AboutOrchids

Since most orchids sold are hybrids, let’s continue the Orchid Names category with more about them. When a hybrid is a cross between plants from the same genus, it uses that genus name. For example, 2 Phalaenopsis parents produced the hybrid Phalaenopsis Bonita:

• Phalaenopsis Bonita = Phalaenopsis stuartiana x Phalaenopsis buyssoniana

If a hybrid is a cross of more than one genus, it’s known as an intergeneric hybrid. Its genus name is a combination of the parents’ names:

• Vandofinetia = Vanda x Neofinetia
• Miltonidium = Miltonia x Oncidium
• Brassolaeliocattleya = Brassavola x Laelia x Cattleya

If a hybrid has 3 or more orchid families in its parentage, then the hybrid creator chooses a name (often their own) and adds “ara” to the end:

• Wilsonara = Cochlioda x Odontoglossum x Oncidium
• Colmanara = Miltonia x Odontoglossum x Oncidium
• Iwanagara = Brassavola x Cattleya x Diacrium x Laelia

Here’s an extensive list of orchid genus names, their standard abbreviations, and their parentage. It’s helpful when deciphering name tags or exploring hybrid composition.

Explore posts in the same categories: Orchid Names

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 at 2:05 pm and is filed under Orchid Names.

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