Stanhopea oculata

Common Name - The Eye-Spot Stanhopea

Together with Stanhopea tigrina, Stanhopeaoculata is the longest cultivated species - both orchids were alredy among the ''obligatory inventory '' of any palm greenhouse in the pioneer times of gardening .The disadvatages of this species are the same as those of other Stanhopeas ;a relative ''bulkiness'' of its medium -sized clusters ,and a short durability of the flowers . S. oculata grows an overhanging inflorescence reaching a length of up to 14 in/35 cm and consisting of 4 -10 sparsely distributed flowers . The flowers are whitish witha tinge of yellow and delicate purple dots . The base of the lip is decorated with two showy brown and red spots . Grow this plant as you would the previous species . The Stanhopea oculata flowers can be expected between June and September . The species is native to the countries of continetal Central America- an area bordered by Mexico and Honduras ,as well as to Colombia and Venezuela.

Synonyms

*Ceratochilus oculatus Lodd.; Epidendrum cornutum Sessé & Moc. 1887; Stanhopea aurantia Lodd. ex P.N.Don in J.Donn 1845; Stanhopea bucephalus Lindley 1832; Stanhopea cymbiformis Rchb.f 1865; Stanhopea guttata K.Koch 1858; Stanhopea lindleyana Zuc. ex Josst 1851; Stanhopea lindleyi Zuce 1835; Stanhopea maleolens Heller ; Stanhopea minor Schltr. 1917; Stanhopea oculata var. crocea Regel 1856 ; Stanhopea oculata [Lodd.]Lindley var genticulata Klinge; Stanhopea oculata var. lindleyi (Zuccarini) Lindley 1852; Stanhopea oculata var.mexicana Fowlie; Stanhopea oculata var.nicaraguensis Fowlie; Stanhopea oculata ssp. ornatissima (Lemaire) Dodson 1967; Stanhopea ornatissima Lem. 1962; Stanhopea purpusii Schlecter 1916