Grammatophyllum Blume, 1825 is a genus of 11 orchid species in tribe Cymbidieae, subtribe Cyrtopodiinae.

The name is derived from the Greek words 'gramma' (letter) and 'phyllon' (leaf), referring to the dark markings in the flower.

This epiphytic genus occurs in dense rainforest from Indo-China, to Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, and SW Pacific islands.

The species produce several racemes, arising from the base of the pseudobulb, with many yellow-green to olive-green, waxy flowers with dark purplish-red marks. The pseudobulbs are enveloped by sheaths.

These are medium-sized to very large orchids, including the Giant Orchid (Grammatophyllum speciosum), believed to be the largest orchid species in existence. Its pseudobulbs can grow to a length of 2.5 m. Plants can develop into gigantic clusters weighing from several hundred kilograms to one ton! The roots form spectacular bundles.

The more modest Bell Orchid (Grammatophyllum scriptum) is another well-known species, with pseudobulbs of 20cm, from which originate 3 to 4 stout leaves with a length of 1 m.

Grammatophyllum multiflorum is one of the longest-blooming orchids in existence: it can be in bloom for nine months. See also Dendrobium cuthbertsonii, whose flowers have been reported to last up to ten months each.

Grammatophyllum 'Tiger's paw' is a hybrid from G. elegans and G. scriptum.

Species

• Grammatophyllum elegans (Fiji).
• Grammatophyllum fenzlianum (Maluku (Ambon).
• Grammatophyllum kinabaluense (N. Borneo).
• Grammatophyllum martae (Philippines ) - not validly published
• Grammatophyllum measuresianum (Philippines).
• Grammatophyllum multiflorum (Philippines).
• Grammatophyllum rumphianum (Borneo, Maluku).
• Grammatophyllum schmidtianum (Marianas).
• Grammatophyllum scriptum : Bell Orchid (Malaysia to SW. Pacific).
  • Grammatophyllum scriptum var. boweri (Papuasia to Santa Cruz Is.)Hemicr. or cham.
  • Grammatophyllum scriptum var. scriptum (Malaysia to SW. Pacific). Hemicr. or cham.
• Grammatophyllum speciosum : Giant Orchid, Tiger Orchid, Queen of Orchids (Indo-China to Solomon Is.) - type species
• Grammatophyllum stapeliiflorum (Malaysia to New Guinea).

See Also

• Orchidaceae
• Taxonomy of the Orchid family

External link

Photos of the Giant Orchid (http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/9686/giantorchid.htm)