!Caularthron bicornutum [Hooker]Raf. 1836 Photo courtesy of Jay Pfahl

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Common Name Virgin or Virgin Mary Diacrium

Flower Size Up to 3" [5 cm]

This medium sized, hot to warm growing, epiphytic or occasional lithophytic species, commonly called the Virgin Orchid, is often found close to the sea on rocks or cliffs or rivers in Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago with long-cylindrical, fusiform or elongate-ovoid pseudobulbs enveloped by white, papery bracts carrying, 3 to 4, towards the apex, oblong or elliptic-oblong, fleshy, coriaceous, obtuse leaves that blooms in the late winter through the spring on a 6 to 16" [15 to 40 cm] long, slender, terminal, erect raceme that has a few to many [3 to 20] sequentially opening, fragrant, waxy flowers with small bracts and twisted pedicels that are longlasting and arise on newly matured psuedobulbs. The inflorescence appear in the fall and grow through the winter for a late winter through spring blooming. They are often found in association with ants that live in a hollow cavity with an entrance at the base of the older psuedobulbs. This species can bloom out of the apex of a newly emerging psuedobulb that will not develop further if the plant is under stress. Bright light, ample water while growing and a lessening in the winter ensures a healthy regular blooming plant.

Synonyms Caularthron kraenzlinianum Jones 1980; Diacrium amazonicum Schlechter 1925; Diacrium bicornutum [Hkr.]Benth. 1881; *Epidendrum bicornutum Hooker 1834

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Venezuelan Orchids Illustrated Vol 1 Dunsterville & Garay 1959; Flora de Venezuela Foldats Volumen XV Part 3 1970; Botanica's Orchids Laurel Glen 2003; Manual of Orchids Stewart 1995; Encyclopedia of Cultivated Orchids Hawkes 1987; Orchidaenfloren Kordillerenstaaten 1: Venezuela Schlechter 1920; Native Orchids of the Eastern Caribbean Kenny 1988; Orchids of Venezuela; An Illustrated Field Guide Dunsterville & Garay 1979; An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids Pridgeon 1982; The Manual of Cultivated Orchids Bechtel, Cribb & Laurent 1982; Flora's Orchids Nash & La Croix 2005; Orchids of Venezuela; An Illustrated Field Guide Dunsterville & Garay 1979; Orchids of Brazil McQueen 1993; Orchidaceae Brasilienses Pabst & Dungs 1975; Orquideas de la Serrania del Baudo Misas Urreta 2006;