Prosthechea vespa (Vell.) W.E.Higgins

Orchid Species: Prosthechea vespa

(This name is currently accepted by Kew.)

Prosthechea vespa is an orchid species identified by (Vell.) W.E.Higgins in 1998.

Genus

Prosthechea (Psh.)

Grex

vespa
(name currently accepted by Kew)

Parents

Species

Author

(Vell.) W.E.Higgins

Year

1998

ORIGIN: Found in the Atlantic forest of Brazil in lower montane rain forests at elevations of 15 to 1000 meters.

DESCRIPTION: Small sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte on larger branches and tree trunks, with a long rhizome and glabrous, white roots and cylindric or spindle shaped, laterally compressed pseudobulbs with a narrowing apex and basally enveloped with imbricating, deciduous sheaths. There are 2 to 3, oblong leaves that blooms on a terminal, 6 [15 cm] long, racemose, few to several flowered inflorescence with triangular, acuminate floral bracts occurring in the Brazilian summer.

FLOWER SIZE: 1/4 or less inches [0.6 cm or less] -- information provided by Jay Pfahl, author of the Internet Orchid Species Encyclopedia (IOSPE).

Other NamesGenus NameGenusGrex NameYearAuthor

Add+	Anacheilium	Ahl	vespa	1981	(Vell.) Pabst
Add+	Encyclia	E	vespa	1971	(Vell.) Dressler
Add+	Epidendrum	Epi	vespa	1831	Vell.
Add+	Hormidium	Horm	vespa

Most awarded/recent cultivars: Psh. vespa 'TiZona' (2 awards in 2017) Psh. vespa 'Niedernhausen' (2011) Psh. vespa 'Tower Grove' (2010) Psh. vespa 'Charlie' (2005) Epi. vespa 'Canaima' (1991) Epi. vespa 'Tower Grove' (1991) E. vespa 'Isabelle' (1990) Epi. vespa 'Elise' (1974)

orchids.org/grexes/prosthechea-vespa

Description

Prosthechea vespa (also called Vespa Butterfly Orchid, among many other common names) is a species of orchid native to Central America and the Caribbean. It has a single, thin, upright stem with a single, large, bright yellow flower. The flower has three petals and three sepals, and a long, thin, white lip. It is found in humid forests and on the edges of rivers and streams.

Uses & Benefits

Prosthechea vespa is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a cut flower in floral arrangements. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.

Prosthechea vespa (Prosthechea Vespa, Wasp Orchid, Wasp Slipper Orchid) - Uses, Benefits & Care (selinawamucii.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://youtu.be/cacb7UvjEFQ?t=34