Dancing Lady Orchid Tolumnia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Braasiella
- Hispaniella
- Jamaiciella
- Phonetic Spelling
- toh-LUM-nee-a
- Description
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Tolumnia is a genus of 27 species of tropical, epiphytic herbaceous perennials in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). They are native to Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and islands in the Caribbean. One species, Tolumnia bahamensis, has a foothold in the US, in Florida. The genus name is probably derived from Tolumnius, a character mentioned by Virgil.
In nature, these miniature plants are twig epiphytes, growing in exposed conditions on the twigs of shrubs and trees. Mimic these conditions by mounting the plants on small bark mounts or growing them in restrictive, small, terracotta pots. Dancing lady orchids need bright light (a south-facing window is ideal), warm temperatures and regular watering throughout the year. The roots of dancing lady orchids need frequent watering, but they must dry out quickly. They should not be allowed to stay dry for too long, as they need rapid wet/dry cycles.
These species were formerly included in the genus Oncidium as the “equitant oncidiums.” The term equitant refers to the way the fan of sheathing leaves “ride” one another (like an equestrian straddling a horse). Many irises have a similar growth form. The plants have a fan of leaves and produce new plants as offshoots on short rhizomes. The inflorescences arise in the axils of the leaves. They produce sprays of elaborately marked and patterned flowers. The dorsal sepal and petals are free and narrow. The lip is very large and semicircular, obscuring the lateral sepals. The lip is like the skirt of a dress and the callus on the lip is like a bodice. Consequently, these orchids (and many Oncidium species) are called dancing lady orchids. Flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, red, or white, with contrasting markings.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Dancing lady orchids are susceptible to the usual pests of houseplants and greenhouse plants, including mealybugs, scale insects and thrips. Roots can rot if the growing medium does not dry out rapidly.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
![Flowers](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Tolumnia_bahamensis__ZZ3XKv96wqAl.jpeg)
![Fan-shaped plant with many aerial roots barely clinging to twig.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Tolumnia_plant_in_wi_0ydJNfk35UZC.jpeg)
![Close-up on a pure yellow flower with some brown & gold markings](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Tolumnia_urophylla_f_sBoELnuqInI3.jpeg)
![cluster of red and white flowers](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Tolumnia_hybrid_flow_4GjLNd8iFcTk.jpeg)
![cluster of pink, red and white flowers](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Tolumnia_hybrid_flow_4njJTGird1j1.jpeg)
![cluster of pink, red and white flowers](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Tolumnia_Shannon_Eli_WH1SWHOdap3F.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Tolumnia_bahamensis__r3vxHJvIh23j.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Tolumnia_plant_in_wi_1XxTzc0knMWZ.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Tolumnia_urophylla_f_zgso1rztdkzj.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Tolumnia_hybrid_flow_riJirmfn8I7u.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Tolumnia_hybrid_flow_FjiixCfTy3U8.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Tolumnia_Shannon_Eli_MmZXi1v1mgQJ.jpeg)
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tolumnia
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico, C. America, northern S. America, Caribbean, Florida
- Distribution:
- cultivated worldwide
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are pollinated by Centris errans bees.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 1/2 inch flowers in Spring. Up to 50 flowers per raceme. Lower lip is flared (like a skirt) and variously colored, banded and spotted. In nature the flowers are pollinated by specialized, oil-collecting bees.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are simple, alternate, have serrated margins with 4-8 leathery leaves in a fan shape. They are lanceolate with acute tips.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Humidity