Epidendrum falcatum Lindl. 1840

Photo courtesy of Marc Flandres and His Orchid Home Page in France

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Common Name The Sickle-Shaped Epidendrum [refers to the midlobe of the lip]

Flower Size 3 1/2" [8.5 cm]

Endemic to Mexico, this lithophytic species is found on limestone rocks and cliffs in pine and pine oak forests, and xerophytic shrub and thorn forests at altitudes of 1000 to 2100 meters with pendant fusiform pseudobulbs carrying a single, articulate, coriaceous-fleshy, narrowly linear-lanceolate, acute leaf that flowers in the spring and summer on a terminal, 2" [5 cm] long, umbeliform raceme arising on a newly maturing,pseudobulb with 4 to 8, simultaneously openng flowers that have a soapy smell at night.

Synonyms Aulizeum falcatum Lindley ex stein 1892; Brassavola suaveolens Galeotti ex Hemsl. 1879; Epidendrum falcatum var zeledoniae Schlechter 1923; Epidendrum lactiflorum A. Rich. & Galeotti 1845; Epidendrum parkinsonianum var. falcatum (Lindl.) Ames, F.T. Hubb. & C. Schweinf. 1945;

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Die Orchideen Schlechter 1915 photo fide; Repert. Sp. Nov. Regni. Veg. Beih. 19: 37. Costa Rica Schlechter 1923 as Epidendrum falcatum var zeledoniae; Repert. Sp. Nov. Regni. Veg. Beih. 19: 212. Costa Rica Schlechter 1923; AOS Bulletin Vol 30 No 9 1961; AOS Bulletin Vol 31 No 3 1962 photo; AOS Bulletin Vol 88 #10 2019 photo fide;

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