Difference between revisions of "Brassia"

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{{SPlantbox
 
{{SPlantbox
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|familia=Orchidaceae
 
|genus=Brassia
 
|genus=Brassia
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|taxo_author=R.Br.
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|habit=orchid
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|lifespan=perennial
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|exposure=part-sun
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|water=moist
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|features=flowers
 
|Temp Metric=°F
 
|Temp Metric=°F
 
|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!
 
|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!
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|image=Upload.png
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|image=Brassia arcuigera.jpg
 
|image_width=240
 
|image_width=240
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|image_caption=Brassia arcuigera
 
}}
 
}}
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'''''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".
 +
 +
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.
 +
 +
''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.
 +
 
{{Inc|
 
{{Inc|
 
Brassia (named in honor of William Brass, a botanical collector of the last century). Orchidaceae. Epiphytic orchids, thriving in intermediate temperatures.
 
Brassia (named in honor of William Brass, a botanical collector of the last century). Orchidaceae. Epiphytic orchids, thriving in intermediate temperatures.
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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.
 
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.
  
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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. (Orpet.)
+
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.
 +
 
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B. Forgetiana. Hort. Fls. whitish with chocolate markings, the crest of the lip orange. Related to B. maculata.—B. Josstiana, Reichb. f. Brazil.
 
}}
 
}}
  
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{{Taxobox
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==Cultivation==
−
| color = lightgreen
 
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| name = Brassia
 
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| image = Brassia arcuigera.jpg
 
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| image_width = 240px
 
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| image_caption = ''[[Brassia arcuigera]]''
 
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
 
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| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
 
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| classis = [[Monocotyledon|Liliopsida]]
 
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| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
 
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| familia = [[Orchidaceae]]
 
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| tribus = [[Cymbidieae]]
 
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| subtribus = [[Oncidiinae]]
 
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| genus = '''''Brassia'''''
 
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| genus_authority = [[Robert Brown|R.Br.]], 1813
 
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| type_species = ''Brassia maculata''
 
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| type_species_authority = [[Robert Brown|R.Br.]] in W.T.Aiton (1813)
 
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| subdivision_ranks = Species
 
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| subdivision =
 
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See text
 
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}}
 
  
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'''''Brassia''''' is a [[genus]] of [[orchid]]s  classified in the ''[[Oncidiinae]]'' subtribe.
 
−
The genus was named after [[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.
 
  
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==Description==
+
===Propagation===
−
''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.
 
  
−
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.
+
===Pests and diseases===
  
−
''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
 
−
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.
 
