Lycaste aromatica

Lycaste aromatica
Lycaste aromatica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Epidendroideae
Tribe:	Maxillarieae
Subtribe:	Lycastinae
Genus:	Lycaste
Species:	L. aromatica
Binomial name
Lycaste aromatica (Graham) Lindl.

Lycaste aromatica, common name the sweet scented lycaste, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Lycaste of the family Orchidaceae.

Description

Lycaste aromatica has ovate pseudobulbs, deciduous lanceolate leaves and erect flowered spikes about 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long. Flower are yellow-orange and fragrant, about 7 centimetres (2.8 in) wide. The flowering period extends from late Spring through-Summer. It is a terrestrial orchid growing on mossy branches (epiphyte).

Distribution

This plant is native to Central America and it is present in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.

Habitat

Lycaste aromatica grows on branches with moss, in damp limestone cliffs and in tropical semi-deciduous forests or warm oak forests along streams. It prefers diffused bright light in moist and cool to warm climate, at an altitude of 500–2,000 metres (1,600–6,600 ft) above sea level.

Synonyms

• Maxillaria aromatica Graham (basionym)
• Colax aromaticus (Graham) Spreng.
• Lycaste aromatica var. bartleyi Oakeley
• Lycaste aromatica var. hartleyorum Oakeley
• Lycaste aromatica var. majus auct 1926
• Lycaste aromatica var. retroflexa Oakeley 2001
• Lycaste consobrina Rchb.f. 1852
• Lycaste suaveolens Summerh. 1931
• Maxillaria consobrina Beer ex Schltr.?

Gallery

• 
  Illustration of "Lycaste aromatica" from Edwards's Botanical Register, Vol 22 (1836)
• 
  "Lycaste aromatica"

References

• Dr. Henry F. Oakeley, 2008 : Lycaste, Ida and Anguloa: The Essential Guide