Status:
valid
Authors:
(Senghas) M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams
Source:
wcs
Year:
2008
Citation Micro:
Lindleyana 21(3): 30 (2008)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000912093
Common Names
- Comparettia wuerstlei
- Wuerstlei Orchid
- Cattleya Wuerstlei
Description
Comparettia wuerstlei (also called Wuerstle's Comparettia, among many other common names) is a small epiphytic orchid with a creeping rhizome. It is native to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and grows in humid montane forests at elevations of 800-2400m. It has an inflorescence of up to 10 flowers, each with a white or yellow labellum and a yellow column.
Uses & Benefits
Comparettia wuerstlei is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a houseplant. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Comparettia wuerstlei is a small, white, star-shaped flower with five petals. The seed is a small, black, round seed. The seedlings are small, green, and have a single stem.
Cultivation and Propagation
Comparettia wuerstlei is an evergreen shrub that grows best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and is drought tolerant once established. Propagation is best done through semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer or early autumn.
Where to Find Comparettia wuerstlei
Comparettia wuerstlei is native to Colombia and can be found in wet montane forests.
Species in the Comparettia genus
Comparettia moroniae,
Comparettia acebeyae,
Comparettia amboroensis,
Comparettia auriculata,
Comparettia barkeri,
Comparettia bennettii,
Comparettia blankei,
Comparettia brevis,
Comparettia campoverdei,
Comparettia carinata,
Comparettia chiribogae,
Comparettia coimbrae,
Comparettia corydaloides,
Comparettia crucirornibus,
Comparettia delcastilloi,
Comparettia ecalcarata,
Comparettia embreei,
Comparettia equitans,
Comparettia frymirei,
Comparettia gentryi,
Comparettia granizoi,
Comparettia hauensteinii,
Comparettia heterophylla,
Comparettia hirtzii,
Comparettia jamiesonii,
Comparettia janeae,
Comparettia kerspei,
Comparettia kroemeri,
Comparettia langkastii,
Comparettia langlassei,
Comparettia larae,
Comparettia latipetala,
Comparettia limatamboensis,
Comparettia luerae,
Comparettia markgrafii,
Comparettia micrantha,
Comparettia minuta,
Comparettia mirthae,
Comparettia neudeckeri,
Comparettia newyorkorum,
Comparettia ottonis,
Comparettia pacensium,
Comparettia palatina,
Comparettia paniculata,
Comparettia papillosa,
Comparettia paraguaensis,
Comparettia penduliflora,
Comparettia peruvioides,
Comparettia portillae,
Comparettia rauhii,
Species in the Orchidaceae family
Aa fiebrigii,
Aa hartwegii,
Aa hieronymi,
Aa leucantha,
Aa lorentzii,
Aa macra,
Aa achalensis,
Aa maderoi,
Aa mandonii,
Aa matthewsii,
Aa microtidis,
Aa paleacea,
Aa argyrolepis,
Aa riobambae,
Aa rosei,
Aa schickendanzii,
Aa sphaeroglossa,
Aa trilobulata,
Aa weddelliana,
Aa aurantiaca,
Aa calceata,
Aa colombiana,
Aa denticulata,
Aa erosa,
Aa figueroi,
Aa lozanoi,
Aa lehmannii,
Acampe carinata,
Acampe cephalotes,
Acampe ochracea,
Acampe pachyglossa,
Acampe praemorsa,
Acampe joiceyana,
Acampe hulae,
Acanthophippium bicolor,
Acanthophippium chrysoglossum,
Acanthophippium curtisii,
Acanthophippium eburneum,
Acanthophippium gougahense,
Acanthophippium javanicum,
Acanthophippium lilacinum,
Acanthophippium mantinianum,
Acanthophippium parviflorum,
Acanthophippium pictum,
Acanthophippium splendidum,
Acanthophippium striatum,
Acanthophippium sylhetense,
Acanthophippium curtisii,
Achlydosa glandulosa,
Acianthera aculeata,