The Genus Gongora Moderator: Marilyn H. S. Light |
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Here are examples of a few relatives. Paphinia herrerae (Ecuador) is a recently discovered species having several large flowers on a pendant spike. The inflorescence arises from the base of a conical pseudobulb. Seasonally deciduous. Column is yellow. Lip carries a tuft of hairs on the epichile. Polycycnis barbata is distinguished by its long swan neck-like column and tripartate bearded lip with a broadly winged hypochile. Stanhopea tigrina var. nigroviolacea (Mexico) showing the pendulous inflorescences arising from the bases of conical pseudobulbs. Flowers fleshy, fragrant and complex. There have been a number of primary hybrids and at least one intergeneric hybrid between Gongora and Polycycnis although the Polycycnis species used (vittata) may now be assigned to a related genus. Members of the Stanhopeinae have often complex and strongly scented flowers. The odors attract male bees (Euglossa sp.) which enact pollination. The same bee species may pollinate different orchid species but hybridization is limited because plants bloom in different seasons. Gongora pleiochroma can have a light chocolate fragrance but this is a highly variable species where some specimens may have a more floral fragrance bouquet. Gongora grossa often has a less pleasant fishy or musty odor. Gongoras seem to be primarily day-fragrant. Gongoras have stout egg-shaped to conical pseudobulbs that can be smooth to strongly ribbed or sometimes 4-angled. Four-angled bulbs can give way to a ribbed form as a plant matures. Leaves are lancelike to somewhat broad, pleated, thin to leathery, in twos or sometimes three atop each pseudobulb. Pendant inflorescences arise from the base of pseudobulbs. There can be 10 to more than 40 blooms on up to meter-long sprays. Each bloom is carried on a long pedicel subtended by a bract. Some species bloom seasonally while others can be counted on to produce some flowers year round. Flower color varies from cream to yellow, orange or brown, often with contrasting spots and blotches. Color and pattern are highly variable in most species so caution must be exercised when using this characteristic for identification. The lip may not look like a typical orchid lip at first glance. It is fleshy, blocky to oval with an extended point which may extend outwards or curve inwards. There may be knobs, ridges and shapes which can be useful in identification. To orient the flower for examination, first identify the column which is generally the lowermost projection of a pendant bloom. Sometimes the dorsal sepal cups around the column as in Gga. armeniaca. Opposite the column is the fleshy lip consisting of three parts: the hypochile (closest to the interior of the bloom), the mesochile or middle part, and the epichile or outer most part. The shape and structure of the lip are most important in the identification of Gongoras. When attempting pollination, check out the structures before attempting the task. Close examination of the column tip reveals the anther cap which can be readily dislodged. Beneath can be found the pollinarium which consists of two yellowish lobes (pollen), a prominent stipe and viscidium (sticky disc). Just below the anther is the opening to the stigma. This can be slit-like and difficult to see. Many Gongoras are self-compatible. Flowers last only a few days to a week. Pollination of fresh blooms produces large cylindrical fruits that mature in about 60 days. Seeds germinate on a range of media and seedlings grow quickly. It is possible to have blooming seedlings in three to four years. Given the pendant nature of the inflorescences, all but the smallest seedlings should be raised in baskets of bark, coconut husk chips, or a mixture thereof. Plants grow quickly so overpotting is rarely an issue. Water and feed during periods of active growth. Provide bright filtered light and intermediate temperature. Some species tolerate cool conditions but too much heat seems not to be tolerated. My plants grow best on a shelf in a south-facing window behind a sheer curtain. They grow with Catasetum, Sobralia and Dendrobium kingianum which all thrive in this location. I acquired a seedling labelled Govenia pleiochroma at the 16th WOC which was held in Vancouver. I was excited as this was apparently a new find from Trinidad in the Caribbean. But, the tiny seedling grew rapidly producing an atypical, for Govenia, 4-sided green pseudobulb. What was it if it was not Govenia? Well, considering that it could be of another genus beginning with 'G', I considered Gongora. There was a Gongora pleiochroma but was this the correct ID? Gongora pleiochroma (Caribbean basin) is a highly variable and widely distributed species. It had not been known from Trinidad but it might occur there. The plant produced four pseudobulbs over 18 months when it flowered with 40 blooms on an almost meter-long inflorescence. picture The plant has two such spikes now and another on the way. It had 4 spikes in late March also. Say productive!!! When blooming, it is perched at the end of the shelf and the spikes simply dangle. The plant initially had 4-sided bulbs but later developed stout ribbed bulbs up to 4 in (10 cm) tall. There are 2 or 3 apical, broad, plicate glossy leaves. picture The flowers are 6-7 cm long, with reflexed sepals and a typical complex lip. The scent is pleasant, of sweet cocoa, but only by day. picture I consulted various resources to identify the species but finally resorted to showing the following detailed images to specialist Rudolf Jenny who kindly confirmed that it is Gga. pleiochroma. I suggest having detailed images like the following to obtain an ID. Michael MacConaill, is credited as photographer.
