About Epidendrum nocturnum Jacq.
Epidendrum nocturnum, commonly called the nocturnal epidendrum, is the type species of the genus Epidendrum in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). This species is found in Florida, the Bahamas, the West Indies, Belize, and from Central America to northern Brazil and the Guyanas. It is common in South Florida. Epidendrum nocturnum is usually autogamous, meaning its flowers self-pollinate, and is sometimes cleistogamous, meaning its flowers self-pollinate before they open. The haploid chromosome number of E. nocturnum has been recorded as n = 20. Recorded diploid chromosome numbers for the species are both 2n = 40 and 2n = 80. In 1984, the variety E. nocturnum var. guadeloupense was found to have a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 42 to 48. As of November 7, 2010, Kew's World Checklist of Selected Plant Families does not recognize the existence of this variety.
