Stelis purpurascens

Stelis purpurascens is a large and robust plant from Mexico, Central and South America.  The plant itself is about 25 cm tall and the flower spikes which come from the joint of leaf and stem add another 20 cm to the height of the plant.  It is really too large for my space and I am going to have to trade or sell it.

The individual flowers are slightly less than 1 cm in size, but their lack of size is made up for by the number of flowers the plant produces, each spike having as many as 75 flowers.  Interestingly, the flowers open and close in the course of day, opening when the lights go on, closing later and then opening again in the afternoon.

Brassavola nodosa 'Mickey Mouse'

Brassavola nodosa 'Mickey Mouse' is a miniature version of a species that is normally much larger.  Brassavola nodosa ordinarily has terete (pencil-like) growths that are around 15 cm long and has flowers about 9 cm in size.  This clone is less than half that size.

Brassavola nodosa ranges across Mexico and Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.  It is very fragrant at night , hence the nickname, "Lady of the Night."  It is often used in hybridizing and imparts both its spidery shape and good color to its offspring.