epidendrum

/ep'i den"dreuhm/, n.

any of numerous tropical American orchids of the genus Epidendrum, having variously colored, often showy flowers.

[1785-95; < NL; see EPI-, -DENDRON]

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▪ plant genus

 genus of tropical orchids, family Orchidaceae, with about 1,000 species that are distributed from southeastern North America to central South America. Epidendrum species are primarily epiphytic (supported by other plants and having aerial roots exposed to the humid atmosphere), but some grow on rocks or in soil. Flowers are usually borne on a terminal spike.

      Some species have large pseudobulbs (swollen stems) with two or three leathery leaves; other species lack pseudobulbs and have long, thin stems. The only Epidendrum species native to nontropical North America is the greenfly orchid (E. conopseum), which has clusters of purplish-green flowers.

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