Ponthieva maculata

Common Name - The Spotted Ponthieva

Ponthieva maculata species is not interesting for cultivation ,but certainly attractive for botanists and curiosity lovers . It is one of the 25 species comprising a small genus of mostly terrestrial orchids. Ponthieva maculata grows epiphytically and occasionally even in the ground. It does not form pseudobulbs ;its elongated leaves reaching lengths of 10 in/25 cm and are arranged in a sessile rosette. The plant's raceme inflorescence is erect and consists of a high number of tiny flowers with blue -to - purple -spotted ,whitish tepals and a red or yellow lip. The thread -like roots of this orchid must never be left to dry up . Ponthieva maculata species blooms in the winter and spring and is widespread in an area including Mexico ,Venezuela and Ecuador.

Synonyms

Ponthieva brenesii Schltr. 1923; Ponthieva formosa Schltr 1923; Ponthieva wallisii Rchb. f. 1876