Cymbidium Species
Stephen Early

Cymbidium bicolor

This species has 3 distinct subspecies, bicolor, pubescens and obtusum. It again has pendulous racemes which grow as the flower opens. It has very thick rigid leaves typical of this species. The flower scape is 10-72 cm long with between 5 and 26, 2.5-4.5cm lightly fruit scented flowers.

Culture

We grow and flower this plant in Melbourne in a heated glasshouse with a minimum of 12 C. Under these conditions we find it easy to grow and flower. It flowers between January and March for us.

Habitat

In the forks and hollows of large branches and tree trunks, usually in the open forest in partial shade provided by the leaf canopy.

Distribution

Sri Lanka, India, S China, Indo-China, W Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Sabah, Celebes, Philippines. 0 - 1500m.

subspecies bicolor
Sri Lanka, S India

subspecies obtusum - This is now known as Cymbidium crassifolium
Nepal, N India, Bhutan, S W China, Burma, Indo-China

subspecies pubescens
W Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes, Philippines

Synonyms and other names.

C. alifolium sensu

subspecies obtusum - This is now known as Cymbidium crassifolium
C. crassifolium, C. mannii, C. pendulum sensu, C. flaccidum, C. bicolor sensu

subspecies pubescens
C. alifolium sensu, C. pubescens, C. alifolium var. pubescens, C. celebicum

Primary Hybrids

bicolor x aloifolium = Burma Star
bicolor x ensifolium = Yin-Chee
ensifolium x bicolor = Summer Aroma
madidum x bicolor = Jim Duffin
tracyanum x bicolor = Larry Bussell