Acacallis cyanea

Common Name - The Dark Blue Acacalis

Flower Size 2 1/2" [6.25 cm]

Acacallis cyanea is one of the most beautiful of the Zygopetalinae. A very handsome orchid, but very rare in collections.Its unifoliate pseudobulbs are reduced and covered with bracts,the flower spike is arched over and bears 3-7 rather large and ornamental flowers.The some what shell-shaped lip is brown -and -red ,with bluish tepals pointed at the end. The cultivation has no special features. The species is grown epiphytically in semishade on a twing or a piece of bark. It blooms in early summer and comes from the Rio Negro river basin in Brazil. In nature these plants are often found semi-submerged by flooding rivers in the Amazon area with only the flowers above the water line. This orchid will thrive if given a hot, humid environment with lots of shade or dappled sunlight and room for the plant to expand. Daily mistings while in growth are greatly appreciated.

Synonyms

Acacallis coerulea (Rchb. f.) Schltr. 1918; Acacallis hoehnei (Hoehne) Schltr. 1918; Acacallis oliveriana (Rchb. f.) Schltr. 1914; Aganisia coerulea Rchb.f 1876; Aganisia cyanea Rchb.f not Benth. 1869; Aganisia oliveriana Rchb. f. 1878; Aganisia tricolor NE Br. 1885; Kochiophyton caeruleum Hoehne 1910; Kochiophyton coeruleus Hoehne 1906; Kochiophyton coeruleus Hoehne 1910; Kochiophyton negrense Schlechter 1906