When you see an orchid label, the name tells a story. A species name is usually written in italics with two parts, the genus first (capitalised) and then the specific epithet (lowercase), for example, Phalaenopsis amabilis. A naturally occurring variation within a species might also have a third italicised name, the variety, e.g., Paphiopedilum wardii var. album. Cultivars, which are cultivated varieties or hybrids selected for specific traits and propagated, have a name in single quotes following the genus (or the genus and species if it’s a hybrid), for instance, Phalaenopsis ‘Pink Princess’ or Paphiopedilum Maudiae ‘Los Osos’. Hybrid crosses, on the other hand, are indicated by an ‘x’ between the names of the parent genera (if it’s an intergeneric cross, like Brassavola x Cattleya becoming Brassocattleya) or between the species names if it’s within the same genus (e.g., Phalaenopsis equestris x Phalaenopsis stuartiana). Often, a fancy name (the grex name) is given to all the offspring of that specific cross, written in standard font (not italics) and capitalised, like Phalaenopsis Pink Profusion (which is Phalaenopsis schilleriana x Phalaenopsis stuartiana). So, if you see that ‘x’, you know you’ve got a unique blend!
Tropical Orchids
