Epidendrum veroscriptum

Epidendrum veroscriptum

Common Name: Lettered Epidendrum Orchid
Native to: Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua. Epidendrum veroscriptum grows on trees between 700 and 1700 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Small to Medium. Epidendrum veroscriptum has short, cane-like stems that have a few leaves.
Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Flower Description: Fragrant. Epidendrum veroscriptum blooms on a 15 inch (35 cm) branched flower stem. Many flowers bloom at once and perfume the air. The petals and sepals are green and the lip is white with purple markings.
Bloom Season: Summer to Fall
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Epidendrum veroscriptum is an attractive species and is a welcome addition most any collection. Grow this species mounted on cork bark, tree fern, or grow in slatted baskets or well-drained pots. Provide even water and fertilizer throughout the year and warm growing conditions.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum umbelliferum

Epidendrum umbelliferum

Common Name: Umbel-Flowered Epidendrum
Native to: Florida, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, Columbia, Peru, Ecuador, Guyana, Brazil, and islands in the Caribbean. It grows on trees.
Plant Size: Miniature.
Flower Size: 0.5 inches (1 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum umbelliferum are produced on a tightly packed, unbranched terminal inflorescence.
Bloom Season: Spring
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Epidendrum umbelliferum is closely related to Epidendrum difforme but has enough unique characteristics to remain as a distinct species. Grow mounted on cork bark or tree fern and provide even moisture and fertilizer throughout the year.
Synonyms: Epidendrum chlorocorymbos, Epidendrum panegyricum, Epidendrum pseudodifforme, Epidendrum subumbellatum

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 trialatum

Epidendrum trialatum

Common Name: Three-winged Epidendrum Orchid
Native to: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama. Epidendrum trialatum grows on trees up to 1000 meters in elevation in hot, semi-deciduous forests and rain forests.
Plant Size: Small. Epidendrum trialatum has short stems with three or four leaves.
Flower Size: 0.25 inches (1 cm)
Flower Description: The small flowers of Epidendrum trialatum are produced on a 1 inch (2.5 cm) unbranched inflorescence. Several flowers bloom on the stem from Fall to Spring.
Bloom Season: Fall to Spring
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Epidendrum trialatum grows well on cork bark or in a small slatted basket. Provide warm growing conditions with more water during the spring and summer and drier conditions during the fall and winter.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum selaginella

Epidendrum selaginella

Common Name: Moss-like Epidendrum Orchid
Native to: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama. Epidendrum selaginella grows on trees between 650 and 2400 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Miniature. Epidendrum selaginella covers tree branches with its creeping rhizomes that produce short stems with a few leaves on the upper-third of the stem. All parts of plant are small.
Flower Size: Tiny. 0.25 inches (0.5 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum selaginella are produced on short flower stems that bear up to eight flowers. All the flowers open at once.
Bloom Season: Winter
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Microepidendrum selaginella is really a cute miniature orchid. Grow this species mounted on cork bark and let it ramble and create a solid mass. Keep on the moist side and mist frequently.
Synonyms: Microepidendrum selaginella

Epidendrum scriptum

Epidendrum scriptum

Common Name: Spotted Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica. Epidendrum scriptum grows as a terrestrial plant near streams and rivers between 900 to 2000 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Large
Flower Size: 0.75 inches (2 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum scriptum are produced in quantity on a 4 inch (10 cm) terminal flower stem. The flowers open over a long period of time. There are spots on the flowers.
Bloom Season: Spring to Fall
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Epidendrum scriptum is closely related to Epidendrum veroscriptum and Epidendrum paniculatum. Grow this species in well drained pots with good terrestrial orchid mix. Provide even water throughout the year. The plant blooms for a long period of time and produces impressive specimens with time.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum peperomia

