Epidendrum wrightii

Epidendrum wrightii

Native to: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti. Epidendrum wrightii grows on trees in warm, humid forests at fairly low elevations.
Plant Size: Small. Epidendrum wrightii has reed-like stems with several leaves.
Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum wrightii form on short flower stems that form on maturing canes. There are many flowers per growth.
Bloom Season: Spring to Fall
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Keep this species on the dry side and provide bright light and sunny growing conditions. Grow mounted on cork or tree fern.
Synonyms: Amphiglottis wrightii, Epidendrum nasutum

Epidendrum tridens

Epidendrum tridens

Common Name: Three-toothed Epidendrum
Native to: Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Surinam, French Guiana, Guyana. Epidendrum tridens is widespread and common. This species grows between 1500 and 2500 meters in elevation on trees.
Plant Size: Medium. Epidendrum tridens has reed-like stems with several leaves.
Flower Size: 2.75 to 3.5 inches (7-9 cm)
Flower Description: The white flowers of Epidendrum tridens are very similar to Epidendrum nocturnum and are fragrant at night.
Bloom Season: Spring
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Grow Epidendrum tridens mounted on cork bark or tree fern or grow in a well-drained pot with coarse growing media. Like many widespread species, this one is adaptable to many different growing conditions. Easy to grow.
Synonyms: Amphiglottis nocturna var. latifolia, Epidendrum carpophorum, Epidendrum nocturnum var. latifolium, Epidendrum nocturnum var. tridens, Epidendrum nocturnum var. tumuc-humaciense, Epidendrum tridens var. briegeri, Epidendrum tumuc-humaciense, Epidendrum tunguraguae

Epidendrum polygonatum

Epidendrum polygonatum

Native to: Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba. Epidendrum polygonatum grows on trees.
Plant Size: Small to Medium. Epidendrum polygonatum has leafy reed-like stems. The stems have many dark green leaves that are arranged in a spiral pattern along the stem.
Flower Size: Small
Flower Description: Flowers are produced on terminal inflorescences and have one flower.
Bloom Season: Epidendrum polygonatum can bloom any time of the year.
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Grow Epidendrum polygonatum mounted on cork bark or tree fern plaques. Provide warm, humid growing conditions and even water throughout the year.
Synonyms: Amphiglottis polygonata, Epidendrum polygonatum var. latifolium, Physinga polygonata

Epidendrum acunae - Acuna's Epidendrum

Epidendrum acunae

Common Name: Acuna's Epidendrum

Native to: Florida, Cuba, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Epidendrum acunae is possibly extinct in Florida. In Mexico it is found in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Vera Cruz. This species prefers low-elevation tropical rainforest habitats from sea level to 1000 meters near water.

Plant Size: Large. Epidendrum acunae grows on trees and has a pendant or hanging habit. Stems are cane-like and have many leaves.

Flower Size: 1.5 inches (4 cm)

Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum acunae are produced on a short flower stem that grows an the top of the cane. Each growth produces one or two flowers.

Bloom Season: Summer

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: This species has a dramatic, pendant habit and needs to be mounted on a large cork or wood mount. Provide warmth and humidity and even watering and fertilizer. Plants are large and can become impressive specimens. Epidendrum acunae was named in honor of a prominent Cuban engineer and orchid collector from the early 20th century.

Synonyms: Spathiger roigii

Encyclia tampensis - Butterfly Encyclia

Encyclia tampensis

Common Name: Butterfly Encyclia

Native to: Florida, Bahamas, Cuba. Its preferred habitat is moist woods and forests from sea level to 25 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Small to Medium.

Flower Size: 1.5 inches (4 cm)

Flower Description: Sweetly fragrant flowers bloom on a simple or branched flower stem that grows to 30 inches (75 cm) tall. The flowers bloom above the leaves.

Bloom Season: Spring. Well-grown plants in the Florida keys bloom from June to September.

Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool (adaptable)

Additional Information: Encyclia tampensis is widespread, adaptable and easy-to-grow. There are a few different color forms available and the species is common in the trade. Encyclia tampense var amesiana is a pale color form that is found in Cuba. Grow mounted on cork bark or wood plaques and provide typical cattleya growing conditions. Many hobbyists grow this species on palm trees in their yards in south Florida.

Synonyms: Epidendrum porphyrospilum; Encyclia tampensis f. albolabia; Epidendrum tampense

Encyclia pyriformis - Pear-Shaped Encyclia

Encyclia pyriformis

Common Name: Pear-Shaped Encyclia

Native to: Cuba and the Isle of Pines. Encyclia pyriformis grows on trees and even fence posts.

Plant Size: Small. The pseudobulbs of Encyclia pyriformis are pear-shaped and have one or two long, tongue-shaped leaves.

Flower Size: Small.

Flower Description: The flowers of Encyclia pyriformis grow on a simple or branched flower stem that grows to 18 inches (45 cm) tall and is displayed well above the foliage. The flower stem emerges from a developing growth.

Bloom Season: Summer

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Grow Encyclia pyriformis on cork slabs or wood. Provide bright light and humidity.

Synonyms: Encyclia duboisiana; Epidendrum duboisianum; Epidendrum pyriforme

Encyclia polybulbon - Many Bulbed Encyclia

Encyclia polybulbon

Common Name: Many Bulbed Encyclia

Native to: Mexico and Central America south to Nicaragua, Jamaica, Cuba. Encyclia polybulbon grows in humid forests between 600 and 3200 meters in elevation. It grows on trees.

Plant Size: Miniature. The compact plants have small, oval pseudobulbs that are widely spaced. Each growth has 1 to 3 elliptical leaves. Foliage is yellow-green in color on healthy plants.

Flower Size: 1.25 inches (3 cm)

Flower Description: Few to several flowers bloom on an upright flower stem. Flowers are fragrant.

Bloom Season: Fall to Spring

Growing Temperature: Cool to Warm (Adaptable)

Additional Information: The pseudobulbs tend to ramble and therefore it is best to mount the plants on cork bark. Provide Cattleya growing conditions

Synonyms: Bulbophyllum occidentale; Dinema polybulbon; Epidendrum polybulbon; Epidendrum polybulbon var. luteo-album

Encyclia plicata - Pleated Encyclia

Encyclia plicata

Common Name: Pleated Encyclia

Native to: Bahamas and Cuba. Encyclia plicata grows on trees or rocks in warm humid forest near sea level.

Plant Size: Large. The upright, fleshy pseudobulbs have two or three long, sword-shaped leaves.

Flower Size: 2.5 inches (6.5 cm)

Flower Description: Few to many flowers bloom on a 30 inch (75 cm) tall flower stem.

Bloom Season: Spring to early Summer

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Encyclia plicata is a robust grower and does best mounted on a substantial tree branch. Provide ample water and fertilizer during periods of active growth and then allow the plant to rest by reducing water for a few months. Provide bright light, warmth, and humidity for best results. There is an alba form of the species.

Synonyms: Epidendrum plicatum

Encyclia phoenicea - Chocolate Orchid

Encyclia phoenicea

Common Name: Chocolate Orchid

Native to: Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Island, Grand Turks and Caicos. Encyclia phoenicea grows on trees near sea level.

Plant Size: Medium. The plant is robust and has one to three long linear leaves.

Flower Size: 2 inches (5 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers of Encyclia phoenicea  have olive brown petals and sepals and a purple lip. Fragrant; the flowers smell like chocolate. Up to 25 flowers are well displayed on a 36 inch (90 cm) branched inflorescence. The flower stem emerges from a mature pseudobulb.

Bloom Season: Spring to Fall

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Encyclia phoenicea grows well mounted on tree branches, cork bark, or grown in a pot or basket. Keep on the dry side after growth matures. Provide standard Cattleya growing conditions with more humidity and heat for best flowering. The flowers do not all open at once but rather open over an extended period of time providing for a long bloom period.

