Description
Telipogon penningtonii (also called 'Pennington's Telipogon', among many other common names) is a species of orchid native to Colombia and Ecuador. It grows in wet montane forests at elevations of 1,000–2,000 m. It has a single, erect, fleshy, elliptic-lanceolate leaf and a single, erect, fleshy, cylindrical inflorescence with many flowers.
Uses & Benefits
Telipogon penningtonii is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a cut flower. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat fever, stomach ache, and diarrhea.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Telipogon penningtonii has white or yellowish-white flowers with a yellow-green center. The flowers have a long, slender tube and are borne in a raceme. The seeds are small, black and round. The seedlings are slender and have long, narrow leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Telipogon penningtonii can be propagated by seed or division. Seeds should be sown in a well-draining medium and kept moist until germination. Division should be done in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. The plant can be divided into several smaller clumps and replanted in a well-draining medium.