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Catasetum Orchid
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Catasetum Orchid

Catasetum

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
Related

Basic Details

NameCatasetum Orchid
DescriptionRemarkable orchid genus famous for extreme sexual dimorphism, producing dramatically different male, female, and sometimes hermaphroditic flowers on the same or different plants. Male flowers are large, showy, and feature an explosive pollination mechanism that forcefully ejects pollen onto visiting bees. Native to Central and South America, these deciduous orchids shed their leaves during dry season dormancy and produce spectacular blooms that fascinate orchid enthusiasts worldwide.
FamilyOrchidaceae
GenusCatasetum
TribeCymbidieae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula↓ ⚥ P3+3 A1 G(3)

Zygomorphic (bilateral symmetry), Bisexual (though flowers are functionally unisexual - male or female), 6 tepals in 2 whorls of 3 (3 sepals + 3 petals with modified lip), 1 stamen fused with style into column, 3 fused carpels with inferior ovary

Features
  • Etymology: Genus name 'Catasetum' from Greek 'kata' (downward) and 'seta' (bristle), referring to two horn-like antennae on column. About 150-200 Catasetum species. Discovered by botanists who initially classified male and female flowers as separate species due to extreme differences. Related to Cycnoches and Mormodes orchids
  • Unique Characteristics: Extreme sexual dimorphism - male flowers large (2-4 inches/5-10 cm), colorful, complex with prominent lip and antennae. Female flowers smaller (1-2 inches/2.5-5 cm), green, simpler structure. Hermaphroditic flowers intermediate. Male flowers have explosive pollination - when bee touches trigger antenna, pollinarium shoots out and sticks to bee's back. Bee then avoids male flowers and visits females, ensuring cross-pollination. Environmental factors (light, water) influence flower sex
  • Plant Type & Blooming: Epiphytic deciduous orchid with sympodial growth (horizontal rhizome produces new growths). Blooms during or after dry season (varies by species, typically fall-winter). Male flowers last 1-2 weeks, females 3-6 weeks. Sheds leaves during dormancy, relies on pseudobulbs for water/nutrients. New growth emerges with rainy season
  • Size, Lifespan & Propagation: Height: 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) with leaves. Pseudobulbs: 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall, spindle or cigar-shaped. Spread: 12-18 inches (30-45 cm). Lifespan: 10-20+ years. Propagation: division of pseudobulbs (every 3-4 years), backbulbs. Fast-growing during wet season. First bloom 3-5 years from seedling
  • Native Region & Distribution: Native to Central and South America from Mexico to Brazil, including Caribbean. Found in tropical rainforests, cloud forests, and seasonally dry forests at elevations sea level to 6,000 feet (1,800 m). Grows epiphytically on tree branches and trunks. Wide distribution across Amazon basin, Andes foothills, and Central American highlands
  • Climate & Growing Conditions: Requires bright light (2,500-3,500 foot-candles), some direct sun. Warm to intermediate temperatures: growing season 75-85°F (24-29°C) days, 65-70°F (18-21°C) nights. Dormancy: cooler, drier 60-70°F (15-21°C). Humidity: 60-80% during growth, 40-50% dormancy. Heavy watering/fertilizing during growth (spring-fall), minimal water during dormancy (winter). Grow in baskets or mounted. Needs distinct wet/dry seasons to thrive and bloom

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificCatasetum
English (Alternate)Jumping Orchid, Trigger Orchid, and Male-Female Orchid
Hindiकैटासेटम ऑर्किड (Kaitāseṭam Orkiḍ)
Tamilகுதிக்கும் ஆர்க்கிட் (Kutikkum Ārkiṭ)
Teluguదూకే ఆర్కిడ్ (Dūkē Ārikiḍ)
Malayalamകാറ്റസെറ്റം ഓർക്കിഡ് (Kāṟṟaseṟṟaṁ Ōrkiḍ)
Kannadaಕ್ಯಾಟಸೆಟಂ ಆರ್ಕಿಡ್ (Kyāṭaseṭaṁ Ārkiḍ)
Sanskritप्रक्षेपपुष्पम् (Prakṣepapuṣpam)
Bengaliক্যাটাসেটাম অর্কিড (Kyāṭāseṭāma arkiḍa)
Frenchorchidée catasetum
Russianкатасетум (katasetum)
Spanishorquídea catasetum
GermanCatasetum-Orchidee

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.