Monday, August 27, 2012

Platyrhiza quadricolor

Platyrhiza quadricolor is micro-miniature species from Brazil, the only species in its genus.  The plant is only 4 cm tall with tiny pea-shaped pseudobulbs and the flowers are 1 cm in size, carried six to eight flowers on a semi-pendant flower spike.  The species name means "four-colored," an apt description of the green, yellow, white and purple flowers.  The plant belong to the Ornithocephalinae, a family of mostly miniature species, many from Brazil.  This is species, however, is more colorful than many others in the family which tend to come in shades of green and white.



6 comments:

  1. Não tenho nenuma deste Gênero, é linda
    abraços

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    1. This is the only species in the genus and not very well known, nor very popular because of its tiny size.

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  2. looks like some kind of eild amusement park ride.

    the purpe throat is quite a standout.

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    1. I like your description of these. Never thought of them that way, but it certainly fits.

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  3. Hi Ron

    I've just acquired 4 of these, and wondered if you have a "don't do" advice on growing the species? I guess that sadly, if you have not presented the plant since 2012, that means it's no more alive?

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    1. I do still have it, Laurent, but it's barely hanging on. I think I'm probably giving it and similar species temps that are too cool. I used to grow it well in a different set-up, but that was warmer.

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