Brassia

(pronounced: BRASS-ee-ah)

Classification

Maxillarieae subtribe Oncidiinae. Brassia section Glumacea has been transferred to the genus Ada.

Overview

Caespitose or creeping epiphytes, lithophytes, and terrestrials. Pseudobulbs usually compressed, often sharply two-edged, +/- subtended by usually deciduous foliaceous bracts. Leaves one to several, when more than one often separated by a conspicuous internode. Inflorescences axillary long-pedunculate racemes or panicles. Flowers two-ranked, spidery. Sepals and petals subsimilar, subequal, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, brittle. Lip unlobed or obscurely three-lobed, acuminate, with a basal pair of usually pubescent calli. Column short, straight, without wings or foot; pollinia 2, grooved, on a common stipe and viscidium.

Etymology

Honoring William Brass, a botanical illustrator of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Distribution

A genus of about 35 species found throughout the Neotropics from Mexico to Bolivia and the West Indies. Common name: Spider Orchid.

Care and Culture Card

See basic growing conditions and care information below.


Literature

Dunsterville, G. C. K. 1981. Brassia bidens from “Dumpleen Camp.” Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 50(1):17-20.

Fowlie, J. A. 1961. Ecology notes: the genus Brassia in Jamaica. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 30(7):578-580.

Kooser, R. G. and G. C. Kennedy 1979. The genus Brassia R. Brown section Eubrassia Lindley. Orchid Digest 43:164-172.

Teuscher, H. 1952. Three forms of Brassia longissima. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 24:820-##.

Teuscher, H. 1968. Brassia antherotes (B. longissima). Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 37(2)108-111.

Teuscher, H. 1973. Collector’s Item: Brassia bidens, B. neglecta and B. wageneri. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 42(2):125-129.

Teuscher, H. 1973. The two sections of the genus Brassia. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 42(12):1089-1094.
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