Zootrophion

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Zootrophion
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Epidendreae
Subtribe: Pleurothallidinae
Genus: Zootrophion
Luer
Selected Species
  • Zootrophion alvaroi
  • Zootrophion atropurpureum
  • Zootrophion dayanum
  • Zootrophion dodsonii
  • Zootrophion endresianum
  • Zootrophion griffin
  • Zootrophion hypodiscus
  • Zootrophion niveum
  • Zootrophion oblongifolium
  • Zootrophion vulturiceps

Zootrophion is a genus of about 12 species of orchid, distributed from Jamaica and Central America through the Andes. The stems have inflated, flattened sheaths. The flowers bear sepals that fuse at their tips to form box-like structures that resemble animal's heads, hence the generic name, which means "menagerie".