George F. Carr, October, 1995 ©

ABSTRACT August 1997

The appearance of different forms of flowers within the species of the genus Cycnoches caused confusion and dismay to the taxonomists of the period from 1832 to 1862. The existence of separate male and female flowers which might appear on the same plant, plus the occasional appearance of hermaphroditic or "perfect" flowers, was established among the botanical community during the period from 1862 through the early years of this century. Part I of this paper covers the early period of some seventy-five years and continues to the present following the exploration of the role of pollinators, fragrances, light and plant condition in the some twenty-five species recognized as valid (see appendix A for the listing). The confusion among the species in horticulture is also examined with the view to attempting to present information that is helpful in identifying some of the species. Part II examines the registered intrageneric and intergeneric hybrids of the genus Cycnoches with attention to their characteristics and speculation about possible future directions in hybridization. Appendix B lists the hybrids registered through October, 1996. Part III examines in the detail the American Orchid Society Awards granted to the species and hybrids of the genus Cycnoches. The author's findings about the confusion of the four species within the C. ventricosum complex -- C. ventricosum, C. chlorochilon, C. warscewiczii and C. lehmannii --is outlined and Appendix C presents a list of the A.O.S. Awards granted, as published in the Awards Quarterly through June 1997, with suggested corrections of species names where applicable.