Cryptarrhena lunata

Also known as: The Moon or Orchidofunckia pallidiflora Cryptarrhena pallidiflora Clinhymenia pallidiflora in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Belize Departamento del Huila - Colombia Mexico Panama

General Information

The Moon is a cool to hot growing orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Belize, Colombia, Mexico, and Panama.

Plant Description

Each new growth has numerous lance shaped leaves

Flowers

Numerous blossoms appear during Autumn

Blooming Season

• Autumn

Climate

These orchids thrive in hot, steamy locations, living in low altitude jungle areas where they often receive heavy sporadic rainfall, warm humid winds, and sunlight filtered year round by the surrounding growth. 

They can survive, but will often struggle if the humid, warm conditions are not met - roots will die back and leaves will thin out, spikes and buds can be aborted if conditions change too frequently during flowering. They can tolerate cooler or drier conditions temporarily, but extended exposure will seriously affect them.

They will grow best in the tropics, especially coastal areas where they receive ocean breezes, but can do well in a greenhouse, supplied that the humidity is kept high, temperature is not allowed to skyrocket and extra shade is provided during hot weather.

 

Grows at low to high elevations.