Brassavola
(pronounced: bras-SAH-voh-lah)
Classification
Epidendreae subtribe Laelinae. Two intergeneric natural hybrids have been recorded from Brazil: XBrassocattleya miranda L. C. Menezes (Brassavola tuberculata ? Cattleya warneri) and XBrassocattleya rubyi Braga (Brassavola ## ? Cattleya ###). In many case
Overview
Caespitose epiphytes. Pseudobulbs cylindric, not thickened. Leaves solitary, terete to subterete, fleshy-leathery. Inflorescences terminal, short, usually subumbellate, the floral bracts insignificant. Flowers one to many, spidery, fragrant at night, white to greenish-white, rarely yellow or orange. Sepals and petals free, spreading, subsimilar, subequal, linear, acuminate. Lip unlobed or three-lobed, usually tubular, without callus. Column very short, toothed at the apex, without wings or foot; pollinia 8 or 12, with strap-shaped caudicles. Fruit with a long beak.
Etymology
Honoring Antonio Musa Brasavola, Venetian botanist.
Distribution
A genus of 17 species found throughout the neotropics from Mexico to Bolivia.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow plants of Brassavola on slabs without any moisture-retaining material at the roots. Provide very bright diffuse light, warm temperatures, and regular watering throughout the year. Plants of Brassavola may be grown in pots or baskets with a medium-grade epiphyte mixture if the roots are allowed to dry out between waterings. Care should be taken to avoid overpotting.
Literature
Christenson, E. A. 2000. Brassavola acaulis. Orchids 69(5):466-467. Jones, H. G. 1967. Preliminary contributions towards a revision of the genus Brassavola R. Br. of the Orchidaceae. Bol. Soc. Brot., ser. 2, 41:5-21. Jones, H. G. 1969. Die Gattung Brassavola in Westindien. Die Orchidee 20(4):181-186. Jones, H. G. 1970. Studies in Brassavola, I. Phyton 14:31-35. Jones, H. G. 1971. El género Brassavola en Suramerica. OrquideologÃa 6(3):149-153, 209-218. Jones, H. G. 1972. Studies in Brassavola, II. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 41(6):493-496. Murren, C. J. and A. M. Ellison 1996. Effects of habitat, plant size, and floral display on male and female reproductive success of the Neotropical orchid, Brassavola nodosa. Biotropica 28:30-41. Schemske, D. W. 1980. Evolution of floral display in the orchid Brassavola nodosa. Evolution 34:489-493. Schlechter, R. 1919. Die Gattung Brassavola R. Br. Orchis 13:58-62, 71-79.
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