Acronia stricta

Acronia stricta or Pleurothallis stricta is one of the few Pleurothallis that I grow.  Because many of them are very large plants and because the flowers are often small in proportion to the plant, I've weeded most of them out of my collection, though more for lack of room than for lack of interest.  This is one of the few I still have.  The plant is about 15 cm tall with narrow leaves and the flower spikes are again that long with 2 cm flowers.  The flowers do not, however, last very long, though they bloom several at time in succession,

Readmore »»

Acronia canadentis

Canidentis means "dog's tooth" and the name in this case refers to the shape of the petals.  Acronia or Pleurothallis canidentis is from Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia and is only 12cm tall with 2cm flowers, which are produced one at a time from the sheath at the base of the heart-shaped leaf.  The unusual colors and size of the flowers make it a desirable species, but it is cool-cold growing, coming from higher elevations and does not seem to tolerate warmer temperatures very well.

Readmore »»

Acronia stricta

Acronia stricta, formerly Pleurothallis stricta is from Colombia and Ecuador and is a cool-growing miniature orchid.  The plant is about 15 cm tall, around 22 cm with the flower spikes.  The individual flowers are very nearly 2 cm tall.

The plan seems to have no regular bloom season but blooms on each new growth and does so from the axil of the leaf and stem on upright, wiry spikes that carry about 10 flowers.  It is easy to grow and bloom, a good plant for beginners who are interested in this sort of thing.

Readmore »»

Acronia canidentis

Previously known as Pleurothallis canidentis, this small plant has the heart-shaped leaves characteristic of the group, and the flowers, like the other Acronias, are carried on short stems, so that the flower lies on the upper surface of the leaf.

This species is one of the smaller Acronias, and is native to Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia.  The leaves with their stems are about 15 cm tall and the flowers are 2 cm tall.  It is cool growing and does well either in a pot or mounted.

The species name, canidentis, means "dog's tooth," and refers to the shape of the petals, though the resemblance entirely escapes me.  This, then, is the Dog's Tooth Pleurothallis, or the Dog's Tooth Acronia, but by any name a worthwhile plant.

Readmore »»