, F.N. (2009). Epidendroideae (Part two). Genera Orchidacearum 5: 1-585. Oxford University Press, New York, Oxford.

Distribution and ecology

''Maxillaria'' species still included in the smaller version of the genus are distributed in the

rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...

at sea level to elevations of 3,500 m, in Latin America from central Mexico to

Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

, as well as in the West Indies.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
/ref> This is an indication for the different temperature requirements, from warm growing to cold growing, within the genus. They are mostly

epiphyte An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phoroph ...

s, rather large in size, but some are terrestrials or even lithophytes (such as ''M. rupestris''). Many species are rather large with rampant growth.

Characteristics

Their pseudobulbs are round or oblong and each carry one or two lanceolate

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

. Some grow close together in a clustered manner on a short

rhizome In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow hori ...

, while in other species the pseudobulbs keep some distance on an elongate rhizome. This rhizome is clothed in a somewhat transparent, silvery-gray velamen. The flowers grow solitary on short stalks, called

scapes Parsons School of Design, known colloquially as Parsons, is a private art and design college located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. Founded in 1896 after a group of progressive artists broke away from established Manhatta ...

, from the base of the pseudobulb. Most are small to very small, but some species carry large, showy flowers. The flowers are never longer than the leaves. Their free

petal Petals are modified Leaf, leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often advertising coloration, brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''c ...

s and sepals have a typically curved and adnate labellum with three inconspicuous lobes. Or the lip may have a distinct callus on the disc ( = central part of the lip from which the lobes radiate). The papillae (= small warts like glands) and the trichomes of the lip show great diversity. The most common form for the papillae is the conical form with rounded or pointed tips.

Cultivation

''Maxillaria'' is not one of the popular genera among growers. Only a few species grow big, showy flowers. But some species are nevertheless sought by collectors, mostly for the fragrance of their blossoms, such as ''

Maxillaria tenuifolia ''Maxillaria tenuifolia'', the delicate-leafed maxillaria or coconut pie orchid, is a species of orchid ranging from Mexico to Nicaragua and possibly Costa Rica. These plants are easy to grow if kept moist and given good air movement in a high- ...

''.

References

*Dr. Karlheinz Senghas - ''Maxillaria, un genre chaotique'' - Richardiana *Eric A. Christenson - ''Vue d’ensemble du genre Maxillaria'' - Richardiana

External links

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q2719986 Maxillariinae genera Epiphytic orchids