Oncidium aka Dancing Lady Orchid

Oncidium, also known as the dancing-lady orchid or golden shower orchid, is a genus of approximately 330 species of orchids from the subtribe Oncidiinae. This genus is distributed across South America, Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies, with one species extending into Florida. However, it is important to note that the taxonomy and classification of this genus have undergone significant changes due to DNA testing and research. In 2008, the Oncidium alliance was labeled as "grossly polyphyletic," and the genus itself was referred to as a "dumping ground." This led to extensive debate and subsequent taxonomic changes, affecting not only Oncidium but also other genera like Gomesa, Odontoglossum, and Miltonia. The move of Brazilian Oncidium species with a fused lateral sepal to the genus Gomesa was one of the notable changes. Despite these revisions, it is worth mentioning that much of the information in this article is now deprecated but still holds value. The Royal Horticultural Society, the World Checklist of Monocots database, and the American Orchid Society have already updated their databases to reflect most of these changes. Oncidium orchids are epiphytic and evergreen, with narrowly oval, green leaves. The plants exhibit branching, erect to arching flower spikes that bear scented flowers measuring up to 3cm across. The flowers themselves are deep reddish-pink to purple, with a white lip that is edged dark pink to purple. The pseudobulbs of Oncidium typically have several bracts and carry one to three leaves. In summary, Oncidium is a diverse genus of tropical and subtropical American orchids that have undergone significant taxonomic changes in recent years. Despite these revisions, the genus is still widely recognized for its beautiful and fragrant flowers, making it a popular choice among orchid enthusiasts.