Trichocentrum, often abbreviated Trctm in horticulture, is a genus in the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Dancinglady orchid is a common name for plants in this genus. It was described by Stephan Ladislaus Endlicher and Eduard Friedrich Poeppig in 1836. This genus alone makes up the monogeneric Trichocentrum alliance, a quite distinct lineage of the subtribe Oncidiinae.
In 2024, Trichocentrum was expanded to include the genera Grandiphyllum and Saundersia, with the latter two synonymized.
, Plants of the World Online recognized 101 species within this genus (plus some hybrids), distributed in damp forests from Mexico and Florida to Argentina.
Description
The pseudobulbs are reduced. The obtuse, fleshy leaves are 9 cm long. They are broadly elliptic to ovate-lanceolate.
The large, showy flowers grow basally on a short peduncle in a single-flowered to few-flowered raceme. They are white, or white covered with maroon dots. The petals and sepals are similar.
The long lip carries a short spur. This feature distinguishes the genus from other Oncidiinae, in which the spur is an extension of the column. The short column has a pair of apical wings on the stigma. The anther often bears minute papillae. There are two waxy pollinia, connected to elongate stipes.
Taxonomy There is disagreement as to the taxonomic status of some species that were moved from Oncidium to Trichocentrum. Morphological characteristics of "typical" trichocentrums, such as being relatively small and squat with a short, few-to-several flowered inflorescence, contrasts sharply with the larger, heavier oncidiums with long, "mule-ear" leaves and showy, branched inflorescences with many flowers, or the "rat-tail" species with terete leaves.
While studies of molecular phylogeny has caused substantial reclassifications,Williams et al. (2001) it is uncertain whether this new scheme will be widely adopted. As with many plants, hybridisation might heavily confound cladistic analyses, though the exact extent is unknown. Hybridisation of Trichocentrum with Oncidium has resulted in the hybrid genus × Trichocidium for example, and similar events in the past would result in unrealistic assessments of relationship based on molecular phylogenetic studies with too limited a scope.
In 2024, Trichocentrum was expanded to include the genera Grandiphyllum and Saundersia. , the expansion is accepted by Plants of the World Online, but not by other sources, such as the World Flora Online.
Species
, Plants of the World Online accepted the following species and hybrids: Trichocentrum aguirrei (Königer) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum albococcineum Linden Trichocentrum allenii (Kolan. & Szlach.) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum andreanum (Cogn.) R.Jiménez & Carnevali Trichocentrum andrewsiae (R.Jiménez & Carnevali) R.Jiménez & Carnevali Trichocentrum ascendens (Lindl.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum auricula (Vell.) Meneguzzo & M.W.Chase Trichocentrum aurisasinorum (Standl. & L.O.Williams) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum ayacuchense J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum bellanianum (Königer) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum bicallosum (Lindl.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum binotii (Pabst) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum biorbiculare (Balam & Cetzal) R.Jiménez & Solano Trichocentrum brachyceras Schltr. Trichocentrum brachyphyllum (Lindl.) R.Jiménez Trichocentrum brenesii Schltr. Trichocentrum brevicalcaratum C.Schweinf. Trichocentrum caatingaense (Cetzal, V.P.Castro & Marçal) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum caloceras Endrés & Rchb.f. Trichocentrum candidum Lindl. Trichocentrum capistratum Linden & Rchb.f. Trichocentrum × carbonoi (Yepes-Rapelo & Cetzal) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum carthagenense (Jacq.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum cavendishianum (Bateman) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum cayennense (Sambin & Chiron) Meneguzzo & M.W.Chase Trichocentrum cebolleta (Jacq.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum cepula (Hoffmanns.) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum christensonianum (Kolan. & Szlach.) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum chrysops (Rchb.f.) Soto Arenas & R.Jiménez Trichocentrum × cicyi (Cetzal & Carnevali) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum cosymbephorum (C.Morren) R.Jiménez & Carnevali Trichocentrum crispiflorum (Schltr.) Bogarín Trichocentrum × crispiluridum (Cetzal, N.Cash-Arcía & E.Mó) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum croatii (Kolan. & Szlach.) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum croizatii (Cetzal & Carnevali) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum cymbiglossum Pupulin Trichocentrum dianthum Pupulin & Mora-Ret. Trichocentrum divaricatum (Lindl.) Meneguzzo & M.W.Chase Trichocentrum edwallii (Cogn.) Meneguzzo & M.W.Chase Trichocentrum estrellense Pupulin & J.B.García Trichocentrum flavovirens (L.O.Williams) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum × francoi (Cetzal & Carnevali) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum fuscum Lindl. Trichocentrum × haematochilum (Lindl. & Paxton) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum helicanthum (Kraenzl.) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum hians (Lindl.) Meneguzzo & M.W.Chase Trichocentrum hoegei Rchb.f. Trichocentrum ilhagrandense (V.P.Castro & G.F.Carr) Meneguzzo & M.W.Chase Trichocentrum ionopthalmum Rchb.f. Trichocentrum johnii (Oppenheim) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum jonesianum (Rchb.f.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum lacerum (Lindl.) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum lanceanum (Lindl.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum leeanum Rchb.f. Trichocentrum leptotifolium (Cetzal & Carnevali) R.Jiménez & Solano Trichocentrum lindenii (Brongn.