Description
Epidendrum thurstoniorum (also called 'Thurston's Epidendrum', among many other common names) is a small to medium-sized epiphytic orchid with a creeping rhizome and short stems. It is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. It grows in wet montane forests at elevations of 600-1800 meters.
Uses & Benefits
Epidendrum thurstoniorum is used in traditional medicine to treat fever, headaches, and stomach aches. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Epidendrum thurstoniorum has small, white flowers with yellowish-green sepals and petals. The flowers are borne in an umbel-like inflorescence. The seed is a small, black, round capsule with a single seed inside. The seedlings are small, with a single, long, narrow leaf and a single, short stem.
Cultivation and Propagation
Epidendrum thurstoniorum is a terrestrial or epiphytic orchid native to Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. It can be grown in a pot or mounted on a tree or cork slab. It prefers bright light and regular watering. Propagation is by division of the rhizome or by seed.