I was asked to make a brief outline of Stanhopea so that those individuals who visit this site are provided general information for this orchid group. Stanhopea is a genus within the Orchidaceae (The Orchid Family). These orchids are epiphytic (grow on trees), and occasionally semi-terrestrial (found growing in leaf mold and duff) on slopes. They grow in moderate to high rainfall areas in tropical and subtropical climates, and are native to Mexico, Central America, and South America (see the table below for the number of species per country). These orchids grow in forests receiving part to deep shade, and in habitats from near sea level up to 9,840 ft. (0 to 3,000 m). Several species grow in mountain foothill forests and many species can survive short dry seasons. There are approximately 65 species currently recognized with 5 natural hybrids and dozens of man made hybrids registered.
Country
|
Number
of
Species
|
Country
|
Number
of
Species
|
Country
|
Number
of
Species
|
Country
|
Number
of Species
|
Argentina
|
1
|
Costa Rica
|
11
|
Guyana
|
1
|
Paraguay
|
1
|
Belize
|
3
|
Ecuador
|
12
|
Honduras
|
6
|
Peru
|
13
|
Bolivia
|
5
|
El Salvador
|
4
|
Mexico
|
13
|
Suriname
|
1
|
Brazil
|
6
|
French Guiana
|
1
|
Nicaragua
|
9
|
Trinidad
|
1
|
Colombia
|
19
|
Guatemala
|
8
|
Panama
|
13
|
Venezuela
|
5
|
Table of Stanhopea species listed by country. This list includes the five known natural hybrids.
This orchid genus is known for prominent pseudobulbs that
are oval to rounded in shape, from 1.0-2.0 in. (2.5-5.0 cm) wide, topped with a single lanceolate to elliptic
shaped leaf. The plants are usually small
to moderate sized orchids from 8.0-26.0 in. (20 cm to 65 cm) tall. The unusual nature of blooming and
presentation of the inflorescences by growing through the bottom of
growing media is a unique characteristic of these orchids. The pendent inflorescences require that the
orchid be grown in wire baskets to allow the inflorescence to mature. The flowers are fantastic in their shape and
complexity, and have an intricate pollination biology. For additional information
on the flowers of Stanhopea see the The Stanhopea Morphology Page.
 |
| Micaela's Stanhopea graveolens growing in a greenhouse |
The genus was named by John Frost after the Fourth Earl of
Stanhope - Sir Philipp Henry (president of the Medico- Botanical Society of
London at the time) and described by William Jackson Hooker in 1829. Stanhopea
insignis is the species that was first described within the genus Stanhopea; however, Stanhopea hernandezii was
described first under a name derived from the Aztec language(Coatzonte
Coxochitl) in Francisco Herdandez’s work
Rerum Medicarum Novae Hispaniae Thesarus
finalized in 1575. It is interesting to note that in the
Aztec language (Nahuatl) the word coatzontecoxóchitl can translate as
"snake-head flower" (Ossenback, 2009).
This word or similar words were used by the Aztecs to describe several
orchids including S. hernandezii and S. tigrina. These and other orchids were revered by the
Aztecs for their beauty and fragrance (Bateman, 1837-43) and several were used
in decoration (Hagsater et al., 2005).
It is clear from these accounts that the Aztecs were also captivated by Stanhopeas! For a more detailed account of the history of Stanhopea see (Jenny, 2010).
References:
Bateman, J. 1837-43.
The Orchidaceae from Mexico and Guatemala. J. Hidgway and Sons, London.
Hágsater, E. Soto Arenas, M.A., Salazar, G., Jiménez, R.,
López, M. and Dressler, R. 2005. Las Orquideas de México, Productos
Farmaceuticos, S.A. de C.V., México.
Jenny, R. 2010. The Stanhopea Book. Imprenta Mariscal, Quito, Ecuador.
Ossenback, C. 2009. Orchids and orchidology in Central America: 500 years of history. Lankesteriana V. 9, 1-2.
Ossenback, C. 2009. Orchids and orchidology in Central America: 500 years of history. Lankesteriana V. 9, 1-2.
