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{{Taxobox
{{SPlantbox
| color = lightgreen
|familia=Orchidaceae
| name = Brassia
|genus=Brassia
| image = Brassia arcuigera.jpg
|taxo_author=R.Br.
| image_width = 240px
|habit=orchid
| image_caption = ''[[Brassia arcuigera]]''
|lifespan=perennial
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
|exposure=part-sun
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
|water=moist
| classis = [[Monocotyledon|Liliopsida]]
|features=flowers
| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
|Temp Metric=°F
| familia = [[Orchidaceae]]
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
|image=Brassia arcuigera.jpg
|image_width=240
|image_caption=Brassia arcuigera
| type_species = ''Brassia maculata''
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
}}
}}
'''''Brassia''''' is a [[genus]] of [[orchid]]s classified in the [[Oncidiinae]] subtribe.
The genus was named after [[William Brass (botanist)|William Brass]], a British botanist and illustrator, who collected plants in Africa under the supervision of Sir [[Joseph Banks]]. Its abbreviation in the horticultural trade is '''Brs'''.
''Brassia'' [[species]] and its popular [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrids]] are common in cultivation, and are notable for the characteristic long and spreading [[tepal]]s (in some clones longer than 50 cm), which lend them the common name "spider orchid".
''Brassia'' [[species]] and its popular [[hybrid]]s are common in cultivation, and are notable for the characteristic long and spreading [[tepal]]s (in some clones longer than 50 cm), which lend them the common name "spider orchid".
This [[epiphyte|epiphytic]] genus occurs in South Florida, the West-Indies and tropical America, in wet forests from sea level to altitudes under 1500 m, with the Peruvian [[Andes]] as its center. Occurrence is mostly restricted to a certain area, but ''Brassia caudata'' can be found over the whole geographic area.
This [[epiphyte|epiphytic]] genus occurs in South Florida, the West-Indies and tropical America, in wet forests from sea level to altitudes under 1500 m, with the Peruvian [[Andes]] as its center. Occurrence is mostly restricted to a certain area, but ''Brassia caudata'' can be found over the whole geographic area.
They have large elliptic-oblong [[pseudobulb]]s with one or two leaves at the apex, lateral, unbranched many-flowered [[inflorescence]]s with small floral [[bract]]s. The [[labellum|lip]] is not attached to the column. The [[pollinarium]] shows a narrow stipe. There are two distichous, foliaceous [[sheath]]s around the base, from which the inflorescence emerges.
They have large elliptic-oblong [[pseudobulb]]s with one or two leaves at the apex, lateral, unbranched many-flowered [[inflorescence]]s with small floral [[bract]]s. The [[labellum|lip]] is not attached to the column. The [[pollinarium]] shows a narrow stipe. There are two distichous, foliaceous [[sheath]]s around the base, from which the inflorescence emerges.
''Brassia'' has a very specific method for pollination : it uses entomophily : [[pollination]] by insects and in this case specifically by female spider-hunter wasps of the
''Brassia'' has a very specific method for pollination : it uses entomophily : [[pollination]] by insects and in this case specifically by female [[Spider wasp|spider-hunter wasps]] of the genera ''[[Pepsis]]'' and ''[[Campsomeris]]''. Mistaken by the [[mimicry]] of ''Brassia'', the wasp stings the [[labellum|lip]], while trying to grasp its prey without any success. By these movements the wasp comes into contact with the pollinarium, that then sticks to its head. By flying to another ''Brassia'' flower, this flower gets pollinated.
genera ''[[Pepsis]]'' and ''[[Campsomeris]]''. Mistaken by the [[mimicry]] of ''Brassia'', the wasp stings the [[labellum|lip]], while trying to grasp its prey without any success. By these movements the wasp comes into contact with the pollinarium, that then sticks to its head. By flying to another ''Brassia'' flower, this flower gets pollinated.
{{Inc|
Brassia (named in honor of William Brass, a botanical collector of the last century). Orchidaceae. Epiphytic orchids, thriving in intermediate temperatures.
Pseudobulbs bearing 1 or 2 terminal Lvs., and lateral or axillary racemes: sepals narrow, acuminate, or sometimes tailed, spreading, equal or the lateral longer; petals similar to the dorsal sepal or smaller; lip sessile on the foot of the column, spreading, flat, entire, shorter than the sepals; pollinia 2, waxy.—A genus of about 30 species extending from Mex. to Brazil and the W. Indies.
The brassias are plants of easy culture and add considerable interest to collections. They have little value as a florists' flower since the colors are not suitable, but a well-grown specimen, such as is often seen in old gardens, makes a most attractive object. The long-tailed sepals and petals are a characteristic of the brassias, and some have an agreeable odor. Pot culture is best, with the usual peat fiber as a rooting medium. In winter-time much less water is necessary than in the growing time, although the plants must never be dried off completely or the flowering will be interfered with. One often sees plants of B. maculata brought here by visitors to Jamaica, and other species are now introduced there from the mainland of South America, and thrive well. These may all be grown in an ordinary greenhouse with other plants, in fact a mixed collection, and give satisfaction. Propagation is effected by division only. Green-fly is often troublesome on the young flower-spikes and must be kept down by fumigation, or sponge dipped in soapy water.
B. Forgetiana. Hort. Fls. whitish with chocolate markings, the crest of the lip orange. Related to B. maculata.—B. Josstiana, Reichb. f. Brazil.
