Encyclia microxanthina

Encyclia microxanthina

Common Name: Small Yellow Encyclia Orchid

Native to: Brazil and Paraguay. Encyclia microxanthina was described from plants that were sent from Brazil. Little is known about their native habitat but it is thought that they grow on rocks like rupicolous Laelias.

Plant Size: Miniature. The pear-shaped pseudobulbs grow to 4 cm tall and have one or two succulent, fleshy leaves which grow to 7 inches (18 cm) high.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: The flowers of Encyclia microxanthina are yellowish-olive in color and the lip is cadmium yellow with orange veins. The petals and sepals are narrow the flower has a "star-shaped" appearance. Flowers are borne on a simple, unbranched inflorescence and there are between 3 and 5 flowers per stem.

Bloom Season: Summer?

Growing Temperature: Intermediate

Additional Information: This species was first described from plants that were confiscated from an illegal shipment into the United States. The plants bloomed at the Los Angeles State and County Arboretum and it was discovered that it was a new species. I doubt that this species is available in the trade but it probably could be grown in an inorganic growing medium (i.e. Aliflor) in clay pots like rupicolous Laelias.

Synonyms: None.