Brassavola nodosa (L.) Lindl.

  • Family

    Orchidaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Brassavola nodosa (L.) Lindl.

  • Primary Citation

    Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. (Lindley) 114. 1831

  • Basionym

    Epidendrum nodosum L.

  • Common Names

    lady of the night orchid, Brassavola común, lady of the night orchid

  • Description

    Author: Catherine V. Bainbridge

    Description: Epiphytic and occasionally lithophytic herbs, to ca. 20 cm tall. Stems weakly thickened, pseudobulbs lacking. Leaves erect or spreading; blades succulent, cylindrical, or somewhat flattened, 3-10 x 0.5-1.5 cm, 1-sulcate. Inflorescences terminal, 3-10 (-24) cm long, bearing 1 to 3 flowers, produced simultaneously (branches and flowers from the same scape). Flowers with sepals and lateral petals similar, linear, 6-7 x 0.2-0.4 cm, white to ivory or ivory-green, the apex acute; lip subcordate, 5-6.2 x 2.5-3.5 cm, usually white with rose-red spots, enfolding the column, the base unguiculate, the apex acuminate; column straight, not winged, 5-6 cm long; pollinia 8, viscidium and stipe present.

    Common names: Lady of the Night.

    Distribution: Mexico to Venezuela and Ecuador from sea level to 100(-300) m.

    Ecology: In dry to wet forests. Within our geographical range, this species is commonly found at sea level and towards coastlines, particularly growing upon the lower trunks of coconut palms and within mangroves.

    Phenology: This species has been observed with flowers from Jan to Oct.

    Pollination: The pale color and tubular form of the flowers, coupled with their strong citrus-like nightime fragance, are common attributes to moth pollinated flowers. Dressler (1981) states that the genus is usually pollinated by sphingid moths.

    Dispersal: Wind dispersed.

    Taxonomic notes: The leaves of this species often display a distinctive red to purple cast, a chemical mechanism, which helps these plants to cope with extended exposure to sunlight.

    Conservation: CITES II - status- Not Threatened (nt) (UNEP-WCMC Species Database, 2005).

    Uses: A commonly cultivated ornamental species.

  • Floras and Monographs

    Brassavola nodosa (L.) Lindl.: [Article] Ackerman, James D. 1995. An orchid flora of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 73: 1-203.