}}
==Cultivation==
==Intergeneric hybrids==
===Propagation===
* x''Alexanderara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
* x''Aliceara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'')
* x''Bakerara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
===Pests and diseases===
* x''Banfieldara'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
* x''Beallara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
* x''Brapasia'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'')
==Varieties==
* x''Brassada'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'')
List of species:
* x''Brassidium'' (''Brassia'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ''[[Brassia angustilabia]]''
* x''Brassioda'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'')
* ''[[Brassia antherotes]]''
* x''Brassochilus'' (''Brassia'' x ''Leochilus'')
* ''[[Brassia arachnoidea]]''
* x''Brilliandeara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ''[[Brassia arcuigera]]'' - Arching Brassia
* x''Crawshayara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ''[[Brassia aurorae]]'' - Reddish Brassia
* x''Degarmoara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
* ''[[Brassia bidens]]'' - Two-toothed Brassia
* x''Derosaara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
* ''[[Brassia boliviensis]]''
* x''Duggerara'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'')
* ''[[Brassia caudata]]'' - Tailed Brassia
* x''Eliara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Epidendrum'' x ''Laelia'' x ''Sophronitis'')
* ''[[Brassia cauliformis]]''
* x''Forgetara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'')
* ''[[Brassia chloroleuca]]'' - Green-and-white Brassia
* x''Goodaleara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ''[[Brassia cochleata]]''
* x''Hamiltonara'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
* ''[[Brassia cyrtopetala]]''
* x''Johnkellyara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Leochilus'' x ''Oncidium'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
* ''[[Brassia filomenoi]]''
* x''Maclellanara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ''[[Brassia gireoudiana]]'' - Gireoud's Brassia
* x''Miltassia'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'')
* ''[[Brassia helenae]]''
* x''Norwoodara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
* ''[[Brassia huebneri]]''
* x''Odontobrassia'' (''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
* ''[[Brassia iguapoana]]''
* x''Pettitara'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ''[[Brassia jipijapensis]]'' - Jipijapa Brassia
* x''Roccaforteara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
* ''[[Brassia josstiana]]''
* x''Rodrassia'' (''Brassia'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
* ''[[Brassia koehlerorum]]'' - Koehler's Brassia
* x''Rohriara'' (''Ada'' x ''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'')
* ''[[Brassia lanceana]]'' - Lance's Brassia
* x''Sanderara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
* ''[[Brassia maculata]]'' - Spotted Brassia
* x''Sauledaara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
* ''[[Brassia neglecta]]'' - Overlooked Brassia
* x''Schafferara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
* ''[[Brassia pascoensis]]''
* x''Shiveara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ''[[Brassia peruviana]]'' - Peru Brassia
* x''Wingfieldara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
* ''[[Brassia rhizomatosa]]''
* ''[[Brassia signata]]'' - Marked Brassia
* ''[[Brassia suavissima]]''
* ''[[Brassia thyrsodes]]''
* ''[[Brassia transamazonica]]''
* ''[[Brassia verrucosa]]'' - Warty Brassia
* ''[[Brassia villosa]]''
* ''[[Brassia wageneri]]'' - Wagener's Brassia
* ''[[Brassia warszewiczii]]'' - Warscewicz's Brassia
Intergeneric hybrids:
* ×''[[Alexanderara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''[[Cochlioda]]'' x ''[[Odontoglossum]]'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ×''[[Aliceara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''[[Miltonia]]'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ×''[[Bakerara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ×''[[Banfieldara]]'' (''[[Ada]]'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
* ×''[[Beallara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
* ×''[[Brapasia]]'' (''[[Aspasia]]'' x ''Brassia'')
* ×''[[Brassada]]'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'')
* ×''[[Brassidium]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ×''[[Brassioda]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'')
* ×''[[Brassochilus]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''[[Leochilus]]'')
* ×''[[Brilliandeara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ×''[[Crawshayara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ×''[[Degarmoara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
* ×''[[Derosaara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
* ×''[[Duggerara]]'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'')
* ×''[[Eliara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''[[Oncidium]]'' x ''[[Rodriguezia]]'')<ref>page 20 of http://www.cites.org/common/cop/13/E13-P41Annex.pdf</ref>
* ×''[[Forgetara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'')
* ×''[[Goodaleara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ×''[[Hamiltonara]]'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
* ×''[[Johnkellyara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Leochilus'' x ''Oncidium'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
* ×''[[Maclellanara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ×''[[Miltassia]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'')
* ×''[[Norwoodara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
* ×''[[Odontobrassia]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
* ×''[[Pettitara]]'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ×''[[Roccaforteara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
* ×''[[Rodrassia]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
* ×''[[Rohriara]]'' (''Ada'' x ''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'')
* ×''[[Sanderara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
* ×''[[Sauledaara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
* ×''[[Schafferara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
* ×''[[Shiveara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
* ×''[[Wingfieldara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery perrow=5>
Image:Brassia caudata .jpg|''Brassia caudata''
Image:Brassia-girouldiana.jpg|''Brassia girouldiana''
Image:Brassia-girouldiana.jpg|''Brassia girouldiana''
Image:Brassia lanceana Lindley-02.jpg|''Brassia lanceana''
Image:Brassia-maculata.jpg|''Brassia maculata''
Image:Brassia-maculata.jpg|''Brassia maculata''
</gallery>
</gallery>
==References==
==References==
* Pupulin, F. and Bogarin, D.: The genus Brassia in Costa Rica : A survey of four species and a new species ; Lindleyana, March 2005 - - On line [http://aos.org/aos/uploadedFiles/docs/LindleyanaMar05.pdf]
<references/>
* Dressler, R.L., and N.H. Williams. 2003. ''New combinations in Mesoamerican Oncidiinae (Orchidaceae)''. Selbyana 24(1):44–45.
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
* van der Pijl, L., and C.H. Dodson. 1966. ''Orchid Flowers: Their Pollination and Evolution.'' University of Miami Press, Coral Gables.
<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
<!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 -->
<!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 -->
==External links==
*{{wplink}}
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