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.[5] Three species have blue flowers,[6] but other colours, such as pink and white also occur.
The generic name is derived from the Greek kleistos meaning closed,[8] as well as kentron meaning spur.[6][8] The name relates to the morphology of the spurred labellum.[5]
Ecology
Pollination
There have been reports of pollination or visitation by ants, which was observed during field expeditions in Borneo.[9][10] Alternatively, there have been speculations, that the nectariferous flowers are pollinated by butterflies.[6]
Taxonomy
It was published by Paul Johannes Brühl in 1926[1][11] with Cleisocentron trichromum(Rchb. f.) Brühl as the type species.[1]
Cleisocentron collettianum (King & Pantl.) Garay is now considered a synonym of Robiquetia pachyphylla (Rchb.f.) Garay.[15]
Horticulture
Cleisocentron is rarely found in cultivation.[8][5] However, they are easy to cultivate.[8] Numerous intergeneric hybrids with Cleisocentron have been described.[11]
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