Catasetum macrocarpum

[kavanaru]

As I promised today in Jasen's thread http://www.orchidboard.com/community...crocarpum.html here are the pics of my Catasetum macrocarpum.

This plant came labelled as Catasetum planiceps, but it is obviously mislabelled... It is however a very nice and strong Ctsm. macrocarpum with a very strong fragrance (similar to licorice)

On pics 4 & 5 you can clearly see the two antennae at the basis of the column. These trigger the "pollinia gun" at the slightest touch... once the pollinia have been shot, the flower dies within 24h... as in most Catasetum, the male flowers normally last max. 2 weeks.

Ctsm. macrocarpum, as well as Ctsm. pileatum, belongs to the section Anisoceras (one of the antennae is curled at 90° under the other - as in the picture shown). I have often seen plants labelled as Catasetum pileatum or Ctsm. imperiale, but with parallel antennae (Section Isoceras) or only slightly crossing each other - This plants are actually hybrids, e.g. Ctsm. Orchidglade!!

[isurus79]

Another one I really need in my collection! Yours looks great Ramon.

[kiki-do]

Very nice Ramon! Thanks for sharing your pics.

[Bruno De Toni]

Very nice one Ramon. I really like this plant even though some people do not see anything special in it, as you know here in Caracas is quite common and let me tell you I use to collect and to place them on trees in my backyard. Now I have some with flowers and I have to shot some pics before not welcomed visitors come on them and take the pollinia off.

[Rosim_in_BR]

Nice to see a bit of your growing area, Ramón!
I once saw an unbelievably large bush of this species when on a trip in Bahia! Never forget that vision!

[Gena]

What a joy for eyes, Ramón! Both plant and flowers! Beautiful!

Originally Posted by Rosim_in_BR

I once saw an unbelievably large bush of this species when on a trip in Bahia! Never forget that vision!

Bush???? You said bush, Mauro????
If you will continue telling such stories I'll go there and try to find that bush and, probably, stay there forever....

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Gena

What a joy for eyes, Ramón! Both plant and flowers! Beautiful!


Bush???? You said bush, Mauro????
If you will continue telling such stories I'll go there and try to find that bush and, probably, stay there forever....

Gena, this species can get quite large... I have seen also several "bushes" of it in Venezuela...

[Gena]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

Gena, this species can get quite large... I have seen also several "bushes" of it in Venezuela...

That's great!!! Than it will be not such hard to find place to live the rest of my life!!!