| Miltoniopsis vexillaria | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Genus: | Miltoniopsis |
| Species: | M. vexillaria |
| Binomial name | |
| Miltoniopsis vexillaria | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Miltoniopsis vexillaria ("the flag-like Miltoniopsis") is a species of epiphytic orchid in the genus Miltoniopsis.
The plants are pale green and about 12 inches (300 mm) tall. Inflorescences are about 12 inches (300 mm) long and carry up to four blossoms. The large, showy flowers are 2 inches (51 mm) – 4 inches (100 mm) across. They may be pink, often with white margins on the segments, or they may be white, sometimes with a pink flush or pink stripes. The lip, which has yellow markings at the base, is also marked with maroon stripes and blotches. The blossoms are very flat. [1]
Miltoniopsis vexillaria is found in isolated patches in the central mountain region of Colombia and on the western slopes of the Cordillera Occidental from the department of Antioquia in the north and also further south in northern Ecuador. It grows on the margins of montane forests at between 3,600 feet (1,100 m) and 7,250 feet (2,210 m). [2]
Miltoniopsis vexillaria is a cool growing species and thrives in a temperate, frost-free climate. It should be grown in moderate light with intermediate to warm temperatures and requires a humidity range of 50 to 90%. During hot summers, the plant should be watered daily. [3]
In the winter, when the weather is cold and dull, the plant should be watered sparingly, but the growing medium should not be allowed to dry out. The winter temperatures should not fall below 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit), and good ventilation is essential. [3]
Miltoniopsis vexillaria was first discovered in 1867 by the Victorian plant collector, David Bowman, who had been sent to South America by James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London. Bowman was unable to send a live sample back to England before he died of dysentery. Subsequently, other plant collectors, including Gustav Wallis and Benedikt Roezl, also came across the plant [4] but the first collector to successfully introduce it to England was Henry Chesterton. In 1870, Chesterton had been sent by Harry Veitch to Colombia with the specific instructions to locate and bring back to England "the much-talked-of and long-desired "scarlet Odontoglossum". According to the account in Hortus Veitchii:
"Provided with but the scantiest information as to the native habitat, long kept secret and shrouded in mystery, Chesterton started, and not only succeeded in discovering the plant, but safely introduced it to Chelsea, where it flowered for the first time in 1873." [5]
There are many cultivated varieties of M. vexillaria including:
In September 2006, M. vexillaria was featured on a series of postage stamps issued by the Ecuador postal authorities. [6]
Oncidium, abbreviated as Onc. in the horticultural trade, is a genus that contains about 330 species of orchids from the subtribe Oncidiinae of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). As presently conceived, it is distributed across much of South America, Central America, Mexico and the West Indies, with one species (O. ensatum) extending into Florida. Common names for plants in this genus include dancing-lady orchid and golden shower orchid.
Brassia is a genus of orchids classified in the subtribe Oncidiinae. It is native to Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and northern South America, with one species extending into Florida.
The Oncidiinae is a subtribe within the Orchidaceae that consists of a number of genera that are closely related.
Miltonia, abbreviated Milt. in the horticultural trade, is an orchid genus comprising twelve epiphyte species and eight natural hybrids. The miltonias are exclusively inhabitants of Brazil, except for one species whose range extends from Brazil into the northeast of Argentina and the east of Paraguay.
Odontoglossum, first named in 1816 by Karl Sigismund Kunth, is a genus of about 100 orchids. The scientific name is derived from the Greek words odon (tooth) and glossa (tongue), referring to the two tooth-like calluses on the base of the lip. This genus of cool to cold growing orchids is to be found on open spots in the humid cloud forest at higher elevations from Central- and West South America to Guyana, with most species around the northern Andes. The abbreviation for this genus is Odm. in the horticultural trade.
The Veitch Nurseries were the largest group of family-run plant nurseries in Europe during the 19th century. Started by John Veitch sometime before 1808, the original nursery grew substantially over several decades and was eventually split into two separate businesses—based at Chelsea and Exeter—as it became unfeasible to run the whole operation from one location. Famous plant hunters in the Victorian period employed by the Veitch family include the brothers Thomas Lobb and William Lobb from Cornwall and the David Bowman.
Sir Harry James Veitch was an eminent English horticulturist in the nineteenth century, who was the head of the family nursery business, James Veitch & Sons, based in Chelsea, London. He was instrumental in establishing the Chelsea Flower Show, which led to him being knighted for services to horticulture.
Miltoniopsis, abbreviated Mltnps. in horticultural trade, is a genus of orchids native to Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. This genus comprises 5 species. Miltoniopsis's common name is Pansy Orchid.
× Burrageara, abbreviated Burr. in the horticultural trade, is the nothogenus for intergeneric hybrids between the orchid genera Cochlioda, Miltonia, Odontoglossum and Oncidium. It was grown for the first time by the American Albert Burrage in 1927, and named after him.
Gustav Wallis was a German plant collector, who introduced over 1,000 plant species to Europe, many of which were named after him.
David Burke was one of the most widely travelled plant collectors, who was sent by James Veitch & Sons to collect plants in British Guiana, Burma and Colombia. In his later life, Burke became rather eccentric, preferring the privations of life away from his native England.
Begonia boliviensis is a plant in the begonia family, Begoniaceae, which was introduced to Europe in 1864 by Richard Pearce who discovered it in the Bolivian Andes, although the plant had previously been identified by Hugh Weddell in the same region but not introduced.
Masdevallia davisii, or Davis' masdevallia, is a species of the orchid genus Masdevallia. It is also known as the orchid of the sun and was known to the Incas as qoriwaqanki – due to its similarity in form to the red Masdevallia veitchiana, known as waqanki.
Begonia davisii is a plant in the begonia family, Begoniaceae, which was used in the early days of breeding Begonia × tuberhybrida cultivars.
Walter Davis was an English plant collector, who collected in South America for James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London.
David Bowman was a British plant collector who, in 1866, was sent by James Veitch & Sons to collect in Brazil. The species Dieffenbachia bowmanii is named after him.
Joseph Henry Chesterton was a British plant collector who was sent by James Veitch & Sons to search for orchids in South America with much success.
Odontoglossum crispum, the curled odontoglossum, is an epiphytic orchid from the genus Odontoglossum. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful orchid of all but is also one of the most difficult to grow.
Wilhelm (Guillermo) Kalbreyer (1847–1912) was a German plant collector who was sent by James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London to collect new plants in West Africa and South America.
Odontoglossum nobile, the grand odontoglossum, is a species of orchid endemic to Colombia.
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to Miltoniopsis vexillaria . |
 | Wikispecies has information related to Miltoniopsis vexillaria . |