Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: The Fringed Catasetum

Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae

Distribution: S Tropical America

Habitat: Dry to humid, coastal lowlands, plains and savannas; 400-800m

Life form: Epiphytic

Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): Year round; peaks in August to October

Bloom characteristics: Arching to pendent inflorescence is up to 18" long, with both male and female flowers on the same spike. Each inflorescence has 7-15 fleshy flowers which are highly variable and 1.5" across.

Fragrance: Spicy

Medicinal/pharmaceutical: In northeastern Paraguay, women have been known to use the pseudobulbs of this orchids as an ingredient in a sterilizing potion.

Description: The Fringed Catasetum is named for the fringed lip of the male flower. This flower is on a hair trigger, and if an orchid bee (or unsuspecting person) brushes against it, the flower can rapidly shoot its sticky pollinia at it.

Comments: Catasetum fimbriatum