  
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==Species==
+
==Varieties==
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* ''[[Brassia angustilabia]]'' Schltr. (1925)
+
List of species:
−
* ''[[Brassia antherotes]]'' Rchb.f. (1879)
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* ''[[Brassia angustilabia]]''
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* ''[[Brassia arachnoidea]]'' Barb.Rodr. (1877)
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* ''[[Brassia antherotes]]''
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* ''[[Brassia arcuigera]]'' Rchb.f. (1869) : Arching Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia arachnoidea]]''
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* ''[[Brassia aurorae]]'' D.E.Benn. (1992) : Reddish Brassia
+
* ''[[Brassia arcuigera]]'' - Arching Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia bidens]]'' Lindl. (1844) : Two-toothed Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia aurorae]]'' - Reddish Brassia
−
* ''[[Brassia boliviensis]]'' Schltr. (1913)
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* ''[[Brassia bidens]]'' - Two-toothed Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia caudata]]'' (L.) Lindl. (1825) : Tailed Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia boliviensis]]''
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* ''[[Brassia cauliformis]]'' C.Schweinf. (1946)
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* ''[[Brassia caudata]]'' - Tailed Brassia
−
* ''[[Brassia chloroleuca]]'' Barb.Rodr. (1877) : Green-and-white Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia cauliformis]]''  
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* ''[[Brassia cochleata]]'' Knowles & Westc. (1838)
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* ''[[Brassia chloroleuca]]'' - Green-and-white Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia cyrtopetala]]'' Schltr. (1912)
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* ''[[Brassia cochleata]]''
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* ''[[Brassia filomenoi]]'' Schltr. (1921)
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* ''[[Brassia cyrtopetala]]''
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* ''[[Brassia gireoudiana]]'' Rchb.f. & Warsz. (1854) : Gireoud's Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia filomenoi]]''
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* ''[[Brassia helenae]]'' Rchb. ex Linden (1881)
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* ''[[Brassia gireoudiana]]'' - Gireoud's Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia huebneri]]'' Schltr. (1925)
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* ''[[Brassia helenae]]''
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* ''[[Brassia iguapoana]]'' Schltr. (1925)
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* ''[[Brassia huebneri]]''
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* ''[[Brassia jipijapensis]]'' Dodson & N.H.Williams (1980) : Jipijapa Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia iguapoana]]''
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* ''[[Brassia josstiana]]'' Rchb.f. in E.A.von Regel (1854)
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* ''[[Brassia jipijapensis]]'' - Jipijapa Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia koehlerorum]]'' Schltr. (1921) : Koehler's Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia josstiana]]''
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* ''[[Brassia lanceana]]'' Lindl. (1835) : Lance's Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia koehlerorum]]'' - Koehler's Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia maculata]]'' R.Br. in W.T.Aiton (1813) (type species) : Spotted Brassia
+
* ''[[Brassia lanceana]]'' - Lance's Brassia
−
* ''[[Brassia neglecta]]'' Rchb.f. (1856) : Overlooked Brassia
+
* ''[[Brassia maculata]]'' - Spotted Brassia
−
* ''[[Brassia pascoensis]]'' D.E.Benn. & Christenson (2001)
+
* ''[[Brassia neglecta]]'' - Overlooked Brassia
−
* ''[[Brassia peruviana]]'' Poepp. & Endl. (1836) : Peru Brassia
+
* ''[[Brassia pascoensis]]''
−
* ''[[Brassia rhizomatosa]]'' Garay & Dunst. (1965)
+
* ''[[Brassia peruviana]]'' - Peru Brassia
−
* ''[[Brassia signata]]'' Rchb.f. (1881) : Marked Brassia
+
* ''[[Brassia rhizomatosa]]''
−
* ''[[Brassia suavissima]]'' Pupulin & Bogarín  (2005)
+
* ''[[Brassia signata]]'' - Marked Brassia
−
* ''[[Brassia thyrsodes]]'' Rchb.f. (1868)
+
* ''[[Brassia suavissima]]''
−
* ''[[Brassia transamazonica]]'' D.E.Benn. & Christenson (2001)
+
* ''[[Brassia thyrsodes]]''
−
* ''[[Brassia verrucosa]]'' Bateman ex Lindl. (1840) (subspecies of ''Brassia gireoudiana'', according to Robert L. Dressler and N.H. Williams- 2003): Warty Brassia
+
* ''[[Brassia transamazonica]]''
−
* ''[[Brassia villosa]]'' Lindl. (1854)
+
* ''[[Brassia verrucosa]]'' - Warty Brassia
−
* ''[[Brassia wageneri]]'' Rchb.f. (1854) : Wagener's Brassia
+
* ''[[Brassia villosa]]''
−
* ''[[Brassia warszewiczii]]'' Rchb.f. (1852) : Warscewicz's Brassia
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* ''[[Brassia wageneri]]'' - Wagener's Brassia
 +
* ''[[Brassia warszewiczii]]'' - Warscewicz's Brassia
  
