Maxillaria Ruiz & Pavon

Type Species: Maxillaria ramosa Ruiz & Pavon

Tribe: MAXILLARIEAE

Subtribe: MAXILLARIINAE

Pronunciation: max-ill-ar-ia

Temperature: I.

Country: Florida to Argentina

This is a large genus having about 570 species with many species that were formerly classified in this genus having been reclassified under Lycaste and Xylobium.

They are mostly epiphytes but occasionally lithophytic. Most species are found at moderate altitudes but can also be found at very high altitudes in the tropics and also in coastal areas.

This genus is characterized by plants having elongated, creeping rhizomes and generally producing pseudobulbs. They bear a short inflorescence with usually solitary flowers however they can have many inflorescences simultaneously producing a very attractive display.