Rhyncholaelia digbyana Orchid
Rhyncholaelia digbyana is an orchid of the genus Rhyncholaelia. Plant blooms in the summer with up to two 17 cm wide flowers. The flowers are light lemon color with a refreshing lemon-like smell and start to appear from summer. This plant is found growing on trees and bushes in Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Southeast Mexico. The blooming season is from September till January.
In the jungles of the Mexican Caribbean, this orchid grows attached to big sapodilla trees. Some local gardeners successfully cultivate this type of flower. This species of orchid does not face endangerment. Interestingly, this orchid serves as the national flower of Honduras in Central America.
Taxonomy
In 1846, John Lindley identified the orchid as Brassavola digbyanna, now known as Rhyncholaelia digbyana. Edward St. Vincent included the plant in his collection, likely originating from Honduras. After three reclassifications since its original description, Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach combined it with Brassavola glauca to form the new genus Rhyncholaelia.
Characteristics
This species develops epiphytically on host trees in its natural habitat. It has elongated compressed pseudobulbs capped by a single leaf.
Categories Related: Local Flora & Fauna