Following are some interesting species to consider. Please bear in mind that species names are as they appeared when photographed. Gongora claviodora (Central America, Columbia) bears relatively few clove-scented blooms from pendant inflorescences in spring. Gongora galeata (Mexico) is a compact and variably colored species having short ribbed paseudobulbs and up to 20 yellow-orange-brown, orange-scented, strongly incurved blooms. Actually, it is the pedicel and ovary that are curved. Column is surrounded by the dorsal sepal. Gongora quinquenervis (tropical South America, Central America, Mexico and Trinidad) is a highly variable species having long spikes of colorful scented blooms. The lobed lip has a pointed epichile and elongate hair-like projections from the hypochile, a characteristic seen also in related species. Some including Gga. maculata get mixed with this species. Gongora rufescens (Colombia) is a spring-blooming species that bears 10 to 20 brightly colored red brown on yellow flowers with a mostly yellow lip. The epichile is long and pointed. Gongora truncata (Mexico, Honduras) is a compact and distinctive species with blocky yellow/white lips having curved epichiles. Petals and sepals blotched reddish brown on pale ground. There are two color forms: picture Gongora truncata - another color form picture Gongoras are an interesting group for the hobbyist/specialist. Some are compact which means that you can have more of these in a growing area. Others like Gga. pleiochroma produce multiple long spikes which means that you must have plenty of space for these plants to flower, vertically. The formal presentation has ended. Any questions or discussion? Does anyone grow any of the species presented? John_in_Arcadia,_CA MarilyninOttawa Paul barbara_in_no._CA MarilyninOttawa John in Arcadia MarilyninOttawa John in Arcadia MarilyninOttawa N_Calif_Kathy
MarilyninOttawa
Jade_in_GR MarilyninOttawa EDDIE_IN_GA Jade_in_GR MarilyninOttawa Jade_in_GR MarilyninOttawa end |
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Prechat Handout The genus Gongora Gongora is a neotropical genus of some 50 species. It belongs to the subtribe Stanhopeinae which includes such genera as Acineta, Coryanthes, Paphinia, Peristeria, Polycycnis and Stanhopea. There have been a number of primary hybrids and at least one intergeneric hybrid between Gongora and Polycycnis. Members of the Stanhopeinae have often complex and scented flowers. The odors attract male bees (Euglossa sp.) which enact pollination. Gongora pleiochroma can have a light chocolate fragrance but this is a highly variable species where some specimens may have a more floral fragrance bouquet. Gongora grossa often has a less pleasant fishy or musty odor. Gongoras have stout egg-shaped to conical pseudobulbs that can be smooth to strongly ribbed. Leaves are lancelike to somewhat broad, pleated, thin to leathery, in twos or sometimes three atop each pseudobulb. Pendant inflorescences arise from the base of pseudobulbs. There can be 10 to more than 40 blooms on up to meter-long sprays. Each bloom is carried on a long pedicel subtended by a bract. Some species bloom seasonally while others can be counted on to produce some flowers year round. Flower color varies from cream to yellow, orange or brown, often with contrasting spots and blotches. Color and pattern are highly variable in most species so caution must be exercised when using this characteristic for identification. The lip may not look like a typical orchid lip at first glance. It is fleshy, blocky to oval with an extended point which may extend outwards or curve inwards. To orient the flower for examination, first identify the column which is generally the lowermost projection of a pendant bloom. Sometimes the dorsal sepal cups around the column as in Gga. armeniaca. Opposite the column is the fleshy lip consisting of three parts: the hypochile (closest to the interior of the bloom), the mesochile or middle part, and the epichile or outer most part. The shape and structure of the lip are most important in the identification of Gongoras. When attempting pollination, check out the structures before attempting the task. Close examination of the column tip reveals the anther cap which can be readily dislodged. Beneath can be found the pollinarium which consists of two yellowish lobes (pollen), a prominent stipe and viscidium (sticky disc). Just below the anther is the opening to the stigma. This can be slit-like and difficult to see. Many Gongoras are self-compatible. Flowers last only a few days to a week. Pollination of fresh blooms produces large cylindrical fruits that mature in about 60 days. Seeds germinate on a range of media and seedlings grow quickly. It is possible to have blooming seedlings in three to four years. Given the pendant nature of the inflorescences, all but the smallest seedlings should be raised in baskets of bark, coconut husk chips, or a mixture thereof. Plants grow quickly so overpotting is rarely an issue. Water and feed during periods of active growth. Provide bright filtered light and intermediate temperature. Some species tolerate cool conditions but too much heat seems not to be tolerated. Gongora armeniaca (Central America) brightly colored red brown on yellow with a mostly yellow lip. The epichile is long and pointed. Gongora galeata (Mexico) is a compact and variably colored species having short ribbed paseudobulbs and up to 20 yellow-orange-brown strongly incurved blooms. Actually, it is the pedicel and ovary that are curved. Column is surrounded by the dorsal sepal. Gongora pleiochroma (Caribbean basin) highly variable and widely distributed. Reflexed sepals and complex lip. Two or three leaves on elongate ribbed pseudobulbs. Gongora truncata (Mexico, Honduras) distinctive blocky yellow/white lip with curved epichile. Petals and sepals blotched reddish brown on pale ground. References: |
