Large Root Cymbidium

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cymbidium aberrans
• Bletia nipponica
• Aphyllorchis tumkurensis
• Yoania aberrans
• Cymbidium macrorhizon var. aberrans
• Cymbidiopsis macrorhiza
• Aphyllorchis aberrans
• Cymbidium nipponicum
• Pachyrhizanthe aberrans
• Pachyrhizanthe aphylla
• Pachyrhizanthe macrorhizos
• Cymbidium sagamiense
• Pachyrhizanthe nipponica
• Cymbidium szechuanensis
• Pachyrhizanthe sagamiensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Orchidaceae and the genus Cymbidium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be specifically found throughout the South-Central areas. Its range extends across Eastern Asia to include the nations of Japan and Korea. Additionally, the species is documented to grow within Taiwan. Finally, its presence reaches the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in the region of Assam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cymbidium macrorhizon is characterized by its specialized survival strategies, functioning primarily as a cryptophyte and a geophyte. As a cryptophyte, its regenerative organs are located underground, allowing the plant to withstand environmental stressors by protecting its vital tissues beneath the soil surface. This is further supported by its classification as a geophyte, where it relies on specialized underground structures, such as pseudobulbs and rhizomes, to store nutrients and water, ensuring perennial survival and enabling regrowth during unfavorable seasons. This life history pattern allows the species to persist in its specific ecological niche by maintaining a dormant or protected state during periods of resource scarcity.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Cymbidium macrorhizon is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as an independent organism, meaning it does not act as a parasite on other plants. While many members of its genus exhibit diverse habitats, this specific species is categorized as terrestrial in its epiphytic status. Regarding its structural habit, it is a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing mechanisms found in vines or creepers.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cymbidium macrorhizon has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include N-.

N-

1. Journal of plant physiology