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==Intergeneric hybrids==
+
Intergeneric hybrids:
−
* x''Alexanderara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
+
* ×''[[Alexanderara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''[[Cochlioda]]'' x ''[[Odontoglossum]]'' x ''Oncidium'')
−
* x''Aliceara''  (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'')
+
* ×''[[Aliceara]]''  (''Brassia'' x ''[[Miltonia]]'' x ''Oncidium'')
−
* x''Bakerara''  (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
+
* ×''[[Bakerara]]''  (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
−
* x''Banfieldara'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
+
* ×''[[Banfieldara]]'' (''[[Ada]]'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
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* x''Beallara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
+
* ×''[[Beallara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
−
* x''Brapasia'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'')
+
* ×''[[Brapasia]]'' (''[[Aspasia]]'' x ''Brassia'')
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* x''Brassada''  (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'')
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* ×''[[Brassada]]''  (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'')
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* x''Brassidium'' (''Brassia'' x ''Oncidium'')
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* ×''[[Brassidium]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Oncidium'')
−
* x''Brassioda''  (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'')
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* ×''[[Brassioda]]''  (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'')
−
* x''Brassochilus'' (''Brassia'' x ''Leochilus'')
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* ×''[[Brassochilus]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''[[Leochilus]]'')
−
* x''Brilliandeara''  (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
+
* ×''[[Brilliandeara]]''  (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
−
* x''Crawshayara''  (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'')
+
* ×''[[Crawshayara]]''  (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'')
−
* x''Degarmoara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
+
* ×''[[Degarmoara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
−
* x''Derosaara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
+
* ×''[[Derosaara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
−
* x''Duggerara'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'')
+
* ×''[[Duggerara]]'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'')
−
* x''Eliara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Epidendrum'' x ''Laelia'' x ''Sophronitis'')
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* ×''[[Eliara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''[[Oncidium]]'' x ''[[Rodriguezia]]'')<ref>page 20 of http://www.cites.org/common/cop/13/E13-P41Annex.pdf</ref>
−
* x''Forgetara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'')
+
* ×''[[Forgetara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'')
−
* x''Goodaleara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
+
* ×''[[Goodaleara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
−
* x''Hamiltonara'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
+
* ×''[[Hamiltonara]]'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'' )
−
* x''Johnkellyara''  (''Brassia'' x ''Leochilus'' x ''Oncidium'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
+
* ×''[[Johnkellyara]]''  (''Brassia'' x ''Leochilus'' x ''Oncidium'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
−
* x''Maclellanara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
+
* ×''[[Maclellanara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
−
* x''Miltassia'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'')
+
* ×''[[Miltassia]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'')
−
* x''Norwoodara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
+
* ×''[[Norwoodara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
−
* x''Odontobrassia'' (''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
+
* ×''[[Odontobrassia]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
−
* x''Pettitara'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Oncidium'')
+
* ×''[[Pettitara]]'' (''Ada'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Oncidium'')
−
* x''Roccaforteara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
+
* ×''[[Roccaforteara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
−
* x''Rodrassia''  (''Brassia'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
+
* ×''[[Rodrassia]]''  (''Brassia'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
−
* x''Rohriara''  (''Ada'' x ''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'')
+
* ×''[[Rohriara]]''  (''Ada'' x ''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'')
−
* x''Sanderara'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
+
* ×''[[Sanderara]]'' (''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
−
* x''Sauledaara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
+
* ×''[[Sauledaara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Oncidium'' x ''Rodriguezia'')
−
* x''Schafferara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
+
* ×''[[Schafferara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Cochlioda'' x ''Miltonia'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
−
* x''Shiveara'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
+
* ×''[[Shiveara]]'' (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'' x ''Oncidium'')
−
* x''Wingfieldara''  (''Aspasia'' x ''Brassia'' x ''Odontoglossum'')
+
* ×''[[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  -->
−
==See also==
+
<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
−
*[[Orchidaceae]]
 
−
*[[Taxonomy of the Orchid family]]
 
−
 
 
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{{Commons|Brassia}}
 
  
−
<hr>
+
==External links==
 +
*{{wplink}}
  
−
[[Category:Orchid genera]]
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{{stub}}
 +
__NOTOC__

Latest revision as of 02:51, 4 March 2010


Brassia arcuigera


Plant Characteristics
Habit   orchid

Lifespan: ⌛ perennial
Cultivation
Exposure: ☼ part-sun
Water: ◍ moist
Features: ✓ flowers
Scientific Names

Orchidaceae >

Brassia >

R.Br. >


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!


Brassia is a genus of orchids classified in the Oncidiinae subtribe. The genus was named after 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 hybrids are common in cultivation, and are notable for the characteristic long and spreading tepals (in some clones longer than 50 cm), which lend them the common name "spider orchid".

This 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 pseudobulbs with one or two leaves at the apex, lateral, unbranched many-flowered inflorescences with small floral bracts. The lip is not attached to the column. The pollinarium shows a narrow stipe. There are two distichous, foliaceous sheaths 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 genera Pepsis and Campsomeris. Mistaken by the mimicry of Brassia, the wasp stings the 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.


Read about Brassia in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

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.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

Propagation

Pests and diseases

Varieties

List of species:

Intergeneric hybrids:

Gallery

  • Brassia caudata

  • Brassia girouldiana

  • Brassia lanceana

  • Brassia maculata

References

  1. ↑ page 20 of http://www.cites.org/common/cop/13/E13-P41Annex.pdf

External links


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