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum × lindeoerstedii (Cetzal & Carnevali) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum longicalcaratum Rolfe Trichocentrum longifolium (Lindl.) R.Jiménez Trichocentrum lowii (Rolfe) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum loyolicum Pupulin, Karremans & G.Merino Trichocentrum luridum (Lindl.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum × lurigenense (Cetzal & Carnevali) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum × lurilindenii (Carnevali & Cetzal) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum macrocebolletum (Cetzal & Carnevali) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum margalefii (Hágsater) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum × marvraganii (Lückel) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum micranthum (Kraenzl.) Meneguzzo & M.W.Chase Trichocentrum microchilum (Bateman ex Lindl.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum mirabile (Rchb.f.) Meneguzzo & M.W.Chase Trichocentrum moreniorum Pupulin & Mor.-Pareja Trichocentrum morenoi (Dodson & Luer) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum nanum (Lindl.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum natalieae (Balam & Carnevali) R.Jiménez & Solano Trichocentrum neudeckeri Königer Trichocentrum nudum (Bateman ex Lindl.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum obcordilabium Pupulin Trichocentrum oerstedii (Rchb.f.) R.Jiménez & Carnevali Trichocentrum × oersteluridum (Cetzal & Balam) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum oestlundianum (L.O.Williams) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum orthoplectron Rchb.f. Trichocentrum panduratum C.Schweinf. Trichocentrum paniculatum (Brade) Meneguzzo & M.W.Chase Trichocentrum pendulum (Carnevali & Cetzal) R.Jiménez & Solano Trichocentrum perezii Beutelsp. Trichocentrum pfavii Rchb.f. Trichocentrum pohlianum (Cogn.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum popowianum Königer Trichocentrum porphyrio Rchb.f. Trichocentrum pulchrum Poepp. & Endl. Trichocentrum pumilum (Lindl.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum pupulinianum Bogarín & Karremans Trichocentrum purpureum Lindl. ex Rchb.f. Trichocentrum × quintanarooense (Cetzal & Carnevali) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum recurvum Lindl. Trichocentrum schrautianum (Königer) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum schunkeanum (Campacci & Cath.) Meneguzzo & M.W.Chase Trichocentrum schwambachiae (V.P.Castro & Toscano) Meneguzzo Trichocentrum sierracaracolense (Cetzal & Balam) R.Jiménez & Solano Trichocentrum silverarum (Carnevali & Cetzal) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum splendidum (A.Rich. ex Duch.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum sprucei (Lindl.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum stacyi (Garay) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum stramineum (Bateman ex Lindl.) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams Trichocentrum tapiae (Balam & Carnevali) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum × teaboanum (R.Jiménez, Carnevali & J.L.Tapia) R.Jiménez & Carnevali Trichocentrum tenuiflorum Lindl. Trichocentrum tigrinum Linden & Rchb.f. Trichocentrum ultrajectinum (Pulle) J.M.H.Shaw Trichocentrum undulatum (Sw.) Ackerman & M.W.Chase Trichocentrum viridulum Pupulin Trichocentrum yucatanense (Cetzal & Carnevali) R.Jiménez & Solano Trichocentrum yuroaense (Kolan. & Szlach.) J.M.H.Shaw
In horticulture Trichocentrum species are highly appreciated by orchid growers; some consider them to be among the most beautiful orchids on earth. Culture of members of this genus is highly variable, ranging from the drought-tolerant and easy-to-grow T. tigrinum to smaller and more delicate species.
In cultivation they are subject to rot unless provided with conditions similar to those they experience in the wild. Extensive research into the ecological profiles of individual species may be required to achieve success cultivating them. Many species from Central America apparently endure a prolonged drought for at least part of the year, and have developed succulent leaves to deal with these conditions. Plants may shrivel quite severely without long-lasting injury.
Chemistry and use as entheogen The Central and South American species Trichocentrum cebolleta (known formerly as Oncidium cebolleta) has been found to contain a variety of phenanthrenoids. This species is of considerable ethnobotanical interest as one of only a handful of orchids reported to be used as an entheogens. T. cebolleta is used as a substitute for hikuli a.k.a. peyote (the hallucinogenic cactus Lophophora williamsii) by the Tarahumara of Northern Mexico - a tribe noted for the large number of hallucinogenic plants which it uses in various shamanic and running-related practices. The combination of phenanthrenoid content and employment as entheogens in shamanic practices is to be found also in the Asiatic orchids Vanda tessellata and Dendrobium macraei (- known formerly as Ephemerantha macraei and Flickingeria macraei - see page Flickingeria). The orchidaceous genera Trichocentrum, Vanda and Dendrobium are all members of the subfamily Epidendroideae and are also placed currently in the subgroup/clade of Higher Epidendroids within the subfamily. Stermitz et al., however, do not report any evidence or suggest that the phenanthrenoids from Trichocentrum possess psychoactive properties.
References
Further reading (2001): Notes on the Caribbean orchid flora, 4. More combinations in Trichocentrum and Cyrtochilum. Lindleyana 16(4): 225. (2001): Additional transfers to Trichocentrum Poepp. & Endl. and Otoglossum Garay & Dunst. (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae). Lindleyana 16(3): 218–219. (1995): A revision of the genus Trichocentrum (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae). Lindleyana 10(3): 183–210. URL (2001): Leaf anatomy of 16 taxa of the Trichocentrum clade (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae). Lindleyana 16(2): 81–93. (2001): Molecular systematics of the Oncidiinae based on evidence from four DNA sequence regions: expanded circumscriptions of Cyrtochilum, Erycina, Otoglossum, and Trichocentrum and a new genus (Orchidaceae). Lindleyana 16(2): 113–139.
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