Pleurothallis mathildae

Pleurothallis mathildae is from Brazil.  It is sometimes found under the name Trichosalpinx mathildae, and that name is probably more current.  The plant is 7 cm tall, the flower spikes also 7 cm and the tiny flowers less than 1 cm.  The flowers do not open widely on some plants including my own.  I grow it on a small branch with cool to intermediate temperatures.

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Trichosalpinx vasquezii

I didn't even have a country of origin for this one when I posted this.  If I remember it was given me and all that was obvious was that it belonged to the genus Trichosalpinx, a genus of plants related to Pleurothallis.  Since posting the pictures, however, the species has been identified by Wiel Driessen with the help of Chad Lees, who sent him the link.  It is Trichosalpinx vasquezii from Bolivia, a very rare species.  The flowers are tiny, just a few millimeters, and are held against the bottom of the leaf and are not visible unless the plant is turned upside down.  The plant is 15 cm tall.

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Pleurothallis mathildae

Pleurothallis mathildae or Trichosalpinx mathildae, as it is sometimes known, is a small species from Brazil.  My plant is 7 cm tall and the flower spikes about the same length, the flower less than 1 cm in size.  The flowers are attractive when seen close but are very small and do not open widely.

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Pleurothallis pterophora

Pleurothallis pterophora, has been bumped around as far as its named goes.  I understand that it is now known either as Pabstiella leucopyramis or Pleurothallis leucopyramis.  By any name, however, it is one of my favorites in that genus, is just opening its blooms.  This miniature orchid species from Brazil grows about 4-5 inches tall and holds its pristine white flowers above the leaves.  Each leaf is heavily spotted when young, but the spotting fades away as the leaf ages.  The flower spikes hold 6-10 dangling flowers a little less than half an inch long (1 cm).  The flowers are quite fragrant and smell like Lily-of-the Valley.  The name pterophora means "bearing wings," so this is the Winged Pleurothallis.  These wings, as well as the spotting on the leaves can be seen in the following photos.

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