The 52 species of the genus Lycaste (excluding Sudamerlycaste) grow epiphytically, but also lithophytically and terrestrially. Their distribution extends throughout Central America, South America and the Caribbean and they grow at altitudes from 500 to 2800 metres. They bear flat, deciduous leaves with short, ovate, thick, ribbed pods with 2 or 3 thin, strongly veined, apical leaves with leaf sheaths at the base, from which a lateral inflorescence develops, which in most species consists of several inflorescences at the base of the pod with a single flower. The flowers are large and almost always fragrant. A moist, shady site with plenty of water and fertiliser is required while the plant is growing; when the leaves start to yellow and fall off, watering needs to be reduced and temperatures need to drop to ensure good flowering.
Lycaste was a Greek nymph and daughter of Priam, king of the Trojans.
In 2002, Fredy ARCHILA (a botanist from Guatemala) elevated a section of the genus Lycaste to generic status, and named it Sudamerlycaste. This genus comprises about 45 species from South America and the Caribbean islands, Sudamerlycaste andreettae (syn. Lycaste andreettae) was chosen as the type species.
The Mexican and Central American species remained in the genus Lycaste. In 2003 OAKELEY & RYAN published this group under the name Ida. However, since they used the former Lycaste andreettae as type species - as well as ARCHILA before - this genus name is illegitimate.
The differences between Lycaste and Sudamerlycaste lie mainly in the design of their lips. Thus the flowers of the genus Sudamerlycaste, in contrast to Lycaste, have more or less fringed lip margins and are thus quite easy to distinguish from the remaining Lycaste species.
The 52 species of the genus Lycaste (excluding Sudamerlycaste ) grow epiphytically, but also lithophytically and terrestrially. Their distribution extends throughout Central America, South...
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The 52 species of the genus Lycaste (excluding Sudamerlycaste) grow epiphytically, but also lithophytically and terrestrially. Their distribution extends throughout Central America, South America and the Caribbean and they grow at altitudes from 500 to 2800 metres. They bear flat, deciduous leaves with short, ovate, thick, ribbed pods with 2 or 3 thin, strongly veined, apical leaves with leaf sheaths at the base, from which a lateral inflorescence develops, which in most species consists of several inflorescences at the base of the pod with a single flower. The flowers are large and almost always fragrant. A moist, shady site with plenty of water and fertiliser is required while the plant is growing; when the leaves start to yellow and fall off, watering needs to be reduced and temperatures need to drop to ensure good flowering.
Lycaste was a Greek nymph and daughter of Priam, king of the Trojans.
In 2002, Fredy ARCHILA (a botanist from Guatemala) elevated a section of the genus Lycaste to generic status, and named it Sudamerlycaste. This genus comprises about 45 species from South America and the Caribbean islands, Sudamerlycaste andreettae (syn. Lycaste andreettae) was chosen as the type species.
The Mexican and Central American species remained in the genus Lycaste. In 2003 OAKELEY & RYAN published this group under the name Ida. However, since they used the former Lycaste andreettae as type species - as well as ARCHILA before - this genus name is illegitimate.
The differences between Lycaste and Sudamerlycaste lie mainly in the design of their lips. Thus the flowers of the genus Sudamerlycaste, in contrast to Lycaste, have more or less fringed lip margins and are thus quite easy to distinguish from the remaining Lycaste species.
