Psychopsis papilio

Common Name - The Butterfly Psychopsis

Even though the genus Psychopsis was established as far back as 1838 ,its best -known and most beautiful representative ,p. papilio ,was not included in it until 1975 . To this day ,it is still sometimes classified as Oncidium papilio . Compared to the similar species Psychopsis krameriana,this plant is more robust and the upper part of its ''butterfly '' flower is flatterned and bears typical ''wings'' on the colomun. Cultivation is not very complicated ;both flowerpot culture and epiphytic culture are possible . The plants thrive in warmer indoor glass cases but need to be protected from excessive shade and dampness of the roots . These orchids bloom irregularly throughout the year ;whatever you do ,do not cut off the flower spikes ,as they grow continuously and put forth flowers for many successive months or even years! Psychopsis papilio was discovered in the northern part of South America and also in Ecuador and Peru.

Synonyms

*Oncidium papilio Lindley 1825; Psychopsis picta Raf. 1838