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 here is a little-known group of orchids, approximately one-hundred species in fifteen or sixteen different genera, that are all miniatures and all worth growing. The best known genus in the group is Ornithocephalus, and the whole group is known as the Ornithocephalinae. Ornithocephalus mean "bird's head," and the group is well-named, since the similarity of the column to a bird's head is striking, while the whole flower often resembles a bird in flight.
These miniature species are well-worth growing and produce large numbers of flowers. Many are very attractive plants as well, producing fans of leaves, something on the order of a Tolumnia. These plants come from Mexico and range down into Central America and northern South America, especially Colombia and Ecuador, though they are found as far south as Brazil, Peru and Paraguay. They are most closely related to Maxillaria and with only one or two exceptions are under six inches with many of them much smaller.
The culture of this group is very easy. Most are intermediate to warm-growing and seem to do best mounted, though some of the group can be grown in pots. Those that have pendant flower spikes should certainly be grown on mounts, but some of the better Ornithocephalus which hold their spikes upright look great in a small pot. They should be allowed to dry out a bit between watering and should not be keep soaking wet. I've grown them in a wardian case with cool growing plants and they did well in those conditions also, though most of them come from warmer climates. They are relatively low lights plants and do well under fluorescent lights.
The American Orchid Society (AOS) has awarded quite a number of these plants. Many of the awards simply recognize a species that has not been shown before, but there are a number of CHM's (Certificate of Horticultural Merit) and CCM's (Certificate of Cultural Merit) that have been given, recognizing either that many of these plants are worth growing or that they produce incredible numbers of flowers.
The different Genera (with the approximate number of species in parentheses) are:
Caluera (4)
Centroglossa (4)
Chytroglossa (4)
Dipteranthus (12)
Dunstervillea (1)
Eloyella (3)
Hintonella (1)
Hofmeisterella (1)
Ornithocephalus (40)
Phymatidium (10)
Platyrrhiza (1)
Rauhiella (3)
Sphyrastylis (10)
Thysanoglossa (2)
Trizeuxis (3)
Warmingia (2)
Zygostates (12)
Let's look at few of these plants. I think you'll see that these are worthy additions to a collection of miniatures or to any orchid collection, and since Ornithocephalus is the principal genus in this group, we'll start there.
Ornithocephalus
The majority of AOS awards have been given to plants from this genus and most of those awards were given for well-grown plants with hundreds of flowers. In 1971 a plant of Ornithocephalus inflexus 'Muriel' was awarded a CCM/AOS (Certificate of Cultural Merit) with 1,240 flowers on 61 spikes. In 1977 a plant of the species bryostachyus 'Emly' was awarded a CCM with 720 flowers on 33 spikes and in 1980 a plant of the species iridifolius 'Star Bursts' was awarded a CCm with 540 flowers on 45 spikes. These flowers are very tiny, approximately 5 mm, but the abundance of flowers makes up for their size, as does their appearance: they are very attractive and look a bit like a white bird in flight. The photo shown here is of Ornithocephalus myrticola 'Herman' which has two AOS awards, a CBR (Certificate of Botanical Recognition) and a CCM.
Hintonella
There is only one species in this genus, Hintonella mexicana, but it is well worth growing. As the photo shows, it is a micro-miniature with short spikes of tiny bell-shaped white flowers. This should be grown mounted.
Chytroglossa
The example here is Chytroglossa aurata. The flowers are a little larger on this plant but are still only about a half inch. They are also non-resupinate, that is, they hold their lips upward and do not turn over as most orchids do. This too is best mounted, though the plant shown is in a small bonsai pot which is tall enough to display the pendant spikes.
Dipteranthus
This genus is represented here by by Dipteranthus duchis 'Sarah' which has been awarded a CBR/AOS. The plant is only an inch and half tall but produces long spikes of green and white flowers that resemble birds in flight. This plant is best grown mounted on a bit of tree fern or something similar.
Phymatidium
Phymatidium tillandsioides, one of approximately 10 species in this genus, is named after a genus of air-plants, Tillandsia, and looks like a small plant of that genus. It produces short spikes of white and green flowers. This plant can be grown in a tiny pot.
Zygostates
In this genus the flowers are mostly white and green. The genus is represented here by Zygostates pustulata and a single flower of Zygostates alleniana. These species tend to look best mounted.
These are some examples of this group of orchids. An abundance of exquisitely beautiful flowers, miniature plants, easy culture: what more could we ask?
Note: these pictures and others of the Ornithocephalinae can be found in the following gallery: http://www.orchidboard.com/community/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=1193.
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