Sobralia warscewiczii

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.]