Synonyms: Epidendrum grahamii; Epidendrum phoeniceum

Encyclia nematocaulon

Encyclia nematocaulon

Common Name: Thread-Stemmed Encyclia

Native to: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Cuba. It grows on scrub vegetation and trees in tropical deciduous forests below 200 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Small to Medium. The tightly-clustered pseudobulbs have only one leaf.

Flower Size: 1.25 inches (3 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers of Encyclia nematocaulon are produced on the previous season's growth on branched inflorescence. Up to 14 flowers bloom at once and they are displayed well above the leaves.

Bloom Season: Late Spring

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Provide warm growing conditions and grow mounted on tree fern or cork bark mounts.

Synonyms: Encyclia purpusii; Encyclia xipheres; Epidendrum nematocaulon ; Epidendrum xipheres; Epidendrum yucatanense

Encyclia isochila

Encyclia isochila

Common Name: Equal-lipped Encyclia

Native to: Puerto Rico, Cuba, Hispanola, Jamaica. Encyclia isochila grows on trees.

Plant Size: Small to Medium

Flower Size: About 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers are clear green. The flowers of Encyclia isochila are borne on an arching, branched flower stalk that has a few flowers. The flowers do not open fully and frequently self-pollinate.

Bloom Season: Spring

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Encyclia isochila is an unusual species from the Caribbean that has self-pollinating flowers. Although not particularly attractive, some collectors like to have rare plants and some see the beauty in an ugly duckling.

Synonyms: Encyclia isochila var. tridens; Epidendrum belvederense; Encyclia bletioides; Epidendrum isochilum; Epidendrum isochilum var. tridens

Encyclia howardii

Encyclia howardii

Common Name: Howard's Encyclia

Native to: Cuba. Encyclia howardii is found only in the state of Oriente where it grows in tropical forests. It grows on trees.

Plant Size: Medium

Flower Size: Small. About 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: Fragrant. The flowers smell like vanilla. Flowers are produced on lightly flowered branched flower stems.

Bloom Season: Summer to Early Fall

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: This species was named after an American botanists how was active during the middle of the 20th century. Encyclia howardii is popular because of the fragrance of its flowers. Grow mounted on cork and provide warm Cattleya growing conditions. It is worth growing for the fragrance and makes an interesting conversation piece.

Synonyms: Epidendrum howardii

Encyclia fucata

Encyclia fucata

Common Name: Brown Veined Encyclia

Native to: Cuba, Bahamas, Hispanola.

Plant Size: Medium to Large

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: The flowers of Encyclia fucata are fragrant and smell of vanilla. The flower stem grows to 28 inches (70 cm) and bears up to 50 fragrant flowers.

Bloom Season: Summer to Early Fall

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: This sough-after species is popular with collectors due to its delicious vanilla fragrance. Grow mounted on cork or tree fern. Provide bright light and warmth.

Synonyms: Encyclia hircina; Epidendrum affine; Epidendrum fucatum; Epidendrum hircinum; Epidendrum obcordatum; Epidendrum polyanthum; Epidendrum sagraeanum

Schomburgkia lyonsii

Schomburgkia lyonsii

Common Name: Lyon's Schomburgkia

Native to: Cuba and Jamaica. Schomburgkia lyonsii is found growing on exposed rocks in dry upland forests and valleys from sea level to 800 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Large. The erect pseudobulbs of Schomburgkia lyonsii are tall and cylidrical to tappered and have two or three leaves.

Flower Size: 1.5 inches (3.75 cm)

Flower Description: The smallish flowers of Schomburgkia lyonsii are clustered near the end of a long, arching inflorescence.

Bloom Season: Spring

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Schomburgkia lyonsii is a lesser know species of the genus Schomburkgia. Grow on driftwood or cork plaques or slatted wood baskets. Mature plants get to be quite large. In nature, they are exposed to strong sunlight. Provide bright light in cultivation with air movement to keep the foliage from burning. Mature plants can become impressive specimens.

Synonyms: Bletia lyonsii; Laelia lyonsii; Scomburgkia carinata; Schomburgkia lyonsii var. immaculata