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Brassavola

(Genus)

Overview

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Brassavola is a of 20 orchids (family Orchidaceae). The name comes from the Venetian nobleman and physician Antonio Musa Brassavola. This genus is abbreviated B in trade journals.

These species are native to the lowlands of Central America and tropical South America. They are epiphytes, and a few are lithophytes. A single, apical and succulent leaf grows on an elongated pseudobulb.

The orchid yields a single white or greenish white flower, or a raceme of a few flowers. The five greenish sepals are narrow and long. The base of the broad fringed lip enfolds partially the column. This column has a pair of falciform ears on each side of the front and contains twelve (sometimes eight) pollinia.

Most Brassavola orchids are very fragrant, attracting pollinators with their citrusy smell. But they are only fragrant at night, in order to attract the right moth.

In 1698 Brassavola nodosa was the first tropical orchid to be brought from the Caribbean island Curaçao to Holland. Thus began the propagation of this orchid and the fascination for orchids in general.

Lady-of-the-night Orchid
Brassavola nodosa

Species

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Brassavola is in the same alliance as the genera Cattleya and Laelia. They have been therefore used extensively in hybridization.

Some hybrids:

Photos

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Taxonomy

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The Genus Brassavola is a member of the Alliance Cattleya. Here is the complete "parentage" of Brassavola:

The Genus Brassavola is further organized into finer groupings including:

Sources

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Last Revised: November 20, 2008