Pleurothallid Perfumes

Marguerite Webb discusses small-growing orchids prized for their fragrant

flowers

Masdevallia mejiana from northern Colombia.

The orchid family is famous for its exotically scented flowers. Some genera have a
greater number of scented members than others, but it is said that almost 75 percent of
all orchid species have a scent. Though this percentage is not as high in the Pleurothallid
subtribe, they make considerable contribution to the ranks of strong
fragrant orchids. They may not compete with the brash, highly scented cattleya
group, but just as the flowers of a pleurothallis or masdevallia possess a delicate beauty,
their scent also may be not easy to notice. Scents may be floral and sweet, spicy, fruity or
disgusting. The variety is very good of the fun.

Pleurothallis pterophora has been named the lily of the valley orchid as its many spikes
of white bell-like flowers and sweet scent are reminiscent of that plant. The strong floral
bouquet of this pretty pleurothallis is easily noticed when the plant is in full flower.
Because of its very small size and easy cultivation, P. pterophora is a good selection for
windowsill or under lights. It grows fast to specimen size and will award the grower with
hundreds of sweetly scented sparkling white flowers. Pleurothallis
racemiflora (syn. quadrifida) is also famous by its very pleasant aroma. This Central
American species with hard and stiff, 8-inch, paddle-shaped leaves will bloom twice a
year with sprays of translucent yellow flowers. The scent is sweet and mild.

The aroma of Pleurothallis sclerophylla is similar to freshly mown hay. Clouds of white
spidery flowers form a great display on this 8-inch, narrow-leaved plant. Pleurothallis
wagneri, an extremely small maroon-flowered species, has an unusual licorice
fragrance.

The genus Trichosalpinx, whose plants are portrayed by stems with lepanthiform
protective coverings, often have white or yellow flowers with a pleasing fragrance.
Trichosalpinx robledorum from Ecuador is especially scented. The white starry
flowers send out a pleasing citron aroma, which is linked, as are all orchid scents, to the
attraction of a specific pollinator.

Many masdevallias are scented, and a few have a strong scent that will make the
surroundings full with perfume. The most excellent is Masdevallia glandulosa, a
Peruvian species with abandant pale purple color bell-like flowers. The extremely
good scent is spicy sweet and will turn the head of anyone nearby. The inside of the
flower is covered with purple small drop of liquid or glands. A hybrid combining Masd.
glandulosa with Masdevallia strobelii, a fresh-scented species, has created another very
attractive fragrant masdevallia. Masdevallia Confetti, with its ambrosial yellow, white
and pale purple color flowers, is an excellent fragrant free-flowering miniature. All three
of these masdevallias grow well in intermediate conditions and do not mind the summer
heat, bearing day temperatures up to 85 F.
 The cool-growing Masdevallia datura from Bolivia.

Masdevallia estradae, Masdevallia ludibunda and Masdevallia cyclotega are

taxonomically classified in the subsection Caudatae and they possess almost the same
sweet scent. Of the three, Masd. estradae is the most easily obtained. Originating in
Colombia, Masd. estradae and Masd. ludibunda are small plants that become very
successful in intermediate to cool conditions. Their pale purple color and white flowers
are most intensely scented as the sun is shining. Masdevallia cyclotega is a high-
elevation Peruvian species with tall-stemmed pink flowers. Cool-house conditions
(winter minimum of 52 F and summer maximum of 78 F) are extremely necessary for
this masdevallia. Many of the white-flowered masdevallias are very pleasantly fragrant.
Powdery and very attractive, Masdevallia datura blooms with enormous white
trumpets reminiscent of the datura plant. A number of attractive hybrids have been
produced with this Bolivian cool grower. Sometimes, the offspring get the
amazing aroma of Masd. datura. The fairly white-and-yellow flowers of Masdevallia
mejiana send out a sweet fragrance that has peppery undertones. Give
ample temperatures to this masdevallia and it will bloom very frequent during the
winter months. The flowers will continue for several weeks. Masdevallia agaster shows
its white and yellow blossoms around the base of the plant. Each bloom is become full
with sparkling hairs that produce a clean, fresh aroma.

A Central American intermediate grower, Masdevallia nicaraguae has waxy, pink-

flushed, white flowers which have a smell like soap. Masdevallia garciae, from
Venezuela, has similarly fragrant copper-colored flowers which are striped with dark
red. Both of these masdevallias are abundant bloomers and are heat-tolerant.

Masdevallia velifera.

Masdevallia corniculata may attract fruit flies with the fully grown fruit aroma of the
flowers. The 10-inch-tall plant produces waxy orange blossoms on racemes to
halfway up the hard and stiff leaf. The outside of the flower is shiny and smooth, while
the inner part has a granular texture, another sign that the species has evolved to attract
extremely small flies. Masdevallia angulata has a fruity bouquet too. The large
juicy flowers are held on short horizontal stems surounding the 8-inch-tall plant with
blooms completely. These stately dark pink flowers send out the distinctive smell of
grape soda.

Although the aromas of Masd. corniculata and Masd. angulata are pleasing, some fly-
pollinated species have a smell that is far from pleasant. Species in the subsection
Coriaceae are infamously disgusting. Flowers of Masdevallia colossus, Masdevallia
velifera, Masdevallia civilis, Masdevallia cacodes and Masdevallia foetens let very
strong scents flow out that have been likened to those of strong cheese, dirty socks,
putrid food and a variety of farmyard odors. Some have even caused an unsuspecting
orchidist to do a shoe check when near one of those smelly masdevallias. Flowers in this
odorous group tend to have soft and gentle colors, often with warts, bumps or hairs near
the center of the flower to attract the pollinator in appearance.
 Masdevallia cyclotega

Masdevallia caesia is one of the fairliest members of the Coriaceae subsection with its
12-inch, blue-green hanging leaves. The large yellow flowers have a dark red lip and
their spicy aroma is only obvious at certain times. The hanging habit necessitates
growing the plant in a hanging basket or fixing it on a piece of tree fern or a cork slab
(with a pad of sphagnum moss or osmunda at the roots) with the elegant leaves making
a lovely arrangement. Grow this plant in intermediate to cool temperatures and
make lots of humidity.

The variety within the Pleurothallid subtribe is extremely interesting and it is reflected
in the variety of fragrances these plants have. Of all their appealing qualities their aroma
is likely the least familiar, and likely the most astonishing. Coming across and enjoying
the many pleurothallid perfumes is just another extremely interesting aspect to growing
these orchids.
The cool-growing Masdevallia caesia showing the hanging leaves.

Masdevallia Confetti