Orchid Definitions
What’s in a name? Plenty of information! Orchid labels tell us about the "family tree"…it’s parentage. Just as humans carry dominant characteristics or genes from either side of your family, so it is with our orchids. The labels help us to understand what kind of orchid it is and specific traits. Such information is helpful when learning cultural pointers.
The act of naming orchids is a complex system based on families, tribes, subtribes, genera, etc. Taxonomists and botanists are the specialists in this field. Latin is the language of scientists. My discussion this month is of a more basic level - to provide you with a general understanding of what your orchid labels mean.
Generally, an orchid label consists of two names or words. The first, is the name of the genus. Genus is a grouping of similar type orchids with common characteristics. The first word is usually printed in italics (because it is a foreign language, Latin) and begins with a capital letter.
-
Phalaenopsis or Cattleya
The second name is the specific name or species. A genus is divided into species. Species names are also in italics and are in lower case point. The species name can denote specific characteristics: where a plant originates, a specific color, or appearance.
-
Maxillaria tenufolia or Brassavola nodosa
or Sophrinitis coccinea or Laelia purpurata
Quite often, orchids in a species share certain traits that sets them apart from the other species. However, this difference is not significant enough to warrant categorizing them with a different species name. These particular plants are called varieties. ( I warned you…it gets much more complex!). Varietal species are designated by var. on the label.
-
Miltonia spectabilis var. alba
Laelia purpurata var. carnea
The flower of the Miltonia spectabilis var. alba looks like other Miltonia spectabilis flowers, however, this is a predominantly white flower. Others may be white with pink or a dark rose color, which are also varietals. Growers will use certain outstanding varietal forms and cultivate them, which means propagating these specific orchids to keep this strain ongoing. Thus, the characteristic that caught the attention of the grower will continue through propagation. This clone is a cultivar variety and the grower will name these plants accordingly.
-
Miltonia spectabilis var. alba ‘Snow’
Hybridized plants are labeled differently. The names of the orchids generally are not latinized. Hybrids are given a name by the grower and applies to all the hybrid seedlings. This group name begins with a capital letter and is not italicized. For a hybrid to be official, it must be registered with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). If the plant is a special plant, it will have a cultivar name as well. This part of the name is in single quotation marks and is always capitalized.
-
Phal. Bamboo Baby ‘Coqui’
Orchid labels also indicate whether plants are crossed with plants in other genera. Knowing this kind of information will assist you in determining the proper growing conditions for your plant. Your tag may indicate: BLC. Orange Nugget. The label tells you it is a hybrid and crossed with several genera.
-
Blc. = Brassolaeliacattleya (Brassavola x Laelia x Cattleya)
Ascda. = Ascocenda (Ascocentrum x Vanda)
Lc. = Laeliacattleya (Laelia x Cattleya)
Some of these intergereric crosses are given completely new and separate names than the examples above.
-
Potinera = (Brassavola x Cattleya x Laelia x Sophrinits)
Christieara = (Aerides x Ascocentrum x Vanda)
Plant tags may display the names of two hybrid crosses.
-
Phal. Kaala Moon x Phal. Taisuco Kochdian
Growers frequently list the parentage of a hybrid.
-
BL. Yellow Bird (Richard Mueller x Brassavola nodosa)
This plant takes a hybrid and is crossed with the species.
Lastly, your plant name may end with a series of letters ( AM/AOS, HCC/HOS).
-
Ascda. Princess Mikasa ‘Indigo’ AM/AOS
This example indicates it is a hybrid, a cultivar, and an awarded plant. The letters designate an awarded plant (AM, HCC) and by which orchid society awarded the plant (AOS, HOS). Awards are based on a point system.
-
AOS = American Orchid Society
HOS = Hawaiian Orchid Society
RHS = Royal Horticultural Society
FCC = First Class Certificate ( Highest Award)
AM = Award of Merit ( Next Highest)
HCC = Highly Commended Certificate
Much information is gleaned from your plant labels. Labels tell us what kind of orchid it is (which genus), whether it is a species or a hybrid. This in turn provides clues to basic growing habits. This information allows us to choose genera that are suitable to our environment. You will learn which genus is best for you. Some like more sun, more shade, drier conditions, cooler temperatures, etc. The genus is your first clue. Orchid names also tell us its parentage. Catalogs, books and printed material can utilize italics. It is difficult to print (manually) in italics, so the plant labels in your pots will not be italicized. However, using the your new knowledge, you will decipher if it is a hybrid or a species.
Yes, it does take time to learn the intricacies of naming orchids, but you already learned the basics! The rest will follow. So take note of your orchid labels and soon you will be "speaking in Latin tongues!"