Miltoniopsis vexillaria
Encyclopedia
Miltoniopsis vexillaria ("The Flag-Like Miltoniopsis") is a species of epiphytic orchid in the genus Miltoniopsis
.
and on the western slopes of the Cordillera Occidental from the department of Antioquia
in the north and also further south in northern Ecuador
. It grows on the margins of montane forests at between 3600 feet (1,097.3 m) and 7250 feet (2,209.8 m).
In the winter, when the weather is cold and dull, the plant should be watered sparingly, but the growing medium should not be allowed to dry out. The winter temperatures should not fall below 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit), and good ventilation is essential.
plant collector, David Bowman
, who had been sent to South America by James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London
. Bowman was unable to send a live sample back to England before he died of dysentery
. Subsequently, other plant collectors, including Gustav Wallis
and Benedikt Roezl
, also came across the plant but the first collector to successfully introduce it to England was Henry Chesterton
. In 1870, Chesterton had been sent by Harry Veitch
to Colombia with the specific instructions to locate and bring back to England "the much-talked-of and long-desired "scarlet Odontoglossum
". According to the account in Hortus Veitchii:
postal authorities.
Miltoniopsis
Miltoniopsis, abbreviated Mltnps in horticultural trade, is a genus of orchids. It consists of 6 species, native to Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia. They are named after Lord Fitzwilliam Milton, an English orchid enthusiast....
.
Description
The plants are pale green and about 12 inches (304.8 mm) tall. Inflorescences are about 12 inches (304.8 mm) long and carry up to four blossoms. The large, showy flowers are 2 inches (50.8 mm) – 4 inches (101.6 mm) across. They may be pink, often with white margins on the segments, or they may be white, sometimes with a pink flush or pink stripes. The lip, which has yellow markings at the base, is also marked with maroon stripes and blotches. The blossoms are very flat.Distribution
M. vexillaria is found in isolated patches in the central mountain region of ColombiaColombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
and on the western slopes of the Cordillera Occidental from the department of Antioquia
Antioquia Department
Antioquia is one of the 32 departments of Colombia, located in the central northwestern part of Colombia with a narrow section that borders the Caribbean Sea. Most of its territory is mountainous with some valleys, much of which is part of the Andes mountain range...
in the north and also further south in northern Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
. It grows on the margins of montane forests at between 3600 feet (1,097.3 m) and 7250 feet (2,209.8 m).
Culture
M. vexillaria is a cool growing species and thrives in a temperate, frost-free climate. It should be grown in moderate light with intermediate to warm temperatures and requires a humidity range of 50 to 90%. During hot summers, the plant should be watered daily.In the winter, when the weather is cold and dull, the plant should be watered sparingly, but the growing medium should not be allowed to dry out. The winter temperatures should not fall below 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit), and good ventilation is essential.
Discovery
M. vexillaria was first discovered in 1867 by the VictorianVictorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
plant collector, David Bowman
David Bowman (botanist)
David Bowman was a Scottish plant collector who, in 1866, was sent by James Veitch & Sons to collect in Brazil. The species Dieffenbachia bowmanii is named after him.-Career:...
, who had been sent to South America by James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
. Bowman was unable to send a live sample back to England before he died of dysentery
Dysentery
Dysentery is an inflammatory disorder of the intestine, especially of the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing mucus and/or blood in the faeces with fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, dysentery can be fatal.There are differences between dysentery and normal bloody diarrhoea...
. Subsequently, other plant collectors, including Gustav Wallis
Gustav Wallis
Gustav Wallis was a German plant collector, who introduced over 1,000 plant species to Europe, many of which were named after him.-Early life:...
and Benedikt Roezl
Benedikt Roezl
Benedikt Roezl Czech traveller, gardener and botanist...
, also came across the plant but the first collector to successfully introduce it to England was Henry Chesterton
Henry Chesterton
Joseph Henry Chesterton was a plant collector who was sent by James Veitch & Sons to search for orchids in South America with much success.-James Veitch & Sons:...
. In 1870, Chesterton had been sent by Harry Veitch
Harry Veitch
Sir Harry James Veitch was an eminent English horticulturist in the nineteenth century, who was the head of the family nursery business, James Veitch & Sons, based in Chelsea, London...
to Colombia with the specific instructions to locate and bring back to England "the much-talked-of and long-desired "scarlet Odontoglossum
Odontoglossum
Odontoglossum, first named in 1816 by Karl Sigismund Kunth, is a genus of about 100 orchids. The scientific name is derived from the Greek words odon and glossa , referring to the two tooth-like calluses on the base of the lip...
". According to the account in Hortus Veitchii:
"Provided with but the scantiest information as to the native habitat, long kept secret and shrouded in mystery, Chesterton started, and not only succeeded in discovering the plant, but safely introduced it to Chelsea, where it flowered for the
first time in 1873."
Varieties and cultivars
There are many cultivated varieties of M. vexillaria including:- M. vexillaria var. Alba
- M. vexillaria var. Lambauenana
- M. vexillaria var. Leucoglossa
Synonyms
- Odontoglossum vexillarium Rchb.f 1867
- Miltonia vexillaria Rchb.f Nicholson 1884 – 88
Postage stamps
In September 2006, M. vexillaria was featured on a series of postage stamps issued by the EcuadorEcuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
postal authorities.