Epidendrum peperomia

Common Name: Peperomia-like Epidendrum Orchid
Native to: Central America. Nicaragua south to Ecuador. Epidendrum peperomia grows on trees in pine-oak forests between 600 and 2700 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Miniature. Epidendrum peperomia forms a mat of foliage and has three-inch (8 cm) stems. Foliage is green but may take on a purple cast when grown with in bright light. The leaves are rather fleshy.
Flower Size: To 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Flower Description: The short flower stems develop at the tips of stems and have between one and three flowers.
Bloom Season: Blooms anytime of the year.
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Grow this species mounted on cork or grow in a pot with a very coarse growing media to allow for adequate root air circulation. Impressive specimens can develop when the foliage of pot-grown plants spills over the edge of the pot and the foliage is covered in blooms. Provide even water and fertilizer throughout the year. Mist the plant during the winter rather than watering it and let the foliage dry before evening.
Synonyms: Epidendrum gnomus, Epidendrum lambeauanum, Epidendrum matthewsii, Epidendrum porpax, Epidendrum porphyrophyllum, Nanodes gnomus, Nanodes matthewsii, Nanodes porpax, Nanodes porpax, Neolehmannia mathewsii, Neolehmannia peperomia, Neolehmannia porpax

Epidendrum eustirum

Epidendrum eustirum

Native to: Mexico south to Nicaragua. Epidendrum eustirum grows in hot and humid tropical forests from sea level to 1000 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Medium. Epidendrum eustirum has thin, upright stems with several purple-tinted leaves.
Flower Size: Small
Flower Description: Several to many flowers bloom on a short bloom stem that develops at the top of mature growths during the winter.
Bloom Season: Winter
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Grow Epidendrum eustirum mounted on cork bark or tree fern plaques and provide frequent, even moisture. Unusual and uncommon.
Synonyms: Epidendrum carinatum

Epidendrum eburneum - Ivory-colored Epidendrum

Epidendrum eburneum

Common Name: Ivory-colored Epidendrum
Native to: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama. Epidendrum eburneum grows on tree trunks on large trees in hot, tropical forests between sea level and 500 meters.
Plant Size: Large. Epidendrum eburneum has large canes that have a few leaves near the top. The plant resembles Epidendrum nocturnum but has different floral characteristics.
Flower Size: 2.25 inches (6 cm)
Flower Description: Flowers are ivory-colored and have thin petals and sepals. The axilary flower stems produce up to six flowers. Fragrant.
Bloom Season: Late Fall to Winter
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Epidendrum eburneum grows well mounted on cork bark or grown in slatted baskets. The plants get large and need space to develop into impressive specimens. Enjoy the fragrance in the evenings. Provide ample water and heat.
Synonyms: Epidendrum leucocardium

Epidendrum criniferum - Bract-carrying Epidendrum

Epidendrum criniferum

Epidendrum criniferum

Common Name: Bract-carrying Epidendrum
Native to: Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru. Epidendrum criniferum grows at low elevation.
Plant Size: Medium.
Flower Size: 0.75 inches (2 cm)
Flower Description: Epidendrum criniferum produces between three and seven flowers on terminal flower stem. Flowers are attractive and fragrant.
Bloom Season: Winter
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Epidendrum criniferum is one of the showier species in the genus and produces beautiful, fragrant flowers. Grow mounted on cork on grow in pots with a coarse, open planting medium. Provide heat, moisture, and water throughout the year.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum coronatum - Crown-Like Epidendrum

Epidendrum coronatum

Common Name: Crown-Like Epidendrum

Native to: Trinidad and Nicaragua south to Venezuela and Peru. Epidendrum coronatum grows on tree branched and tree trunks and even the occasional rock outcropping in moist mountainous forests between 100 and 1500 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Large. Epidendrum coronatum is a tall reed-stem type Epidendrum that has upright stems with many leaves.

Flower Size: 1.75 inches (4 cm)

Flower Description: The colorful flowers of Epidendrum coronatum are produced on an arching flower stem that emerges from the top of mature stems.

Bloom Season: Winter to Spring

Growing Temperature: Cool to Warm

Additional Information:  Epidendrum coronatum is an attractive and robust member of the genus that produces ample colorful flowers. Grow in pots with a coarse, high-quality orchid mix. Provide even moisture and fertilizer throughout the year.

Synonyms: Epidendrum amazonicum, Epidendrum benignum, Epidendrum compositum, Epidendrum moyobambae, Epidendrum subpatens, Epidendrum sulphuroleucum

Epidendrum cnemidophorum - Leg-Armor Epidendrum

Epidendrum cnemidophorum

Common Name: Leg-Armor Epidendrum

Native to: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Epidendrum cnemidophorum grows in humid could forests on trees.

Plant Size: Medium

Flower Size: 2 inches (5 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers are dark in color and attractive. The flower spike has between 3 and 10 flowers in the winter.

