Laelia crispa
Encyclopedia
Cattleya crispa is a species of orchid indigenous to the Tijuca Mountains
north of Rio de Janeiro
, Brazil
, noted for its crisped and ruffled petals and lip
. It is the type species for both the subgenus Cattleya subg. Crispae and its section Cattleya sect. Crispae.
Prior to 2000, C. crispa had long been placed in the genus Laelia
because it had eight pollinia
, instead of the four found in Cattleya labiata
, the type species of the genus Cattleya. In 2000, the "Brazilian Laelias" (including L. crispa) were transferred to the genus Sophronitis
.. In 2008, the entire genus Sophronitis
was sunk into the genus Cattleya, and S. crispa was given its original name of C. crispa.
Tijuca Forest
The Tijuca Forest is a mountainous hand-planted rainforest in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is the world's largest urban forest, covering some 32 km²...
north of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, noted for its crisped and ruffled petals and lip
Labellum
Labellum is the Latin diminutive of labium, meaning lip. These are anatomical terms used descriptively in biology, for example in Entomology and botany.-Botany:...
. It is the type species for both the subgenus Cattleya subg. Crispae and its section Cattleya sect. Crispae.
Prior to 2000, C. crispa had long been placed in the genus Laelia
Laelia
Laelia, abbreviated L. in the horticultural trade, is a small genus of 25 species from the orchid family . This is one of the most important and popular orchid genera, because of the beautiful flowers, their genetic properties and because they are fairly easy in culture. It is probably named after...
because it had eight pollinia
Pollinium
Pollinium, or plural pollinia, is a coherent mass of pollen grains in a plant.They are the product of only one anther, but are transferred, during pollination, as a single unit. This is regularly seen in plants such as orchids and many species of milkweeds .Most orchids have waxy pollinia...
, instead of the four found in Cattleya labiata
Cattleya labiata
Cattleya labiata Lindl., also known as the Crimson Cattleya or Ruby-lipped Cattleya, is the type species of Cattleya, discovered in 1818 in Brazil. The genus was named in honor of Sir William Cattley, a prominent British horticulturist....
, the type species of the genus Cattleya. In 2000, the "Brazilian Laelias" (including L. crispa) were transferred to the genus Sophronitis
Sophronitis
Sophronitis, abbreviated Soph in horticultural trade, is a genus of small, epiphytic or lithophytic orchids, growing in the damp montane forest of eastern Brazil, Paraguay and NE Argentina. Currently, 65 species are recognized....
.. In 2008, the entire genus Sophronitis
Sophronitis
Sophronitis, abbreviated Soph in horticultural trade, is a genus of small, epiphytic or lithophytic orchids, growing in the damp montane forest of eastern Brazil, Paraguay and NE Argentina. Currently, 65 species are recognized....
was sunk into the genus Cattleya, and S. crispa was given its original name of C. crispa.
External links
- Orchids of Brazil listing - mirandaorchids.com (includes pictures of C. crispa and distribution map)