Chysis

Chysis
Chysis laevis, Illustration.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Epidendroideae
Tribe:	Epidendreae
Subtribe:	Chysinae[1]
Alliance:	Chysis
Genus:	Chysis Lindl.

Chysis is a genus of orchids (family Orchidaceae), consisting of about 5 species which originate from Mexico to Peru. Only two or three of these are commonly found in cultivation. The genus is abbreviated Chy in trade journals.

The genus Thorvaldsenia Liebm. is generally included into Chysis.

Description

The genus is typified by elongate, spindle-shaped, usually pendulous pseudobulbs of several internodes, which may be fat or slender, depending on the species. The leaves tend to be quite soft and papery, strongly ribbed and long. The leaves can take a good deal more light than is apparent from their thickness. This genus also tends to be partially deciduous, though leaves are often retained for two years.

The inflorescences are multi-flowered and arise from the base of the pseudobulb with the new growth. Flower colour tends to range from white (as in Chysis bractescens) to orange-yellow (as in Chysis aurea and Chysis laevis), and the pollinia often tend to be fused (hence the genus name Chysis which is Greek for "melting").

Chysis are epiphytic and grow under shady and damp conditions up to 1000 meters elevation. The plants should be grown under intermediate conditions, generally mounted due to their pendulous habit, though some species adapt well to pot culture. The plants are greedy should be watered and fed heavily while they are in active growth, though rather less once the seasons growth is completed. They should never be allowed to completely dry out, however, even during the rest period, and the pseudobulbs should never be seen to shrivel.

List of species

• Chysis addita Dressler 2000
• Chysis aurea Lindl. 1837
• Chysis bractescens Lindl. 1840
• Chysis bruennowiana Rchb.f. & Warsz. 1857
• Chysis laevis Lindl. 1840
• Chysis limminghei Linden & Rchb.f. 1858
• Chysis orichalcea Dressler 2000
• Chysis pluricostata Dressler 2006
• Chysis tricostata Schltr. 1922
• Chysis violacea Dressler 2003

References

1. ^ C. Van den Berg "Artificial key to the subtribes of Epidendreae" in Pridgeon, Crib, Chase & Rasmussen, Eds.Genera Orchidacearum Volume 4 Epidendroideae (Part one) p. 164. Oxford University Press, 2005