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''Miltonia'', abbreviated Milt. in the horticultural trade,〔http://www.rhs.org.uk/RHSWebsite/files/87/87be8b1e-908e-4e04-9ee6-30c438354458.pdf〕 is an orchid genus formed by nine epiphyte species and eight natural hybrids inhabitants of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, one species reaching the northeast of Argentina and east of Paraguay. This genus was established by John Lindley in 1837, when he described its type species, ''Miltonia spectabilis''. Many species were attributed to ''Miltonia'' in the past, however, today, the species from Central America and from cooler areas on northwest of South America have been moved to other genera. ''Miltonia'' species have large and long lasting flowers, often in multifloral inflorescences. This fact, allied to being species that are easy to grow and to identify, make them a favorite of orchid collectors all over the world. Species of this genus are extensively used to produce artificial hybrids. Despite the fact that ''Miltonia'' is now a well established genus, most of its species were originally classified under other genera as ''Cyrtochilum'', ''Oncidium'', ''Odontoglossum'', and ''Brassia''. All were discovered between 1834 and 1850 with the exception of ''M. kayasimae'', discovered only in 1976. These epiphytic orchids occur from Central to Southern Brazil down to Argentina. These orchids have two leaves, arising from a pseudobulbs, covered with a foliaceous sheath. The inflorescence consists of waxy, nonspurred flowers. The lip is large and flat and lacks a callus at its base. They possess a footless column with two hard pollinia. The flowers have a delicate, exotic scent, some compare to that of roses. They are named after Charles Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 5th Earl Fitzwilliam, formerly Viscount Milton, an English orchid enthusiast. The species in this genus are sometimes referred to as the pansy orchids, but it is the ''Miltoniopsis'' orchids that have flowers that closely resemble the pansy. Almost everyone except for the most serious orchid hobbyists use the name pansy orchids interchangeably, which may cause confusion. ''Miltonia'' looks more like ''Oncidiums'' than the other pansy orchids. The most "pansy-like" a ''Miltonia'' can get is the species ''Miltonia spectabilis''. Taxonomists are debating whether to put ''Miltonia'' into the ''Oncidium'' genus because of the many connections between the two. ''Miltoniopsis'' is the pansy orchid with huge showy flowers. They grow in cooler climates and are more challenging to grow than ''Miltonia''. This genus forms with ''Miltoniopsis'' a hybrid genus x''Milmiltonia'' J.M.H.Shaw. ==Distribution== ''Miltonia'' species range starts on the area of Missiones in the northeast of Argentina〔Johnson, Andrés E. (2001). ''Miltonia flavescens'' in Las orquídeas del Parque Nacional Iguazú, 130. Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina, Buenos Aires. ISBN 9509725412〕 and east of Paraguay〔Govaerts, Rafaël ''et al'': World Checklist of Orchidaceae. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. (Published on Internet ) (Access in March 2009).〕 and spreads north along the Brazilian mountains of Serra do Mar and its branches up to the State of Pernambuco on Brazilian northeast. They occupy mostly areas between 200 and 1,500 meters of altitude meters, however the majority of the species are more often found about 600 to 900 meters. ''Miltonia'' species can be found from shady areas inside the forest to areas more exposed to the sun, however never are under full sunlight; usually in ventilated places where they receive plenty humidity during the night and early morning. They are always epiphyte and, because they grow very fast, each pseudobulb originating two new growths every year, they soon form large colonies.〔Miller, David; Richard Warren; Izabel Moura Miller & Helmut Seehawer (2006). ''Miltonia'' in Serra dos Órgãos sua história e suas orquídeas, 323-6. Rio de Janeiro.〕 ''Miltonia russelliana'' and ''M. flavescens'' are the ones with the widest dispersion and found at lower altitudes. ''M. flavescens'' is the only species that exists in countries other than Brazil and is also the one that spreads farther north. ''M. russelliana'' range starts on Rio Grande do Sul and ends at Bahia State. ''M. regnellii'' is also widespread although does not go northern than Rio de Janeiro. ''M. moreliana'' is a species more common at lower altitudes and warmer areas existing from Rio to Pernambuco. ''Miltonia candida'', ''M. clowesii'' and ''M. spectabilis'' are restricted to the four states of Region Southeast of Brazil. ''Miltonia cuneata'' is just from São Paulo and Rio and the one that grow at highest altitudes. ''M. kayasimae'' is the only species really rare; it has been found just a couple of times in a very restricted area close to Salesópolis, in São Paulo State. The mountains area between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where almost all species do exist may be considered the center of distribution of ''Miltonia''.〔Pabst, Guido & Dungs, Fritz (1978). Orchidaceae Brasilienses 2: 196, Brucke-Verlag Kurt Schmersow, Hildesheim. 〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Miltonia」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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