Epidendrum

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Epidendrum (often shortened to Epi in horticulture) is a large group of neotropical orchids. It includes about 1,500 to 2,000 species, making it one of the biggest orchid groups.

What the name means and where they live
- The name comes from Greek and means “upon trees,” reflecting many species’ habit of growing on other plants. But not all Epidendrum species are epiphytic; some grow on the ground or on rocks.
- They are native to the Americas, from North America to Argentina, in a wide range of habitats: humid jungles, dry forests, sunny grassy slopes, cool cloud forests, and even sandy beaches. Many grow in the Andes at elevations of 1,000–3,000 meters.

What they look like and how they grow
- Epidendrum plants can be epiphytic (on trees), terrestrial (on soil), or lithophytic (on rocks). They often form tufts with dense flower clusters.
- Flowers are usually small to medium in size and may be very fragrant. Fruits are ellipsoid capsules with three ribs.
- Some species are easy to grow in a rich, well-drained mix with a bit of sand. Others, especially high-elevation kinds, can be hard to cultivate outside their natural habitat.

Popular species and cultivation
- Some widely grown Epidendrum species include E. nocturnum (famous for its night fragrance), E. ibaguense (showy flowers), E. cinnabarinum, and E. radicans.
- They typically prefer cool to intermediate or warm conditions, depending on the species. They are sometimes grown in pots, on bark, or mounted on trees or other surfaces.

Taxonomy and hybrids
- Historically, many epiphytic orchids were placed in Epidendrum, which led to confusion. Over time, many related genera were split off, and there are many synonyms.
- Epidendrum readily forms hybrids with other orchids, creating nothogenera such as Epicattleya, Brassoepidendrum, and Vaughnara. Some hybrids are popular in cultivation.

In short, Epidendrum is a diverse and adaptable group of orchids with a wide range of shapes, smells, and growing needs.