Campylocentrum

Bent-spur orchids
Temporal range: 8.21 –0 Ma Late Miocene – Recent
Campylocentrum fasciola (Lindl.) Cogn.
Flowering specimen of Campylocentrum grisebachii Cogn.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Vandeae
Subtribe: Angraecinae
Genus: Campylocentrum
Benth.
Type species
Campylocentrum schiedei
(Rchb.f.) Benth. ex Hemsl.
Synonyms
  • Todaroa A.Rich. & Galeotti

Campylocentrum is a genus of rare orchids (family Orchidaceae) native to Mexico, the West Indies, Central America and South America. One species (C. pachyrrhizum) extends its range into Florida.

Campylocentrum micranthum with numerous seed capsules
Flowering specimen of Campylocentrum crassirhizum

Ecology

Pollination

Campylocentrum is likely pollinated by small moths and bees, in addition to flies, which may play a smaller role.

Species

As of December 2025, Plants of the World Online accepts the following 78 species:

Horticulture

Campylocentrum is uncommon in cultivation. It can be grown mounted on bark under moist conditions. The species with functional leaves should be grown with additional moss, while the leafless species should be grown without it.

References

  1. ↑ Pessoa, E. M., Viruel, J., Alves, M., Bogarin, D., Whitten, W. M., & Chase, M. W. (2018). Evolutionary history and systematics of Campylocentrum (Orchidaceae: Vandeae: Angraecinae): a phylogenetic and biogeographical approach. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 186(2), 158-178.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Campylocentrum Benth". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  3. ↑ Flora of North America, v 26 p 620, Campylocentrum pachyrrhizum
  4. 1 2 Bogarín Chaves, D. G. (2010). "Revisión taxonómica del género Campylocentrum (Orchidaceae: Angraecinae) en Costa Rica."
  5. ↑ Northen, R. (1996). "Miniature Orchids and How to Grow Them." p. 48. Dover Publications.