The genus Platystele includes about 95 species of very small, tufted orchids, most of them have very small flowers, some of the smallest in the family of Orchids. The genus is distributed in Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and South America as far north as Bolivia, but is rare in Brazil. The main occurrence is in the Pacific Andes, at altitudes of 1500-3000m. The genus was founded in 1910 by R. Schlechter and is very closely related to the genus Pleurothallis.
The name derives from the Greek platys = wide, and stelis = column.
The plants can be cultivated very well mounted, and are suitable by their size also for small terrariums or showcases. They like high humidity, but should not stand wet, also fertilizing should be given only very carefully.
The genus Platystele includes about 95 species of very small, tufted orchids, most of them have very small flowers, some of the smallest in the family of Orchids. The genus is distributed in...
read more » Close window The genus Platystele includes about 95 species of very small, tufted orchids, most of them have very small flowers, some of the smallest in the family of Orchids. The genus is distributed in Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and South America as far north as Bolivia, but is rare in Brazil. The main occurrence is in the Pacific Andes, at altitudes of 1500-3000m. The genus was founded in 1910 by R. Schlechter and is very closely related to the genus Pleurothallis.
The name derives from the Greek platys = wide, and stelis = column.
The plants can be cultivated very well mounted, and are suitable by their size also for small terrariums or showcases. They like high humidity, but should not stand wet, also fertilizing should be given only very carefully.
