Rhyncholaelia digbyana explained

Rhyncholaelia digbyana is a species of epiphytic orchid occurring from Honduras to Belize, Guatemala, Mexico and Costa Rica.

Rl. digbyana can be distinguished from the other species of Rhyncholaelia (Rl. glauca) by the frilled labellum.

The orchid has been discovered by José Antonio Molina Rosito, a Honduran|Catracho botanist and Professor emeritus at the Zamorano Pan-American School of Agriculture.[1]

Rhyncholaelia digbyana was declared the national flower of Honduras (Flor Nacional de Honduras) on 1969 November 26.[2]

Etymology

The species name digbyana comes from the family name of the collector Edward St. Vincent Digby who had the first described specimen.[3]

Taxonomy

The orchid that is now known as Rhyncholaelia digbyana was first described as Brassavola digbyanna in 1846 by John Lindley. The plant he described was in the collection of Edward St. Vincent Digby, it was reported to have originated from Honduras. Since its original description it has been reclassified three times in to various genus's[4] [5] before being moved in the new genus Rhyncholaelia along with Brassavola glauca by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach .[6]

Characteristics

This species grows epiphyticly on host treas in its native range. It has elongated compressed pseudobulbs topped with a singular leaf.[7]

Flowers

In its native range flowering occurs from February to June. The 7 in (18 cm) flowers are held singularly on 3 in (7.5 cm) long inflorescences which emerge from the apex of newly grown pseudobulbs. The flowers range in color from white to green and possess the characteristic frilled labellum.

Scent

This orchid is strongly scented at night with the scent reported to be similar to that of lemon or Lily of the valley. The scent is composed nine different compounds four the compounds are alpha-pinene,[8] ocimene, Citronellol,[9] and Linalool.

Hybrid offspring[10]

References

Rhyncholaelia digbyana at the Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia

Notes and References

  1. News: Cámara Junior y Municipalidad de San Pedro Sula ofrecen homenaje al Profesor Antonio Molina en el Recital de Otoño . 2004-07-14 . Zamonoticias . 2008-06-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050218185645/http://www.zamorano.edu/zamonoticias/2004/logros/molina.htm . February 18, 2005 .
  2. Web site: Simbolos Patrios . 2008-06-22. es.
  3. Book: Lindley, John . Edwards's Botanical Register . James Ridgway and Sons . 1846 . 32 . London . 53 . English.
  4. Book: Muller, Carolo . Annales botanices systematicae . F. Hofmeister . 1861 . 6 . 422 . la.
  5. Brentham . George . 21 February 1881 . Notes on Orchideae . The Journal of the Linnean Society . 18 . 314–315 . Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  6. Book: Beihefte zum Botanischen Centralblatt . C. Heinrich . 1918 . 2nd . 477 . de.
  7. Web site: Rhyncholaelia digbyana . 2023-10-25 . gardens.si.edu . en.
  8. Williams . Norris . 1981 . FLORAL FRAGRANCE COMPONENTS OF BRASSAVOLA (ORCHIDACEAE: LAELIINAE) . Selbyana . 5 . 3/4 . 279–285.
  9. Hills . Harold . Williams . Norris . Dodson . Calaway . 1968 . Identification of Some Orchid Scents . American Orchid Society Bulletin . 37 . 967–971.
  10. Web site: Rhyncholaelia digbyana . 2023-09-13 . www.orchidroots.com.

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