In our October expedition we made a walking tour in Yaxha Park, where we documented the flora that was found from the entrance to Temple 216 or Temple of the Red Hands. Right at the entrance we were able to photograph very photogenic white orchids that were attached to a tree.
Prosthechea radiata is an epiphytic and / or lithophytic plant, that means it can live attached to other plants or rocks (it is not parasitic). It is characterized by an intense and pleasant sweet aroma. Belonging to the ORCHIDACEAE family. This is distributed from sea level to 2000 meters above sea level and can be found in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Botanical description:
Glabrous plant measuring 12 to 40 cm in height. The pseudobulbs are ovoid-ellipsoid type, lemon green in color and with 2 or 3 apical leaves to it). The pseudobulbs are 4 and 13 m long and 2 to 3 cm wide. The leaves are linear lingulate to linear lanceolate, leathery, 11 and 35 cm long and 1.2 and 3.2 cm wide. The flowers are pale lemon green color and cream tones, with a marked and characteristic aroma and the lip is marked by parallel purple lines.
Taxonomy:
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Monocotyledoneae |
| Order | Microspermae |
| Family | Ochidaceae |
| Tribe | Epidendreae |
| Genus | Prosthechea |
| Species | Prosthechea radiata |
| Common names | Canelita, Garrapatilla, conchitas |
References
https://arboretum.ufm.edu/plantas/prosthechea-radiata/
Written by Vivian Hurtado & Roxana Leal
Identified Species by Victor Mendoza
Posted November 9, 2021
