Barkeria skinneri

Barkeria skinneri (Bateman ex Lindl.) genus of orchids was once considered part of Epidendrum. The fifteen or so species are now generally considered Barkerias.

Barkeria skinneri was introduced in to culture in the ''pre-historical'' period of orchid cultivation,thanks to numorous botanical adventures, who explored Mexico- the promised Land of botony- in the 19 th century. In the case of the species Barkeria skinneri, they had a lucky hand: it is a rather small , attractive and this species can be cultivated with relative ease . Its stems are up to 16 in /40 cm tall; with narrow and lanceolate leaves. The top of the mature shoot is a base for a wiry inflorescence with 5-20 purple flowers that are about 1.6 in /4 cm across; their tepals are rather narrow and the wide lip with a yellow spot is typically extended into a narrow end.

This orchid will grow in intermediate, even warm, conditions but appreciate cooler night temperatures. These are deciduous orchids and drop their leaves in the early winter. To the uninformed, they look dead. And then they flower from a bare leafless stick in the late winter. The species can be grown both epiphytically and in flowerpots; however, if grown in flower pots ,it tends to assume undesireable propotions .Barkeria skinneri blooms in the winter and its original home are the higher elevations of Mexico.