Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: Schlechter's Epidendrum

Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae (Orchid)

Synonym: Epidendrum congestoides

Distribution: Trinidad-Tobago, S Mexico to S Trop America

Habitat: Humid oak forests, dry areas, dense rainforests; 0-1180ft (0-360m)

Life form: Epiphytic

Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): March to October

Bloom characteristics: 1-2 green flowers which have a red column. Flowers are 1.25" across.

Plant size: 2.5" (6.4 cm) tall

Foliage characteristics: Fleshy with red margins

Description: Both the foliage and the flowers of this miniature plant develop a red cast when in high light conditions. The flowers can look so similar to the leaves, as to sometimes make it difficult to tell the two apart.

Comments: Epidendrum schlechterianum