Tolumnia variegata | |
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Illustration of Tolumnia variegata | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Orchidaceae |
Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
Genus: | Tolumnia |
Species: | T. variegata
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Binomial name | |
Tolumnia variegata (Sw.) Braem
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Synonyms[2] | |
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Tolumnia variegata, commonly known as the harlequin dancing-lady orchid or variegated oncidium in English and as angelito or angelitos in Spanish, is a species of orchid native to the Caribbean.[1]
T. variegata is native to the Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman), Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.[1] It inhabits both moist and dry forests at all but the highest elevations, and is the most widespread member of the genus Tolumnia.[3]
T. variegata is a stoloniferous plant with flattened pseudobulbs. Plants are variable in size. The leaves are long with a pointed tip, measuring approximately 12 cm (4.7 in) long and 1.5 cm (0.59 in) wide. The inflorescence grows to 40 cm (16 in) long, bearing up to 30 flowers.[4] The flowers are highly variable in size, shape, and colouration, but are usually white (sometimes pink) with a yellow column and brown to purple spots on the labellum.[5]
T. variegata is an epiphyte that grows on the branches of trees and shrubs, including calabash, guava, citrus, and coffee plants. Flowering occurs in spring and fall.[3]