Native to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Edited 25 April 2007
text © Nina Rach
Originally published in Botanische Zeitung (Berlin) 10: 714 (1852) by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach (1824-1889).
Collected by Atwood (voucher # 89-322) at Monteverde, Costa Rica. This species is referred to as a "blue" sobralia. Plant at left was collected from the Tilaran Range in Costa Rica. Photo provided by Michael LeMay,
Arenal Botanical Gardens
Seldom seen since it was described in the last century, this wonderful and spectacular species is happily growing at Finca Dracula (Andres Maduro's nursery at Cerro Punta, Panama)! Plants reach 2.5 feet tall and sequentially produce 3-4" fragrant blue (yes real blue) flowers Exceedingly rare! Grow intermediate, with moderately bright-bright light, evenly moist.
[Text and photo at lower left courtesy of Andres Maduro (Panama) and Woodstream Orchids.]
Robert L. Dressler 1993. Field Guide to the Orchids of Costa Rica and Panama. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 374p. [p.322].
Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach 1852. Botanische Zeitung (Berlin) 10: 714.
International Plant Names Index (IPNI),
www.ipni.org
William A. Haber (2001)
"Plants of Monteverde: Orchidaceae"
in: Monteverde Natural History