The genus Epidendrum was named so by Carolus
Linnaeus in the year 1763, referring to its epiphytic growth
habit (meaning derived from the Greek words, Epi-”on”
and dendron-”tree”). Epidendrum is often considered a
mega-genus consisting of around 1500 species from the
neotropical. origin (Hagsater and Arenas, 2005), similar to
the genus Dendrobium from the old world tropical origin
Asia and largely spreading from Carolina, North Louisiana
to South Argentina, Mexico, throughout West Indies, Andes
and Brazil. However, many species synonymous with
Epidendrum have been segregated out and resurrected into
more than seventeen genera. These species are generally
characterized by their reed-stem, growing like tufts,
floriferous, bearing flowers with free and spreading sepals,
slit rostellum, fringed lip adnate to the column with colour
ranging from white, red, orange, green to yellow. This genus,
exceptionally, also consists of a few terrestrials and
lithophytes by habitat. Epidendrums are popularly called
‘Crucifix orchid’ and also ‘Poor man’s orchid’, as they are
one of the easiest growing orchids and need little attention,
unlike the popular Cymbidium and Phalaenopsis hybrids.

Need for interspecific hybrids in Epidendrum orchids:

Orchid breeding is carried out mainly by commercial
firms and is still in its infancy in India. Acclimatization and

Interspecific hybrid developed in Epidendrum orchid from the cross E. radicans Pav.
ex. Lindl. x E. xanthinum Lindl.

R. Devadas, R.P. Medhi and S.P. Das
NRC for Orchids, ICAR, Pakyong, Sikkim-737 016, India

E-mail: r.devdas@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

An interspecific Epidendrum hybrid was developed using E. radicans (known as ‘fire star orchid’, ‘ground-rooted
orchid’) as female parent and E. xanthinum known as ‘yellow orchid’ as male parent. The selected line (NRCO-
Epidendrum cross/2005-01) was characterized for morphological and floral traits. Flower size (3.5 cm x 3.4 cm) of
selected line was bigger than both parents, with bright saffron-orange colour (RHS 44A). Dorsal sepal size (1.8 cm x
0.6 cm), lateral sepal size (1.9 cm x 0.7 cm), petal size (1.8 cm x 0.6 cm), lip size (2.3 cm x 2 cm) and column size (1.1
cm x 0.2 cm) were bigger than in parents. Shape and fimbriated side lobes of lip with deep cleft of anterior margins was
similar to the male parent (E. xanthinum), except colour. The F

1
 progeny of ‘NRCO-Epidendrum cross/2005-01’

flowered with different red-orange to yellow shades is categorized broadly into three types: Red-orange, Orange-
yellow and Yellow. Epidendrums are popularly known as ‘Crucifix orchid’ and ‘Poor man’s orchid’, have a long
flowering period with 2-3 flowerings in a year, and are easy to multiply. These attributes are ideal for popularizing
this plant in India as a potted plant as well garden plant.

Key words: Epidendrum hybrids, interspecific hybridization, epiphytes, fimbriated lip, clefted anterior lobe

introductions do not suffice for improving plant wealth in
India (Randhawa and Mukhopadhyaya, 1986). Epidendrums
are easy to multiply, have a long flowering period with  2-3
flowering spells in a year, suited to tropical & sub-tropical
conditions. These attributes are ideal for popularizing these
orchids in India as potted garden plants. Synthesis of hybrids
using rare and endangered species for commercial purposes
will reduce the pressure on their wild relatives (Kishor and
Sharma, 2009). Orchids can also be introduced from other
countries for commercial use for developing hybrids, as there
is no restriction on this at present as per ‘Convention on
International Trade in Endangered of Wild Flora and
Fauna’ (CITES).

Variability in commercial Epidendrum varieties is
very low. With an objective to create variability, hybridization
was carried out using E. radicans Pav. ex. Lindl. and E.
xanthinum Lindl. as parents, in 1999-2000. The exact origin
and collection details of these species were not recorded at
this center and there are no scientific reports on introduction
of these species in to India, except for a report on E.
radicans as an alien species by Rao and Mohanan (1983).
This species, E. radicans, is grown for cut flower and as a
potted plant (Teob, 1989). Hence, attempts have been made

J. Hortl. Sci.
Vol. 5 (2): 144-147, 2010

Short communication

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145

earlier to develop an efficient micropropagation method
(Chen et al, 2002).