Bloom Season: Winter

Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool

Additional Information: Grow Epidendrum cnemidophorum either mounted or grown in well-drained pots with a coarse growing media. Provide constant moisture and fertilizer throughout the year. Newer cultivars are coming on the market that have improved flower color and form.

Synonyms: Encyclia affinis, Epidendrum affine, Epidendrum macrobotryum

Epidendrum chloe - Chloe's Epidendrum

Epidendrum chloe

Common Name: Chloe's Epidendrum

Native to: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua. Epidendrum chloe prefers humid mountain forests and grows on moss-covered trees between 1000 and 1200 meters.

Plant Size: Medium. The leaves of Epidendrum chloe are grassy and thin

Flower Size: 0.5 inches (1.5 cm)

Flower Description: The flowers develop on a short stem that grows from the top of a recently matured cane. There are only a few flowers per growth.

Bloom Season: Late Winter to Spring

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: This species was first described to the scientific community back in 1856. Grow mounted on cork or tree fern plaques for best results. Provide warmth and humidity.

Synonyms: Epidendrum culmiforme

Epidendrum carolii - Carol's Epidendrum

Epidendrum carolii

Common Name: Carol's Epidendrum

Native to: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Epidendrum carolii grows wild in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Oaxaca. Its primary habitat is moist oak forests between 500 and 1700 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Small. The fleshy stems have two or more sword-shaped green leaves.

Flower Size: 0.5 inches (1.75 cm)

Flower Description: The small flowers are produced on a terminal flower stem that grows to 8 inches (20 cm) in height. The flowers have a faint, pleasant scent.

Bloom Season: Spring to Fall

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Epidendrum carolii is a compact species that can be grown successfully on cork or tree fern mounts. Provide heat and humidity along with adequate air circulation for best results. The small flowers have a charm of their own.

Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum cardiochilum - Heart-Shaped Lip Epidendrum

Epidendrum cardiochilum

Common Name: Heart-Shaped Lip Epidendrum

Native to: Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Epidendrum cardiochilum inhabits warm and cool, wet cloud forest habitats where it grows on trees. It is usually found between 500 and 1400 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Small. Epidendrum cardiochilum produces small pseudobulbs and has two or three long, tongue-shaped leaves.

Flower Size: 0.75 inches (2 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers are moderate in size and have a heart-shaped lip. The inflorescence develops as the growth develops and produces blooms in the winter. Only a few flowers are produced by each growth.

Bloom Season: Winter

Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool

Additional Information: This small Mexican and Central American species has small but attractive flowers and a compact habit. Grow mounted on cork or tree fern. It is adaptable but prefers humidity and constant moisture.

Synonyms: Epidendrum segoviense

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 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 parviflora

Common Name: Small-flowered Encyclia

Native to: Mexico south to Nicaragua. It grows mostly on trees although it is occasionally found growing as a terrestrial orchid. Encyclia parviflora grows in dry forests on the eastern coast between 100 and 800 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Medium

Flower Size: 1.5 inches (4 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers are similar to Encyclia alata. This species has fragrant flower that bloom on a 18 inch (40 cm) flower spike.

Bloom Season: Late Spring to early Summer

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Grow mounted on cork and provide bright light and warm growing conditions.

Synonyms: Encyclia alata ssps. parviflora; Encyclia belizensis ssps. parviflora; Epidendrum alatum var parviflorum

Photo courtesy of Abundaflora.

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 mooreana

Encyclia mooreana

Common Name: Moore's Encyclia

Native to: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama. Encyclia mooreana grows on larger tree branches in mountainous cloud forests between 270 and 2100 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Medium. The pear-shaped pseudobulbs have two or three fleshy leaves that grow to 20 inches (50 cm).

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: Fragrant. The flowers of Encyclia mooreana smell like honey. The flowers are attractive and are light in color with distinctive markings. The flower stem is heavily branched and grows from 20 inches to 6 feet (50-200 cm). Flower stems develop from freshly matured pseudobulbs.

Bloom Season: Late Spring to Early Summer.

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: It is clear to see from the appearance of the flowers that Encyclia mooreana is closely related to Encyclia oncidioides.

Synonyms: Encyclia brenesii; Encyclia oncidioides var. mooreana; Encyclia tonduziana; Epidendrum mooreanum; Epidendrum oncidioides var. mooreanum; Epidendrum tonduzianum