Cleisocentron
Introduction '''''Cleisocentron''''' is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It has a disjunct distribution, known from the Himalayas, Vietnam, China and Borneo.
Description The species of this genus are tropical epiphytes with a pendent or erect habit. The leaves may be terete or broad. Both types of leaves may occur on the same specimen, as some species exhibit leaf polymorphy. Three species have blue flowers, but other colours, such as pink and white also occur.
Etymology The generic name is derived from the Greek ''kleistos'' meaning closed, as well as ''kentron'' meaning spur. The name relates to the morphology of the spurred labellum.
Ecology ===Pollination===There have been reports of pollination or visitation by ants, which was observed during field expeditions in Borneo. Alternatively, there have been speculations, that the nectariferous flowers are pollinated by butterflies.
Species Eight species are currently recognized:#''Cleisocentron abasii'' Cavestro - Sabah#''Cleisocentron gokusingii'' J.J.Wood & A.L.Lamb - Sabah#''Cleisocentron kinabaluense'' Metusala & J.J.Wood - Sabah#''Cleisocentron klossii'' (Ridl.) Garay - Vietnam#''Cleisocentron malipoense''  (Z.J.Liu & L.J.Chen) R.Rice - Malipo, Yunnan, China #''Cleisocentron merrillianum'' (Ames) Christenson - Sabah#''Cleisocentron neglectum'' M.J.Mathew & J.Mathew - India (Karnataka) #''Cleisocentron pallens'' (Cathcart ex Lindl.) N.Pearce & P.J.Cribb - eastern Himalayas (Sikkim, Bhutan, Assam, India)
Formerly included species *''Cleisocentron collettianum'' (King & Pantl.) Garay is now considered a synonym of ''Robiquetia pachyphylla'' (Rchb.f.) Garay.
Horticulture Cleisocentron is rarely found in cultivation. However, they are easy to cultivate.
See also * List of Orchidaceae genera
References
External links *