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Gongora

For the Spanish poet, see Luis de Góngora. For others with this name, see Góngora (surname).

Gongora, abbreviated Gga in horticultural trade, is a member of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It consists of 65 species known from Central America, Trinidad, and tropical South America, with most species found in Colombia. They grow across a wide geographical range, from wet forests at sea level, to mountainous regions in the Andes, as high as 1,800 m.

Gongora
Gongora latisepala
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Cymbidieae
Subtribe: Stanhopeinae
Genus: Gongora
Ruiz & Pav. (1794)
Species

See text

Synonyms

Acropera Lindl.

The name comes from Antonio Caballero y Gongora, a viceroy of New Granada (Colombia and Ecuador) and the governor of Peru during the Ruiz and Pavón botanical expedition.[1]

Gongora was one of the first orchids described by a European.[citation needed] Several new Gongora orchids have been discovered in the 2000s-2010s, whilst many others have been re-grouped under different classifications. Yet there is still some confusion; Many species lack "appropriate" descriptions. Some species, such as Gongora portentosa and Gongora superflua, are extremely isolated in population. DNA fingerprinting will, in time, contribute to an exact taxonomy of this genus.

All species in this genus are epiphytes, with a sympodial growth. The white aerial roots are very thin, growing in a dense mound. Some roots will travel, seeking out additional anchoring and nutrients, growing vertically/sideways rather than simply hanging down. This specialisation helps in forming the anchorage of the plant to its "host" tree.

Many of these orchids are found in association with ant nests; the ants are, in turn, attracted to nectar droplets from the plant, as well as any pest insects (aphid, mealybug, etc.) that may be present on the orchid. However, the ants do not prey on these pests; the bugs suck sap from the orchid (or any plant), and ultimately create waste excrement in the form of a "sweet" liquid, referred to as honeydew. Ants find this addicting; they will meticulously maintain the pest insect's population by caring for them, and guarding them, on the orchid plant. Whenever an ant is fatigued, they will simply approach an aphid/mealybug and "tap" its abdomen, communicating they are ready to "feed".[2]

The conical pseudobulbs are ridged and are about 8 cm long. In some species, such as Gongora similis, the pseudobulb can produce up to six inflorescences in succession. Two alternate leaves originate from the end of each pseudobulb. The leaves are rather leathery and heavily veined, growing to a length of about 30 cm.

The racemose inflorescence grows from the base of the pseudobulbs. The stem first grows upright, but bends early in development and becomes pendulous. The numerous flowers hang upside down, with the lip upwards. The almost circularly bent pedicels are characteristic of this genus. There are two lateral sepals and one dorsal sepal. The blooms of several species are waxy. The flowers of many species have distinctive fragrances. Some smell like unburned candle wax, others like nutmeg, cardamom, or cinnamon. The pollinia are superposed on a stipe (a cellular pollinium stalk), which is held by a viscid disc.

The genus is closely related to Cirrhaea. For other relatives see also Stanhopeinae & Coeliopsidinae.

Species

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According to Rod Rice in Infragen. Rev. Gen. Gongora (2002, 2003) the genus Gongora can be classified into subgenera and sections as follows:

Subgenus Gongora

  • Section Aceras with four species
  • Section Gongora with about 30-33 species [G. atropurpurea, G. catilligera, G. latisepala, G. odoratissima, G. rufescens]
  • Section Gratulabunda with four species
  • Section Grossa with five species
  • Section Truncata with nine species [G. charontis, G. dressleri,G. longipes, G. tracyana]

Subgenus Portentosa

  • one section with at least five species [G. escobariana, G. garayana, G. portentosa, G. sanderiana]

Subgenus Acropera

  • Section Acropera with one species
  • Section Armeniaca with two species and one to two subspecies
  • Section Cassidea with four species [G. amparoana, G. cassidea, G. galeata, G. tridentata]
 
Gongora galeata
 
Gongora leucochila
 
Gongora maculata
 
Gongora quinquenervis

Intergeneric hybrids

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  • Houllora (Gongora × Houlletia) Orchid Review, 108(1234): new orchid hybrids 15 (2000), IPNI ID#: 1014858-1
  • Gonginia (Gongora × Paphinia) Sander's List Orchid Hybrids Addendum 2002-2004. xxxiv. 2005 (20 May 2005), IPNI ID: 77068862-1
  • Polygora (Gongora × Polycyncis) Orchid Review, 108(1234): new orchid hybrids 15 (2000), IPNI ID#: 1014858-1
  • Stangora (Gongora × Stanhopea) Orchid Review, 92(1091): centre page pull-out p. 8 (1984), IPNI ID#: 893423-1

References

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  1. ^ The botanic garden Benjamin Maund - 1824 Page 95 "The name Gongora was adopted after a Spaniard of this name, a friend of Mutis"
  2. ^ "Deep Look: Aphids". YouTube. 9 March 2021.
  • Jenny, Rudolf 1993. Monograph of the genus Gongora Ruiz & Pavón
  • W. Mark Whitten, Norris H. Williams and Mark W. Chase Subtribal and generic relationships of Maxillarieae (Orchidaceae) with emphasis on Stanhopeinae: combined molecular evidence, American Journal of Botany. 2000;87:1842-1856
  • International Plant Names Index (IPNI)
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