Catasetum atratum
An epiphytic orchid from southern Brazil in genus Catasetum, with fusiform pseudobulbs, long three-veined linear-oblancolate leaves, and fragrant waxy flowers that appear on long, multi-flowered inflorescences in late spring and summer.
Common Names
Lustrous Black Catasetum
Summary
Catasetum atratum Lindl., the Lustrous Black Catasetum, is a large orchid native to southern Brazil that grows as a warm to hot epiphyte in subtropical regions. It forms fusiform, clustered pseudobulbs with young pseudobulbs enveloped by papery sheaths that disintegrate over time, and carries up to nine linear-oblancolate, medium-green, plicate leaves with three prominent veins. It blooms in late spring to summer on a male, horizontal to arching basal inflorescence about 14 inches (36 cm) long, with a pendant rachis bearing 12 to 15 fragrant, waxy flowers, and the common name refers to black spots on the sepals and petals, with flowers about 2 inches (5 cm).
In cultivation, this orchid is grown as a warm to hot epiphyte and requires light to moderate shade, hot to warm conditions, heavy water and fertilizer when actively growing, with reductions after leaf fall.
Height
14 inches
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally partial shade.
Soil Type
No soil type; epiphytic on trees in wet tropical forests.
Bloom Color
Black
Bloom Time
Spring and Summer
Foliage Color
Medium green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Lindl.
- Publication
- Edwards's Bot. Reg. 24(Misc.): 61 (1838)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Asparagales
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Genus
- Catasetum