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Bryobium

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Bryobium
Illustration by John Nugent Fitch of Bryobium hyacinthoides from Curtis's Botanical Magazine[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Podochileae
Subtribe: Eriinae
Genus: Bryobium
Lindl.[1]
Synonyms[1]

Notheria P.O'Byrne & J.J.Verm.

Bryobium, commonly known as urchin orchids[3] or 藓兰属 (xian lan shu),[4] is a genus of flowering plants in the family Orchidaceae. Orchids in this genus are epiphytic or lithophytic plants with large, fleshy pseudobulbs, each with up to three leathery leaves and small, often hairy flowers. These orchids are found from tropical Asia to northern Australia.

Description

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Orchids in the genus are epiphytic or lithophytic herbs with thread-like roots and relatively large, fleshy pseudobulbs that are usually covered by papery bracts when young. Each pseudobulb has up to three flat, usually leathery leaves. The flowers are usually white, cream-coloured or pinkish, do not open widely and last for up to a few days. The dorsal sepal is free but the lateral sepals are fused to the base of the column. The petals are free from each other and usually smaller than the sepals. The labellum often has three lobes, in which case the side lobes are erect.[3][4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

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The genus Bryobium was first formally described in 1836 by John Lindley who published the description in A natural system of botany, or, A systematic view of the organization, natural affinities, and geographical distribution, of the whole vegetable kingdom.[1][6] The name Bryobium is derived from the Ancient Greek words bryon meaning "moss"[7]: 535  and bios meaning "life",[7]: 478  an apparent reference to the habit of plants in this genus.[5]

Species list

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Bryobium species accepted by the Plants of the World Online as of February 2021:[8]

Distribution and habitat

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Orchids in the genus Bryobium grow on the upper parts of rainforest trees or on rocks and boulders. They occur in China, the Indian subcontinent, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Peninsula Malaysia, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Christmas island, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Queensland, Australia and New Caledonia.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Bryobium". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. ^ Prain, David, ed. (1908). "Eria hyacinthoides". Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 134: TAB. 8229. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  3. ^ a b Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 461. ISBN 1877069124.
  4. ^ a b Chen, Xinqi; Luo, Yi-Bo; Wood, Jeffrey J. "Bryobium". Flora of China. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  5. ^ a b D.L.Jones; T.Hopley; S.M.Duffy (2010). "Bryobium". Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids. Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  6. ^ Lindley, John (1836). A natural system of botany, or, A systematic view of the organization, natural affinities, and geographical distribution, of the whole vegetable kingdom (ed. 2). Paternoster Row: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown and Longman. p. 446. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  7. ^ a b Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
  8. ^ "Bryobium". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  • Media related to Bryobium at Wikimedia Commons