Brassia caudata (L.) Lindl.

  • Family

    Orchidaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Brassia caudata (L.) Lindl.

  • Primary Citation

    Bot. Reg. 10: t. 832. 1824

  • Basionym

    Epidendrum caudatum L.

  • Common Names

    cricket orchid, Brassia araña, cricket orchid

  • Description

    Author: Catherine V. Bainbridge

    Description: Epiphytic herbs, to ca. 30 cm tall. Pseudobulbs ± clustered, distinctly flattened, oblong, smooth when young becoming shallowly ridged when mature, stipitate. Leaves 1 or 2, terminal, with few sheathing leaves; blades oblong-oblanceolate, 17-23 x 3-4.2 cm. Inflorescence a basal-lateral raceme, 20-30 cm long, of several to many flowers, opening simultaneously. Flowers yellow or cream to ivory-green, with tan colored blotches, spidery in appearance; sepals and lateral petals similar, 4-33 x 0.4-9.5 cm, elliptic-ovoid, the apex long attenuate; lip elliptic, 25-50 x 8-12 mm, yellow or cream, usually spotted with burgundy at base, the apex acuminate, calli prominent, ca. 6 mm long, which terminates (basally) in two slender raised teeth; column straight, 5-6 mm long; pollinia 2, viscidium and stipe present.

    Common names: Not recorded.

    Distribution: Mexico to Bolivia, Cuba, and Jamaica from sea level to 700+ m.

    Ecology: In wet forests.

    Phenology: Flowers observed in Mar, Apr, Jun, and Jul.

    Pollination: According to Dressler (1981), wasp pollination is found in Brassia.

    Dispersal: Wind dispersed.

    Taxonomic notes: When sterile, this species might be confused with Aspasia epidendroides. However, the pseudobulbs of Brassia caudata, although stipitate, are more elongate and the leaves broader and more leathery than in Aspasia epidendroides.

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

    Uses: Ornamental.

    Etymology: The species epithet refers to the tail-like appendages of the sepals.

  • Floras and Monographs

    Brassia caudata (L.) Lindl.: [Article] Mori, S. A., et al. 1997. Guide to the vascular plants of central French Guiana: Part 1. Pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and monocotyledons. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76: 1-422.