Hybridization and in-vitro programme:

Epidendrum radicans, popularly known as the ‘fire
star orchid’ and ‘ground-root’ orchid, was used as the female
parent (Fig. 1) and E. xanthinum (Syn. E. secundum, now
called E. ellipticum var.
flavum Lindl.) (Fig. 2)
known as the yellow
orchid, was used as the
male parent.
Hybridization was done
by emasculating flowers
of the female parent by
removing the anther cap
and pollinia (that are four
in number, with two
clusters). Then, fresh
pollinia collected from the
male parent were
attached to the stigma of
the column for pollination.
Even though the stigmatic
surface is highly sticky
pollen bags were used
for covering the
inflorescence to avoid
cross pollination by
insects. Flower colour
turned dark and the floral
lip dried up in 3-4 days,
when pollination was
successful.  Mature,
ellipsoid capsules
harvested at 4-5 months.
Seedlings were raised in-
vitro from seeds
contained in capsules,
and, flowering was
observed after two years
planting. Observations on
flower colour variations
among the progeny and
clones selected are described below and presented inTable
1. Morphological characters were recorded at the full bloom

stage and colour of flowers was recorded with the help of
‘Royal Horticultural Society colour chart’.

Description of selected F
1
 progeny of ‘NRCO-

Epidendrum cross/2005-01’:

The F
1
 progeny of ‘NRCO-Epidendrum cross/2005’

has flowers of red-orange to yellow shades (Fig. 3). Flower
colour variation was
categorized broadly into
three types: Red-orange,
Orange-yellow and
Yellow (Fig 6 & 7). The
data of the selected F

1 
line

( N R C O - E p i d e n d r u m
cross/2005-01) along with
it parents are presented in
Table 1. Flower size (3.5
cm x 3.4 cm) of selected
line was larger than in both
parents, with bright
saffron-orange colour
(RHS 44A). Floral
characters like dorsal
sepal size (1.8 cm x 0.6 cm), lateral sepal size (1.9 cm x 0.7
cm), petal size (1.8 cm x 0.6 cm), lip size (2.3 cm x 2 cm)
and column size (1.1 cm x 0.2 cm) were relatively larger
than in either parent, except the width of the dorsal sepal
and petal. However, the shape and fimbriated side lobes of
the lip and deep cleft of the anterior margins of selected F

1

line were similar to that of the male parent (E. xanthinum)
excepting colour. Flower colour of the F

1
 selected line fell

in between colour of the female parent (E. radicans) with
orange (RHS 28A/25A) and red colour (RHS 53B) being
that of the male parent (E. xanthinum). The mid lobe and
disc colour of F

1
 hybrid line was similar to that of the female

parent with yellow colour (RHS N25D). But, in the male
parent, the disc was of the same colour as sepals and petals,
except the colour of crested teeth. In the selected line and
E. radicans, inflorescence was observed to be a corymbose
racemose (Fig. 4) and flowers were closely paniculated,
whereas in E. xanthinum, the peduncle was as long as the
stem recurving and pendulous with sparse flowers (Fig. 5).

A hybrid, E. xobrienianum (natural cross), derived
from E. evectum x E. radicans reported by John Veich and
Sons, (1884-1894) has been recognized by the Royal
Horticultural Society, UK, an internationally recognized
orchid registration authority. But, E. evectum, shown as E.

Fig 1. Flower of Epidendrum
radicans

Fig 2. Flower of Epidendrum
xanthinum

Fig 3. Flower of NRCO-
Epidendrum cross-2005-01

Fig 4. Corymbose racemose
inflorescence of Epidendrum
radicans

Interspecific hybrid developed in Epidendrum

J. Hortl. Sci.
Vol. 5 (2): 144-147, 2010

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146

Fig 5. Inflorescence of
Epidendrum xanthinum

E. radicans (Female parent)

Plant Height : 24-58 cm, Leaves : green, flat & concave, 6-11, 11 cm x 2.7 cm, ovate-oblong, acute-emarginate,
less pigmented

Flower Peduncle:slender, terminating into corymbose racemose inflorescence, pedicel straight, yellow in colour;
Flowers: 20-25, size 3.4 x 3.15 cm, resupinate, Dorsal sepal:1.8 x 0.65 cm, orange (RHS 28A/25A),
Lateral sepals : orange (RHS 28A/25A), 1.75 x 0.68 cm, Petals – smaller than sepals, 1.3 x 0.7 cm,
orange; Lip : 3 lobed, 1.8 x 1.6 cm, yellow (RHS N25D), side lobes fimbriated & slightly darker at
margins, mid lobe disc crested with 03 bright yellow teeth, anterior lob moderately clefted, Column :
short, 2 auricles, semi-terete, 0.8 x 0.2 cm, Anthers :  4, yellow & cap yellowish green

E. xanthinum (Male parent)

Plant Height 41:74 cm; Leaves : medium green, 8-12, 8.7 cm x 2.6 cm, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse tip

