Sarcochilus

Taxobox
name = "Sarcochilus"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Asparagales
familia = Orchidaceae
subfamilia = Higher Epidendroideae
tribus = Vandeae
subtribus = Aeridinae
alliance = "Phalaenopsis"
genus = "Sarcochilus"
genus_authority = R. Br.
type_species = "Sarcochilus falcatus"
type_species_authority = R. Br.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
See text

synonyms =
*"Gunnia" Lindl.
*"Parasarcochilus" Dockrill
*"Monanthochilus" (Schltr.) R.Rice

The genus "Sarcochilus", abbreviated as Sarco in horticultural trade, is a member of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae), consisting of 25 species endemic to Northern Australia, Eastern Australia, Tasmania and New Caledonia.

The name Sarcochilus is derived from the Greek words sarx ( = flesh) and cheilos ( = lip), referring to the fleshy labellum of these orchids.

The genus Sarcochilus is shown to be non-monophyletic cite journal | author=Topik Hidayat, Tomohisa Yukawa and Motomi Ito| title=Molecular phylogenetics of subtribe Aeridinae (Orchidaceae): insights from plastid matK and nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences| journal=Journal of Plant Research| month=August | year=2005| volume=118| issue=4| pages=271–284| doi=10.1007/s10265-005-0217-3]

These are epiphytic or lithophytic orchids with leaves originating from a pseudobulb. The axillary, racemose inflorescence is pendant to arching with a few to many, successive opening flowers with free petals and sepals. The colour of the flowers is variable and goes from pure white ("S. falcatus") to white and red ("S. fitzgeraldii)". The trilobed, fleshy labellum is saccate ( = pouch-like) and articulate to the apex of the column foot. The large side lobes are erect and curved. The small midlobe is attached to a short spur. Some of these species can form keikis, forming large clumps with age.

Many species have become endangered or vulnerable, due to illegal collecting.

Species

*"Sarcochilus aequalis" D.L.Jones et M.A.Clem., 1991
*"Sarcochilus australis" (Lindl.) Rchb.f. in Walp., 1861 Butterfly Orchid
*"Sarcochilus borealis" (Nicholls) M.A.Clem.et D.L.Jones, 1989
*"Sarcochilus ceciliae" F.Muell., 1865 Fairy Bells (mostly a lithophyte)
*"Sarcochilus chrysanthus" Schltr., 1913
*"Sarcochilus dilatatus" F.Muell., 1859 Brown Butterfly Orchid (epiphyte)
*"Sarcochilus falcatus" R.Br., 1810 Orange Blossom Orchid (epiphyte)
*"Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii" F.Muell., 1870 Ravine Orchid (mainly lithophytic)
*"Sarcochilus gildasii" N.Hallé, 1986
*"Sarcochilus hartmannii" F.Muell., 1874 Hartmann's Orchid (almost completely lithophytic)
*"Sarcochilus hillii" (F.Muell.) F.Muell, 1860
**"Sarcochilus hillii" var. "hillii".
**"Sarcochilus hillii" var. "thycolus" N.Hallé, 1986
*"Sarcochilus hirticalcar" (Dockrill) M.A.Clem. et B.J.Wallace, 1989
*"Sarcochilus iboensis" Schltr., 1913
*"Sarcochilus koghiensis" Schltr., 1911
*"Sarcochilus odoratus" Schltr., 1913
*"Sarcochilus olivaceous" Lindl., 1839
*"Sarcochilus parviflorus" Lindl. in Edwards’s, 1838
*"Sarcochilus ramuanus" (Kraenzl.) Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach, 1905
*"Sarcochilus rarus" Schltr., 1906
*"Sarcochilus roseus" (Clemesha) Clemesha, 1969 (true lithophyte)
*"Sarcochilus serrulatus" D.L.Jones, 1972
*"Sarcochilus spathulatus" R.S.Rogers, 1927
*"Sarcochilus tricalliatus" (Rupp) Rupp, 1951
*"Sarcochilus uniflorus" Schltr., 1913
*"Sarcochilus weinthalii" F.M.Bailey, 1903 Blotched Sarcophilus (epiphyte)

Hybrids

The species "S. falcatus", "S. fitzgeraldii" and "S. hartmannii" have been hybridized, often with "S. australis", producing rounder, cherry-red flowers. A few examples are : S.. Fitzhart (hartmannii x fitzgeraldii), S. Tin Yin Lara (Melody x fitzgeraldii), S. Southern Cross (hartmannii x australis) and S.. Otways Sunset (Fitzhart x australis).

Intrageneric hybrids include:

*x "Aeridochilus" ("Aerides" x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Gastrosarcochilus " ("Gastrochilus" x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Luichilus" ("Luisia" x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Malcolmcampbellara" ("Drymoanthus" x "Plectorrhiza" x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Parachilus " ("Parasarcochilus" x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Plectochilus" ("Plectorrhiza" x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Pomatochilus" ("Pomatocalpa" x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Porterara " ("Rhynchostylis" x "Sarcochilus" x "Vanda")
*x "Rhinochilus" ("Rhinerrhiza" x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Sarcocentrum " ("Ascocentrum " x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Sarcomoanthus" ("Sarcochilus" x "Drymoanthus")
*x "Sarconopsis" ("Phalaenopsis" x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Sarcorhiza " ("Rhinerrhiza " x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Sarcothera" ("Renanthera" x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Sarcovanda" ("Sarchilus" x "Vanda")
*x "Sartylis" ("Rhynchostylis" x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Sladeara" ("Doritis" x "Phalaenopsis" x "Sarcochilus")
*x "Uptonara" ("Phalaenopsis" x "Rhynchostylis" x "Sarcochilus")

Notes

References

*cite book | title=Sarcochilus Orchids of Australia| last=Upton| first=Walter T.| year=1992| pages=119 p.| publisher=Double U Orchids, Balmain| id=ISBN 0646097342