Sophronitis cernua

Common Name - The Nodding Sophronitis

The genus Sophronitis includes only 6 species that occur exclusively in Brazil . On the whole ,these species are miniature orchids of a very attractive appearance including showy -colored flowers -little wonder they are highly valued and sought -after by orchid collectors ! Sophronitis cernua is the second most frequently cultivated Sophronitis orchid . The bases of the plant is its trailing shoot that gives rise to egg-shaped ,1-1.2 in/ 2.5 -3 cm long pseudobulbs bearing a single ,narrowly oval ,thick , leathery leaf reaching a length of 1.2 in /3 cm . Unfortunately , the 4-8 red flowers that apper on short spikes are relatively small (up to 1.2 in/3 cm across)and only partially open . The beauty of the species especially stands out when sizeable clusters numbering dozens of pseudobulbs produce flowers on a mass scale . Cultivate this species as you would Sophronitis mantiqueirqe bearing in mind that Sophronitis cernua responds better to a slightly higher temperature . It blooms in early spring or in the fall .

Synonyms

Cattleya cernua [Lindley]Beer 1854; Cattleya pterocarpa (Lindl. & Paxton) Beer 1854; Epidendrum humile Vell. 1881; Sophronia cernua Lindl. 1827; Sophronia modesta Lindl. 1827; Sophronia pterocarpa (Lindl. & Paxton) Kuntze 1891; Sophronitis hoffmannseggii Rchb.f 1842; Sophronitis isopetala Hoffmansegg 1842; Sophronitis modesta Lindley 1828; Sophronitis nutans Hoffmansegg 1842; Sophronitis pendula Hoffmansegg ? ; Sophronitis pterocarpa Lindl. & Paxt. 1853