Flower Peduncle : as long  as the stem, curving, terminating into curving and pendulous racemose & loosely
paniculated, Flowers: 13-15, size 3.5 x 3.3 cm, red (RHS 46B), Dorsal sepal:1.8 x 0.6 cm, red (RHS
46B); Lateral sepals: 1.6 x 0.6 cm, red (RHS 46B); Petals : 1.6 x 0.8 cm, red (RHS 53B); Lip : 1.9 x
1.8 cm, flat, 3 lobed, side lobes deeply fimbriated & red, mid lobe crested with 03 bright prominent
bright yellow teeth, anterior lob deeply clefted & reflexed; Column : moderately long, 0.9 x 0.2 cm;,
Anthers : 4, yellow & cap yellowish green

NRCO-Epidendrum cross/2005-01

Plant Height: 32-51 cm; Leaves : 9.2 cm x 2.4 cm, dark green colour, more pigmented, ovate oblong, acute-
emarginate,

Flower Peduncle:slender, terminating into corymbose racemose inflorescence (Fig. 6), pedicel straight, yellow
colour; Flowers: 15-23, size 3.5 x 3.4 cm, resupinate; Dorsal sepal-1.8 x 0.6 cm, orange (RHS 44A);
Lateral sepals : 1.9 x 0.7 cm, orange (RHS 44A); Petals : smaller than sepals, 1.8 x 0.6 cm, orange
(RHS 44A); Lip : 3 lobed, 2.3 x 2 cm, orange (RHS 44A), side lobes tripartite, fimbriated & colour
similar to sepal colour, mid lobe disc yellow (RHS N25D) crested with 03 bright yellow teeth, anterior
lobe deeply clefted; Column : long with auricles, semi-terete, 1.1 x 0.2 cm, darker orange (RHS 47 B);
Anthers: – 4, yellow & cap yellowish green

* at the time of flowering and based on two years’ data (2005-06 & 2008-09)

Fig 6. Inflorescence of NRCO-
Epidendrum cross-2005-01

Fig 7. Flower colour variation among F
1
 progeny of NRCO-

Epidendrum cross-2005 (From right: 1-Maroon-red group,
2 & 3–Orange group, 4-Yellow group)

Table 1. Morphological characters* of E. radicans, E. xanthinum and their hybrid (selected   clone)

 Devadas et al

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147

jamiesonis, is a synonym for the former (RHS, UK).
However, Epidendrum hybrids developed through systematic
breeding were not reported after this and efforts in this
direction are lacking. Hence, this new line developed by us
can be useful as germplasm stock, and further improvement
can be made through mutation breeding, introgression and
by hybridization with its close relatives like Cattleya,
Oncidium etc.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors thank Ms. Geetamani Chhetri,
Technical Person (under ‘DUS Testing on Orchids’) and
Shri. K.B. Gupta (NRC for Orchids, Sikkim) for field
assistance.

REFERENCES

Chen, L.R., Chen, J.T. and Chang, W.C. 2002. Efficient
production of protocorm like bodies and plant
regeneration from flower stalk explants of the
sympodial orchid Epidendrum radicans. In Vitro
Cell. Dev. Biol. Plant., 38: 441-445

 James Veich & Sons (1887-1994) A manual of

Orchidaceous plants cultivated under glass in Great
Britain, Part VI Coelogyne and Epidendrum. James
Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, 544, King’s
Raod, Chulesa, S.W.

Kishor, R. and Sharma, G.J. 2009. Intergeneric hybrid of
two rare and endangered orchids, Renanthera
imschootiana Rolfe and Vanda coerulea Griff. Ex
(Orchidaceae): Synthesis and characterization.
Euphytica, 165:247-256 (DOI 10.1007/s10681-008-
9755-9)

Hagsater, E. and Arenas, M.A.S. 2005. Epidendrum. In:
Genera Orchidaceum. Pridgeon A M, Cribb P, Chase
M.W. and Rasmussen (eds). V. 4. Oxford University
Press, Oxford, pp 236-251

Rao, A.V.N. and Mohanan, M. 1983. Alien Orchids in South
India. 1. Cultivation of Epidendrum-Radicans in the
National Orchidarium, Yercaud, TamilNadu, India. J.
Econ.  Taxon. Bot., 4:343-346

Royal Horticultural Society, United Kingdom (http://
w w w . r h s . o r g . u k / p l a n t s / r e g i s t e r p a g e s /
orchiddetails.asp? ID=126444)

Teoh, E.S. 1989. Orchids of Asia. Times Books International
Publishers, Singapore.

(MS Received 22 September 2009, Revised 8 September 2010)

J. Hortl. Sci.
Vol. 5 (2): 144-147, 2010

Interspecific hybrid developed in Epidendrum

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