Laelia purpurata var alba ‘Marcia Richter’

Laelia purpurata var alba ‘Marcia Richter’

Laelia purpurata var. alba ‘Marcia Richter’ has white petals and sepals with a yellow throat.  This is a particularly nice cultivar with pure white petals and a bright yellow throat.

Well-grown plants can make spectacular specimens.  This plant was grown by Mr. Richter.

More Laelia purpurata orchids

Photos courtesy of Mr. Robert J. Richter.

Epidendrum bivalve

Epidendrum bivalve

Native to: place

Plant Size: size

Flower Size: size

Flower Description: description

Bloom Season: season

Growing Temperature: temp

Additional Information: something interesting

Synonyms: Get names

Epidendrum baumannianum

Epidendrum baumannianum


Native to: Mexico south to Ecuador. Epidendrum baumannianum grows in tropical rainforests at low elevation on steep banks. Sometimes, it is found in close proximity to ant nests. It grows on trees and rocks and even occasionally as a terrestrial plant.

Plant Size: Large. Epidendrum baumannianum has upright reed-like stems that have numerous elliptical leaves.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers are attractive and reasonably large and showy. The flowers open up over time for an extended bloom season and are produced on a 20 inch (50 cm) tall unbranched flower stem.

Bloom Season: Winter to Spring

Growing Temperature: Warm.

Additional Information: Epidendrum baumannianum was named in honor of a French gardener from the late 1800's. This species is closely related to Epidendrum radicans. Grow in a pot with good drainage and loose, open potting medium. Provide even moisture and moderate fertilizer. This species and its hybrids are commonly used as potted garden plants in tropical climates.

Synonyms: Epidendrum hawkesii

Epidendrum barbeyanum - Barbey-Boissier's Epidendrum

Epidendrum barbeyanum

Common Name: Barbey-Boissier's Epidendrum

Native to: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, and Venezuela. Epidendrum barbeyanum grows on trees in seasonally dry forests between 500 and 1850 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Small. Stems are upright and have six or seven leaves distributed along its length.

Flower Size: 2 inches (5 cm)

Flower Description: The large, colorful flowers of Epidendrum barbeyanum are attractive and quite showy. The flowers are formed on a flower stalk that develops from the top of mature stems and bears between five and ten flowers which are fragrant at night.

Bloom Season: Spring.

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Epidendrum barbeyanum was named in honor of a Swiss orchid collector who was active in the late 1800's. This species is closely related to Epidendrum difforme but differs in flower color and lip details. Grow mounted on cork or tree fern and provide ample water and fertilizer when the plant is actively growing. Allow a drier winter rest period. Epidendrum barbeyanum is attractive and has fragrant flowers which make it highly desirable for collectors.

Synonyms: Epidendrum amparoanum, Neolehmannia barbeyana

Epidendrum bambusiforme - Bamboo-like Epidendrum

Epidendrum bambusiforme

Common Name: Bamboo-like Epidendrum

Native to: Peru. Epidendrum bambusiforme is native to dry banks of Peru where it grows as a terrestrial orchid between 1500 and 2500 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Large. The upright stems of Epidendrum bambusiforme are clothed in linear leaves that somewhat resemble bamboo.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.2 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers of Epidendrum bambusiforme develop below the leaves are appear on 3.5 inch (9 cm) long unbranched stems. Several flowers bloom on each stem and the flowers are fleshy and substantial.

Bloom Season: Fall

Growing Temperature: Cool

Additional Information: This species was given the specific epitaph of "bambusiforme" due to the plant's resemblance to bamboo. Grow in a pot with a good quality terrestrial orchid mix. Provide even moisture and fertilizer for best growth and flowering. Large and impressive.

Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum atroscriptum - Dark Written Epidendrum

Epidendrum atroscriptum

Common Name: Dark Written Epidendrum

Native to: Mexico south to Guatemala. Epidendrum atroscriptum is found growing in tropical rainforests in the Mexican states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Vera Cruz and in the northernmost part of Guatemala. It is found growing between 200 and 900 meters in elevation on trees or rocks.

Plant Size: Large. The leafy stems are reed-like and upright. Each stem has between seven and fourteen leaves.

Flower Size: 0.5 inches (1.25 cm)

Flower Description: The small flowers bloom in succession and have dark markings on the lip. Flowers bloom on a long, branched flower stem that grows up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall. Each stem carries between 12 and 120 flowers.

Bloom Season: Late Spring to Summer

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Epidendrum atroscriptum is a large reed-stem Epidendrum that produces an impressive, long-lasting floral display. Grow in containers with coarse, open, well-drained media. Provide ample water and fertilizer during active growth and keep moist the rest of the year. This species can also be grown mounted on a substantial driftwood mount. Epidendrum atroscriptum is closely related to Epidendrum veroscriptum and Epidendrum roseoscriptum.

Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum arnoldii

Epidendrum arnoldii

Common Name: Arnold's Epidendrum

Native to: Columbia. Epidendrum arnoldii is native to a small area of central Columbia and grows in dwarf, wet mountain forests between 2800 to 3300 meters in elevation. This species grows as a terrestrial plant. It is possible that it is extinct in the wild.

Plant Size: Large.

Flower Size: 0.75 inches (2 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers are produced on a branched, upright inflorescence that is produced at the end of the stem. The flowers are sweetly fragrant and numerous.

Bloom Season: Late Spring

Growing Temperature: Cool

Additional Information: Epidendrum arnoldii is a large, terrestrial reed-stem Epidendrum. Grow in a well-drained pot with a loose terrestrial orchid mix. Keep evenly moist but be careful not to over-water larger pots in order to avoid root rot. Grow on the cool side.

Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum avicula

Epidendrum avicula

Epidendrum armeniacum - The Orange Epidendrum

Epidendrum armeniacum

Common Name: The Orange Epidendrum

Native to: Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. Epidendrum armeniacum grows in moist mountainous forests between 450 and 1600 meters in elevation. This species grows on tree trunks.

Plant Size: Small. The stems are slender and upright and have many leaves.

Flower Size: 0.75 inches (2 cm)

Flower Description: Orange flowers are produced in great quantity on a flower stalk that emerges from the top of mature canes. Colorful and attractive.

Bloom Season: Fall and Winter

Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool (Adaptable)

Additional Information: Epidendrum armeniacum is an attractive and floriferous compact species that is adaptable and fairly undemanding. Mount on cork or tree fern or grow in pots with a loose, open media. Keep moist but not soggy and provide humidity and air circulation. This species has been used to produce some of todays showy reed-stem Epidendrum orchid hybrids.

Synonyms: Amblostoma armeniacum, Epidendrum macrostachya

Epidendrum arevaloi - Arevalo's Epidendrum

Epidendrum arevaloi

Common Name: Arevalo's Epidendrum

Native to: Columbia, Ecuador. Epidendrum arevaloi grows on trees at high elevation in cool cloud forests between 2100 and 2680 meters. This species is protected in the Guacamayo Cloudforest Reserve.

Plant Size: Large. Epidendrum arevaloi is one of the largest members of the genus. The branched stems are fleshy and have numerous leaves.

Flower Size: 0.75 inches (2 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers are fairly small but many bloom at one time to produce a colorful display of floral beauty. Flower stems develop at the end of the stem and bear between five and eight flowers each.

Bloom Season: Spring to Fall

Growing Temperature: Cool

Additional Information: Epidendrum arevaloi was named after Mr. Arevalo who was a collector of Ecuadorian orchids during the early 20th century. Grow mounted on large cork or tree fern slabs or in a well-drained pot. The plants become large, attractive specimens with age.

Synonyms: Diothonea arevaloi